Layla is 27 weeks old!

The world's best stocking stuffer.

Yes, this was made by my Mommy with her hands and heart full of love.

Yes, Layla is 27 weeks old. She turned 6 months old on Monday, Dec. 21st. On the 22nd, Layla received her 6 month shots. Then on the 25th, she celebrated her first Christmas with the entire family. Also, on the 25th she got her first cough. On the 26th she visited the doctor again to get checked out, and then continued to feel crummy for the rest of the week.

It was a great week all in all. Mommy went out Monday night and Daddy and Layla chilled together and got to play together. It was a big treat for Mommy to come home and see the two of them sitting side by side on the sofa with the the dogs at their feet. Layla had the biggest smile on her face and that twinkle in her eye that says, "I love my daddy time."

As the week continued, Layla and Mommy got to spend much time together. We found out that her carrier had been recalled so we returned it to Target and installed the bigger car seat for safe riding.

On Tuesday, Layla went to see Dr. Popejoy and to get her third round of shots. Layla weighted 18 pounds and was 251/2 inches long. Things were looking great according to Dr. Popejoy. This is and was great new to Mommy and Daddy's ears.

Christmas day was a blast. Layla knew exactly what to do with the wrapping paper. The only minor problem we ran into was that the paper was just or even a little more fun than the presents. But, since the paper has been recycled, the toys themselves are lots of fun. For Christmas morning, Mamo and Papa came over for breakfast and to watch a few presents to be opened. The later on in the day Grandma, Ganny, Tim, and Aunt Jean came over to eat dinner and open even more gifts. Boy, was it a fun filled day. That evening Mommy, Layla, and Daddy watched a movie and went to be early.

The next day, Layla and Mommy woke up early, not to go shopping the day after Christmas, but to go to the doctor, because Layla had a nasty cough. The one thing Layla liked about going to the doctor's office was that there was even more paper to tear. Layla tore and tore the paper on the top of the examination table. She has learned that this is a fun activity and game. Who will know if she will ever forget this amazing feeling. Thanks to the Saturday clinic, Layla was seen and meds. were prescribed. For the rest of the week, Layla, Mommy, and Daddy just chilled at home, staying warm by the T.V. and fireplace.

What a wonderful week. Staying home with Mommy, loving on Daddy, and getting to be with family. This is all a baby girl can ask for during the holiday season.

Layla playing on the floor with her new crawl and roll ball.
She will be rolling and crawling with it very very soon.

Layla reading the best book in the world, which was from the best Grandma in the world!

Layla is investing the purpose of these silly things.

She learned she can put them over, under, and even around herself.

Daddy is showing Layla how to play with her new toys.

Layla is saying, "Give it here Daddy, it is my turn."

Tim, Ganny, Daddy, Layla, and Mommy.

Our first Christmas picture.

Yes, Layla has had a long day.

She should sleep very well tonight!

Grandma is feeding Layla her Christmas dinner.

The paper is the best, according to Layla Ann.

"Look, this is my first present to unwrap, what is in the heck is it."

"I am working hard. I love this thin paper. It tears with little effort.

I would love just a bunch of this stuff."

Daddy, Papa, Layla, and Mamo

Mommy and Layla at Christmas Eve mass.

Layla is 6 months old!!

Layla turned 6 months old yesterday. It was a great day. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. Thank you to everyone that has been supporting us the past 6 months. We have six more months until Layla is 1 year old. Here is a few pictures of the past 6 months to remind you of the events that have happened in Layla's life.

Layla's first picture, ever.



Mommy, Daddy, and Layla are preparing to leave the hospital.

Papa, Daddy, Layla, and Mamo

Layla's has been baptized.

Grandma, Mommy, and Layla

Layla chilling in the house getting away for the hot Texas summer sun.

She is sitting right beside the only man in her life, Daddy.

Layla is all smiles.

Happy Fall!

Our Thanksgiving family picture.

Too cute for words.

The morning of turning 6 months old!

Mommy kissing Layla.

Layla and Mommy saying "Hooray, you are 6 months old."

Layla is 26 weeks old.

Today is the last night Layla will be less than 6 months old. 6 MONTHS, Yes that is right. 26 weeks have passed and the 6 month mark is about to be here. We just can't believe that 6 months have passed by so fast. They have been the best six months of our lives.

As I, Nancy, tried to lay Layla down for an afternoon nap, I realize that my little girl was much longer that she was 26 weeks ago. She is stronger, more independent yet demanding, older, and heavier. Wow, is all that kept going through my head. 26 weeks ago I was trying to figure out how to nurse her, change her diaper, hold her, and meet all those other needs a baby brings into ones life. Wow, Larry and I have become experts at raising Layla. Well experts at meeting her needs and wants and even more. We had no idea what Layla would do to our lives 26 weeks ago, but we are sure grateful for each and ever waking and sleeping moment we have had. We are just so thrilled to say we have a wonderful life time to spend together with her as a family.

Well, as I rocked my baby girl to sleep, I had to recall all of the first moments we had together. The first moments I had with her as a mom, the moments she had with us as a family. Then I began to think about the amazing things she does for me on a daily basis. The things she brings to my life is just indescribable. As I rocked back and forth in our wooden creaking rocker, Layla just become totally relaxed and her head nudged tighter and snugger in the crook of my arm. What and awesome feeling. This feeling is hard to express and explain, but it is a feeling of joy that means and expresses how much she trusts and how comfortable she feels with me, her mommy. Then I began to cry, thinking, "How much longer will I have where I can hold my baby girl so securely, tightly, and comfortably?" I hope I never forget that feeling. It is just too incredible.

Well for now that is all I can say without getting super sad. But please stay tuned and enjoys the pictures below. They sure explain so of the activities Layla has done today.

Layla and her Great Aunt Mary.

Peaches, oh, peaches for me.

Mommy had to get creative so Layla could play with this new Leap Frog toy.

Boy she was creative.

Thanks to the Neal Family, Layla gets to play in her Jenny Jump Jumper.

Daddy loves on his little angel at Aunt Jean's birthday dinner.

Grandma Nixon, Aunt Jean, Mommy, and Layla

are out eating Tia food for Aunt Jean's birthday.

Daughter like Father!

T.V. remotes are very important in this house hold.

Layla and Santa

Layla is 25 weeks old!

Layla is 25 weeks old and time is just so fast. We have one more week of work. Christmas break is just around the corner so, we will be short and get to catch up next week, once things calm down. But, I am 25 weeks old, and I love to play, laugh, and eat.

Peekaboo, I am playing while my mommy gets dressed for work.

Squash is so yummy!

I will learn how to feed myself soon.

I want to have control of this good stuff.

I am sitting up straight and tall.

Wow!!

Tummy time is so much fun right before bed time.

Layla is 24 weeks old!

Week 24 flew by so fast. It is feeling like each week gets faster and faster by the day. We only have two more weeks until Christmas break, and then Layla and Mommy will have a few days to chill by the cozy fire and Christmas tree.

Early Thursday morning, Layla and Mommy decided to take Layla's Christmas picture. The photo op is below. At least a few of the snap shots. It was defiantly a fun time at four o'clock in the morning. We never let a good, wide awake morning go to waste in this house hold.

Some of the exciting things that have happened this week include Layla's interactions with her toys. She seems to be more aware of them and their uses. She is finally using the rock and roll drum, piano, and guitar set Daddy purchased for her in October. Since she can sit up without our support, she can honestly press the buttons and make it work in her own creative way. She sits in front of our living room mirrors and will make music for at least ten to fifteen minutes on her own. What an accomplishment! In addition she is holding her toys more successfully and shaking them to make noise more efficiently. This is an amazing developmental milestone.

This week, we also experienced our first cold spell. Which meant we had to bundle up to leave the house. Thank to the Pantles, Layla had a warm winter coat that makes Layla into warm Eskimo baby. She defiantly is a bundle of joy in the chocolate brown, trimmed in pink, winter coat. It is so nice to be assured that she will not be a bit cold when we leave our warm, cozy home. See the cutest picture below.

On Friday, Mommy got very sick at work and had to go home early. Yes, she threw up. But thanks to our schedule, she had a two hour nap before she had to pick Layla up for the day. To top off the sundae, Grandma Nixon came over to help Mommy out until Daddy got home. Thanks to Grandma, Mom slept even more and got to take a shower to reduce the pressure in her head. Then thanks to Daddy, Mommy got to sleep even more and get better before the next day. It is wonderful to have an amazing family that will help out especially when someone is under the weather.

On Sunday, Layla and Mommy got to go to church, then to Grandma's, and finally went shopping to top off our Christmas list. Everyone will just have to wait until Christmas day to find out what is actually under the Christmas tree, especially if the dogs will stop opening the packages.

Well, week 24 has been promising. Layla is eating even more baby food. Her favorites include peas, bananas, carrots, and squash. The green beans are not that tasty, according to Layla's yucky face. And sweet potatoes make her gag and chock, so those are off the menu for now.

Take care and stay warm.

I love this toy my grandma has for me to play with at her house.

If you turn it upside down it has this cool yellow wheel that I like to turn.

Layla is playing all by herself and says

"Get away you muddy, smelly mutts.

I am pretty in pink and need my beauty space."

Daddy and Layla time.

She turned her first page in a book.

Yes, all by herself and the help of gravity.

Look at my robe.

Thanks, Dick and Nancy Nixon.

It is totally warm!!

Good morning, America.

Well, actually it is "The Today Show".

A warm bundle of joy.

It might be snowing outside, but I will not be a bit effected.