WEEK 8 BRINGS NEW MILESTONES!

This morning after Layla's second bath (she pooped up her back all the way up her shirt right after the first bath) she was laying on the change table for some tummy time while we re-grouped and picked out a new outfit. I looked over and she was totally propped up on her elbows and holding her head up for 3 minutes!

We made a big production and clapped and cheered and she loved it!

The world from a new point of view!

A GIRL AND HER SOFTY, A MOM AND HER BABY

Little Lady loves her softy's. Loves to pull them up over her face in order to fall asleep, loves to be tickled with them, loves to grab on and hold on! 

 I don't know if it's just a matter of being a first time mom, or an adoptive mom... but everyday I try to remind myself that Layla is my own daughter. Not anyone else's, no strings attached... I am her mom. I get butterflies in my tummy whenever I think of her, smell her, hold her, or see her. We fit.

Lucky #7

So I'm a bit of a freak about the numbers 7 and 9. Why are they my lucky numbers?
*Kevin's birthday has two 7's and a 9 in it
*If you add up the numbers in my birthday it equalls 9
*Our address is 542, 5+4=9-2=7
*Engaged 7 months
*Married on 9/7
*Lucky year 2009
*Waiting on the LDS adoption list for 9 months when we met our birthmother
*Married 7 years when we adopted Layla
*Layla's birthday month 7 of 2009
*Layla is the 7th grandchild
The list goes on and on and on!

Layla is 7 weeks old this week and has really started to blossom. She's smiling at us all the time now when she's awake. It's not just "gassy" smiles as she'll wait until we walk into the room and say hello and then she'll break out the big grin that melts our hearts! She's starting to find her soft little voice as she's cooing to us now. I can't wait to see what week 9 holds!

ANOTHER FAVORITE

Spent Saturday morning in bed, finally rallied the troops out the door by 3:45 pm and headed to IK*EA. 

(my poor logistical planning since becoming a mother is NOT my new favorite) But the rocking chair we purchased for Layla's room IS my new favorite. Now during her 5am feeding I can just sit, rock, and snuggle my baby girl. Her nursery is starting to come together and now if I could just get Kday to start and finish the mural he promised.... 

LUCKY ISLE #7

LAYLA'S NEW BOOKSHELF

SERIOUSLY SO JUDGMENTAL AND HYPOCRITICAL

A friend told me about how hilarious this blog is. I happen to think its the most ridiculous blog that proves to me that people have too much time and judgment on their hands. If "Mormon moms" bug you so bad and you think you are way more intelligent and original than "us," then get a life blogging about something supposedly more important.
Don't misunderstand this post as an act of defensiveness because I will admit that I cringe at the sight and sound of typical "Mormon mom" blogs, however I must have an actual life to blog about rather than spend my time making other people feel stupid for their sincere gratitude toward God for their blessed lives.

UTAHN

As of about 4 hours ago, Layla has been a Utahn for exactly 1 month. She has grown so much since the first time she came through our front door and into our hearts. Our love for her multiplies daily to new levels that we never imagined existed.

Some of her favorites include:
Being outdoors, laying on the hammock eating her brunch bottle around 11am
Eating, eating, and more eating about 3.5 oz every 4-4.5 hours during the day and 6 hrs at night
Tooting... a Lam family trademark... fits right into the Day family :)
Sleeping while being bundled tightly with her binki in mouth and new star gazing night light.
Story time at night when she listens to the story of her Angel mom who brought her here from heaven

Some of her least favorites:
Tummy time on the floor no matter how many toys are available for entertainment
Cleaning her boogers out of her nose with the bulb syringe
Cold wet wipes during 5am diaper changes
An empty mouth when her binki pops out mid nap



Some of our favorites:
When she stretches and squeeks for 5 minutes in the morning before actually waking up to eat
Her boisterous burps that rock the house in the middle of sacrament meeting
Going to visit Kevin in SLC for lunch
Her great big grins when she's dreaming away
Her hairy little arms and back that demand constant kissing and hugging
The list is endless!


Layla's accomplishments since arriving in Utah:
She's been able to meet almost everyone in the family and extended family as well as friends and neighbors. She has graduated from sleeping in the bassinet in mom and dad's room to sleeping in her own room. She's gained at least 2.5 lbs and if she gows any longer we'll have to start cutting the feet out of all her PJ's. She has been to the quilt shop, party planning store, bike races, swimming at nana's, shopping in Park City, the grocery store, post office, farmers market, Salt Lake, Work, Zoo and church. She always poops out the left side of her diaper at the least convienient time. She fusses and cries very little and only when she's hungry, tired or her tummy hurts. And she has stolen the hearts of everyone who has caught a glimpse of her.

FROM THIS....

TO THIS.....

FROM DAY 1

TO DAY 39

YOUR FUTURE IS FULL LITTLE LADY LAYLA! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S IN STORE FOR NEXT MONTH!

NINER

Little Lady was 1 month old as of Thursday and she's pounding the bottles! She's sleeping 4-4.5 hours during the day with a 3oz bottle and 5-5.5 hours at night! She's amazing and time is flying by. Running on 3 hours of sleep since last night so this post is short. But Layla bug is up from birth weight of 7.4 lbs to 9.2 lbs! Yaow-zuh! The big niner!

Goodbye Susan

Fat Cyclist has accomplished some amazing things thanks to his wonderful wife Susan. She will be missed greatly. We can all learn about strength and enduring challenges from her story. 

LAYLA'S FAVORITE... AWAKE TIME ACTIVITY

This is a cool DVD collection that Kday found online that Little Lady Layla happens to love! Check out the site at weeseeworld.com, it's a great visual stimulus for newborns and is so relaxing... even for mom and dad!
Here's a sneak peek!

wee see - collection one from Rolyn Barthelman on Vimeo.

TEAM SPONSOR

FIRST BIKE RACING EVENT

Layla attended her first of many of her dad's bike races yesterday. She donned a custom onsie with the team logo and title on the back. She met Aunt Deb and Team Firth and Grandpa showed her the ropes. Proud mom showed her off and dad couldn't stop smiling. It was great day at the races.

CUSTOM ONSIE WITH TEAM KUHL LOGO.... VICTORY!

TILE ON THE BACK... WITH HER SIGNATURE BIRD

AUNT DEB AND MRS. LUZACK

TEAM FIRTH

GRANDPA COULDN'T STOP SMILING

PROUD MAMA

DIDNT' GET THE WIN... BUT GOT THE GIRL

KASHI WAS THERE TOO