Goodbye to the Paci, so glad to see you...

Paci in the trashcan.

Throwing paci away!

What a big girl!

Taking paci to the trash!

It happened! Sunday night on the way home from dinner at Nana and Papa's I read a friend's entry on Facebook about her son giving up his paci! So, I asked Lyla if she could be a big girl like Nolan (big boy!) and say bye-bye to her paci!

The next day Lyla gave her paci to the trashman by putting it in the trash cans. Then we went to Toys R us so she could choose a new toy for being a big girl. She choose a kitty webkinz and a new stroller for her babies!

Looney's and the Hieb's...

Today we went to the Austin Children's Museum! What fun! Lyla loved playing with all of the fun toys and games. It really inspired me to transform our gameroom so she can have a place to role play and imagine without a TV nearby! After the museum we headed to Phil's Icehouse for burgers and fun playground time. Lyla enjoyed playing with her friends Anna, Jack, Ryan and Audra! It was so fun to see everyone! We should get together more often!

Cousins...

Bryana and Brooke, Lyla's cousins, came to stay with us for a couple of days. We met them and Tia Cindy down south at Texas Roadhouse for dinner then we headed home! The first night the girls tucked Lyla in and read her a bedtime story. Brooke slept in Lyla's room but soon decided that Lyla kicks too much in her sleep. The next day the girls babysat while I went to the gym. After I got home we made waffles for breakfast. We threw on swimsuits and went to the sprinkler park. When we got hungry we decided to head to Chuy's. The girls had never been there! It was delicioso! Soon it was time for a nap so we headed home. After a quick siesta we headed to the pool! As our day ended we enjoyed some tater tot casserole with the girls!

The next day was just as busy! An early morning workout/babysitting gig followed by a stay at the pool. While Lyla napped I let the girls take my car to the pool! Around 3:30pm we headed south to meet Tia Cindy! What fun we had. Thanks for coming girls!

Happy 4th!

What a fun weekend! We began our weekend with a dinner at the Ray's. I took my camera but it never left my bag, thanks to the Summer Beer I insisted on ingesting! Oh well! Lyla had not seen Nolan for about 2 weeks and he was so excited to see her when we got there! They played so nicely all night long! TJ said while the guys were outside playing Washers Lyla and Nolan were sitting on a stool made for one! Too cute! After a delicious dinner everyone settled in! On a trip upstairs to check on the kids, Kristin found our two children completely naked in an empty bathtub! They just wanted to take a bath! Before the bath was even over Lyla was asking to wear Nolan's truck jammies! The kids attempted to chill out and watch a movie but it was not successful. So, Nolan was headed to bed. He kept saying, "I want Yi-ya to sleep in my bed!" She we put the kids down in Kristin's room, mind you, by now it's 11pm. Nolan feel asleep but my wild child kept running around! We headed home around 12am with a child who had TONS of energy! As soon as we got home she went straight to bed! We didn't hear a peep until 4am! Then, again at 5am. She wanted to get in bed with her Daddy! Good Morning Independence Day!



Today we've done yard work and house work and now TJ is busy smoking ribs and a brisket! We're headed to Nana and Papa's for dinner and then hopefully to see fireworks if the rain stays away!

July 5th...
We ended up finding a grassy spot off Cypress Creek Road to watch the Cedar Park Fireworks! About half way through the show Lyla said, "It's Fireworks!" Almost like she just connected the concept with the actual fireworks! Of course, because it was late she had a complete meltdown when we were trying to put her in the car! Good thing I brought Woobie and a pacie! BTW...yesterday was suppose to be the official "take the pacie" away day...it didn't happen! I talked to her about giving it to the trash man and she said, "Ok!" Then I reminded her she was a big girl and didn't need a pacie anymore! She said, "You can get me more Mommy!" Oy, it's gonna be rough! Back on subject... the fireworks were good and we had a delicious dinner! Smoked brisket and ribs with potato salad, caprese and more!!! We had a good mix of fun with friends and family!

Good Friends come over to play...

We've been kid swapping with the Naranjo's before their FOURTH kid comes along in August! Baby Olivia is due on Lyla's birthday but according to Michelle's OB she is a big baby and will have to be delivered early! Yea, for Mommy! Anyway, I took these pictures of the kids playing one night while they were out and Elena and Marcus came to play with Lyla!

Bub and Lyndsey's visit...

My brother, Brandon and his wife Lyndsey came to Texas for their bi-annual pilgrimage out of the arid southwest! They arrived on Memorial day and ended up staying for almost 3 full weeks! We absolutely loved having them here. On the first night they were here Lyla convinced her Aunt Lyndsey to paint her toenails, then it turned into her fingernails, then it turned into Lyla painting Lyndsey's fingernails!



We had many family dinners including brisket made by the famous Caballero!! (he he he, TJ smokes a mean brisket!) We also made chicken tacos and grilled pizza!! What wonderful family time!



On the last weekend B and L were here TJ and I had a wedding in Perkins, Oklahoma to attend. That's a whole other blog post! What fun! In the end we decided that a pilgrimage to Stillwater would need to happen every couple of years! Lyndsey and I ran around campus taking pictures of all the famous OSU things!!

Summer pics!

Lyla will be three years old (AHHHH!) in 2 short months! I can't believe how fast time has gone! She speaks in complete sentences and even makes jokes! Of course, her favorite jokes are one's that have "pee pee" or "poo poo" in them!

My favorite one goes like this...

Lyla: "Mommy, I don't feel good!"

Mommy: "What do you feel like?"

Lyla: "Dog Food!"

She cracks herself up!



She is also very stubborn and strong willed! She wants things her way and she wants to do them herself! We've established two time out spots in our house, one, on the rug by the front door and two, in her bedroom with the door closed! She does not like either one but, thankfully, only has to visit time out about once a day!



Favorites:

Breakfast: Bacon, like her daddy

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets with "straw-berries"

Dinner: Fish

Snacks: Nilla wafers, especially the mini one's

She loves "cho-co-late"! Frequently reminding me that she deserves an M&M for pottying in the potty!

She loves to take her purse and kitty with us when we go bye-bye.

She has started calling her Nana "Nanny".

She loves to run around naked and show people her "booty".

She pretends to talk on the phone to her Granny and Grandma Celia (Great Grandmothers). She walks around while she "talks" to them.

Anytime she loves something she says, "It's my favorite!" I.e. "That bus is my favorite!" "The pool is my favorite!"

She loves to play with her friends, Nolan, Elizabeth, Ryan, Jake, Allie, Mckenna, Lena, Conner, Aubree, Eli, Marcus and Elena!