Little Ballerina !

Last week... or two weeks ago, Layna had two appointments: 1) her 15-month-old well-baby checkup. Layna is 24 pounds and .... 30 3/4" tall, and 2) the follow up to her ultrasound with Dr. Ellsworth. She said everything looks great and now we have to do the VCUG or whatever it is to make sure she has no reflux. Mommy cannot wait until these trips to Hasbro are done !

Mommy can't think of anything that has happened for those two weeks in between but....

this morning, Mommy stood Layna on the floor and took her hands and danced with her. And now, Layna will start going in circles laughing and saying "daaa...da..daaaaa" (as if it were music) ! Mommy will try to get a video of this along with her animal noises/recognitions, and cheerleading skills. When Mommy says "heel stretch" to Layna, she stands on one leg and puts it behind her. She doesn't know the difference between "heel stretch", "aerobasque", or "scale" yet... but she is learning ! She is learning that when something smells it is called "stinky" which is when she pinches her nose ! hahaha Layna has started to say "oink oink" for pig while scrunching her nose also along with scrunching her nose and moving her mouth open for "rabbit". hahaha

Oh! Dr.  Reynold's (Layna's pediatrician) said "no more bottle". It's hard because Layna never got the bottle to fall asleep and Mommy gave in when they moved into Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux's house. However, Layna has been doing pretty well with this sleep training and getting rid of the bottle. She has finally slept through the night, and if not sleep, soothed herself back to sleep without the bottle. She has only needed the bottle a few times. However, when we go to visit Daddy, Layna's sleep gets all messed up, but once we our back home, she knows the drill now. Since, the midnight snacks are gone along with 2 bottles of Layna's - Mommy threw them out: "out of sight, out of mind" - it is time to start getting rid of the "go to sleep" bottle. She has only been getting about 4-5 ounces (which she technically doesn't need... she wants. Mommy has to teach her the difference. haha), and then she plays or relaxes in the crib until she falls asleep. Mommy will try to put her down with probably half of that this coming week. Grandma Robidoux has been doing a little bedtime routine/sleep training when she watches Layna when Mommy is at work, which has helped the whole process :)

Layna has been eating a lot better. Mommy realizes snacks fill her little belly up quickly ! A couple of crackers and some juice or water pretty much replaces lunch. When Mommy isn't giving out crackers like they are going out of style and doesn't let Layna's sippy cup chill around the house, Layna eats better when it is meal time. She  does get a little snack sometimes around 3 if she seems hungry. Her favorite snack is a banana, which she doesn't like to share with Grandma Robidoux anymore and prefers to hold the banana...also, she won't eat a banana if it isn't in its peel. In addition, she is doing better sitting in her high chair...specially when she is fastened in. Who would've thought ?!

The weather has been nice lately, so Mommy has gone for some walks and let Layna play outside. However, it IS snowing right now in the beginning of April. (just had to record this unusualness for Layna).

It's Been a Long Cold Month !

It has been a long January with numerous snow storms here in Massachusetts ! Layna and Mommy played in the snow a few times; it was up to Mommy's waist ! Mommy would try to put Layna on the sled but she wasn't having it. Layna's favorite thing to do in the snow: eat it ! After one of the snow storms, Mommy brushed off the cars, which took a while. She bunlded Layna Bayna up and took her outside to play. Layna didn't try running away or running into the street. She just played in the driving knocking the snow off the snow banks and eating snow. She walks good in her snow boots that Uncle Tim and Ariel got her for Christmas.. and does well for being all bundled up !

Mommy and Layna were sick a couple nights ago. Layna had a runny nose which became a stuffy nose and the next morning Mommy woke up with a sore throat and a runny/stuffy nose. Mommy's cold turned into a cough while Layna's just stayed being a runny/stuff nose. It seemed like the illness was going to last forever because Mommy and Layna are always together and their germs were being passed back and forth, or it seemed.

Layna is doing well with her sleep training. She has finally started sleeping longer than 4 hours again. Yay ! And when she does wake up, Mommy gets her a bottle and keeps her in her crib. Layna doesn't fuss, just falls peacefully back to sleep. Now Layna depends on the bottle to fall asleep and her blanket, but getting rid of the bottle will be the next step to Layna's sleep training.

Layna does very well with the spoon and fork, which makes the morning and meal time a little bit easier for Mommy. Layna has become a picky eater over the last few weeks. She won't eat mushed baby food or toddler food. She sometimes eats what us adults are eating but not much. Mommy has been letting Layna eat table foods but will also give her baby cereal with baby food mixed. This has been helping Layna sleep through the night because she is more filled.

Layna isn't really saying any words yet :( However, she is very good and letting us know what she wants. She does this by pointing and say "oooh" or when we tell her "no" she sits down and cries and sometimes will lay on her back and cry. Her babbles include sounds of "na", "oh", "eye", "ma", "mamamama", "baba", "boo" (like in book), "ughh". When Mommy tries to teach Layna a new word or sound, she does watch Mommy's mouth and tries to do it but gives up quickly.

Layna's dance moves have become more "intense". The include: arm waving/flinging, knee bending, foot stomping, clapping, and head nodding. She gets excited when certain songs on the TV come on. Her shows include: Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Imagination Movers, and all their little "shows" in between.

Last week, Layna didn't want her diaper on when she got out of the bath. So she rolled over, stood up on the changing table, and started dancing... naked ! It made Mommy laugh a lot !

This past weekend was Uncle Tim and Ariel's engagement party. Layna behaved very well, and everyone loved her like always !

Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux and Mommy had a little celebration for Layna's first birthday. Layna ate her cake like a lady; making no mess.

Mommy's computer is broken, which is why she hasn't updated the blog. She will try to update it more often and post new pictures shortly !

Sledding !

Layna went sledding with Mommy and Grandpa Robidoux this afternoon. She didn't like being put into the sled by herself. She went down the hill twice with Mommy and once with Grandpa. Layna has been doing a wonderful job falling asleep in her crib, but won't go back to sleep in it once she's up in the middle of the night. Mommy is working on that with Layna.

Layna isn't a big fan of strollers and store carriages or being held anymore. She just wants to walk everywhere ! When at a store, she finds something on the shelf to take off one shelf and put on another. As long as she doesn't throw everything on the floor, Mommy doesn't mind.

Layna is becoming such a big when it comes to eating. She has been eating big people food and will reach for the spoon or fork instead of grabbing her food with her fingers.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy:

first snow fall of the year

you can't see it but she's cheering on her Patriots wearing her Tom Brady jersey

after sledding with Mommy

playing with her birthday party hats... goofball !

Just a little update :-)

Layna has been growing so quickly ! Every day it seems like she is learning new things quicker and quicker. She plays on the stairs and goes up them when she wants attention. Also, she is learning to sleep in her crib wonderfully (tonight Mommy is going to attempt to put Layna back into her crib when she wakes up). She is starting to feed herself more and more with a spoon and fork. She definitely knows the difference. She stabs her food with the fork and tries to scoop with the spoon. She is walking more and more instead of crawling. Grandma Robidoux and Mommy took Layna to the mall where she could practice walking in her new beginning walker shoes.

Today Layna had her post-op appointment with the urologist. Every one in the office was at awe with Layna and her outfit ! Her big, cream sweater with black leggings and her "cute" had. She was ready for the slopes ! The urologist said that the incision healed beautifully. We go back to get the stint out (a little piece of something that is put in the ureter so the scar tissue doesn't close up the hole to the bladder) .. we go back January 14, and she has an ultrasound February 9th to see how the kidney is functioning.

Layna LOOOVES chocolate just like her Momma ! Every time Mommy would open her little piece of chocolate, Layna would come running to her, making her "Hum..." sound, which mean "share?" or "more". She is definitely communicating with sounds and pointing. We are just waiting for her to start saying some words instead of sounds. She is babbling a lot though with different sounds.

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas everyone !

Layna and Mommy get to celebrate Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux's house, and tomorrow will be heading down to Daddy's to spend the holiday with his whole family. Hopefully Layna will be in a good mood for the day visiting family in Fall River and then off to Weymouth.

Lately Layna has been wanting to feed herself every once in awhile, so Mommy believed it was time for toddler spoons and forks. Today Layna had pasta and tomato meat sauce for lunch and used a fork for the first time. She did so good ! She got some pieces on her fork and would make it to get mouth ! She looked like such a big girl sitting there with a sipping cup full of milk and feeding herself pasta with a fork!

This morning Layna skyped with Uncle Andre and Nicole, and got to open her presents from them: some really cute clothes from old navy ! She liked Skyping and would say "hi" to them and wave to them through the computer. Mommy was surprised that she knew that they were people talking to her and not a like a TV.

Today Mommy took Layna out on the deck for a short 5-10 minutes. Layna wore her boats for the first time and was bundled up in her winter coat and hat and mittens. She seemed to walk pretty good in her boots even though she preferred crawling. Once on the ground, she would find ice frozen on the deck and lean over and lick it... what are we going to do with her?! hahaha

Tonight Layna will be trying some tradition Ukrainian Christmas food: perogies and beet stew with some bread and some veggies. Hopefully she will like it ! The Christmas feast has became smaller over the years and is now a dinner.

Puff Balls !

Apparently Layna always knew how to climb up stairs. She doesn't just do a couple at a time ... she flies up them like it's an old habit, especially when she knows someone is up there.

This morning, Layna was sleeping in bed with Mommy. Mommy was awake and watching Layna for a few minutes and Layna kept smiling non stop.... and her eyes would open with her eyeballs rolled back kind of freaky.... but the smiling part was SO adorable ! Mommy wish she had a camera to record it!

Layna has been eating these little veggie and fruit puff ball snacks that melt in her mouth along with some "table food" or food off of Mommy's and Daddy's plates. She doesn't know what to make of the puff balls. The have flavor but it's not strong (Mommy tried one). Also, we give her these little yogurt melts also unlike the veggie and fruit puffs, the yogurt ones have a lot of flavor. She eats them which makes Mommy happy, and instead of sticking the whole puff in her mouth, Layna usually takes a little bite - she is using those teeth !!

Layna is starting to learn how to clap. She will fling her toys (or whatever object she is holding) around with her right arm, and sometimes just swings her arm. When Daddy and Mommy clap, Layna will try mimmicking them, but with just the right arm. Also, Layna does this thing now where she will throw her head back with a mouth-wide-open smile. It's so funny and cute !

Layna is learning how to drink out of a "cup". We use the cap to the bottle which is the perfect size. She does fairly well, and improves everytime ! She does still manage to get water everywhere though.

Early tomorrow morning, Layna has an appointment with Dr Ellsworth, the urologist. She had the scan done last week, and now we will find out if we are keeping the right kidney or getting rid of it. Goodluck, Layna Bayna !

...and lastly, the family is going to Syracuse this weekend ! Layna finally gets to meet her Grandpa Chamberlain and that side of Mommy's family. Uncle Andre and Nicole will be visiting that weekend too, so Layna will get to see them again along with Auntie Rose, Cousin Connor, and Mommy's Aunt Slavka and whoever else from Grandma Robidoux's family.

Layna has taken a long car trip before, and she requires a lot of necessary "stuff". Mommy is sure the car will be packed with 75% of Layna's belongings. We are staying in an hotel, and hoping that Layna will get some swim time in the pool !

watching Grandma and Grandpa leave

"Rock Star" tank

(she wasn't feeling this photo shoot)

ribbon!

Naptime.

haha sitting on a ball

trying on a few of her new fall clothes (somebody needs a nap)

learning to drink from a cup

such a big girl !

help, Maaa!

baby in the diaper box

First Swim in a Pool

Layna wakes up in the morning and doesn't want to go back to sleep for a couple more hours, so instead of being stuck inside playing, Mommy takes Layna on a walk before it gets hot. Mommy has started to get into an exercise routine and lose the extra weight, especially since her Rheumatoid Arthritis is a lot better. Along with morning walks, Daddy and Mommy and Layna takes walks in the evening as part of her bedtime routine, if the temperature has cooled off.

Layna has started getting three (solid food) meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner - along with her bottles of formula bottles. She is doing a great job eating solids. Mommy makes a bowl of baby rice and mixes her baby food with it. Layna's favorites include peaches, pears and applesauce, squash, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. She doesn't enjoy carrots or bananas, but Mommy is willing to give it another try soon.

Layna got her first little bump on her head - she hit the coffee table. Just a little bruise and bump nothing big.

Yesterday Daddy had surgery on his jaw, leaving Mommy and Layna for a girl's weekend. Yesterday Layna and Mommy went to visit Auntie Libbie, where Layna got to swim in a pool for the first time. She loved it and couldn't have been happier ! She behaved so well. At first, Layna had a little stranger anxiety, but warmed up to the Howley's quickly. Layna would laugh when Mommy moved her back and forth in the water and her feet just dragged. She would stand on the first step with her toes in the water, and it was just the cutest little sight ! Mommy put Layna in her pack'N'play to play quietly, but she just wanted to get out. She somehow managed to stand up while pushing the mesh sides for leverage - she is such a little monster !! Layna took a nap in the later afternoon; falling asleep quietly even though Mommy had to carry her for 15 - 20 minutes. Layna was the most sociable and happy with strangers than she has ever been. On the way home, Layna and Mommy stopped by the hospital to visit Daddy.

After getting home, Layna got a small bottle, a bath and was ready for bed around 9. However, it was just one of those nights where Layna couldn't stay asleep. She would quickly fall asleep when in front of the fan, but the minute Mommy adjusted her hand or arm or tried to put Layna down, Baby Girl would wake right up. This went on for a good 2 hours.

taking in the surroundings

Mommy would only put a bathing suit on for her little angel !

relaxing on the steps

naptime !

Auntie Lib

Butternut Squash

The other day Layna had a nice little dinner of baby oatmeal with prune juice instead of water. She enjoyed it and had a good amount of it. Layna was still struggling to pass a bowel movement, so Mommy figured to mix the prune juice and oatmeal - which worked like a charm within 12 hours.

Last night Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux watched Layna while Mommy and Daddy went out for the night in Boston. Grandma reported that Layna was good. She was asleep when Mommy called to check-in around 9, and Grandma said she woke up right after and wanted to play. She eventually fell asleep after having some water. Layna was sound asleep when Mommy and Daddy came home, so they could head to bed easily. Layna slept on her stomach for the majority of the night, which she never does; she usually sleeps on her side or back.

Today Layna had a her first solid food - butternut squash. She didn't know what to make of it at first. It was as if she thought we were teasing her and she couldn't have anymore after tasting it. She ate about a tablespoon of it willingly and didn't make a big mess. Layna ate/sucked the butternut squash off her bib.