Beach Day with Aislyn and Layna

Today I (Mommy) got to spend the afternoon with Layna and her best friend, Aislyn. We went to the Douglas State Park, and played in the sand and the water. The girls were very well behaved; there were no time-outs. They listened, played, swam, and enjoyed the weather! It was a perfect beach day. Aislyn was showing Layna how to go underwater, and before I knew it, I had two girls dunking their heads under water .... and holding their noses sometimes too ! Here are some photos of the two girls:

the girls' first beach trip together (with Kim and Nina)
they're about 7 and 8 months old

this was from the other day, it's Layna's first rainbow!
(we might have seen one or two before,
but she actually understood what we were looking at )

Tall Ships and Splash Pad

Before I start, this is one of those "catching/updating" blog entries. So, just keep scrolling there's a lot of photos and a few of videos to check out!

Now, last weekend we joined Gramma and Papa Robidoux to Newport for the Tall Ships event. It was a bright, no-cloud-in-the-sky day. Layna was well-behaved and was excited to see the "big boats", as she would call them. We parked where we had to take the shuttle, which was a school bus. Layna sat in her seat and looked out her window. She was equally excited to be on the school bus !

After seeing the Tall Ships, we headed to Newport's Easton Beach. We visted this beach at least once a summer, usually after walking the Cliffwalk or/and visiting the Newport Mansions. The water was 70*, which we all loved and enjoyed swimming in. There was it's famous "red tide" where there is red seaweed, or something... Once you get past it you're all good to swim. Layna loved jumping with Mommy when the waves came. She did go under a couple times, but wasn't at all bothered by the salt water. She was definitely back in her element: water! hahaha.... she was running down the beach splashing and yelling with excitement, chasing seagulls, and playing the the sand.

Before heading home for the day, I was able to capture some great photos of Layna on the beach!

the first ship we saw!

so many boats out this day!

she wouldnt get any closer to the hole

a life boat

 

playing in the sand

probably pointing at the "boyydie" aka birds/seagulls 

video of Layna at the beach...

besides my smile... this is such a sweet photo of us!

I try to keep Layna happy, active, and entertained. We go to the park every couple of days to play on the playground, in the sand, and/or in the water at the Splash Pad. This is both of our favorite park. It has "everything" and is appropriate for ages 1-6 years old. Wish we had it in our backyard but 8 minutes down the road isn't bad either. 

literally ran straight through that sprinkler behind her over and over!

we were getting new shutters and she wanted to paint!

We spend a lot of time with Aislyn and Kaitlin. The two of them - Aislyn and Layna - crack me up all the time. This day they decided they needed haircuts along with the babydoll.

Boston Weekend Getaway

This past weekend Layna and Mommy went into Boston with Aunt Slavka ("cha cha"), Auntie Rose, Cousin Connor and Baby (cousin) Lily. We went to Quincy Market for lunch, rode the new carousel in Boston, and visited all the fish and sea creatures at the New England Aquarium. The next morning, the little ones went swimming with Slavka and Auntie Rose while Mommy took a walk to Dunkin's with Lily to get her coffee. Layna loooooves the water and swimming. Both her and conner were happy little fish using the kick boards. After swimming, showering, and packing up we headed to North Reading to meet up with Teddy: Connor and Lily's half brother.

Layna behaved great, and marked her territory right in front of the seals' tank. hahaha.
(Here are some photos, hopefully I can grab some other from Slavka !)

waiting for Mommy to get tickets for the Carousel
(wearing the dress Mommy made for her!)

Mommy and Layna right before her accident!
(potty training is not fun for a busy day in the city)

Cousin dinner date in the hotel room !
I have never seen these  two sit and eat so well before. It could've
been the fact that if they were done eating it was time for bed too.

Splash Pad !

Layna and Mommy had a busy day today. We had some appointments and things to do, and this afternoon we went to the splash pad at the park. Last year, Layna ran right into the water and loved it, but today she was hesitant at first. There were a lot of people and kids there, but after a few minutes she  started running, splashing, and playing in the water.

Spring Has Come !

Layna visited Nana and Papa Robidoux this a couple weekends ago where she spent her time sleeping on the couch. We went to the doctors on Monday and found how poor babygirl had a double ear infection. She has been doing a lot better since the visit and starting her antibiotic. She is definitely herself again; she didnt want to go to bed last night. Daddy's Aunt Bev was suppose to watch Layna for the day, but her husband woke up and was sick, so Layna's first day of daycare was February 29th! Even though she was still tired this morning, she let me leave. She just kissed Momma goodbye and played with the toy she found.

Layna has been enjoying every day at "School".  She has definitely adapted well to her new schedule: no more sleeping in and lounging all day in pajamas. So, I wake Layna up around 7-7 15 unless she wakes up earlier on her own. I put on the television let her wake up slowly with a cup of milk while I finish getting ready/waking up myself and having my coffee. Then by 745 at the latest we head to school. She had a period of days where she would cry when I would try to leave her, but maybe she was sick but now shes happy and healthy and walks to Ms Braz for breakfast and lets me leave with ease. Its the best thing because all the other little girls say bye to me too when I wave by to Layna. At school, she gets breakfast around 8, plays, has lunch around 11 and is down for her nap between 11 45 - 2 sometiems she sleeps for an hour sometimes longer. She comes home hungry, so I have to have dinner ready to go by the time she gets home or shes craaaanky!  And so its dinner, Layna and Mommy playtime, bath time, and then bedtime.  I miss her so much, but it makes me love her and appreciate more when I thought I couldn't love her any more than I do. And she definitely misses her Momma !

We have been seeing Kaitlin and Aislyn once every a week if we can. It's good to socialize for both of us ! The girls get along great! Also, Kaitllin's friend Heidi watched Layna one Saturday for me, and as Heidi said they "really hit it off". Layna was definitely found of Heidi. They went to the park where Heidi - who does photography - took some photos of Layna (which you will see shortly).

Layna and I are doing pretty good despite the circumstances, and I know she does remember and miss her Daddy. We are going to go visit him Saturday and if not Saturday, Tuesday. They will both be excited !

Layna is definitely changing and growing faster than I would like ! I swear everyday she comes home looking more like a young child than toddler, her hair is longer, and way smarter. Daycare has definitely gotten her to be outgoing and way more expressive and vocal about things; she's always been expressive. If you get to see her again soon, you would know exactly what I mean, or for my family: she is definitely a Chamberlain !

This past week (third week of March), Layna seemed to have a little conjuctivitus, and when Heidi brought her to the doctors for me. We found out Little Lady had another double ear infection, and the drainage from her eyes could be from all the fluid and gunk/mucous inside, since she had the ear infection, stuffy runny nose, and her eyes were a little oozing.

One last thing before I show you the photos ! Layna and I went to Church this past Sunday. As I was taking her out of the car, I asked her "do you want to go play or sit in Church?" and she said "church!" I do not think I could have asked for to behave any better than she had. She sat when I sat, stood when I stood, and even knelt when I did even though she had 8 inches to go before being able to see over the pew in front of us. Layna would look at the paintings and say "Jesus" and nod her head. I honestly don't think I could ask for a more natural church-goer than that. If she could get there on her own I bet she would ! She even asks for the Bible as a bedtime story!

Anywho... here are those adorable photos taken by Heidi-Carolyn Photography. You'll be amazed at how much older just got: Enjoy ! (dont forget: if you click or double-click on the photo, it should open another window and display larger)

can she look any older !?

this is definitely playful ! 

peek-a-boo we see you ! :)

sitting like a lady

my little strawberry blond girl !
(the redness only shows in photos, I think its cute,
but its appears more dark blond in person)

CHEESE !

so freakin' cute !

Layna is always full of energy and playful !

sitting like a *lady*

definitely looks like Mommy here !