No More Bottle :)

My almost 16-month-old no longer gets the bottle... YAY!  Layna has been doing SO well without her bottle. Mommy has been trying on and off to give Layna less milk every few days, but that has no been working. Hence, Layna still wanted her bottle. This past week Mommy has stopped giving Layna the bottle when it was time to go to sleep. Usually it is the bedtime bottle that goes last, but Mommy made it the first one to take away. And then the next day, Layna didn't get a bottle for naps. She will cry for about 5 minutes just because she is fussy, but sometime she will go down without a sound. Mommy has been sleeping on the couch for the past week, also, so she wouldn't be able to hear Layna wake up expecting a bottle and probably cry. Layna has been successfully sleeping through the nights. Mommy is so very proud of Layna and hopefully this will continue on for forever.   :-)

Also, Layna's sippy cups have been leaking more and more recently, so Mommy needs to get new ones. She has seen ones in OneStepAhead (a parenting catalog) that are very much like "big people" cups; they don't have a spout so the child has to put her/his mouth on the cup and tip it up. I think Layna will do good with these, so we will be trying these !

A quick Hi.

Mommy and Layna saw Daddy for the past couple of days. The visit was good, but went by quick. Layna doesn't sleep well at all at Daddy's house though. She wakes up crying with tears rolling down her cheeks. The poor baby obviously wakes up confused and doesn't know where she is, and then from there on she wakes up about every hour or hour and a half within a 5 hour span. Mommy loses even MORE sleep than normal. At least Layna sleeps well at home, which allows Mommy to sleep well... on the couch.

This past week, Mommy made some summer clothes from Layna Bayna: two dresses and a romper. Cute. Quick. Simple. (photos will be posted when they can be taken....hopefully soon)

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 !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Layna's "first" (actually her second) Christmas was wonderful. Layna and Mommy woke up at Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux's house and headed to Daddy's house bright and early. (Santa visited Layna Christmas Eve when she was taking her evening nap... and she opened presents then.) When we got to Daddy's we all opened presents, and then headed over to Auntie Bev's and Uncle Donald's for the "Roe" family get together (Grandma Boyce's family). Afterwards, Daddy, Mommy, Layna and Grandpa Boyce headed over to Aunt Sheila's for the "Boyce" family get together (Granpa Boyce's family).

It was a long day but Layna behaved very well. She had some meatball at Aunt Sheila's along with sharing Mommy's dessert: cream puff pie and cheese cake. Layna definitely has a sweet tooth !

Mommy and Layna have been staying at Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux's for the passed couple weeks. Layna has been adjusting pretty well. She prefers to be with Mommy at all times but sometimes Mommy can sneak away for a little while Layna plays with Grandma and Grandpa. She definitely loves Grandpa. They are always playing and fooling around. Layna sits best at the table while Grandpa is there; she likes the attention he gives her and his goofiness.

At Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux's, Layna can take baths (she usually takes showers, which she doesn't mind at all.) She was SO excited and loved splashing in the water the first few baths. Layna got sneakers and boots for Christmas, which she has been practicing walking everywhere in ! She is doing pretty well, but still prefers to be barefoot or with socks on.

Also, Mommy has been doing some sleep training again with Layna. She has been doing very well, and Mommy is very pleased at the progress and proud of her baby girl. Layna takes about 30-40 minutes to fall asleep on her own in the crib. She doesn't scream and cry anymore. Her progress has gone to just standing and whining every minute to try to get someone's attention, to sitting and whining every once in a while, to just sitting there....sipping her bottle, and finally falls asleep after a few bites on her blanket.

The sleep routine Mommy has Layna on goes something like this: while Layna drinks a small bottle (3 ounce of milk and 1 ounce of water mixed), Mommy has her puppy that plays lullaby songs on it on, and reads a book or two to her, and then sticks her in the crib with the rest of the bottle. Sometime she'll go in without a fight and other times, she will accept the fact she has to be in the crib. That is another thing... Layna knows when she is going in the crib and starts crying before she is even put in it. She knows when Mommy is getting the crib ready and gathering her blanket and pillow and bottle to put her in. Layna is becoming a very smart baby... smarter every day !

Tonight is New Years Eve and Layna is already asleep. Let's hope this New Years will bring a lot more great memories and adventures for us !

Happy New Years !!

photos from recent outings and at home

sucking on an ice cold wash cloth

- a trick to sooth her teethies

and cool/hydrate her on hot days -

watching it down pour outside

hanging in her Puma outfit

loving the swing

Layna's new things lately is shaking and banging her toys and to hold her toys and crawl and standup. Layna loves her little baby pool. She crawls around in it and enjoys sitting and playing in warm, bath-like water.

Layna enjoyed the swing at the park and going down the slides with Daddy. However, the water at the beach/park in Somerset isn't the cleanest at all. The family took a little trip to see how the water and beach was, but Mommy felt yucky just dipping her own toes in, she couldn't even let Layna test the water. Not only was there trash but Mommy spot a lovely jelly fish, which topped off that that beach was a "no-way-jose" beach.

Mommy is slowly introducing food to Layna. Whenever Mommy has a cheese stick, she gives a couple tiny pieces to Layna, which is likes. Mommy tried cutting up carrots - Layna didn't really like it.... along with pasta. The next on the list is Kiwi. It should soft enough for her and an interesting and new flavor. Layna's pincer grip is coming along very well, especially because she likes to pick up dirt and Mommy's hair off the floor along with picky at grass when we're outside. She seems a little confused when Mommy gives Layna a bowl of colorful little pieces and allowing her to grab them and put them in her mouth. After a few seconds, she does taste what is in the bowl and experiences and then it falls out.

Boy, this baby girl can scream and cry for hours if we let her .... and we should ! Mommy is getting aggravated that Layna can't and won't fall asleep on her own. It is a stand off between Mommy and Baby. Mommy allowed Layna to get spoiled and now has to live with this. She does sleep 3-4 hours at night before waking.... for a midnight bottle. Again, another mistake/bad habit Mommy got Layna back into. Maybe she is going through a growth spurt and needs the extra food during the night. Anyways, Mommy would put Layna in her crib when she was getting tired but just wanted to play on the couch with Mommy and Daddy. However, when put in the crib she screams and cries. Mommy is trying to be strong and trying let Layna go to sleep on her own, but hearing her cry for an hour straight is awful and heartbreaking. Hopefully Layna will learn that the crib means "sleepy time" and that Mommy and Daddy will not come running when she cries. She needs to learn to soothe herself asleep.

Cranky Baby and MUCH more !!

It has been a LOOOONG LOOOOONG time since anything new was said about Layna's little life.

So, Layna's top front teeth have come in and it was an awful two weeks. While the bottom two came quietly, the top ones wanted everyone to know they were coming. Layna got a temperature... a fever as high as 102.3* and could barely sleep. Mommy and Daddy were up pretty much every 1-2 hours. Layna refused to eat solids and barely had any formula. Her front teeth are so much bigger than bottom ones.

Layna is finally her happy, go-lucky self again playing and getting into everything. She is starting to cruise now, getting braver and braver. She just takes a step or two at a time, but Mommy thinks she will definitely be walking before she's one-year-old ! Oh speaking of her walking, Mommy lowered the mattress the other day - in hopes of having Layna scream and cry herself to sleep - and now Layna can be in her crib safe without Mommy and Daddy worrying she will flip over the rail.

As fun as Mommy and Daddy are to play with and climb and be silly with, Layna Bayna does like playing and exploring by herself. When upstairs, Mommy puts Layna on the floor in the living and Layna will come to the kitchen looking for Mommy ... well, she will sit in the living room for a minute and when Mommy pops around the corner, saying "Here I am ! Come find me!" Layna will crawl over to the kitchen. She is SO cute when she crawls ! and she is so happy and proud when she "finds" Mommy in the kitchen.

Daddy found a new way of "tickling" Layna. He places her belly right on top of his head and moves it fast. Layna dies laughing right away.

Mommy's new way of bonding with Layna is showering with her. As you have been told before, Layna has "outgrown" the infant tub because she tries climbing out of it and showering her is difficult, especially when she wants to play and get to everything in the shower. So, Mommy figured it would be a lot easier and less dangerous showering with her little peanut. Because Layna can sit by herself like a professional and is content with a toy, she will sit quietly on a towel (so she doesn't slip and smash her head on the shower floor) while Mommy washes her. Sometimes Layna is so good Mommy can washup with Layna in there, but usually Daddy comes and gets Layna out so Mommy can finish up. Layna is so fun in the shower because she tries to grab for the water whether it is coming out of the shower head, dripping down on Mommy or the shower wall/door, or splashing when hitting the floor.

On a side note, Layna finally got a new stroller. Not a small little umbrella stroller, but a light weight one, which is a little bigger than an umbrella stroller but a lot smaller than the Travel System stroller. Now she gets to ride around in a black Chicco LiteWay stroller. Next on the must get shopping list is a new carseat. Mommy is looking at The First Years (compass) True Fit Convertible Seat... we just got to wait and see....

The family took a little trip to Easton Beach in Newport, Rhode Island. It was a good beach day. It was hot and humid but the breeze cancelled it out. The beach wasn't crowded and the water was warm but the waves were big. Layna loved the water like always, but Mommy couldn't bring her in too far because of the waves. Mommy did dip Layna's feet... legs ... and belly in the water. Layna found the sand when we were sitting on the blanket and would pick it up and let it slip between her fingers and after a minute or two... tried to put it in her mouth. When Mommy and Layna were sitting on the wet sand, Layna did get some sand in her mouth, but Mommy was quick to get it out. The sun wasn't fully out until 1ish and then it started getting really hot. Mommy wanted to walk on the Cliffwalk and show the Layna the Newport Mansions but once the sun came out the heat was unbearable for Mommy and Daddy and we didn't need Layna to become overly hot and cranky. So, we headed home.

Mommy has gotten Layna on a schedule for the passed few days - one that works and as long as Mommy wakes up with Layna early then the schedule is set for the day. No more waking up at 9 or 10. It is time to start waking up and staying up when Layna wakes around 7-8ish. Her schedule goes something like this:

morning bottle somewhere between 4-6

wake up around 8

breakfast (fruit and baby oatmeal) around 8:30

bottle around 10:30

playtime and hanging out for a few hours

nap around 11 for an hour (she needs an hour nap sometime between 11-1)

lunch (fruit and baby oatmeal) around 1

playtime/errands/outings for a few hours

bottle around 2:30

small bottle or snack around 4

an hour or two nap between 4-6

dinner around 5:30-6

shower around 7

evening walk around 7:30

bottle before bedtime

bedtime is usually sometime between 8-9

There seems to be a lot of eating but it works for Layna. There is no need for her to be overly filled from eating solids and a bottle for the same meal, so with an hour separating the two it works. One thing Mommy and Daddy can't be strong enough for, however, is getting Layna to fall asleep on her own. She is sleeping in her crib, but can't sooth herself to sleep. If she doesn't need Daddy walking around with her, she atleast needs to be patted on the butt. We don't mind doing that because we can put her down in the crib and pat her tooshy and skip the transition from us to the crib.

hopefully, there will be a new update soon ! new photos will be added within the next week! Mommy is slacking with the blog because she is enjoying her growing baby before she isn't a baby anymore !

7 Months Old

Layna's top, right front tooth decided to make an appearance for Layna's 7-month birthday. She was very cranky and Mommy and Daddy couldn't do much to help her through the pain. Mommy and Daddy tried frozen teething rings, frozen wash cloth, ice, teething gel, infant tylonel, and just holding her. Layna would bite on her pacifier; She doesn't use it to sooth herself, she uses it as a teether.

Layna doesn't sleep well at all when it is hot and humid out, which makes it hard for Mommy and Daddy to break her bad sleep habits. She still only falls asleep when being carried and stays asleep on Daddy or in Mommy and Daddy's bed. She usually stays asleep for 20 minutes in her crib.

Mommy and Daddy are slowly trying to get Layna into good sleeping habits. Instead of walking around with her, they lay in bed with her and let her cry until she's asleep. If she can move, she will move and never fall asleep.

Layna is on the go ! She gets fussy when she is being held and just wants to explore and play on the floor. She stands up whenever she has a chance. She responds to her name most of the time.