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 ! 

Playgroup and Biking

A lot probably has happened since Layna attended her first cheerleading competition, but Mommy has been a little to lazy, we will just say "busy" to share it with you guys ! Let's see... Layna is starting to let Mommy put her diaper on without having a wrestling match, but she still has those times where she doesn't want anything on... Thank God the summer is almost here !

Layna went to her first playgroup with some ladies from Millis (where Mommy went to high school). They are actually older sisters and a friend of one of the sisters of a girl Mommy graduated with. (try to see if you followed that.) Layna spent the afternoon with a 2-year-old girl, Lena (Angelina) and her 9-month-old brother James/Jamie, and their friend 18-month-old friend, Eric, and Lena's and James' cousins Nicky (just over 2-years-old) and newborn baby, Vinny. Layna behaved so well ! She was quiet at first because she is never around little kids and babies. Like always, she just stares and watches them: "hey, they're my size !" At the park, Layna played in the woodchips: picking them up and putting them down. She loved the slide, but would only go on it when Mommy placed her at the top instead of climbing up and sliding down. She scooted down the slide herself and Mommy just had to spot her, incase she leaned back. She kept wanting to go down again and again. We all know what Mommy is getting Layna for the backyard for these warm seasons ! She swung a little, which she always enjoys, too. We walked back to the house, Layna sat nice in the stroller, and the kids played in the backyard for a little. Layna played in the sandbox with Lena. Lena poured sand all over Layna, but she didn't mind! she was scooping up sand and dumping it out; similar to what she does in the bath tub with water. After getting out of the sand box, Layna was picking up dirt and rocks, and saw little James standing at the bottom of the slide, and did what Lena did: put it on his back. Oh ! Mommy told her "no" right away ! Mommy enjoyed spending a few hours outside of the house, outside in the nice weather and with other mommies. Layna didn't get cranky or tired at all, but the second we were on our way home, she was passed out !

This next little family adventure will make you laugh and think twice before taking a bike ride: Grandma and Grandpa Robidoux purchased a bike trailer in the fall, so they could take Layna on bike rides with them. Last week, Mommy wanted to go on a bike ride and use the trailer for Layna. So, while Mommy waited for Grandpa to wake up for the day and  Grandma to return from the grocery, Mommy decided to assemble the trailer. She was very successful, which people usually are when they follow the instructions. So, after lunch, Grandpa loaded the trailer on to the truck, along with the bikes. He informed us, "I checked the tires." We got to the bike trail, biked for three miles, and Mommy realized her front tire looked a little low... and they both were. On the way back to the truck, Mommy was really really struggling: her legs were sore, she couldn't go up hills... nevermind the hills; she could barely peddle! Mommy thought she was just extremely out of shape, she at the top of a hill, Grams, Gramps, and Mommy took a break (Layna finally fell asleep by now). Mommy was just looking around a the tires to the trailer caught her eye. She walked over and touched the tire.... it was FLAT ! Grandpa let Mommy bike on FOUR flat tires no wonder she was struggling ! Mommy made it back to the truck after a really really good workout.  Now, Layna LOVED the trailer ride ! The screen was down, so she wasn't cold from the wind and chill.  She sat there accompanied by her Fisher-Price Laugh&Play Puppy, cloth book, a blanket, and sippy cup! She was such a little princess!

Layna had her 15-month-old well-baby checkup today. She is doing wonderfully! She weigh 24 pounds and is 30 3/4" tall. Mommy can tell she is growing because you can't leave anything at the edge of tables and dressers and counters anymore !  Layna has had some dry splotches on her back and her legs have been really red and dry behind her knees (Mommy calmed heg legs down with lotion). Dr Reynolds said it looks like a little eczema: Lessen her baths, and use Olay lotion or a thick cream. Layna hasn't been really trying to say words, but she knows sounds. Dr Reynolds said "she is very smart. but being smart is different from speech." Layna hasn't had her 1-year hearing test done yet, and needs that asap. Hearing and speech go together.

She has been going great like always !

Pretty in Pink

On Saturday, Layna attended her first cheerleading competition with Mommy. She saw a few of the last of the UMass Dartmouth cheerleaders that Mommy cheered with. She was well-behaved and enjoyed watching the teams perform.

Layna got a dress from Ellen and Mike (Auntie Rel's parents). It is so cute ! A little big but here are some photos of it on:

throwing a tantrum in her pretty dress

shoveling.... again .... in a pretty dress...

(almost the face that Mommy wanted to capture)

lounging

wanted her baseball hat on;
this is what she does when you say "say cheese"

Baptism and Spring Photos

Layna got her Baptism photos done today, which went very unexpected. Layna cried hysterical the second she was in the door way to the studio/photo room. It could've been a variety of things: the photographer (Layna didn't warm up to her at all), the black background (which made the room seem very dark and small), or those white umbrella light things. After trying to get her to calm down for 10 minutes, we switched photographers (thank the Lord). Ashley was very patient, sweet, and quiet with Layna. After a few minutes Layna started warming up to her and by the end of the session Layna was laughing and smiling. We didn't get good Baptism photos because those were in the beginning of the shoot. And Layna's big, beautiful smile wasn't captured because she was back to herself after the session.

Mommy definitely needs to get a better camera so she can be the one capturing Layna's beautiful facial expressions for the rest of her life. Mommy LOVES doing photo shoots of Layna, especially outside when the weather is nice. The benefits of Mommy taking Layna's photos are that Mommy is completely satisfied, Mommy can get exactly what she wants (if Layna cooperates), the atmosphere is more relaxed when it is just Mommy, Baby and Camera, and if Layna is cranky or not feeling like doing photos, Mommy isn't wasting any time or energy and can try again "tomorrow".

Hopefully by summer Mommy can upgrade her camera.

Here are some photos from today: enjoy (or try at least, and they are not in any specific order).