Our little girl is eating solid foods!! Layna arrived at this point earlier than Brayden, but she was more than ready to hit the good stuff. She's been wanting more and more, and was simply not sleeping as well as she could. So we started her on the glory that is runny rice cereal... and she loved it!
As you can see, she was ready and willing - and loving every bite:
My high school geometry teacher always said, "Variety is the spice of life, Mr. Girata." I would have loved to offer some gastronomic variety into Layna's life, but it was not to be. Mark Twain once said, "Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside." Layna will have to wait for another day to have that fight rage inside her because she only got some yummy rice. (did I say how yummy it is? believe.) She loved it, and here's the proof!
After the event, see she was a very happy little girl!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Layna: About Town
So not exactly about "town" ...but around the house is Layna's equivalent.
These are some fun pictures of Layna from last weekend (again, BIG thanks to Gigi for your photography... now we have pictures to post!!). She's seemed to age so quickly in the last couple weeks. She's bright-eyed, alert, and even beginning to sit up! She's close to sitting up on her own for good, but at this point she can only do it until she realizes what's happening, then she thinks about it, and falls. BUT, she's doing 10+ seconds consistently. It won't be much longer!
We'll begin this slideshow with one of my favorite pictures of Layna thus far. She is such a beautiful baby, if I do say so myself!
Then we'll move to a couple cute smiles:
This one simply cracks me up! Layna has finally discovered the joys of her very own living stuffed animal. We like to call her Zoey. Even though Layna's enjoying Zoey (and Zoey's being very sweet to her), this picture still captures a hilarious expression...
And, as promised, a little sitting baby. As you can see, she's able to sit when she's not thinking about it (or anything else, apparently!).
By the way, I completed missed updating you after Layna's 4-month doctor's appointment... and now we're almost to her 6-month appt.! She was very healthy, about 60% for weight and 75% for height. I can't remember the actual measurements, but I'll make sure to record those for her 6-month!
These are some fun pictures of Layna from last weekend (again, BIG thanks to Gigi for your photography... now we have pictures to post!!). She's seemed to age so quickly in the last couple weeks. She's bright-eyed, alert, and even beginning to sit up! She's close to sitting up on her own for good, but at this point she can only do it until she realizes what's happening, then she thinks about it, and falls. BUT, she's doing 10+ seconds consistently. It won't be much longer!
We'll begin this slideshow with one of my favorite pictures of Layna thus far. She is such a beautiful baby, if I do say so myself!
Then we'll move to a couple cute smiles:
This one simply cracks me up! Layna has finally discovered the joys of her very own living stuffed animal. We like to call her Zoey. Even though Layna's enjoying Zoey (and Zoey's being very sweet to her), this picture still captures a hilarious expression...
And, as promised, a little sitting baby. As you can see, she's able to sit when she's not thinking about it (or anything else, apparently!).
By the way, I completed missed updating you after Layna's 4-month doctor's appointment... and now we're almost to her 6-month appt.! She was very healthy, about 60% for weight and 75% for height. I can't remember the actual measurements, but I'll make sure to record those for her 6-month!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Gido and Gigi
Gido and Gigi were in town this weekend. It was Gido's annual golf trip to the Robert Trent Jone's Golf Trail in our beautiful state of Alabama. Seriously -- Alabama's topography is far more interesting than I realized before living here. The Appalachians actually extend through Tennessee and the Carolinas into Alabama, all the way down into Birmingham (where they "officially" end). That makes for some nearly-legitimate (at least in the East) mountains around here!
Anyway, Gigi spent the weekend with us while Gido played, and they were both here Monday to hang out with the chillens on their day off of school. Although tropical storm Fay threw a kink into our outside play time, we still had some fun!
All kids need a solid pair of jeans, a vital piece of any American girl's repertoire.
Anyway, Gigi spent the weekend with us while Gido played, and they were both here Monday to hang out with the chillens on their day off of school. Although tropical storm Fay threw a kink into our outside play time, we still had some fun!
All kids need a solid pair of jeans, a vital piece of any American girl's repertoire.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Off to school!
Tuesday was the first day of school for BOTH kiddos! The day got off to a great start. Brayden was very excited about "school," even though he didn't really know what was going on. Layna... well, she was just happy.
...and getting lunch together...
After getting everything in the pack, Brayden was ready to gear-up and get going!
Layna loaded up in her seat and we were all set!
...and before we could say GO, B was out the door!
Brayden was pleased to just run right inside the classroom with a quick, "Bye!" He jumped right in, playing with new friends!
Layna was equally pleased to hang out with her new teachers!
It was a wonderful start for both of them. We'll have more pictures of the week soon!
...and getting lunch together...
After getting everything in the pack, Brayden was ready to gear-up and get going!
Layna loaded up in her seat and we were all set!
...and before we could say GO, B was out the door!
Brayden was pleased to just run right inside the classroom with a quick, "Bye!" He jumped right in, playing with new friends!
Layna was equally pleased to hang out with her new teachers!
It was a wonderful start for both of them. We'll have more pictures of the week soon!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
So old!
One more thing -- Layna is 5 months old TODAY! Wow, how time flies. We'll have some great "big girl" pictures up soon!
Children's Museum
We had a GREAT time at the Children's Museum of South Carolina. Brayden went from place to place, playing with everything in sight. He's at a wonderful age for most of the things in the museum.
We began the day in the activity room, creating a paper fish and hearing a story.
B ran from the activity room to the computer station:
From there, he headed to the BIG play room...
He was thrilled to see this bubble-maker, but couldn't keep from touching the bubble as it expanded upwards. He had fun in spite of never actually getting a full bubble.
There was a wonderful music (read: noise) station, complete with xylophones of many sizes, tuning forks, and shaker boxes.
After the music area, B moved on to the "moon" sand box. All I can tell you is that this sand was some kind of cross between regular sand and floam (kind of like Rice Krispies Play-Doh). Whatever it was, it was great fun!
Perhaps you're asking yourself, "Self, I saw Nicole and Brayden, but where is Chris or Layna?" Well, we were walking around, harnessed together... but that didn't keep me from taking self-portraits of the two of us!
We began the day in the activity room, creating a paper fish and hearing a story.
B ran from the activity room to the computer station:
From there, he headed to the BIG play room...
He was thrilled to see this bubble-maker, but couldn't keep from touching the bubble as it expanded upwards. He had fun in spite of never actually getting a full bubble.
There was a wonderful music (read: noise) station, complete with xylophones of many sizes, tuning forks, and shaker boxes.
After the music area, B moved on to the "moon" sand box. All I can tell you is that this sand was some kind of cross between regular sand and floam (kind of like Rice Krispies Play-Doh). Whatever it was, it was great fun!
Perhaps you're asking yourself, "Self, I saw Nicole and Brayden, but where is Chris or Layna?" Well, we were walking around, harnessed together... but that didn't keep me from taking self-portraits of the two of us!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Around the condo
Yes, there are still more pictures of Myrtle Beach. I know what you're thinking... come on, man... that was almost a month ago. So I say to you -- we haven't taken any pictures since then. ;) BUT never fear, Tuesday marks the first day of school for the kids, so we'll have plenty of pictures to share in a few days. Until then, here is one of the two last MB posts...
This is a quick collection of the kids hanging around the condo. We all stayed in the same condo (a scary proposition, but it turned out just fine), and that meant that the cousins could get to know one another better.
This picture of Layna seems SO long ago... She's already beginning to sit-up on her own, although for only 3-5 seconds at a time. Slowly but surely, she's growing up!
Ethan loved to look out this window at the cars (which doesn't interest Brayden very much). But, Brayden loved to climb up with him (when doesn't he love to climb?) and distract Ethan by singing and talking about other things... this is probably something to do with the alphabet. :)
This is a quick collection of the kids hanging around the condo. We all stayed in the same condo (a scary proposition, but it turned out just fine), and that meant that the cousins could get to know one another better.
This picture of Layna seems SO long ago... She's already beginning to sit-up on her own, although for only 3-5 seconds at a time. Slowly but surely, she's growing up!
Ethan loved to look out this window at the cars (which doesn't interest Brayden very much). But, Brayden loved to climb up with him (when doesn't he love to climb?) and distract Ethan by singing and talking about other things... this is probably something to do with the alphabet. :)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Beach
As I watched beach volleyball at the games of the 29th Olympiad, it reminded me of all the hotties I saw at Myrtle Beach lo these many weeks ago. It's about time you saw them, too.
We spent some time every day down on the shore and have some cute pics to show for it:
Brayden loved the waves, although it took him a decent amount of time to figure out how to stay upright. Every time a wave would sweep in he'd get excited for it, giggle, and then fall on his butt. Too cute.
We had great fun with our nephew, Ethan, too!
After playing hard (?) in the sand, there's always time to siesta
We spent some time every day down on the shore and have some cute pics to show for it:
Brayden loved the waves, although it took him a decent amount of time to figure out how to stay upright. Every time a wave would sweep in he'd get excited for it, giggle, and then fall on his butt. Too cute.
We had great fun with our nephew, Ethan, too!
After playing hard (?) in the sand, there's always time to siesta
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Family
For many reasons -- I apologize for the lack of posting this week. Although I can place blame all around for keeping me from the computer, the honest reason is that I LOVE the Olympics. I have been glued to the DVR for hours every evening watching competitions far too late into the night... and then hurting for it in the morning (but it's good pain!). I'm living the American Olympic dream -- snacking on popcorn and sitting on my butt while I cheer on the most incredible athletes in the world. Right on!
But, I know you come here looking for pictures, and pictures are being edited as you read this (there are a couple that are a bit pixelated, so I hope to remedy that ASAP). Until then, let's begin the Myrtle Beach vacation pictures with a great one of the Hal Roenick clan:
Stay tuned.
But, I know you come here looking for pictures, and pictures are being edited as you read this (there are a couple that are a bit pixelated, so I hope to remedy that ASAP). Until then, let's begin the Myrtle Beach vacation pictures with a great one of the Hal Roenick clan:
Stay tuned.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Thanks, Grandmas!
We want to rightly take a moment to send a BIG "Thank you!" to our mothers. Both Gigi and Mia spent two weeks each with the kids, watching them during the days while Nicole and I went to work. We had an awkward few weeks between moving in and the beginning of their Day School -- not enough time to put them in another program but too much time to take off of work. But never fear, the grandmas were here!
Right after the big baptism/ordination weekend, Gigi stuck around Bama to hang with the kiddies. Even though she's almost always behind the camera, I snuck and quick one with her little Layna:
Mia was with us after our beach trip (pictures of that are coming... really...). She had great fun with the kids and got a few new pictures for her brag-book:
We couldn't do it without you both -- Super Cheers!!
Right after the big baptism/ordination weekend, Gigi stuck around Bama to hang with the kiddies. Even though she's almost always behind the camera, I snuck and quick one with her little Layna:
Mia was with us after our beach trip (pictures of that are coming... really...). She had great fun with the kids and got a few new pictures for her brag-book:
We couldn't do it without you both -- Super Cheers!!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
The NEW playground
Last weekend, while Mama was away on business, Mia and I took the kiddos to the Trussville Playground... and WOW, what a playground!! We didn't know what to expect. All I found online was a written review saying it was behind the public library, so I wasn't sure how great it was going to be. BUT, as you can see...
I'm thrilled that we have such a great playground only a mile from the house. Brayden loved playing at the playgrounds in Alexandria and we simply hadn't been out to hunt one down here... until now! You can't tell from my pictures, but the playground is three distinct areas, each one designed for a specific age level, from ages 2 to 12. All of that and an extremely soft rubberized floor, perfect for the occasional fall. It's fantastic! Here are some of the picture highlights... plus a great video at the end.
This is one hard-playing boy!
And of course... plenty of sliding!
As promised, here's a great video of Brayden playing his heart out. Great fun!
I'm thrilled that we have such a great playground only a mile from the house. Brayden loved playing at the playgrounds in Alexandria and we simply hadn't been out to hunt one down here... until now! You can't tell from my pictures, but the playground is three distinct areas, each one designed for a specific age level, from ages 2 to 12. All of that and an extremely soft rubberized floor, perfect for the occasional fall. It's fantastic! Here are some of the picture highlights... plus a great video at the end.
This is one hard-playing boy!
And of course... plenty of sliding!
As promised, here's a great video of Brayden playing his heart out. Great fun!
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