Lyla Georgette {11 months}

Love a little just-up-from-her-nap, rosy-cheeked baby!  

Today Lyla is 11 months old.  This past month her biggest milestones include (all of which I have no photo evidence, so I'm filling in with some random favorites from the past month):

1.  Getting her first tooth.  This involved lots of crying, crazy fever (which resulted in a terrifying little fever seizure followed by a trip to the doctor, followed by a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection... sheesh),  and refusal to eat (but trust me, she nursed enough to make for the lack of regular food).  All I can say is--holy crap...we still have a whole mouthful to go?!

This poor gal's poor gums--they are SO bumpy and crazy looking!  I think more teeth are definitely on their way.  Oh...and in case you were like "oh wow!  She's in her pj's in her crib!"--it is certainly not because she slept there.  It is full of toys and she plays there if I need to go put in a load of laundry!

2.  Standing on her own.  So funny how babies just decide one day to let go and stand hands-free.  She didn't even think twice--she just let go and stood there like it was nothing.  Lyla is one confident baby--once she's standing, she excitedly bounces and claps. We're trying to coax her to take a step, but so far no luck (Is that a bad idea?  Is a walking baby ten times harder to chase than a crawling one?).

I think I have a million photos of her standing at the front door like this.  And also--I photograph her in pj's a lot!  Trust me, we get dressed everyday...but something about babies in pajamas that makes me want to grab the camera.

3.  Adding to her vocabulary.  New words include:  "up" (so now she follows me around the house saying "pupp up up pup") and "nana" (banana).   If I'm in the kitchen, making my morning coffee, she crawls up to me and does her sign for 'eat' and says "nana?  nana?" Cutest ever!!

Oh those bangs...always in her eyes!  

I am just ever so slightly starting to think about a 1st birthday celebration.  Part of me is feeling super emotional and sad about it but the other day, as Lyla napped in my arms, I looked down at her and thought "she is still SUCH a tiny little peanut"....and not just in size--I really still feel like she is such a baby.  She needs me so much and I love that.  Being an attachment parent (having her sleep in our bed, nursing her on demand, carrying her everywhere) is trying at times but I think that the connection we have is so much stronger because of it.  And I think it will stay that way no matter how old Lyla is.

xo
Jayme

Lyla Georgette {9 months}

Hmmm....wasn't it just the other day I was writing Lyla's 8 month post??  Not much new around these parts after last months big milestones.  Her one new trick?  When asked "where's your nose?", Lyla points to her nose!  It's funny how these new things just happen.  It amazes me everyday what a quick learner Lyla is.  Crazy how babies just pick up on the smallest things.
Lyla is such a playful, silly girl.  She's is SO sneaky.  And she has this coy little smile and giggle/snort when you catch her [eating paper, pulling clothes out of the laundry basket, crawling into the dog's cage].
I think these photos attest to this...

playing peekaboo with the curtain

sitting in her high chair, having a snack

playing tug with Sophie

I'm pretty lucky, huh?

I love how our gestures mimic one another's in these photos!  And the matching messy hair (oh--notice my new 'do?).

Yes, yes I am.

xo 

Jayme

Strike a Pose

I've said this before, but it seems like us moms are always the one behind the camera.  When I see Andrew holding Lyla, whether she is fast asleep on his chest or they are grinning at one another (and the light is juuuust right) I can't help but want to snap a photo.  Maybe being a mom has made me uber nostalgic and I don't want to miss a moment or maybe it's the artist in me that sees everything as a picture.  Either way, I love photographing my family.
Andrew has a pretty darn good eye for photography (even though he is the athlete, smart/practical, left-brained one in our relationship).  But unfortunately I mostly have to ask to have my picture taken if I want photo documentation of something (sorry babe, it's true!).  It's a little embarrassing to ask, but when it comes to capturing memories of Lyla and I together, I am certainly not too proud.
Here we are yesterday, just because.  (Okay, maybe it was because my hair was looking particularly better than usual....)

And because this is a "vintage" blog, I must mention my t-shirt in the photos!  I first started getting into vintage when I was in college and vintage-looking logo tshirts starting to become popular (2002ish?).  Because I am a cheapskate, I would scour thrift shops looking for authentic vintage tshirts instead of buying $25 'fake' ones from Urban Outfitters.  I have scaled down my collection quite a bit, but can't seem to part with my Pittsburgh sports tees (Pirates, Penguins Steelers).  Anyway, my love for vintage stemmed from there and has grown ever since!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend (and hurricane free!).

xo
Jayme

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed....

I am welcoming cooler weather with open arms.  Not only do I have a super low tolerance for the heat since giving birth (anyone else experience this?), but also I am really excited about wearing fall clothes--and dressing Lyla in fall clothes!

Something Old:
This sweater was mine when I was little (or Amanda's?  I guess she probably wore it first and then I might've worn it as a hand me down).  I have it on display in Lyla's nursery, along with other pretty vintage pieces that are too big for her still.

Yesterday was a cool morning and I decided I would try on the sweater.  I had to roll the sleeves, but it pretty much fit!  I'm glad that it is still a bit too big because this means it will fit her for most of the winter.

Something New:
This past weekend we spent time with Andrew's family.  Lyla acquired a small fortune of new clothes, including this little fuchsia top with hearts all over it.  Her matching sandals were a gift from earlier in the summer...now that she is standing they look even CUTER!

Something Borrowed:
The cargo pants were Aurora's...as are a lot of Lyla's clothes.  We take good care of Aurora's hand-me-downs because we plan on returning them to Amanda if she has another little girl someday.  It is really such a shame how short of a time baby clothes get worn for--which is why when shopping for vintage, baby clothes are a good thing to search for.  They're pretty much always in great condition!

sweater-vintage, heart top-Osh Gosh B'Gosh, cargo pants- Baby Gap, pom pom sandals- Gymboree

Sorry for the photo overload!  This girl is just too cute...
One more, an outtake!  Lyla's BFF, Sophie interrupted our photo shoot to grab a quick kiss:

We are linking up with Mama Loves Papa for Small Style (every Thursday!  SO many cute and stylish little babies...go check them out!).

xo
Jayme & Lyla

The Post About [Lack of] Sleep

My husband and I sleep with our feet touching.  It is all that is left of our “perfect spoon”—the position we would curl up in each night when we would lay down to sleep, ceiling fan whirling, blinds pulled tight.  The position we would sleep in for afternoon naps, windows open, breeze blowing in.   All we have now are those toes touching.  The spoon is gone.  The naps are gone.  The sleep is gone.

It’s not all bad.  I mean, the divider between us when we lay down in bed just happens to be the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen.  She is the sweetest little thing.  But she HATES sleep.

Lyla is now 8 months old and still in our bed (I hadn’t even planned on being a co-sleeping family) and has been waking every two hours since month four (she never was a great sleeper, but we used to at least get 4 hour stretches out of her).  I have grown a bit attached to having her sleep beside me.  On the [rare] nights we lay her in bed before we ourselves lay down for the night, I sit in the living room watching TV, longing to go curl up beside my girl--to put my hand on her belly and feel her breathing.  But two hours after lying down she awakes, rolls on her belly and crawls on top of me, looking to nurse.  Sounds kind of cute, doesn’t it?  Sometimes it is.  But lately by the second wake-up I find myself seething.  I am so frustrated that I can’t even see straight.  Muffled curse words spew from my clenched jaw.  I lift up Lyla and hand her to her daddy for fear that I might squeeze her just a little too tight.  I immediately feel remorse for being so impatient with her.  “She’s a baby,” I tell myself, “She doesn’t know any better.”  But there’s just something about being woken up in the middle of the night that puts you in a different mindset.  Personally, it makes me a crazy person.  In the morning I'm fine.  Lyla is an angel and the horrible night before is a long lost memory.  But the night....

Something has got to change.  So far our efforts have been in vain. We tried techniques from “The No-Cry Sleep Solution.”  We tried crying it out.  This past weekend I tried to wean her from nighttime nursing and gave in on the second night. I feel like Lyla’s sleep has gotten worse with each attempt to make it better.  She is a willful little baby.  So should I just keep following her cues (at the sake of me and Andrew’s sanity…and intimacy)?  Or am I being a ‘softy’ and I need to work harder at sleep training?  My sleep-deprived brain can’t think properly—am I missing something obvious?

xo

Jayme

Lyla { 8 months }

And here we are... 2/3 of the way through Lyla's first year.  I want to be nostalgic but honestly, the older and bigger she gets the more fun (and easy) she gets.
This past month Lyla has learned SO much.  She pulls herself up to stand, waves, claps....
Recently we've been sharing a nectarine each day.  I take a bite then hold it up to her mouth and she gums the fruit and sucks out all the juice.  She loves it!  If I grab a nectarine and hold it up to show her, she smiles, crawls full speed over to me and pulls herself up on the nearest piece of furniture (or my leg), waiting for her bite.  It makes me so happy.  Sharing a piece of fruit with my girl.

Our sleep situation is still in dire straits.  I pretty much dread nighttime.  I will save that for another post though....  Naps are getting a little better.  She prefers being held, but I'm starting to lay her down after she's slept a good hour or so in my arms (so if she wakes up, at least she got some sort of nap time in).  Other co-sleepers--where do your babies nap?  In bed?  On you?  In a crib?  I lay Lyla in our bed with pillows piled up on either side.  If I lay her in the crib she immediately wakes up.  Ugh.  (again...more on that in a later post)

Napping on daddy.  Moms always seem to be the one behind the camera, huh?

No doctor's appointment this month so I don't really know how much bigger she's gotten.  She still has hardly grown out of any clothes.  The onesie she's wearing in the photo above is 0-3 months.  Granted, she used to be swimming in it and now it fits just right.  Andrew and I were both small kids so we're thinking she'll be a tiny kid too.  Which is good considering that she loves to be carried and held.... And I am such a softy.  I never pass up the opportunity to hold and snuggle Lyla.  I am honestly savoring every. single. moment.

xo
Jayme

Wordless Wednesday

(okay, maybe a couple words)

Lyla:  setting the trends in baby fashion statements.
Or just....squirming away mid outfit change.


xo
Jayme

Lyla's First Concert

Life certainly changes once you have a baby.  The most noticeable change (well...second behind LACK OF SLEEP.  I'm using all caps because I can't stress enough how LITTLE sleep we get around here) is the loss of freedom/spontaneity.  Most evenings are spent at home where we have space for Lyla to crawl around and play, food and diapers on hand and privacy to nurse comfortably and not be self conscious if she decides to have a crying fit.
Our town was having a concert series this summer where each Thursday a cover band would come and play a show--for free, outdoors.  Artists covered included Journey, Elton John and this past Thursday, the Beatles.  We decided that because it was free (so if we needed to leave it wouldn't be a big deal) and outdoors (plenty of space to pace with a fussy baby) we would take back some of our pre-baby spontaneity and go.  It also helped that my parents decided to come along which meant extra helping hands (and they got us take-out to eat before the show)!

Note:  doting grandma in the background!

The result:  success!  Lyla loved seeing the band on stage (they even dressed up like the Beatles--wigs and all!) and she loved hearing the music.  It was perfect to display her new 'trick'--clapping.  And of course, she was a crowd pleaser, smiling at the other concert-goers.  As the sun went down, she got a little fussy.  I nursed her right to sleep and she slept through the last few songs, in daddy's arms.  Perfect.  Angel.

(click to enlarge)

I was so pleased with my gal.  I think this small success will give us the courage to do more outings with Lyla.  If not just for an excuse to dress her in a tutu again!

xo
Jayme

Lately...

Lately there are days that I feel silly for ever posting this piece about high maintenance babies.  It seems that the more independent Lyla becomes, the happier she is.  Barrel rolling across the living room led to scooting around to reach her toys which led to crawling to other rooms in the house and now pulling herself up to stand and lean against furniture (or to reach off-limit items such as the remote control, DVD player, my shelf full of cookbooks...).

She pulls herself up on anything at arms height...

She giggles with delight as she crawls full speed towards an object that catches her eye across the room.  She shrieks with joy when she finally gets her sticky baby hands on said object.  She certainly keeps me on my toes, but high maintenance?  Not really... 

Playing with a bookmark she pulled out of one of my cookbooks...naughty baby.

But then come the hard times.  Naps still spent in my arms (I'm telling you--she barely touches the bed and her eyes instantly pop open) and nights spent waking every 2 hours on the dot to nurse.  Her knack at getting her way is also now reflected in her newfound independence.  She crawls (or should I say claws...) up my leg and onto my lap when she wants to be held.  Oh, and did I mention she now says "Mama"?  Gets me every time.

Oh, that face!  Who could say no to that face??

The other night Lyla was awake from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.  My frustration escalated the longer we were awake.  I finally laid her in her crib (we co-sleep, so normally she's in bed with us) and let her cry.  "We're not having any more babies" I proclaimed.  But we finally got her to sleep (snuggled next to me in bed of course) and I woke up to a smiling little lady.  It's funny how that sweet morning baby makes the evil nighttime baby seem totally worth it.

So that's how things are around here lately.

xo
Jayme

A Trip to Vermont

The first summer after Andrew and I started dating, we spent apart.  His family has a house in Vermont that they go to for the summer each year.  That was a really tough couple of months....in a time before cell phones, we actually wrote letters (on paper!  with a pen!)  to each other.  And here we are, 10 years later, married and taking our baby (!) to visit his family's home in Vermont.  

Vacations are certainly different with a baby in tow.  We spent a lot more time hanging around the house--which is right on Lake Champlain.  Andrew's mom made us some awesome dinners using lots of local ingredients (and gluten free to boot!) and we would sit outside and listen to the waves.  We did go on a couple of little adventures...

We visited the Magic Hat Brewery...and I failed to bring my camera.  These are a couple of cool snaps Andrew took back at the house (while HE was enjoying a beer... wine for me, since beer is made with wheat).

Our last night we went to a family favorite--Blue Paddle Bistro.  A cute little restaurant in an old lake house.  The photos above are of Andrew's family (3 of his 5 siblings)...they are a fun group!

I don't think we could've asked for a more well-behaved baby.  She was such a trooper on the 9 hour car ride, there and back!  She loved the water and she loved having an audience to show off for.... she even started sitting on her own and pulling herself into standing position while we were there.  Vacation does a baby good!

xo

Jayme

Lyla {7 months old}

My little girl is 7 months old.

We are our Vermont trip this week, as we do every year and I can't help but remember our trip last year, being pregnant with this now 7-month-old.  What a way we've come.  I am so excited to take Lyla on this adventure...and a little apprehensive about the 9 hour car ride.

Lyla can crawl.  She can sit up on her own.  She can blow raspberries.  She can charm the socks off anyone who looks her way. She is quite the handful with this new crawling thing but her newfound independence has also made her a much happier baby.  She is great at keeping herself busy....even though sometimes this means she is chewing on the remote or grabbing the dog's toys.

 

We're still nursing and now starting to add more solid foods.  I love watching her reaction to each new food she tries.  Those little scrunched face expressions and puckered lips are too funny.  

She's also been testing out a sippy cup.  She pretty much chews on it and ends up with water all down her shirt.  But just like everything else....I'm sure she'll get the hang of it before we know it!  I LOVE this little peanut.

xo

Jayme

B.F.F.s

Within a month of getting married and moving in with one another Andrew and I decided we wanted a puppy.  And without a second thought we went to the pet store and got our little chihuahua-pug (CHUG), Sophie.  She was a scrawny little thing and even though with age she has packed on some pounds in the midsection, her legs are still itty bitty.  Someone once described her as a pork roast on toothpicks. Haha.

I hate to say it, but since having Lyla, my love for Sophie has diminished.  She's constantly shedding, leaving my house a hairy mess and she always just seems to be in the way.  But now that Lyla is crawling, she and Sophie have become buddies.  Lyla giggles with delight every time Sophie shows any interest in her and recently they have started "playing" together.  Not sure how I feel about Lyla's little baby hands (that are constantly in her mouth) touching the dog's chew toys... but it makes her so happy to have a pint sized companion!  And it makes me like a Sophie a little bit more.

While I adore spending my days with these two characters I am SO looking forward to this weekend and having Andrew home with us to relax and have some family time.  No big plans.  Just hanging out.  I couldn't be more excited!

xo
Jayme

Something Old, Something New

Six months in and I STILL have barely purchased a stitch of clothing for Lyla.  Her wardrobe is mix of hand-me-downs, gifts and vintage.  I love taking the eclectic mix of clothing and mixing them together to create fun new outfits for her.  I try to never pair the same two pieces together--just for a fun challenge.  I especially love when I can pair something vintage with a modern piece (like the skinny jeans pictured here)!

chambray jacket-vintage, onesie-Target, white skinny jeans-Baby Gap, 

velour shoes-handmade (by a family friend)

This little vintage jacket is ah-mazing.  It has the look of a denim jacket but it is more of a chambray material.  I love the red contrast stitching and red buttons.  And guess what?  It will be for sale in the shop soon!  (This is the first time Lyla wore it and it was already a bit small.  Feel free to email us if you're interested in purchasing it!  It will be priced at $16 plus shipping and fits like a size 3 months or so.) And the little shoes??  They were handmade by a family friend and I love how they are reminiscent of TOMS but with a fun mix of printed velour and striped fabrics.  

We are linking up with Mama Loves Papa (every Thursday!) for Small Style--click the link to see the other stylish cuties!

xo

Jayme & Lyla

Weekend Recap {in photos}

This week we've shown you some bits and pieces from this past weekend.  We were only in Virginia for a couple of days so we used it to spend some quality time together. Saturday morning we woke up and let the girls play while we had our morning coffee.

Then we went in search of breakfast at the local farmer's market (gluten free oat/fruit bar for me, a vegan spinach wrap for Amanda, a chocolate croissant for Andrew).  The sun was shining and it was so lovely to see all the brightly colored produce lining the street.

Lyla and Aurora are only 10 months apart in age which seemed like a huge age gap when Lyla was first born.  But as the months pass their interactions are getting more and more fun to watch.  Aurora was giving her cousin kisses and hugs, patting her head and even trying to share her food with Lyla.  

(We took Lyla in to get Aurora up from her nap and let them play in the crib for a bit!)

Sunday, after a huge homemade breakfast (...then lunch), we lounged around avoiding the inevitable goodbyes.  It was a wonderful (and too short!) weekend.  Lyla slept better than she has in a while (which means I got a good night's sleep too) and Amanda kept us well-fed with yummy home-cooked meals.  So while I was sad when the trip was over, I at least came home feeling a bit refreshed.

xo

Jayme

Is there anything cuter...

than kissing babies?

These little cousins are enjoying some time together this weekend.  Hope you're enjoying your weekend too!

xo
Amanda & Aurora, Jayme & Lyla

A First Father's Day

I am the worst at thinking of creative gifts for birthdays and holidays.  The one thing I do like to always do is make a homemade card.  So I knew for sure that Lyla and I would make her daddy a Father's Day card.  Lyla 'made' some foot prints and I helped her with the rest... ; )

We also got him some cheesy key chains (one that said #1 DAD and one with a little photo frame with Lyla's picture in it--which is now has looped onto his keys).  I know....not the most extravagant first father's day gifts.  But Andrew isn't all that much into "stuff" (although he does have a soft spot for shoes and watches) so my big gift to him was a fun day with his girls.  After church and lunch with my parents we ventured out golfing--with Lyla in tow.  A risky decision, but she was perfection!   I documented our outing with Andrew's iPhone via Instagram (I got a little obsessed...and am now considering trading in my trusty Blackberry for my own iPhone!).

tiny passenger

Lyla and I followed on foot

sleeping babe

putt putt

artsy shot 

handsome daddy

daddy and baby

mama and baby (wide-eyed, just waking!)

baby wearing (a passed out little gal)

tiny hands and feet

When we got home we relaxed for a bit and then grilled some steaks for dinner.  A simple dinner at home was a great way to end the day (oh, and strawberry banana smoothies!).  I feel so lucky that my husband loves just spending time with us.--"his girls" (I love when he calls us that!).  Even before I married Andrew I knew he'd be a great dad...and so far I couldn't have been more right.  His patience and selflessness amazes me everyday.   I only he hope he enjoyed his first Father's Day as much as I did!

xo
Jayme