Layla in Motion

Layla was in my belly for almost an entire kindergarten year. I believe she must have taken away a love for the alphabet from her time in utero, because she loves to bust a move to the ABC's. Listen carefully to the beginning...she likes to pretend to sing along. So funny and it makes the former kindergarten teacher proud.

The next video is Layla and her new squeak shoes. Don't worry, the squeaks are able to come out if we choose. For now, they are so funny!

Babies, Babies, Babies!

In the next few months to come Layla is going to be welcoming many new friends!! So many of my girlfriends are pregnant right now and I just cannot wait to meet all of these babies. Yesterday was the first of many showers that I am helping plan (which makes me happy because we all know how I love a theme party!). My girlfriend Nicole's shower was yesterday and I just had to show a couple of pictures! The theme was "My Mom Rocks."

Here is a picture of the shower planning group and Nicole, the mom-to-be, who is due in about 7 weeks!

Now for the details!!

First the invitations:

The information was on the inside of the onesie card but there was too much personal info (phone number, e-mail, etc) on it that I didn't think would be appropriate to put on the blog :-)

Below is my first attempt at a diaper cake "My Mom Rocks" style.

Next, the cd that everyone signed as a guestbook. It turned out to be a really good cd. It is called "Rockabye Baby" which consists of lullaby versions of Beatle songs. It also provided the background music for the gathering.

Next, Anni made the favors which consisted of Nicole and Kris' favorite songs on a cd. I love this idea that Anni came up with and we were going for a favor that people would really use and that was of course music themed :-) And the cds were placed in a melted record bowl that was so very easy to make.

Here are the tables and drink station. I am so bummed I forgot to get pictures of the food because all of the girls had such an eye for arranging all of the food on the platters that were served to each table. We used records for the dessert trays (with wax paper on top so people weren't eating food right off of the record).

Now the wait for Baby Rissman is on...we can't wait for the little guy to arrive :-)

Happy Birthday(s)!

This weekend was heavy on the birthdays for our family. Saturday was my brother-in-law Jamie's birthday and Sunday my dad and sister shared their birthday day.

Cassie stole the birthday spotlight as she had the most momentous birthday this year because she turned the big 3-0. Jamie planned a night out downtown Chicago for Cass complete with dinner at a tapas restaurant and an overnight stay. Ryan and I got to join in on these festivities also!!! A fun part of the evening was that 3 of Cassie's best friends were surprise guests at the restaurant. (One of the girls, Laura, was 35 weeks pregnant and made the trek downtown. What a trooper!!!) Cassie was surprised and had a great time and I think she would say that she had a very fun transition from the 20's to her 30's.

Happy Birthday Jamie, Dad & Cass!!!

Cassie and I at the tapas restaurant on the big birthday night

Labor Day Weekend Wedding

Cassie's brother-in-law Ian and her new sister-in-law Molly got married and had a very fun reception this past weekend in Iowa. (The bride and groom are below with a groomsman that snuck in the picture!)

Molly and Ian, thanks for having us for the wedding and reception and thanks for having little Shea as the ring bearer!! He was just too cute in his tux.

We enjoyed the wedding and reception with my parents and Cassie's family and their extended family. So much fun!! Below is a picture of Ryan, myself and Cass at the reception.

And now for our crazy, little toddlers!! Shea and Layla were so funny chasing each other around the reception room. It was just so cute to see them interacting so much. Also, Layla was busting out quite the dance moves on the dance floor and of course Layla and Shea enjoyed cake. I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend!

15 Months

Layla is 15 months old (two days ago) and I am reminded regularly that she is no longer a baby. People in public are starting to guess her age more accurately now, she no longer qualifies for the baby nametag at the local hospital (safety precaution for non-walkers, I guess...) and the funniest story was involving a little girl in our playgroup. The little two year old declared about a week ago that Layla was no longer a baby. She used to follow Layla around and say "baby" over and over again. Well, no longer necessary I guess :-)

Hard to believe I am sure, but I am having trouble coming out of the baby phase. The worst part for me? Giving up the bottle. Layla is definitely ready and I need to take the plunge, but I think I may need Ryan to hide the bottles from me...not Layla!!

Layla is pretty hilarious with Howie right now. She learned how to open up the dog crate last week (she does not like Howie to be in it at all and it is a part of our new "training" with him), yells and points whenever she thinks Howie is misbehaving and on Monday put a piece of food on the ground in front of Howie and waved her hand at him and yelled something that we think meant "stay." We have been practicing the "stay" with Howie and Layla was trying it out for herself!!

At 15 months, Layla is so fun to watch right now and has such a little personality. She loves to go for walks (she likes to point out things that she thinks don't belong now on walks...newspapers, garbage cans, little bits of paper...you name it!), be chased, practice her scribbling skills, dance, clap, look through a large quantity of books very quickly, and practice her cd skills with the cd player.

15 months...can you believe it?

Here is Layla loving on some cake :-)

And here is Layla "writing" on her Aquadoodle. Using water filled pen and water filled paint brush Layla can scribble to her heart's desire...and even chew the pen/brush if she wants...it is only water! Perfect for a 15 month old who loves to scribble and likes the taste of crayons :-)

I told you Layla loved to clean...

and we enjoy the Swiffering, but not so much for the toilet cleaning :-)

Do you hear Layla's "uh" at the end for Uh Oh!?! So funny!

Backyard Lovin'

Can anyone guess who loves her toddler-sized slide?

Can anyone guess who is OBSESSED with the trunk on her trike?

Can anyone guess who loves her Cozy Coupe and is looking like SUCH a big girl these days?

And yes, can anyone guess who has decided afternoon naps are no longer for her and sometimes needs to take a rest in the grass as her bedtime approaches?

Yes, Layla is the answer to all of the above. She is still lovin' the outdoors even as the temperature drops. And I would gladly take any advice on how to transition a morning napper into an afternoon napper :-) Maybe I should just be grateful that Layla naps at all!!