4 Months

Lyla officially turns 4 months in a few days. She had her 4 month wellness check this past Friday. She weighed 12lbs 7.5 ounces and was 23.5 inches long. She is right on track with her development. She is becoming more aware of her surroundings. She is a drool monster these days. Her shirt is always wet. She has rosy red cheeks. She does a half laugh that kind of sounds like Ernies laugh on Sesame Street. She is starting to be able to roll from her back to her front. Just a little longer and she should have it. She responds to her name and knows our voices in a group. She is starting to grab for toys though it is all very slow motion. It is so fascinating to watch her hands moving and her eyes watching. You can just see the learning happening in front of your eyes. It is really amazing how quickly things come together. New things seem to spring up daily. Just today she had two thirty minute times throughout the day where she played independently in Farm Town and her crib. She just laid there and smiled and swung at hanging toys. We all seemed to enjoy the time. Matt and I made our new dish for the month during one of the times. We made an 'Asparagus Smoked Salmon Quinoa Salad'- it was delightful. We got the salmon from a local person that smokes it and the asparagus, though not quite in season, was pretty good. With a glass of red wine, it all came together perfect.

First Family Roadtrip!

We headed up to Seattle to visit friends a few weekends ago. It was the first roadtrip we took with Lyla... and of course the dogs. We have been traveling with the dogs for years, but always took Matt's truck. We needed to take my car time though so that we could fit EVERYONE in. All went well. It was only a three hour drive and Lyla sleep almost the whole way.


Charlie and Alice rode in the back and we put one seat down so that Alice did not have to fold in half. She kept a watchful eye on Lyla and the road. Charlie lays down right away when we travel. Alice on the other hand is the busiest girl ever! She checks on everyone the whole time- it's pretty cute... however, depending on the length of trip it can lose its luster after awhile. She handled this trip really well though and didn't fuss with Lyla.

Matt drove with our stuff up front and I sat in the backseat with Lyla. It is kind of lovely to sit in the backseat. I pay far less attention to Matt's driving (he is a great driver, however I love to remind him of ALL the driving laws as we drive around. I am sure it is the most annoying thing ever but he justs listens and smiles 99.92% of the time.) The backseat provides a new look on everything.

Interestingly enough, it seems the rainbow ends at McDonalds. Huh?

Our little cupcake

I just can't get enough of this little girl. It seems that everything she does just keeps getting cuter and cuter. She has wiggled her cute little self into a very special place in my heart.

Good times!

In the beginning of March my brother Bradley and his wife Victoria came down from Anchorage for a visit and to meet Lyla for the first time. It had been ages since we had all hung out together. Bradley and Victoria are one of our favorite couples to hang out with. I was so very excited for them to meet Lyla.


The weather was super nice while they were here so we were able to get out to Sellwood and walk around one afternoon and have lunch.


A fine family photo.

We also went to the Portland Saturday Market and the Japanese Garden here in Portland. Matt and I did learn a few more things about taking Lyla out and about. She will fall asleep but she needs a good sleep (like the one she gets at home in her crib) in order for her to be the happy baby we all know and love. There were a few tricky moments for us when Lyla just instantly became done with the activity at hand. We did manage though and I came to realize that we just aren't ready for the zoo yet, despite my overwhelming desire to take her there.


Brad and Victoria also went out the coast for a night, though we stayed here since I had to work and we couldn't take the dogs. It was so nice to see them and I am so very happy they were able to come down and meet Lyla for the first time.