Happy First Birthday Lyla!

I have so many emotions about Lyla turning one tomorrow.  This birthday is full of happiness and excitement, and some sadness because the baby stage is coming to an end.

I made a video of Lyla's first year, posted here.

This has been a year full of so much learning. I had no idea that parenting would include such high highs and some low lows. I had no idea how much it would require me to change. I had no idea my heart was capable of so much love for my family. I had no idea how much I would celebrate the littlest things, like dancing, a high five, eating independently, SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT (LOL)

Having Lyla join our family was the greatest blessing. The early months of her life felt really long. I was sleep deprived, healing, adjusting to mom life, and she needed SO much from us all hours of the day. But after we got into a routine, time started to fly right by!! Being her mom is one of the best things in my life. I cherish it. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I can't wait to see what the next few years bring. I can't wait to watch her continue to learn and discover this great big world.

I love my Lyla Bug SO much,
Mama Brookey

Easter 2018

(Lyla slept until almost NINE on Easter! Mike and I were just waiting for her to wake up, we were so excited!!) 

I have heard moms say that holidays are more fun with your kids, and its starting to ring true! Lyla was SO happy on sunday! She is still too little to fully understand what is going on and how to participate, but she was so so happy on Sunday, she knew it was a different day, and I loved that!

We watched the Becuase of Him video on lds.org about a week before Easter, Lyla was distracted as usual but when the clip of the Resurrected Savior appeared she stopped dead and Lunged for the TV. My mama heart could NOT. It was SO sweet! I know that she knows Him. And I hope to continue to remind her as the veil thickens and help her to know Him for the rest of her life.

I am so grateful Jesus Christ lived, suffered, atoned, and conquered death. He lives! Happy Easter!

Lots of love and gratitude,
Brookeydee

Laguna Beach

Lyla's first time to the beach! We had a great afternoon at the beach on my graduation trip. I didn't think we would last more than an hour with Lyla, but honestly we could have stayed longer than we did! We were there for almost 3 hours. We immediately put her feet into the ocean and she did not like that! It was super cold, so that was expected. I wasn't smart and immediately set her in the sand after that. She freaked out. I was really worried she hated the beach. No kid of mine could hate the beach! But I held her for a while so she could take in her newsurroundings and after a few minutes she was curious about the sand, and moments later she was burying herself and eating it by the handful! I can't wait to take her back next month!

Lots of love,
Brookeydee