Back to work

Well it's back to work for me this week, after being home on maternity leave for 15 weeks. I am fortunate that I had that much time, considering most people only get the 12 weeks. I was able to gain a few extra weeks since Thanksgivng break, Christmas break, a snow day here and there didn't count towards my maternity leave since they aren't considered "work days" for teachers. A nice perk! Here's some updated pics of Ayla, she's 3 months old in these. Smiling away and cooing a lot. She grasps things now and just adores her daddy! She still looks just like my baby pictures, a spitting image! Not sure what color her eyes are going to be yet, they are kind of looking greenish/blue like her daddy's. We are also very fortunate to have a family member watch AJ. Dusty's aunt Karlene will be watching her part of the week and Dusty will watch her on his days off, something we wouldn't have been able to do living in Washington!

Love Bug

This was Ayla's valentine from Great Grandma Bernice.

Valentine Smiles

Ayla is now smiling quite a bit and it is sooooo cute! She will be 3 months on the 18th of this month already! Dusty & I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, wow! Life is good.

Cutest Cousins!

AJ-2 months, Ryder-5 months.

Proud Papa

First Day of School

WHAT, first day of school?!

Yep, today was Ayla's first day of 4th grade! I took her in to meet my class and boy was that an experience. I haven't gone back to work yet, so I figured I better show the kids I was still alive. I wanted to mark the milestone on our blog to share. The first question from the kids was "Can she walk yet?" After explaining it's much too soon for her to be walking at 8 weeks, the second question was "Is she crawling?" Followed by "Does she have teeth?" Hahahaaaa. They also told me I looked skinny (yey)! That is to be expected though since they've only seen their teacher pregnant with a big belly and no other way!

The kids adored her and are the ones who said man she's smart, aready in 4th grade and skipped K-3rd, which inspired me to name this entry. I made it through my entire pregnancy working at an elementary school without getting asked where babies come from or how they are born or all those questions, but today I was asked "Is she breastfeeding?" A few wise alec boys started giggling, while others seemed confused. Then a confused boy asked "What does she eat?" How did I answer these you ask? I guess you won't know the 'rest of the story' until you hear it in person!

Ayla also had on her cute little cowgirl outfit & socks with ponies on them, courtesy of grandma Lola. I thought it was fitting, we were at Henley afterall. All she needed for her day to be complete was her lunch pail...oh wait, I am her lunch pail!

Santa & Mrs. Clause

My sister and I with our kids over Christmas. Ryder is 5 months and Ayla is 1 month.

Santa's Baby

Meet our favorite present this year!

And Baby Makes Three!

A Baby Girl Lives Here Now
In the corner of the spare room, there's a little cradle now: and the day-to-day routine has gotten busier somehow. There's a bib among the napkins--and a talcumy perfume drifts around the little toys that lie about the room. The little teddy bear stands guard with his round and rolly eyes when all the house is still but for the sounds of lullabies. Yet even without all these things, it's still obvious somehow from the happiness that fills the air--a baby girl lives here now.

Baby Girl

Sometimes the smallest things take up the biggest place in your heart.

Visitors

It is truly amazing how the birth of a child brings family & friends together. (click any image to enlarge)

Welcome Ayla Jean "AJ"

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!

Tuesday, November 18th 8:42 pm

8lbs 1oz 21 inches long

Welcomed into the world by mommy, daddy, grandma Susie, grandma Lola, and aunt Sarah

Name, Ayla means "mighty oak." Dusty found the name and we fell in love with it. We had it narrowed down to 5 names, but she definatley fit Ayla. Jean is after my mom, who's real name is Jeanne (even though she goes by Susie). If she's girly she'll be called Ayla but if she keeps being as ornery as she was in my belly or is a tomboy, AJ will suit her! :)

Pregnancy Photos