First B-day Party Preparations

Shana, Tevan, Mom, Aunt Nancy and Aunt Donna came to Louisville today to begin preparing for tomorrow’s birthday celebration. We’re all very excited about the party.

Here, Shana is reading Lyla her birthday book from Nana in Lexington:

Lyla loves the new duck Nana sent as well:

Here, we’re working on the final touches of the slide show that Aunt Tevan has been working on for months for the big event:

A Visit From Auntie Tevan

It's been a busy weekend for Lyla Q. She had a visit from Auntie Tevan, and she got to hang out with our good friends Lana and Kali. Marmie also came to Louisville to visit with Aunt Nancy.

Lyla's been watching 4 year-old Kali's every move - trying to get around. We've seen her attempting to get up on all fours this weekend, but her primary mode of movement right now is still rolling all across the floor to get to where she needs to go.

Lyla and Kali enjoyed playing with all of Lyla's toys together and spent some time with a Dora castle bestowed upon us by one of Lance's friends in Cincinnati. Tevan and Lana were able to go out for Lana's 30th, and I watched Kali for the night. We had a great time with Kali and a visit from one of Lance's long time friends Matt and his family. Tev & Lana had a great time, and Kali did well with me - she just got scared once during the night :).

The Toy Store!!

It's been very difficult to post lately as most of our free time is consumed with getting ready for the Move. We're particularly appreciative of Nan, Aunt Carole and Aunt Tevan for recently coming to help us get things ready.

We were excited to have time to take Lyla to the toystore in Oakley today. She was initially a little tired when we got there, but she immediately became interested in the sites and sounds as we looked at and played with various toys. At one point, she became very agitated that we left her in her stroller - she's beginning to learn to communicate with us about exactly what she wants, and she seems to have very definitive ideas about what she wants. Today, she wanted out! She was so excited to look all around at the toys, and she made herself remain awake throughout our visit.

Of course, I was excited to check out the girly stuff:


















Lance laughed about how the visit reminded him of visits to the toy store with Grandma Hottman to "just look" around Childrens' Palace. Of course, these visits always resulted in game or two for him and Kipper.

















We bought Lyla a new toy called "First Snaps". She seems to like eating them, of course.


















We're not sure which she likes better - the toy we bought her or the book Daddy bought today to research vacation options. Who can tell?