My baby isn't a baby at all....

Sooo, we painted Ayla's room last night to go with her new big girl bedding and when her new furniture showed up today, it made me a little bit sad. No bottles, no diapers, no crib....no baby!! Yes, I need to get over it and I am but, wow! I was saddened to realize that I never took pics of her "nursery". This pic is from the first time she pulled herself up to a standing position all by herself. This was before vacation this past summer....You can see her crib and bedding, pink walls too.
This was while we were painting last night, it's her armoire. She also had a white dresser/changing table.

Ayla helping Daddy put her bed together...

Big girl bed!!!

Chest

Dresser. I didn't get the mirror that went with it because I want to get a round mirror with a silver frame, still have to find one though.

Obviously, we still have to get some things for her walls but it turned out really cute. She napped in there today and had no problems, she didn't try to get out at all. I know better than to think that will last but I'll enjoy it for now.

Reflections....

When Ayla was born, she weighed in at 2 pounds 9oz and was 15 inches long. It's hard to remember that size when I see a 7 or 8 pounder now, because they seem so tiny. Anyway, I ordered a doll that matches Ayla's weight and measurements. The head is bigger than hers was because the hat in the picture didn't fit Ayla until she was 6 weeks old. It's so strange seeing her hold the baby who is the size she was at birth. Talk about proof that she's grown!

On another note, Ayla had her last NICU follow-up last week. She ranked in the appropriate actual age for everything, even above in some. The doctor was really funny and said "Well, about her speech, you'll soon find if you haven't already that she speaks all too well", they ranked her at a 36 month level in speech. They test fine and large motor skills, speech, cognition etc. She saw a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, speech therapist and neonatologist. The were floored by the fact that she's potty trained...she's the first preemie ever to come into their clinic for a 2 year follow up and be potty trained - that of course was a proud moment. As much as I'd like to take credit, all praise here goes directly to God!

Happy Birthday Ayla AND Happy Halloween!!

How does it even happen, how do they grow soo fast? It sounds cliche, I'm sure, but it's just so hard to wrap my head around. I don't have a baby, she's barely a toddler.....I have a....kid! She talks and walks, uses the potty, and even makes clear what she likes and wants(and of course what she DOESN'T like and want). Wow!! We went to my grandma's in the afternoon and then my parent's house in the evening.

We did dinner and birthday cake at my parent's house and then Trick or Treat too.

Ayla was a monkey....she loves Curious George so she was "George". She got the hang of it quickly as she had a practice run last week at the mall. They did an indoor Trick or Treat that we went to with my Inlaws, they were in town for her birthday party.

Couldn't quite reach the doorbell....hahahaha!!! She's such a little shrimp!

Going through all of her "loot" at the end of the night....

Yeah, that glazed look in her eyes is a sugar high. From 3pm or so I think she had 4 suckers, 3-4 other various pieces of candy and birthday cake. Believe it or not, she did eat a good dinner in between!

Pumpkin Carving!

Carving pumpkins was so much fun this year. Ayla is starting to understand and get excited about the holidays and makes them even more fun! I didn't think she'd be a fan of pumpkin "guts". She doesn't like having messy or sticky hands, but she went in shoulder deep! She thought it was a lot of fun cleaning out the pumpkins. We did a Winnie the Pooh kit and had four pumpkins - Pooh, Eyore, Piglet and Tigger. She couldn't tell what they were until we put them outside in the dark and lit the candles. She really loved them when she could tell what they were!!