Ayla's birthday party...

Today was Ayla's 2nd birthday party....what a day! I can't get over how exciting things become again when you have a child of your own. It really feels like it did when you were a kid - so exciting and fun. It kind of catches you off guard, like suddenly I was 7 and it was the best day of my life.

We did a Curious George kind of theme. "Topper" the clown came to visit, he was GREAT! We had a bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, pinata....it was just so fun! We were so busy that we never even got to do the craft project or games. I think all of the kids had a great time.

Ayla made out like a little bandit - lots and lots of very fun toys and art supplies, she's going to be busy with them for a very long time. I'm going to have to clean out the playroom and get some of the toys she's outgrown put away - it's scary to think that Christmas is only 2 months away.
Blowing out her TWO birthday candles, the cupcakes were decorated to look like little cups of popcorn - hers had George too.

Busting into the George pinata

Helping "Topper" with a very magic clown trick!!

TOPPER!!

Relaxing in the bounce house

Clown hat - everyone got their picture taken with it and a big red and white polka dot bow tie. I'm going to include the pictures with her thank you notes.

Happy birthday Ayla!!!

Our story

Well, here we are! We've considered creating a blog many times and have never managed to get one rolling. So here we go.....

Darren and I were married on October 29th, 2005. We met at Creighton University Medical Center. He was a budding resident physician and I was an RN on a med/surg unit. We were engaged within a year and married a year later....

On October 31st, 2006 our beautiful and amazing little girl, Ayla Rose Splonskowski, was born at 30 weeks weighing in at 2lbs 9oz and 15 inches long. I had been preecamaptic and hospitalized for several weeks before her birth. Her recovery was long, she required ventilation, a transfer to children's hospital and a surgery to correct a life threatening intestinal infection. She came home on December 31st, 2006 weighing 4lbs 15oz...




Today Ayla is a strong and fiesty two year old. She has hit all developmental milestones on time and is truly perfect, against all odds. She can count to thirteen, knows all of her basic colors and recognizes 4 letters from the alphabet by sight. Recently, she has become potty trained and I am proud to say that she will be wearing big girl panties at her 2nd birthday party!! Here are some recent pics from Vala's pumpkin patch







Darren is now a Hospitalist at Bergan Mercy Medical Center. He enjoys his job and works very hard to have plenty of time at home with his family. I have been a SAHM since my hospital stay and as hard as it is, I do love it. I love being home with Ayla to teach her new things and watch her learn and grow.

In Sioux Falls, SD September 2008


In Fort Lauderdale, FL September 2008



We have 2 dogs - Boston and Gracie. Boston is naughty in just about every way - He jumps the fence, barks, gets into trash, pulls on his leash, starts trouble with our cat and Gracie....you know....the puppy who never grew up. The thing is, when he isn't busy being bad he is a sweet and cuddly lovey boy who we've had for 3 years. Grace on the other hand is a sweet, affectionate girl who is sensitive and patient. She is incredible with Ayla and doesn't get into trouble, she turned 8 this month. We also have an orange indoor/outdoor cat named Blue. He spends alot of time avoiding contact with Ayla :)




So there you have it, our family at a glance. We have lots of exciting things coming up that I'll be sure to post about - Ayla's birthday party, Halloween, Thanksgiving, mine and Darren's birthdays, and Christmas....it's going to be a busy couple of months!