Little Layla's First Birthday!!!!!!!

I Can't Believe It Has Already Been a Year!!!!!
Layla has been such a gift for me personally this year. Her sweet fun-loving personality has blessed even the hardest of days! She gives me something to laugh about everyday! Especially lately. She has been getting into everything! I used to think I would just die if I had a kid like that, but surprisingly enough I find it really endearing!
We had a little lunch-in party with some extended family and a couple friends.
Look at that little tongue. (Which is actually not all that little. She has a giraffe tongue like mama)
Layla knew just what to do...



"No more pictures!!!!"

The following Pictures are from her actual birthday. we had a little family party.

We gave her a practice cupcake!

I think she liked it!

Time for a shower!
(love this one)

After the shower she opened her presents
The girls were excited about giving Layla presents that they actually picked for her. (I had the girls each pick something from the dollar bins at target!) Of course, the presents seemed to be more for them than for her.
I love these big sister photos!
Eric got some punching balloons for the girls too!

Piggy Kisses!!!!
I love this picture! A few weeks before her birthday we were walking around Target and Layla pulled this pig right off the shelf and began snuggling it and giving it kisses. It was so cute. So as we were leaving I pretended to put it back and then stuffed it under the cart to save for her birthday. She was so excited when she pulled it out of the bag. Apparently she had not forgotten about it. It's such an ugly pig, but she loves it and she kisses it every morning!

The Del Mar Fair!!!

It's been WAY too long since I last blogged. Once Layla was born I knew something had to fall off the to do list. My poor blog, neglected for all these months. But at least I've got my priorities straight. I figured that I'd just jump right back in and then fill in the important gaps later.
So here we go...
Last Saturday we went to the Del Mar Fair. Our kids are blessed with such generous grandparents, who paid our way and spoiled them rotten! Thank you Duan and Nina. You guys are the BEST!!!!
Upon entering, Evey saw these puppies and begged me to pick her up so she could pet them. She loves puppies even if she is a little shy at first.
Next we went to see the animals. Evey fed the goats and a cow. But after the cow slobbered all over her hand she decided that she was done. If Evey is anything, she is a neat freak. She hates getting messy! Lucy took one look at the goats and decided she wanted nothing to do with it!

Typically the girls are timid about anything new so I thought for sure that the rides were going to be a disaster. Thankfully I was wrong! They Loved the swings. Even the screaming boy behind them didn't phase them one bit?
Lately, whenever I tell Evey to smile she does this! I love that girl! She has been saying the funniest things lately. But I'll save those for another day! :)The girls liked the train too. This poor guy had to push them around the track though because they didn't quite get how to make their cars move!
Layla had a really good time too. The only hard part was getting her to eat or sleep. She is easily distracted! (I love this picture)

We stopped for lunch at Roxy's. Eric and I both had Artichoke sandwiches, which were to die for! Then we went to the Bing Crosby hall and looked around at all the booths. Evey and Lucy spent most of the time playing in the hammocks. Oh, Did they LOVE it!
I got my annual ring cleaning for only 25 cents. And I got a hand washed with some kind of special soap. The lady who washed my hand really cracked me up. I must look like a sucker because when she finished washing she asked me to compare my two hands to see which one looked nicer. She had washed the one in cold water. So of course it looked paler and more smooth. Then she went on to tell me how for only $50 I could have smooth hands like this every day. I seriously looked at her and thought, "Wow that's talent. I could never say that with a straight face." I kinda wish that I had pointed it out to her. I guess I'm too nice.

I decided to pass on the funnel cake this year and instead split a fried Klondike Bar with Eric. I was looking at all the signs while eating and I cannot believe the kinds of "food" they sell there. Fried Frog legs, Chocolate Covered Bacon and my personal favorite Deep Fried Butter! Are you kidding me!!!! People actually eat that stuff. I might try the frog legs for bragging rights but Fried Butter? Really??!! Sign me up for a heart attack now and make it delicious!

We decided to go home after that. Everyone was so tired. Evey fell asleep in the car and I had to take a picture. She was so cute!
Layla fell asleep in daddy's arms after we got home...

...and then he feel asleep snuggling Evey!

Layla, here at last!

Introducing the newest member of our growing family,
Layla Elaine Harding!!!
born November 10th, 2009Surprising us with her early arrival (a day before our scheduled c-section) and a bunch of dark hair, she came into this world weighing in at 6 lbs 13 oz and 20 in long

Some are more excited...

...than others

After looking at her from a distance, the first thing Evey said about Layla was, "She wants to go home now." Evey has warmed up to Layla since then. Yesterday she even asked to hold her and gave her a kiss on the head. We think she will soon enjoy the role of Big Sister, but for now we are giving Evey lots of attention so she knows she hasn't been replaced.

Lucy however, has taken right to Layla. This was the first of many kisses that Layla has received from Lucy. In fact most of the time I'm worried that Lucy is going to smother her with love.She is constantly wanting to kiss, snuggle, and hold her.One of Lucy's favorite things about Layla is her tiny features. Especially the ears. Lucy is always pulling, tugging, and stroking her teeny body parts. Surprisingly, Layla doesn't seem to mind.

I'm pretty sure that Layla is going to be a daddy's girl. She very much enjoys starring up into Eric's eyes and prefers to fall asleep in his arms. But then again, so do I.

Layla is a really easy-going baby, which is so perfect seeing as she is my third kid. She is alert, attentive and pretty happy. She is a fantastic sleeper and an even better eater. Hands down, she is definitely the easiest newborn I've had so far.

Many people told me that number three would be the hardest. I really don't think that is going to be the case for us. The transition has been very easy. It's already weird for me to think that 12 days ago she wasn't here yet. It feels like shes always been with us and in spirit I suspect that she always has been!

It's a WHAT????!!!!!!

Ok, SORRY I've waited so DANG long to post this. I wanted to scan my ultrasound pictures on to the computer and post them but it turns out my computer isn't working incredibly well, and won't let me. I'm sick of waiting to tell people, so here it is!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

Seriously, I CANNOT believe it!!!!!! I was so surprised! I was sooo sure it would be a boy! But nope, apparently God wants to give us as many girls as we can handle! So here she comes!
We are so happy to have this new little addition to our family. She will be such a joy!!!!

Any Guesses?

We are having an Ultrasound done on June 23rd to find out the sex of the baby. So before we find out, lets hear some guesses! Here are a few facts about this pregnancy to help you make your most educated decision!

I:

• Am hardly ever sick
• Have major heartburn
• Have cramps like you wouldn't believe
• Am carrying very low
• Am super tired all the time
  
• Have felt a couple BIG karate kicks (even though I'm only 17 weeks along)

Alrighty, there's some possible clues for ya! We will let you all know when we find out!
So have at it people!

C-Section or Vaginal?

This has been on my mind lately.

I have had 2 C-sections. I have never delivered vaginally. During my labor with Lucy, we all discovered, too late, that she was breech and I was rushed in for an emergency C-section. It was a horrible experience, but I'll leave that story for another day. The thing that bothered me most is that I was literally the last person to hold her. I never got that first, private, mommy-baby moment. With Evey, I opted for a C-section because her delivery was almost exactly a year after my previous C-section and I felt that the risks were too great. That C-section was overall a good experience but it still lacked that closeness that I long for directly after delivery. I got to see her all of 30 seconds before they took her away with dad, sewed me back up and wheeled me to a recovery room for over an hour.

Now, nearly 3 years after having Evey, I feel very torn on the subject. Having never delivered vaginally, I feel as if I have really missed out on something. I know that it is irrational, but a part of me feels as if I have failed in some way. I crave that moment where they place the baby on your chest right after delivery, and it breaks my heart to know that I may never get to experience that. The risks are lower than they were with Evey, but I know that if I opt to deliver vaginally, there are risks nonetheless. My OB said that a vaginal birth after 2 C-sections is not an option. But I know other OB's will let me try with close monitoring. A huge part of me wants to do it. From what I have read, there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to deliver vaginally. All the odds are in my favor considering my previous C-sections were not due to any serious conditions on mine or the baby's part. Even if it turns out that I have to go in for a C-section anyway, at least I will have tried, right?

I wish I knew exactly what the outcome would be. It has been on my mind for awhile. I want this baby to be happy and healthy. I want to experience at least once that precious moment.
I know that it's selfish. Chances are that I'll opt for a C-section again despite these feelings. But I would love to get your opinions on the subject. ( I imagine that they will all be very different depending on how you delivered)
It's a very difficult decision for me. One that I am taking into prayerful consideration.

Dumpster Diving... not for the faint of heart

This is how I spent my evening yesterday!
Why? you may ask...


THIS is why!

My Wedding Ring...
I was leaving the apartment at about 9 last night to throw out the trash and then go to our old apartment to do some last minute cleaning. As I was throwing the trash into the dumpster, one of the bags caught on to my wedding ring and before I knew it, my ring and the trash were flying into the dumpster. To my despair, I heard a thump and then ching as my ring landed somewhere inside. My immediate reaction was "What the heck?!!!! Aren't my fingers supposed to get bigger when I'm pregnant?" And then the choice lay before me. Do I climb in 3 months pregnant with a super sensitive nose or walk away? Well any of you who know me, know that walking away is NOT an option! I went inside to get a flashlight and tell Eric, who offered to do it for me, but I told him no. I lost it, I would find it. Besides dumpster diving is really more up my alley than his. I'm pretty sure he would have hopped right in but later he would decide to sweetly surprise me with an upgrade sometime in the next week or so. But the reality is, I didn't want an upgrade. There is something so sentimental about the lovely, simple wedding ring he gave me. He said, "It isn't much, but it's what I have to give. I love you Katie, and want to be with you forever!" That is why I couldn't let go of the ring. It's not about the money, it's not about an upgrade. It's those words connected with that ring. I needed to find it!
I spent a good half an hour in that dumpster. Throwing bags I've already looked at in the other dumpster. It was pretty disgusting. Potent, slimey, indescribable things kept pouring out of bags and I couldn't help thinking how disgusting human beings are (as if I'm not one of them). Eric's mom came over to stayed with the sleeping girls, so Eric could come help. We Looked around for what seemed like forever and just when almost all hope was gone, I lifted one last bag at the very bottom corner and there it was. I didn't even see it at first. It wasn't shiny because it was covered in some kind of gunk. But there it was....
My ring!
I picked it up, wiped it off on my shirt and shouted,
"WOOOOHOOO!!!"

(and then made Eric run in and get the camera)