Our 2 Year Old!

Blakely,

You are my heart. I love you more than more! 

You now weigh 26 pounds (50%), 12 oz & are 35" long (75-90th%)

 You absolutely LOVE outside. You would stay outside all day if I let you. You have to have a pair of sunglasses when you go.

 You love to go to all our flowers and point them out. You love to have me put a flower behind your ear. Lately you try so hard to tell me what color each of them are. Half of the time you are right-that makes me so proud! Also, you can count to 3 and do it often.

 You love love love sidewalk chalk. Whenever we play with it, you will tell me to draw a sunshine and a flower. You will then tell me over and over that it is in fact a sunshine and flower that I have drawn. The chalk sometimes makes it inside the house and you will try to sneak around coloring all over the house. (This isn't just chalk that goes throughout the house) =)

 Whenever I open the back door, I will see you in a full sprint screaming 'water table, water table!' You would play with it for hours on end if I let you. Typically you want your shirt 'on' as soon as you get even a drop of water on it. As I mentioned last month, you don't like wearing clothes; well that carries on to this month as well. You would much rather be naked all the time than ever wear clothes.

 You are very meticulous! You know exactly what you want to play with and what you want it to do or where it should go. If things don't go exactly as you wish-you will throw a fit my dear. I'm afraid the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on this one. Sorry!

 You love your friend and neighbor Sophia. She is moving to Aniston in a month and we are all really saddened by this. You get so excited when you see her and absolutely love playing with her.

 The bouncy house is more of her thing-you aren't much of a 'thrill seeker'. She will bounce and bounce while you constantly slide down the slide.

 You do love the slide though!

 The kitchen is more of your scene. We will miss this little one so much!

 You are such a caring, loving, and wonderful big sister. The first thing I hear in the morning after you wake up is 'Parkey'. You love to watch and help take care of him. You bring me different pacis and try to shove them in his mouth. You love to 'hold Parkey' along with many hugs and kisses. Don't worry, Parkey loves you too!

 You LOVE to milk boo-boos! I bought you some Cinderella 'rella' bandaids to make boo-boos better! Let me just tell you-you will point out that bandaid 200+ times a day if there is one on you. Here you are pointing out your 'rella'.

 You are turning into such a beautiful little girl. If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'she is so beautiful', well I would be one rich Momma! You're my little beauty queen (even when you cry!)

Some other funny things you started doing this month:
1) Bump it (stick your fist out and get us to bump your hand)--thanks to Brian
2) Shake you head up and down for yes instead of answering yes and back & forth for no instead of answering no.
3) Jumping all over the place
4) Dancing tons more

 You love reading! I would think it's safe to say you ask me to read at least 2/3 of every day. You hear one story and then immediately want to hear it again. The potty book you got for your birthday stays in the bathroom for 'potty time' and you will spend many many minutes in there only to hear your book.

 You love relaxing while watching Sesame Street and World World. The morning is your favorite time of day. You will just sit back with everyone and drink your milk while watching your shows. We have had the pleasure to have many many mornings just like this one below. Thank you Daddy for letting me stay at home!!!

A stake in the ground

A while back someone told me a story about a family that was having such a hard time. I can't remember who or what the circumstances were-all I remember is that God somehow someway spoke to the little boy in the family. They had all been questioning God and his existence. and it was abundantly clear the message was from the Lord. At that moment the mother had an idea to go put a stake in the ground so they would always remember that moment.

Today was my 'stake in the ground' moment. I'll share with you the devotion that I read today:

'When things don't go how you had planned, accept it immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember that I am sovereign over all of your circumstances, and humble yourselves under My mighty hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and the life to come. Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on me, no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view your circumstances from My perspective.'

1 Peter 5:6-11
'Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.'

After the rain...

A rainbow.

I sure felt God's promises today.

His promise of hope
Jeremiah 29:11
'I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.'

Jeremiah 31:17
'There is a hope in your future'

His promise of peace
Psalm 37:37-38
'Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off'

His promise of my future
Psalm 92:13-15
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright;p He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.'

Thank you so much for the prayers. I truly felt so much peace today and was filled with joy. Nothing feels more encouraging than being reminded of how sovereign our Father is.


'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth--PRAISE TO OUR GOD; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.'
Psalm 40: 1-3

When it rains...

It pours...

What a day  What a month it has been for the Lyles...
Let us start with today. I get Blakely ready and head to church. Clint stayed back with Parker since his colic is so bad. I walk to my car after the service is over and ta-da glass has been shattered from Blakely's window & drum roll please my purse has been stolen. 3 major credit cards, cell phone, drivers license, um around $2,000 worth of cash (we are doing the Dave Ramsey cash system), insurance cards, you name it, they got it!
This whole ordeal will end up costing us around $3,000 minimally.

I have sat here all day and hundreds of times thought through all the 'what-ifs'...I have been beating myself up about why in the heck I had all that with me...But, what's done is done--lesson learned. ALWAYS have your guard up and think the worst about everyone and every situation. I'm 100% sure these scumbags were watching me since my purse was hidden underneath my seat and nothing else in my car was touched. They racked up around $4K at Foot Locker, Wal-Mart, Macy's and getting gas...

Needless to say, I've been on the phone all day dealing with all this.

Let's get to some other goodies this month...

Never ending hospital bills $3,000
Dryer broke $200
Ray Bans broke in half $175
Blakely, Parker and I all got sick
Mac went dead-all videos gone (trips, marriage, Blakely's birth-2 years...) in fact, everything was gone $225 to repair
Mac keyboard died $50
Job Clint was promised-fell through PRICELESS! (Current job is beyond misreable)
Zizi's vet bill $170
Clint's blue tooth & my headphones for phones both went dead $100
Dad almost had a heart attack...

Grand Total in case you don't feel like adding=$6,920. Ha!


Let's please not forget that all this is with a one month old.......with colic.

Life is good.

If you read my blog, please pray for us. We really need it.

Elmo Party

Well, today was the day!

It was this girl's 2nd birthday party:

The theme: Elmo

For two weeks I've been telling Blakely about her upcoming party. This morning I said 'are you ready to see everyone?' She replied 'yay! Elma-party Elma-party!'

My mom made the cake-look how precious it turned out!!! She is so talented & I am so blessed to have had her take care of this part of the party for me! LOVED IT!

Memaw and her sweet great-grandson. I absolutely love this picture-Parker was an absolute angel at the party because Memaw aka the baby whisperer was holding him! We are hiring her full-time, just haven't told her yet =)

 Mimi & Gran gave B a picnic table, picnic basket & the cutest dress! She LOVES it so much! I already put it outside & we'll just say, she hasn't wanted to come inside yet!

 My sweet princess posing for pictures-attempting to get a shot of her Elmo birthday shirt.

 Such a prissy little girl!

 There it is!

 Love Love Love this one! Blakely was SO excited. She ran over to Parker and Memaw, gave Parker a HUGE kiss and looked up at me with THAT smile! Nothing is sweeter than seeing your child so happy and loving!

 All the kiddos enjoyed their pizza at B's new table! Each child actually walked to the table by themselves! It amazes me that they are all old enough to make these kind of decisions!

 Then we started opening gifts-Talk about overload-she was totally swamped with new toys for her birthday! She got this fruit/bakery stand, a set of Melissa and Doug Doughnuts, TWO cash registers, a Minnie Mouse coloring book, a Minnie Mouse play set with tons of shoes, dresses & bows for her to change, and of course the adorable cake from Kaki & Wolfie! Whew, y'all totally over-did but we are SO grateful & LOVE everything!

 A kite & super fun bubbles from Matt, Sarah and Audrey

 A beach/sand wheelbarrow filled with sand toys & a couple Mickey Mouse books from Memaw!

 An Elmo pop-up book, Dancing with the Stars Elmo edition, and a mini graco pack n' play, stroller, bouncer, and stroller for her baby dolls (or Raffe) from Nikki & Brian!

 A couple of books for things we're working on with B (Potty & Tub) & a set of Eric Carl cards to teach from Darrell, Sharmin & Sophia!

 An adorable Critter Clinic filled with fun vet tools, a dog & a cat! This one went to bed with her last night she loved it so much! =) Thank you SO much to everyone who showered her with gifts! We are so blessed!!!

 After gifts we sang 'Happy Birthday' & blew out our candles.

 She LOVED the cake pops!

 And today is still asking for another 'bite'...

 Here we have Aunt Alli, Elle & baby Shaw-awaiting her appearance sometime in July or August! Yes people, she is 8 months pregnant-and looks like a million bucks!

 Here were the kid's favors...

 Nikki, Brian & Blakely about to head back to Atl- Thank you for making the trip, you made Blakely feel so special (& us too)!

 In front of the B'day wreath Aunt Alli made-LOVE this!

Really her party just kicked off what I like to call 'birthday week'. Today we are going for 2 year pictures-(if the weather cooperates!)

Thanks so everyone who made this time so special! We love you all!!!

1 Month Old

 Parker, you are one month old today. You amaze me daily with your growth and development.

You are wearing a size 1 diaper & 3-6 month clothes

Both of which you have been wearing since week 2!

Currently you weigh 12 pounds, 14 oz (>95%) 

You are 24.25" long (>95%). 

Needless to say, you are one big boy!                                             

You love to eat & have a very hefty appetite. The 'normal' amount for a newborn's formula intake is around 23 oz-you my dear son would eat over 32 oz if I would let you. For a while you were eating every 3 hours, 4 oz each & 8 times a day. I have been trying to cut you back just a bit since 32 oz is quite a bit for a little one your age. You seem just fine with 4, 4 oz bottles & 4, 3 oz bottles. 

We have swapped your formula from Similac to Enfamil Gentlease and as of yesterday were trying out Gerber Goodstart-Gentle. Your poor stomach just doesn't seem to handle what you've been eating. We are praying that this one will help you! We are running out of options...

 

You have big, beautiful blue eyes & look around the majority of every day. You don't nap very much, especially for a newborn. You typically take a nap after you wake up at 6:00 in the morning, around 1:00 in the afternoon and sometime around 4:00 that evening. The only nap that seems to last beyond 30 minutes is the 1:00 one which seems to be around an hour most days. 

The colic still remains and starts around 5:30 every night. You typically don't calm down until around 10:00, when it's time for bed. 

 You love your bouncer and it seems to be the only thing that will calm you down sometimes. Your Daddy and I have learned to just bounce you basically all day long. On the plus side-my calf muscles are pretty strong now!

 You fight us on taking your paci, but after about 10 seconds of holding it in your mouth you are one happy boy totally loving that thing!

 You love looking around at your new world. If I sit you down and face you outwards your eyes get HUGE and you will stare for such a long time.

 I'm still getting use to you being a boy (in the potty area). So far I've had 2 'water fountain' episodes. Let's just say-not funny!

 Zizi transitioned to your being here wonderfully. She gets very concerned about your crying & will hide often when you start it up. We find her under your crib most of the time.

You are already holding your head up & such a pro at it. You were actually doing this within the first week of your existence. You are such a strong little boy.

Here we are waiting on the Dr. McCain for our 1 month checkup

I love you so much little buddy! You have truly made our family feel so complete.