Grandma, Auntie and Little Cousin

Last Wednesday (March 21, 2012)  Grandma Lisa, Aunt Camie, and Cousin Hazel arrived in Grand Cayman. We have had so much fun together and loved having them all here.  First Chris picked them up from the airport and then we all went over to hang out at their hotel.  They brought a whole suitcase full of adorableness for our little Ayla.   She sure is one lucky little lady. 

That evening we took them over to Camana Bay to walk around and eat dinner at Micheal's which was absolutely scrumdiddlyuptious. 

  Here is everyone watching and taking pictures of Hazel as she is running around in the fountain.

 It didn't take long for Chris to establish his special role as Hazel's favorite.

Thursday we got up and headed over to the Ritz Carlton for there amazing brunch buffet.  Seriously, so amazingly delish!  Then we hung out there the rest of the day enjoying there pool and beach.  Sadly, I don't have any pictures from that day.  Weird.  Anyway, that afternoon we took Ayla to get her 6 week Hepatitis B shot.  Ouch!  I tried really hard to be brave for Ayla.  I really can't stand needles.  Knowing how much I dislike them, I couldn't bare watching my tiny little baby be poked.  I kept thinking how she was going to hate me for making her go through this. (pretty dramatic of me, I know)  I watched as the nurse was prepping the shot and was seriously about to cry and then last minute ended up making Chris hold her while she got the shot.  I stayed in the room, but I didn't watch.  She handled it really good and only cried for a couple minutes and then she was fine.  I think from now on when she needs to get her vaccines, that is a great job for Daddy.  

 Ayla and Hazel 

 All during their stay Hazel was obsessed with Iguanas and Cockadoos (her word for chicken/rooster).  All she wanted to do was find the Iguanas and Cockadoos.  It was so cute.  Luckily for her they are everywhere so she got to see lots and lots of both. 

 On Friday we went to the Turtle Farm. Everyone loved seeing all the turtles and interacting with them. 

 Saturday we headed back over to the Ritz for there amazing brunch buffet again.  Yep!  We loved it that much.  Then we hung out there for day.  Chris, Camie, and Hazel went out on the paddle board and kayak, while Grandma Lisa, Ayla and I hung out in the air conditioned Hotel.  That hotel is ginormous.  Hazel got her hair braided like an island girl and Chris and I got a couples massage while Grandma Lisa watched Ayla.  Thank you Camie for the very generous gift.  And thank you Grandma Lisa for watching Ayla. I came out feeling like a new woman.  It was refreshing, invigorating, relaxing, and just about the best thing ever!!  

Such a wonderful day!

That evening we had to clean the church building.  Lisa and Camie were so kind to come help us so we could get it done faster.  Then we went over to Spotts beach to take pictures of Ayla and Hazel in there super cute matching outfits!

 Cute Cousins!

Pictures with Grandma

She really is gorgeous!

Sunday we all got up and went to Sacrament.  Then said goodbye to Camie and Hazel and drop them off at the airport.  It was sad to see them go, but we are so glad they were able to come visit!  At the same time we dropped them off, we picked up Papa Jeff.  He and Grandma Lisa are staying till April 1st, which sadly is coming up really really soon, as in like tomorrow.  So I will be posting about our fun week together next, with many more adorable pics.  So stay tuned.

6 weeks

This is Ayla on the way to her 6 week check up. She sure has grown.  She weighed 10lbs 9 oz, height 22.8inches and head 39 inches.  The doctor was very impressed with how much she has grown and thinks Mommies milk is straight cream.  That must be why she likes it so much, cause this girl is always eating.  

Ayla has developed a bit of a rash all over her face, arms, chest and tummy, most likely due to the heat.  Poor thing.  Our pediatrition said Ayla also has very sensitive skin so I need to try to eat a very bland diet, not to much citrus or spice.  Bummer cause I love those things!  We also got a prescription bath soap and lotion that are extra gentle.  No more of that Johnson and Johnson stuff for this little one.  We have been using it now for almost a week.  And her rash seems to be doing better and clearing up.  

Other than that Ayla is as healthy as a horse, and growing like a weed!  

Date Night

Man I have some catching up to do.  We have been pretty busy around here.  Since it is harder for us to go out for date night since we have Ayla, we had date night at our house.  We had some of our married friends over for dinner, socializing and so everyone could get a chance to hold little Ayla.  Since none of them have any kids yet we thought it would be some good motivation for them to get the ball rolling.  Just doing our part to share the joy!

 (Interns Brayden and Jennica)

 (Jessica and Ayla)

 Such a good man, Jessica has him trained well.  Every time we have had them over, Ian always does the dishes. How did she do it?

We had a great evening.  Ayla did great and was content to be passed around as everyone doted on how adorable she is!

25 random thoughts

Ok I know I am due to post, and there is lots to say but no one thing big enough to qualify for its own post so here it is 25 random thoughts on the mind of yours truly. 

1.  How is it possible for my baby to poop so much and so frequently?  I was talking with two of my friends at our play date/pot luck and there babies only poop once a week.  I couldn't believe it, Ayla poops about 70 times in a week.  And these aren't little poops either, we are talking big blow out poops, up the back, out the side of the leg, her diaper is full!

2. Breastfeeding is hard.  It is demanding, time consuming, and painful.  We are still strictly 100% nursing, but sometimes I really consider introducing the bottle.  Some days are better than others and I just keep telling myself it is going to get easier.  

3.  I think my milk must act like a laxative for my baby.  I might be concerned about this except she is getting so chubby. We are not worried about her gaining enough weight, she is fat and healthy.  Excited to see how much she weighs at our next doctor visit.

4.  I am always hungry.  No one told me I was going to be more hungry while breastfeeding than I was while pregnant.  And the cravings, they are the worst, I want ice cream and cookies every night.  This predicament is not helpful while trying to lose this extra baby weight. 

5. I love burritos!

6.  Today Zuri and I went for a walk and we got attacked by a chicken.  She had some baby chicks and apparently she thought we got a little to close.  Luckily we can run faster than her. 

7.  Ayla turned 6 weeks old today!  

8.  Ayla has developed a major heat rash, all over her face, neck, chest, and tummy.  Good thing her check up is on Monday so we can have the doctor take a look at it and see if there is anything we can do to treat it. 

9.  I need to find out who is responsible for inventing the electric swing, so I can personally thank them.  Ayla loves her swing, she will sit in there for a good hour or more, even up to 5 hours occasionally.  She also likes sleeping in her swing and sometimes she prefers being in her swing over be held.  It allows me to have a break and in turn makes me a better mom. 

10.  I love swimming!  I went swimming at our pool today for the first time since Ayla was born.  It was so nice and relaxing.  Good to be in the water again!

11.  I have amazing in-laws.  So amazing that before Chris and I got married my mom actually questioned if I was marry Chris because I loved him or because I loved his family.  I told her that of course I loved Chris, but that I really did love his family and that was just the extra icing on that cake. 

12.  I am so excited to have more visitors soon!  Grandma Lisa, Aunt Camie, and cousin Hazel are coming to visit next week.  Definitely looking forward to it for sure!

13.  I need to take a photography class so I can learn how to use my new camera. 

 

14.  Already looking forward to our trip home this summer.  6 blessed weeks in the good old USA. 

15.  I really, really, really, want to see the new movie Hunger Games!!  Now I have to decide if it is worth taking a 6 week old baby to the movie theater.  I swore I would never do that, but I might have to make an exception.  

16.  I miss McDonalds.  When is Grand Cayman going to conform like the rest of the world and finally get a McDonalds?  Watching all these commercials featuring the limited time mint chocolate chip shamrock shake are enough to drive oneself to Loonyville.    

17.  Certain aspects of living in Grand Cayman is like living in the USA 20 years ago.  The convenience of being able to pay your bills online is something never to be taken for granted.  Having to drive out to pay the water and electricity bills every month is such a pain in the royal arse. 

18. Sometimes I really miss my mommy, and by sometimes, I really mean most times. 

19.  Chris just asked me, "Why does our baby poop so much?"  She just pooped and it was such a loud and forceful explosion it awoke her from her quiet and peaceful slumber.  Why?  Why?  

20.  It is officially March Madness.  I never thought I would be so grateful my husband likes to watch basketball.  He is content to be at home all day and take care of Ayla while he watches the game.  It is already becoming a special bond between them.  And a really nice break for me, hence being able to go walk Zuri by myself, and go swimming by myself today.  A little bit of alone time is really, really, really wonderful. 

21.  Happy Saint Patty's Day!  We didn't even dress in green to celebrate this year or put green bows in Zuris hair.  Bummer.  I dropped the ball on that one. 

22.  Time is whizzing by like lightning.  March is already more than half way over, summer is going to be here before we know it!  And guess what that means, YEP, we will be home sweet home in the US of A.  

23.  Ayla is getting blessed on Easter Sunday!  I think that makes this Easter extra special!

24.   Sometimes I look at my life and I think,  man I have a really great life!  So many blessings!  And so much to be grateful for. 

25.  Best thought of all, whenever I look at my dear, sweet, precious, baby girl I always think, "How did I get so lucky to have such a beautiful baby?"   Being a mom really is the most wonderful experience ever!

 

Play date/ Pot Luck

Saturday, we took Ayla to her first play date.   There were five couples, all first time parents whom we met in our lamaze class.  Since all our babies are now born (Ayla being the last one), we got together to mingle, eat, and socialize.  We had a potluck lunch and all the mothers, fathers, and babies were in attendance.  There was some great food, salad, fruit, ribs, oxtail, potatoes, corn, rice, and quiche.  Then for dessert, carrot cake, cassava cake, and chocolate cream cheese brownies. 

 Delicious, delicious, delicious oh my!!

Here are all the mothers and babies from left to right, Joann (holding Logan, 8 weeks old), Trish (holding Rocco, 4 months old), Me (Ayla is laying on the mat, and she turned 5 weeks old that very day), Mechon (Celeb is laying on the mat and he is 8 weeks old), and Rhea (holding Callum 6 months old).  

All the cute babies on the activity mat!

Cute Callum, the only one who can sit up on his own, he is beginning to crawl about and loves to scream and talk.  He sure is cute bundle of chub

Ayla is going to have a lot of boyfriends! 

We are a loud bunch, but it sure was a fun time. 

Remember when...

Remember when we were in the hospital and Ayla had to get photo therapy for jaundice.  And remember how we had to supplement formula since Ayla needed extra fluid to compensate for the lights so she didn't get dehydrated.  And remember that she drank this formula from a cup.  

Well in case you don't remember or didn't believe it, here is a video to prove it. 

She was such a trooper. 

And this video shows you just how much she liked that formula from a cup business.  

Voice of Ayla if she could talk: "Take that nurse for feeding me that nasty formula, now give me my mom with the good stuff."

One Month

Goodness gracious great balls of fire, has a whole month already gone by?  Is it truly March?  Can it be possible that our dear sweet daughter sent from heaven above turns One Month Old this very day? Each day in this past month blurs together and feels like a fuzzy dream.

Here she is folks 1 month old today.

Her and Zuri are becoming good friends.

Updates:  Ayla still sleeps best when swaddled.  She literally goes through 14-20 diapers a day, 90% of which are poopy.  She is starting to have more awake time and likes to stretch out and be talked and sung to.  She is starting to enjoy her baths and loves having her hair washed.  She likes her swing and will sit contently in there for about 20-30 minutes on a good day.

 She likes to be outside, often times if she is being fussy we will go out on our balcony and she will calm right down.  She likes going for walks and is content to be pushed around in her stroller.  She loves to eat and is literally attached to me a good 75% of the day.
She is growing every day.  She has already outgrown all her newborn size clothes and now wears 0-3 months. She is starting to get these adorable chubby cheeks.
We sure do love her and are excited to see how she grows and develops in the upcoming months.

Outings

We were so lucky to have my mom with us in Grand Cayman for the first 3 1/2 weeks of Ayla's life.  It was wonderful to have her here to help us with the transition into parenthood.  She helped me take care of myself just as much as she helped me take care of Ayla, making me food, making me go take a nap, cleaning the house, and doing our laundry.  The best thing she did was take Ayla into her room at night.  She would come and get me when Ayla would wake up to eat and sit with me on the couch while she nursed and then rock her to sleep.  It was wonderful!  I felt like I was really able to enjoy those first few weeks with my daughter with little stress and was actually able to sleep.  Such a huge blessing.  Ayla makes lots of little squeaks and noises when she sleeps so Chris and I both were constantly getting up to go peek into her bassinet 100 times a night to make sure she was alright.  We slept so much better when we knew she was safe with my mom.  

The last week my mom was here I was feeling pretty good and ready to get out of the house.  Plus I wanted my mom to be able to enjoy some of the island apart from staying in our lovely apartment all day everyday. So we started doing more outings and getting out of the house.  Wow, who knew leaving the house would be so much work.  First, we had to change Ayla, then feed her, then change her again, dress her, get ready ourselves, and pack all the crap we needed (Jeez, so much stuff to bring ALL the time) then feed Ayla again, change her again, (this girl goes through SO MANY diapers), feed her some more (she eats ALL the time), and then we could finally leave the house.  It is quite the process, one that I definitely don't feel up to tackling on my own yet. 

Some of our outings:

We would go for walks on the beach with Ayla in the wrap. 

We went for walks around our neighborhood with Ayla in her stroller.

We went to the beach.

My mom had a blast in the ocean, swimming, snorkeling and exploring while Ayla and I would hang out in the shade and sand.  Ayla would nurse and sleep and I would read and sleep.  We had amazing weather, it was very relaxing and nice to be out in the sun and fresh air.  It sure is a process getting out of the house but once we finally get out the door everyone enjoys themselves

(mom snorkeling with the turtles)

 Our beach set up typically looked something like this.

 Me nursing Ayla

 Ayla sleeping.

And of course an outing wouldn't be complete without taking a million pictures of our little angel.