#FlashbackFriday: Happy 1st Birthday, Laiken!

We had Laiken's 1st birthday pictures taken on the beach when we were in Sanibel.  I hope this girl know how's spoiled she is already!

We decorated and wrapped a few gifts for her actual birthday on April 9th.

My parents came over for a quick birthday celebration that night since we were having her party the following weekend.  She LOVED her cake!

My brother came over to help put together the new pirate ship playhouse!  Scott loves when I buy things with a bunch of parts.  ;)

The girls just played in the box!

We threw a party on April 12th with our closest friends and family to celebrate! 

I made this banner with each of Laiken's monthly pictures during her first year.

A little decor before guests arrived...

I think this was the first time in my life that I was ready for a party and not throwing things together as guests arrived.

Food and dessert table on the patio

I ordered this custom birthday sign from Etsy.  It was cute party decor and I love that I can keep it for her 1st year stats!

Her outfit was another Etsy purchase - I loved all the bows & feathers and Scott thought she belonged it Vegas...dads just don't get it! ; )

Cheeeesee ... serious.

Laiken wasn't walking yet but she took her first steps days after her 1st birthday.  She thought she was pretty big stuff walking with daddy!

Kinley swinging - <3 those pigtails!

Hadley & Presley playing in the pirate ship - Laiken's big present from us.

Kylie helping Laikers walk again..

Laiken proving that she's a big kid, too!

Sweet baby Everett!

Present time!

Laiken wasn't very into opening presents so Kinley and I helped.

Laiken was spoiled rotten of course...swimsuits, a roller coaster ride, books, toys, toys, toys!

Ready for summer with her sunnies!

Buffett had to get in on the action and get a little attention, too.

Aunt Christie, Uncle Chris, & our favorite "baby Kaelyn!"

The big kids testing out the new roller coaster!

Time for cupcakes!

Hhmmm...what song are you singing...

Nom, nom, nom..

This one loves her food!

How old is Laiken?!?  "So big" she says!  haha

Big sis loves her cuppycakes, too!

Notice the difference between Kinley and Laiken's eating styles.  I love that they are totally different!

Laiken -

You are such a funny baby and always keep us on our toes.  If we turn our back for more than a minute, I can guaruntee that you've found something to get into whether it be Kinley's toys, a random cabinet or even dog food!  You are such a ham and always keep us laughing with your funny faces which I refer to as "the many faces of Laiken."  You definitely favor your daddy (look-wise) and have his outgoing personality.

1 year stats:

23 pounds & 29 inches tall

You have 8 teeth

You love most foods especially bananas, strawberries, mac n cheese, ham, and anything sweet

You adore your big sis and are very interested in your puppies

You love playing peek-a-boo, your Sophie giraffe, playing instruments, and looking at books

You took swim lessons this year and loved the pool in Sanibel

You are a pretty easy going baby but when you get mad, watch out!

You wave bye-bye and blow kisses

Your big smile and scrunched up nose can light up a room!

Happy Birthday, Laiken Lou!  We love you SO much!

Laiken: 2 months old!

Laiken -

 

 

You had quite an eventful second month!  You were carted around from house to house and store to store and you just went with the flow.  That was a very welcome change from your big sis.

Here's a comparison of Kinley's 2 month picture.  I still think you two look alike but have your own look, too.

You are such a smiley baby and love interacting and "talking" to people.  You don't know a stranger and love when you get attention!  You're usually only fussy if you're hungry or your tummy hurts.

You look like such a big girl already, too!  I don't know where my newborn baby went!  You don't care for tummy time but you love your bath time.

You also love to grab toys on your play mat.  We wondered if you were about to get teeth because you're hands are constantly in your mouth!  No teeth to report yet though.

You were such a good girl at your doctor appointment!  You just hung out and smiled and chatted with the nurses.  You weighed 12 pounds 5 ounces and were 23.25 inches long.  Obviously, you hated your shots but got over it pretty quick.

You are in 0-3 month clothes and fill them out pretty well already!  You wear size 1 diapers and eat around 4 ounces of milk every 3 hours.  You definitely don't miss a meal!   We absolutely love watching you grow every day and you are such a joy to have in our family!  Your smile can light up a room and always makes my stressful days better.  We love you, "Ka!"

April 2013

I can hardly remember our first month home.  We were living at our old house and just buying our current one, life was a little crazy.  Besides packing boxes throughout the day, I was loving on this new little bundle of joy!

Sleepy birdy...

Fun comparison of the 2 girls - can you guess which is which?!

Kinley                        Laiken

I kept Kinley home a few times throughout the week so we could bond and have fun welcoming her new sister.

She was pretty infatuated with her and then didn't care much at all other times.

Laiken saying her prayers.

Fresh from the tub:

On the way to Laiken's first doctor's appointment!  She was SO well behaved.

She loved hanging on her changing table just like big sis did when she was a baby.

We introduced Laiken to our favorite store when she was 1 week old!  I thank God for the women in my life that help me out so I stay sane!  :)

Kinley obviously still loves Target, too!

Another fresh out of the bath photo - before her newborn pictures.

Kinley wanted to play toys instead of pose for pictures with her little sis...welcome to toddler life.

My little milk-drunk birdy and her first smile caught on camera!

We spent a lot of time hanging in her boppy pillow between naps and feedings. Laiken was such a chill baby!  I think she looks like a little teddy bear here...

She's also a thinker..

We hung out in bed a lot when Scott was leaving for work and I got some great shots of Kinley loving on Laiken.

We watched a lot of Doc and Mickey Mouse and shared lots of smiles and lovies.

I SO miss these precious moments that I had with my babies now that Laiken is already getting bigger.

My baby feeding my baby. Melt.My.Heart.  
And don't even get me started on that Pebbles ponytail!  Kinley has already grown so much since then!!

These were obviously her first days wearing a ponytail in her hair. :)
She became a pro at taking care of her babydoll.

Another cuddly teddy bear picture...

Laiken loves sleeping in the Rock N Play just like Kinley did.

One day I looked in my back seat and thought, "is this for real?!"  My, how life has changed in less than 2 years...

Jess & Rowan came to visit one night and we had to get these future lake kids' first picture together!  Wait until you see this little man now!

We had a really busy first month but I made sure to slow down and take time to take in the little moments with my new baby just like I did with Kinley.  Before I had Laiken I wondered how on earth would I make time for both babies.  They were going to be so young that they both would still need a ton of attention!  They do both require a lot of my attention but surprisingly, I feel like I'm balancing it pretty well.
Life.is.good.