Stassi is ONE YEAR old

Guys...I'm really not sure how to feel about Stassi turning one. Of course I am so happy that she is here with us and has turned one year without any true problems and I realize we are blessed for that. BUT it is so bittersweet. I just can't believe my little baby is not so little anymore. It's crazy how fast time passes & I'm not always a fan of change. But it's so fun to see how she is developing and learning. 

Stassi at one year:

-Stassi says "no no" A LOT! She says no to anything and probably even when she means yes. 

-Stassi has a new baby sister which has been so much fun for her but also rough at times. BUT she is constantly kissing and hugging and loving on our baby Layla and can even say her name clearly. 

-She walks and runs everywhere 

-She loves being chased. 

-She hates when the dogs bark and when they do, she cries. It's actually really sad. 

-Although Stassi has been saying mom and dad for a really long time (those were her actual first words) she identifies who we are more. 

-She listens when we tell her to bring something to us. 

-She hates when we tell her no. 

-She loves playing with her toys and plays with them very well. 

-She is great with sharing. 

-She loves food in general but has been loving watermelon. A LOT. It's something her and daddy eat together. 

-Stassi makes the surprised noise whenever she sees someone come up to the house. Whether it's grandma or her aunts or cousin. 

-When daddy walks in at the end of the work day she makes the surprised sound and runs up to him. 

-Stassi is a BIG kisser and hugger now. 

-Stassi has been taking naps in her crib and playpen and we are slowly trying to move her out of our room. 

-She still loves car rides and just stares out the window. 

-She is in a big girl car seat now and loves it. 

-She has moved to milk instead of formula and does great with it. 

-She is super silly and just has a really fun personality. 

Stassi is growing so much. And she is super outgoing and fun loving. We are so blessed to have this little one year old in our lives. She came into my life when I needed her most and I will never forget that. I love you so much Stassi Leighann and am so proud to be your mommy! 

Layla Grace is one month?!

It's true...our little Layla is officially one month old today! How crazy that she's already been here a month. I cannot believe that she came so early, but I also still can't believe that I am a mommy to TWO little girls. 

Layla at one month:

-Layla loves to SLEEP! A lot. 

-She smiles a ton, but not in response to anything yet. 

-She sleeps just like her mommy and sister...kicks blankets off, legs and arms wide open, and is restless. 

-She has a ton of hair and isn't losing any of the hair on her head. 

-She hates her outfit being changed. She cries every single time. 

-She loves car rides. She does so well in the car and even out in stores and church. 

-She is a hungry girl. She eats and eats and eats. 

-She chooses her own sleeping schedule no matter what I try but I'm not looking to change it. She is who she is. 

-She is very active during the day. She kicks and coos. 

-She loves her mamaroo. 

-She does very well with tummy time. 

-Layla LOVES to cuddle. She will just form her little body to whoever is holding her and sleep away. 

Layla is so calm and just a sweetheart already. I am so excited to see how she grows in this next month. Layla we are so blessed by you. We love you so much! Happy one month baby girl. 

Thankful wife

Have you ever heard of that line "happy wife, happy life"...? Well I don't really believe in that saying. I believe in both husband and wife being happy. And I hope I do my part in making my husband happy. 

But this is about how my husband makes me happy. You know...I really hit the jack pot when it came to Yonatan. I couldn't have found someone more loving, compassionate, caring, and just an overall great husband. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me. He truly rescued me. 

But now that we are married and he has me, he has never stopped loving me. You know how when two people date and while they date everything is so great and happy? And then when they get married or date for a really long time they just get lazy with showing how much they love each other? I'm so glad I don't have that type of marriage. Almost 2 years in, and a year and a half of marriage, my husband truly shows me how much he loves me every single day. Some days he brings suprise flowers or starbucks, but that's not what I'm talking about. 

My husband tells me to buckle up. He tells me to be careful and check in with him. He asks how I'm feeling and if I'm okay. He asks about my day and what's going on. He empties the trash for me and takes care of everything outside. These are just small things but they mean everything to me. 

But honestly, the whole experience of being in the hospital and having Layla made me appreciate my husband so much more. 

Before I had Layla and I went into the hospital with severe pain, my husband never left my side. He was with me and did everything he could to help me and protect me. I was heavily medicated the day I had Layla from about 9am to 8pm and I was in and out of it the entire day. I couldn't manage to stay awake. But he never missed a talk with a nurse or doctor. When I was literally screaming in pain, he held my hand and looked into my eyes and told me I was strong. He told me to try and stay calm. He rubbed my back and rubbed my head just to give me a little relaxation. He went without sleep to make sure I was okay. I was in such severe pain & so medicated that it was hard for me to walk to the bathroom, so he would walk me to the bathroom; help me pee, help me wipe myself, and help me back up.  And because I was in an oh so wonderful hospital gown, he always made sure I was completely covered so that no one could see my body. When the doctor came in and told us that Layla wasn't doing well and that we had to have a C-Section, Yonatan was obviously extremely worried. I had been in pain for two days straight and now we were having our baby an entire month early because she wasn't doing well. He was worried for both Layla and me. He held my hand through everything. He kept in contact with my parents through everything. He literally never left my side. And then when Layla showed up, he never left her side. He went to the NICU with her and went to all of her tests with her. He got up with her every single time she cried because he knew I couldn't. He told the nurses to never wake me up but to instead wake him up if they needed to do something with Layla. Again, he helped me pee and wipe myself and put pads on. He helped me shower and dry off and dress myself. He lotioned my legs and put on my socks because I literally couldn't do anything without assistance. 

The point is I knew I had an amazing husband, but this entire experience showed me a side of him that just made me appreciate him and love him on an entirely different level than I ever have. 

Yonatan, if you're reading this please know how thankful I am for you. I truly hit the jack pot when it comes to you. You are so amazing. And I love you with all of my heart and soul. Thank you for being such a great husband and literally never leaving my side.