Willow & Lyla...Sisters!

First time not afraid of Chuck E

Willow arrives! 12:15 pm October 16, 2015

Mr. Laurel Fall Festival Oct 17

Mommy & Willow Home!

Big Sister Lyla!

Little Sister Willow

Willow Looking at Granny

Last Day as an Only Child!

Sisters!

Birthday Party with Famous Sister Elsa

Willow in her room!

October 13...tomorrow evening Angela & Brock will go to L&D at UAB where Willow Anita’s journey into the world will begin.  Lyla will become a big sister! Their family will grow and things will change. I’ve spent the past few days catching up on pictures and doing a lot of house cleaning! I’m not sure exactly what my role will be after Willow arrives, but I’m looking forward to it. Since Willow will be the younger sister she will have the same role in the family as I had as a child. Lyla will be 4 years older and my sister Linda was 5 years older. Since Angela was an only child this will be “new territory” for me.














































October was a busy month! It was the first month I didn't work at least part-time since I began working full time in 1973. But more importantly it was the first month Lyla became a big sister & Willow was born. October 2 I went to the pediatrician with Lyla & Angela where Lyla got 5 shots! I stayed with Lyla Oct 2-3 weekend while her mom worked & her Dad went on overnight camping trip for the last time for awhile! October 9 was a part of "Fall Break" & the last day Angela worked for a few months. I took Lyla to Chuck E Cheese where, for the first time, she was not afraid of Chuck E & posed for pictures with him!  I went to Lyla's Wednesday afternoon before her parents left for the hospital. Although Angela started labor Thursday morning Oct 15th, Willow didn't arrive until 12:15 pm Friday Oct 16. I think she was waiting until Lyla was out of school. Lyla was very good while they were gone...didn't even complain too much while I washed her hair for the 1st time in a long time! After school I took Lyla to the hospital while Angela & Willow were still in the room where Willow was born. It was very sweet to see the family of 4 for the first time! Friday night Lyla & I watched the movie "Frozen" together and she sang along & danced to the songs. Very appropriate to watch a movie about sisters who love each other on the day Lyla became a big sister! Saturday was the Fall Festival at Mt. Laurel. It was a beautiful day & Lyla had a great time. On Sunday Willow & her parents came home. I stayed at their house until Wednesday. It was wonderful to hold Willow & see Angela & Brock continue being such good parents as their family has doubled from one girl to two girls! After 2 nights at home I met them at the photographer studio on Friday the 23rd (Wayne & my 22nd Anniversary). I was so glad I got to watch the Rotter Family at the photographer's. I know the pictures will be awesome. It was touching to watch the four of them interact & pose & so obviously love each other.  While I was at their house it was special when Lyla would hug me good night & knock on my door to say "good morning".  I had a lot of opportunity to hold Willow. She is calm & beautiful and has big eyes...and looks a lot like Lyla at the same age (Lyla on the Right below) One of the fun things Lyla & I did was go to Zarrah's birthday party at "Let's Play". We arrived at 1 pm & stayed until 6 pm! Lyla ran & played and had a great time...periodically coming back to where I was sitting to "touch base". I enjoy watching her interact with other children. After her friends left when the party was over, she continued to play with other kids she didn't know. Lyla has good social skills! Monday after school Lyla & I went to Chic Fil A for a milkshake. After she played for a little while we left and sat in the car while it rained & read some of the books she got that day at school...Scholastic books I had ordered for her. It felt good to be relaxed & not in a hurry to go somewhere & just enjoy the moment of being together. Lyla is very close to being able to read herself. However, hopefully it will be a long time before she won't want to be read to. But maybe a short time before she is reading to her sister Willow. Wednesday Lyla had a fever & her Dad took her to the doctor. Sabba Raffi came to visit & bring Halloween treat bags for Willow and Lyla. I stayed until Lyla went to school Thursday then returned Friday when Angela & Brock went to the Halloween parade at Lyla's school. Lyla was a beautiful Cinderella! And then I went home after Safta Nitza arrived on Halloween Day. The first month of life with Willow is already over! I'm going to visit my Mother for a few days while Nitza is in town.  After I get back from Mobile & Nitza returns to Florida & Brock is back at work (his first day back is today, November 2), I am looking forward to helping with both Lyla & Willow as this new phase of life begins! I look forward to returning to "my time with Lyla and Willow".