October 2016-Willow's 1st Birthday!

Willow & Books

Willow Lamb

Beautiful Family

Crawling with Annie

At McWane Center
 

Emergency Room Trip-with
Asthma-Oct 23

When I was hopeful she would win

Beautiful girls

Brock Lyla Willow



Willow's new chair by Lyla's

 

The month began with a wonderful birthday party at McWane Center on Saturday, October 1. It was the child of a friend of Angela's so Lyla didn't know Caine, the honoree, who was turning 7. But we went to McWane Center at 1:00 pm & didn't leave until 6 pm closing time! Lyla had a blast! Afterwards we ate at Taziki's by UAB then went to visit Angela at work in L&D at UAB afterwards. I took Lyla home in time for bath and bed. I returned to Angela's on Monday, October 3 about 8:30. I took Willow to the park. It was a beautiful day and a lot of little kids were there. Angela went to Lyla's class for "job demonstrations" then we played outside with Willow while Lyla rode her new bike. On Wednesday I stayed with Willow while Angela & Brock went to Lyla's school for the annual "teacher conference". On Thursday I played with the girls outside before taking Lyla to school & taking Willow to the Mt. Laurel diner, "Jimbo's", for breakfast (the first of many times) and then we shopped at Publix grocery (my first time to grocery shop alone with Willow). After lunch & nap I took Willow to pick up Lyla at school then to the park in the wagon. Brock met us there & I spent the night at Angela's, sleeping upstairs on the air mattress as they were continuing to wean Lyla to be able to sleep in her room alone. Friday was the first day I kept both girls all day alone because Lyla didn't have school October 7. Sunday October 9 was the 2nd presidential debate between Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump. Monday October 10 was a holiday for Lyla. I stayed with Willow while Angela & Lyla went out. Then I took Lyla for yogurt before I went home. Tuesday I went to Angela's early since Lyla was back in school & Angela was back at work. After taking Lyla to school Willow & I went to the park & the grocery store & played upstairs before nap. Brock picked up Lyla at school. I went to bed early because Lyla was now sleeping with someone in in the upstairs bedroom with the door open. "Weaning" was almost complete! Angela didn't work Wednesday so she helped with the girls in the morning but I took Lyla to school & she screamed all the way to the car! It was a beautiful day & I took Willow out in the stroller. On Thursday Angela had appointments & errands and I took Willow to Jimbo's again for breakfast...which eventually became a daily event after dropping Lyla out at school! On Friday, October 14 Angela & Willow came to our house while her house was being cleaned. She brought Annie the dog to stay with us for a few days. Later in the afternoon I picked up Willow's birthday cake & took it to Angela's & picked up Lyla at school & stayed at the park with her until 6:30 pm. She had a great time! Then she went to my house to spend the night. The next morning after watching a Barbie movie from the library I took Lyla home. Angela, Lyla, Willow, friends in town for Willow's birthday and I went to the Mt. Laurel Fall Festival. Then we returned home for Willow's 1st birthday party! Although it seemed her birthday was too early, I always remember the adage I heard one time re: children: "The years fly & the days crawl". As the mother of an only child, juggling things, time & energy between two children was an adjustment at times. Lyla & Willow will always have each other. Although they are very different (Brock says one looks like she escaped from a Kibbutz & the other from a Lutheran day care), it is a joy to see them develop a relationship that they will always have. And they are very much alike in that each is precious & funny & smart...and a joy to have in my life!

One year old Willow

After a few days in Mobile visiting my mother I returned to Angela's early am Thursday October 20. Willow & I ate at Jimbo's. It was a beautiful day. Brock picked up Lyla from school. I spent the night at their house. Friday am both Angela & Brock went to work early. I took Lyla to school in sweat  pants because I didn't have time to dress. Brock was home by 2 & I picked up Lyla at 3 & we stayed at the park until 6 pm! Lyla spent the night with me & woke up twice coughing. We met Angela Saturday afternoon at the Summit after buying Steel City Pops. On Sunday Angela called to tell me Lyla had been to Children's Emergency Room due to coughing/asthma. Monday morning Angela took Lyla to school & I stayed with Willow while she did errands. I went home after Brock came home. Wednesday both Angela & Brock worked and I took Willow to the park after taking Lyla to school. Brock took Lyla home in the bicycle carrier & I stayed at the house with Willow until Lyla got back from ballet lesson. On Thursday I went to read with the children in Lyla's class (Ms. Shelley is her teacher). Saturday I took Lyla to neighborhood garage sales & then to the park & to Let's Play then to my house to spend the night. She was sweet. After watching shows and coloring & playing on Sunday I took her home. I held Willow while Brock bathed Lyla then I listened to Lyla read while Brock put Willow to bed. I was amazed at how well she could read! Monday was Halloween & another month ended! Willow was now one year old. How did that happen so quickly?