Beach Babe!

Our family trip to the beach in June was fantastic! We rented a perfect little beach house with some close friends and relaxed for a full week on the Gulf Coast, (sans oil spill goo, thankfully) enjoying the sound of the waves, collecting seashells, burying our feet, capturing tiny "crabbies," catching some rays, and riding the breakers. Lyla was hyped up about it weeks before our departure, telling me several times a day, "I wanna go to da beach!"

In anticipation of a long car ride down (aka "truck ride," thanks to Pap-Pap's loner!), Daddy and I invested in a portable DVD player and hooked it to the back of the seat in front of her so she could watch some of her favorites. So, the ride down was relatively painless.

We met up with some house-mates at a local (read: 40 minutes away from beach house) supermarket (read: Walmart) to stock up for the week's meals. By the time we got to the house, we were so ready to be there, and so pleasantly surprised by how immaculate and organized the place was. It certainly made for one happy Mama (who delighted in the fact that the owner had laminated scanned pages with the remotes on them delineating their uses and each button's function - woo hoo!).

Initially, we were disappointed by the lack of actual beach in front of the property. Since the hurricane two years ago, the beach beneath the deck completely disappeared. Sitting on the deck, though, with no land beneath us, felt like we were floating on the waves. Oh so peaceful and relaxing!

Apart from one trip to Moody Gardens and one fishing trip Luke took, we were total beach bums. Lyla seemed to enjoy the house as much as the beach, especially the loft and the stairs to the loft, which made for some slight stress. By the end of the week, she was a stair-climbing pro, though.

At Moody Gardens, we visited the Aquarium pyramid. Lyla enjoyed the seahorses and sharks in particular, and the underwater tunnel to view all the marine life. We then ventured over to the "Rainforest," which was another pyramid filled completely with plantlife (and humidity) and some animals to resemble an actual rainforest. We saw some really neat stuff, there. Lyla really liked the macaws we saw, and smelling the "root beer plant." From there, we visited the outdoor butterfly exhibit, which wasn't terribly impressive and unfortunately being at the end of our long day and outside in the heat, Lyla (read: Mommy) was kaput. All in all, an exciting day and tons of neat things you don't get to see every day!

Now, I know when I was a kid I loved the beach and swimming in the ocean, but it also had its drawbacks. I was nervous about big waves (still am) and not a huge fan of salty-eyes. My kid, however, was 100% sold on swimming and was brave beyond rationality (in my opinion). I'd let Luke take her out because I get a little too anxious about holding her and trying to balance my own (pregnant) self. That girl would try to swim away, not realizing that a.) she didn't actually know how to swim, b.) the waves would carry her away in a mini-flash, nor c.) what lurks in the unclear waters of the Gulf is meant to remain a mystery, yet something all should be wary of. When we put a swim ring on her to help minimize my slight panic-state, she would only swim off further and faster, singing loudly to herself and spinning around with a goofy grin on her face all the while. I loved, loved, loved, watching my sweet monkey go beach-bound.

We also set up Lyla's little pool on the deck, which was a life-saver for when we needed a break from the sun and salt. She was a complete ham, belly flopping in, spraying the deck with the hose and stripping out of her sandy suit to get clean.

One evening at sunset, Luke helped me take Lyla out in a cute little white dress to do a mini photo-session. The lighting was beautiful and I got a few photos that I'm proud of. It helps to have a completely adorable and photogenic daughter who totally mugs for the camera.

A couple of other times, we went out to the beach just before sunset, when it was cooling off. Daddy helped Lyla fly her Gabba Gabba kite, we searched for sand crabs and seashells, and played some Blongo-ball on the sand with our buddies.

Our last day there, it occurred to us to open up the canopy that we brought. We immediately regretted not having used it every day because it made the Texas heat so much more tolerable and we were able to stay outside for longer stretches of time. Live and learn, I guess! Being our last day, though, we milked every second of it outside.

Now, it may come as a surprise, but I took a few pictures. If you'd like to see 1/4th of them, please feel free to visit my Picasa beach album. We were ready to book another week at the beach immediately - it was sad to leave and return home to reality!

We had a great time!!!

New Q News!

Some exciting news,
From the Q's,
Regarding the bundle
On its way...

We'd been dying to know,
Hoping it'd show,
On the sono image
The other day...

We couldn't have been more thrilled,
For our technician was so skilled,
At finding that certain
Shot without (much) delay...

Now we know that...

Lyla will be a big sis like no other,
To her new baby brother,
We can't wait to meet him!
October is too far away!

Ride the Rides!

Main Street Days is a weekend carnival in Grapevine (on Main Street - exactly!) with booths and rides, fair food, etc. Since Lyla had so much fun at Six Flags when Papa was in town, we decided to join Aunt Shannon and her girls and "ride the rides," as Lyla puts it. We got there during prime-time heat, as you will see evident in her pink, pink cheeks, but thankfully not the prime-time crowds. We got in a few rides before having to cool off in a shady spot. Lyla would've ridden the carousel all night long, but we encouraged her to try something else.

Cars and motorcycles soon followed, along with the "fun house," giant slide, and spinning bears. After some time in the shade playing in the sand pit and on the tricycles, we cashed in a few tickets for Lyla's first snow cone (red, of course) and watched a trampoline show. After yummy dinner at a local pizza place, we hit the rides again - until almost 10pm! Our girl is crazy!

I would have bet loads of cash that she would have dozed with acute immediacy once settled in her car-seat, however, my child talked the entire way home about all she had done. She listed all the rides and the food and the people she saw. When I asked her what her favorite part was, she said, "Aunt Shannon and Lyla." She had a blast with her aunt and cousins!

Here she is riding the alligator, one of probably five times.

And here she is sliding on the giant slide of much excitement with her very own Aunt Shannon.

More photos at Picasa, as usual! Check out the May album so far!

April, Where Did You Go?

Wow, what a quick month! Our calendar was booked this month! I mean, only now am I getting around to sharing our Easter with you! Yikes!

Since Lyla turned 2, she celebrated her 3rd Easter, which to our family is mostly a strange welcoming of springtime that involves finding eggs filled with yummy treats, dying eggs, hunting eggs and eating egg-shaped candies. Oh, and something about a bunny...

Lyla's school had an egg-hunt for each class, which was adorable. I snapped a few pics, of course. These kids are so stinkin' cute! Lyla got duped on her egg-count, however, because she was more preoccupied with the contents of her first few eggs than in finding more.

Lyla hunted eggs at Ghea and Pap's house all by her lonesome self, since Faryn and Rain were across state lines visiting family, and the Wise cousins were busy, too. Grandma made sure to fill the plastic eggs with all kinds of yummy jelly beans, which Lyla promptly opened and consumed, forgetting about all the other "hidden" eggs to be found.

We also dyed eggs, which she found most exciting, apart from the incident when Mommy chased after her as she banged two hard-boiled eggs together like musical instruments.

At the Quattrochi home, it's tradition for the Easter Bunny to hide the Easter basket so that children demanding chocolate and jellybeans for breakfast have to first earn it through use of acute wicker-detection skills. Lyla's basket was very cleverly hidden behind the pillow on her favorite couch, located directly behind her favorite spot to practice potatoism. She initially sought out her goodies where they were when she fell asleep, beside her bed. When they weren't there, she sprinted toward Mommy's room to search, but paused beside the couch, spying the treat-filled container. Her eyes lit up and she gasped in the dramatic manner her Mama so often and skillfully models . It was quite adorable. She didn't care much about the Springtime book for her Leapfrog Tag Jr, or any other non-edible item for that matter. She very much liked the whole concept of finding treats and indulging in them first thing in the morning, and we got to hear about it pretty much all day long!

Papa Sam came to town the following weekend, and treated all his grandkids to a visit to Six Flags. Mama missed out on this one for a much needed Girls' Day with her buddies, but Daddy was good enough to get some photos and video of Little Miss Fearless.

We also celebrated Faryn's 6th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese, which Lyla loved, and Daddy's 28th birthday at home with the annual Meatball Day. Lyla is enjoying friends and family more and more. She was very cute asking the girls at Chuck E. to take her up in the playground, and I spied on her and Haydrienne playing at Daddy's party (and heard her yelling "Haydrienne!" when she wanted her to come back and play... bossy little thing!). It's a good thing I take so many photos, because she loves to relive these fun times and talk about what happened, who was there, etc.

We also went to Emory's 2nd birthday party - she's an adorable friend from Lyla's class. Those 2-year olds together are too cute! And! Aunt Shannon celebrated a birthday, too. So, April was filled with cake and "Happy Birthday to _____!" and lots of talk about cake and re-singing "Happy Birthday" (or Happy Day-Day) to the various friends and family who had a birthday.

May brings the sloooow wind-down of the school year, which is not quite as full of holidays, birthdays, and visitors, but sure to be fun-filled with outdoor activities, as the Texas sky is bluer and brighter every day! I know one little girl who can't wait to get into Pap's swimming pool!

See the rest of April here!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lyla!

On March 19th, our baby girl turned 2!

Just one year ago...

...we were marveling at all she had learned to do in a year's time. While this year, the change isn't quite as drastic as the leap from gurgling, sleeping blob to walking, talking toddler, it's still remarkable.

Our two-year-old speaks in full sentences that anyone can understand, counts to 20, knows all her letters and most of her sounds, and can even read about 15 words! She loves jumping (as you will soon see evident), sweets, robots, reading, singing, watching Pixar movies while eating homemade popcorn, answering the door for the "pizza man," visiting "Gia" and "Pap-Pap" after school, standing on her head at random, wrestling Maya, carrying Ellie, playing outside, running into walls on purpose, dropping rocks into the creek, naming all her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, school friends and family friends in photos, singing BABY BELUGA at the top of her lungs, demanding to watch home videos of herself, and most recently, telling stories of her 2-year's worth of unique Lyla experiences and adventures. How amazing.

On her actual birthday, we had small celebration at home. I let her pick out a cake at the grocery store and Luke and I gave her a Wall-E robot toy made for much older children, but we knew she'd get a kick out of it, even if it was over-priced and over her head. We ordered pizza and had a carpet picnic in the living room (aka "home"). We sang "Happy Day-day" repeatedly because it was too much fun to blow out the candles just once! Lyla picked the red frosting off the cake and asked for more fire on the candles and more singing... It was a great day!

Her Sesame Street birthday party was scheduled for the next day, however, as Texas weather would have it, snow and icy-cold winds were imminent, so we postponed her bounce-house rental for the next day, upon which there was to be a complete turnaround in climate. However, as sure as Troy Dungan sports a dorky bow-tie to forecast the weather, Sunday proved to be even colder and windier. So, we moved it to the next weekend, much to our disappointment. But we still managed to make the most of it.

It was a good move, however. More friends and family could make it, and apart from the excessive wind, it was a beautiful day! Grandma and I spent the previous evening preparing (ie cupcake and cake duty), and even Uncle John pitched in once the cupcake characters started to wear me out. While we were up to our elbows in colored frosting, Lyla was rehearsing for her jumping debut.

The bounce house was a hit! The sack race was hilarious and adorable! Lyla was beside herself with joy all day long. As Mac put it, "I don't think she stopped smiling all day." With everyone she loved nearby, all the jumping and sliding she could handle, cake and sweets and presents... what more could our girl want? It turns out, she wished the bounce house could have stayed in Pap's yard permanently, but that wasn't really surprising.

Such a happy day for our happy girl made for some seriously happy parents! We are so thankful to have our Lyla in our lives, and grateful there are so many others that want to share in our love and be part of her life!

With that in mind, Luke and I are bracing ourselves for all the other "joys" that being two brings.

February Features (Part Two)

Today, we took Lyla to Cooks Children's for a bilateral myringotomy. Yes, I wanted to be fancy and use the medical term for "tubes in both ears." I had been fretting about it since we made the appointment, not sure if we were maybe making this decision too soon, but she has been sick an awful lot this year, and I don't think daycare is to blame 100%. Her consultation was last Monday with the ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor, who recommended the procedure after reviewing her history. There was an opening just a week later, so we signed up and put her on another round of antibiotics to clear the ear infection she was just starting (only 2 days after being off antibiotics).

So, we arrived at the hospital at 6:45 and Lyla got dressed in a gown, did all her pre-op excitement, etc. After a short wait, I went back with her to get a squirt of sedative up her lil nose and within five minutes, she was relaxed and content. The nursing staff there were fabulous, obviously very experienced with trying to keep kids happy during scary ordeals like this; they blew bubbles for her while she was getting dopey and let her hold all the instruments they used. She had no problem riding the "choo choo" (aka the gurney) back to surgery. The actual procedure was only about ten minutes and Dr. Roberge came out to let me know she did well, however her ears were a complete mess (ah, reassurance that we truly needed to do this for her), and only two days after completing an antibiotic (once again).

After another ten minutes or so, we went back to recovery, where our girl was stirring and groggy. She had a Popsicle and some juice shortly afterward and when she was coherent and perky, we were sent on our way. Easy enough! We spent the day at Grandma and Grandpap's house "recovering" (me, mostly, from my lack of sleep - Lyla was back to normal within an hour). All in all a positive experience and hopefully this will help her stay healthy!!

Unfortunately, the only photos we got of Lyla during her surgery experience are on my phone, which can't be uploaded. I guess there are some occasions I don't tote my camera to!

February Features

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just like last year, this year we made some heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast to celebrate Valentine's Day. This is about all we do to "celebrate." This year, though, Lyla helped, which was a special treat for Momma. She loved stirring and attempted flipping (with some hand-over-hand assistance). Mostly, she just liked eating them, though. No surprises, there!

Next year, we may have to brainstorm a few more creative and eventful ideas since she'll really be catching on. Until then, though, Luke and I generally prefer to stick to the sidelines on this "holiday," and pancakes are harmless. We'd have eaten some anyway!

In addition to being our #1 sweetheart, she is blowing us away with how much her little sponge brain soaks up, and how adorable she can be, especially when she doesn't really think anyone is watching. Normally, she clams up when I get out the camera, or she stops doing her cute-thing because she wants to use the camera to watch previous footage. I discovered, though, that these rules don't apply in the bathtub. And so, friends and family, here is our dear Lyla uncut and being her typical self. Video is password protected due to nekkid babyness. For eyes of close friends and family only!

Fun in the Tub! from Emily Quattrochi on Vimeo.