Easter and Birthday Wishlist: Lyla

In the vain of this becoming a "mom" blog, I thought that it would be fun to share what Lyla is getting for Easter and for her second birthday. I love to read posts like this. They can be really helpful.

As much fun as it is to shop for a little girl, this child does not need much. Isn't it ridiculous how quickly toys, etc. accumulate? We may have moved to a bigger house to make room for our then 13 month old's things. We joke that this is Lyla and Carly's house, and they just let us stay here. 

Pottery Barn Luggage Mackenzie Glitter Ballerina  (large hard sided and small duffle)

Lyla's things are usually nicer than mine, and her new luggage is no exception. This was her birthday gift from Anthony and me. I say "was" because we already gave it to her, so that we could use it for a wonderful trip last weekend. My justification here, was that Lyla has to travel with a LOT of stuff: vest and vest unit accessories, bottles of pediasure, and basically a pharmacy. She's a baby Judy Garland (RIP). Well she's really not, but it makes CF almost funny. I digress. Her luggage traveled great, but barely contained everything that she needed. I'll be checking sales to possibly add to her collection. We went with the Mackenzie Glitter Ballet print, because we thought that it would grow with her the best. To me, Pottery Barn Kids has the most beautiful things, and usually a good sale going. I should point out that our toddler owns way more Pottery Barn than we have for the house.

Puppy Dog Stool

Our girl is ready to take on some responsibility when it comes to brushing her teeth on her own, and washing her hands with little help. She's really starting to "get it." Plus, she loves to play in water, and see what I'm up to if I'm in the kitchen. This Etsy shop offers so many cute things! I've ordered jewelry boxes from here, for some of the other kiddos in my life. There were so many pretty colors and patterns to choose from, but for Lyla, it has to be puppies. No question.

Abby Cadabby Sheets

The first time that I saw The Land of Nod’s Sesame Street Line, specifically the Abby Cadabby Collection, I was really hoping to get something for Lyla. The sheets make the most sense, and I know she'll love them. She is due for some new sheets, and these will still fit her mattress when she's ready to go to toddler bed, from crib. I have it on good authority that these will be from The Easter Bunny.

Abby Flying Fairy School Playset 

Two little figurines, one being Abby? Check. A little house to organize small toys and play Fairy School? Um, not only check but I'm pretty sure that this was invented for Lyla.


Between Lyla's awesome grandparents and extended family, this list is covered, along with other small Easter goodies, and a personal sized trampoline. *just popped back in to add the best idea for a 2 year old: Lyla's grandparents have decided to gift her an experience, i.e. a day at a park or children's museum visit. This is brilliant, and she really is such a fun age for this kind of thing. As far as celebrating turning two this year, it's all about family time. I'm not throwing her a big party, and it's been really nice to keep it all simple and special.

Dear Lyla,

 My precious girl, about to turn two. You will always be my baby. I could never truly put into words what you mean to all of us.

Two years ago, you and I were working pretty hard to keep you healthy and happy, and well, it was a drag. I just couldn’t wait to hold you, and tell you that I would make everything ok. Turns out, I didn’t really have to tell you. It’s like you knew then, that everything would be fine, and it has been. You have been pretty no-nonsense and confident since I first saw you. You have definitely given me the strength to power through and kick CF’s butt. That might sound crazy, and like a lot to put on a toddler, but I’m telling you, there is something magical in you.

From your crazy and cute hair, to your tan little toes, your Dad and I are beyond crazy about you. Speaking of those tan toes, you get that golden skin from your Daddy, along with pretty much everything else. I think it’s adorable.

You’ve never been a kid to sit still. Ever. I hope this will suit you, as you get older. It would certainly benefit your respitory health, and make you a go getter. This is where you and I differ. So, yeah, you get a good bit of screen time. It’s the only way that I can get you to sit still to do your vest, and pretty much get life done in general. Just today, I broke down and bought Zootopia for you on Amazon, since Netflix took it down. It's been a battle since they took it away. Remind me to tell you about Blockbuster, Saturday morning cartoons, and VCRs. Along with Zootopia, you love Sing and The Boss Baby; and most things on Disney Jr. I like Disney Jr's shows, too.

We love to dance around here! Your favorite songs are Kiss The Girl from The Little Mermaid, Blue Ribbon Bunny from Sofia The First, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Just a few weeks ago, your Dad and I were taking you out to dinner, and played Blue Ribbon Bunny for you in the car. I happened to look back at you in your car seat, and there you were, looking at yourself in your little mirror and going NUTS dancing. It was epic, and I never want to forget it. You'll dance to pretty much anything, but you seem to like your dads rock and metal music a lot. Honestly, this is sort of weird and intimidating to me, but do you girl.

It's especially cool to see how your mind is working. You absolutely love collecting and organizing things, and could do it all day, with small breaks to aimlessly sprint around the house. You're just so much freaking fun. Hopefully this doesn't land me in some crazy Daily Mail article, but I ask you to marry me all of the time. It's just a weird impulse, because when I look at you, I think I'll explode with how much I love you. I also propose to Carly fairly often. Neither of you ever gives me a straight answer.

One thing that I know we're all looking forward to, is being able to get outside. You love to get fresh air, and explore. It should be a great summer. Daddy and I are going to clean up the basement for you, and get all of your outdoor toys and cars ready to go out back.

We've been so lucky, because you're a great sleeper and you always have been. You get that from me. Man, do I love to sleep. Anyway, we kind of follow the school of thought, that we get you and your room ready for "night night" and just lay you right down. I can't really speak for your Dad, but if he was home right now, I'd bet that he would say his favorite thing right now is how you say goodnight to him through the stairs. As far as eating (because sleeping and eating are the biggest part of a baby's routine), you're pretty easy, but of course have your picky moments. Personally, I think it's how you exercise a little independence and control over your mealtime. Your mealtime has to be ridiculously structured because of all of your medicine, and focus on high calorie foods..so you know what, I get it. This isn't an area of your life that I ever want you to struggle with, so if you feel like you want to take a break to run around, or spit your food out onto the floor for Carly to eat, who am I to argue?

Getting into your diet and care feels like the start of an entirely different post. We'll save it for another day.

As I wrap this up, I'm expecting to hear you chat quietly to yourself as you wake up. Tuesday is your Dad's long day, so we'll keep busy by doing your vest and getting dinner ready, and your big thing this week...walking down the stairs with help. What?! You're obsessed with "practicing" this. Such a big girl. I could watch you do new things all day, everyday, and sometimes it feels like that. Like I said though, you'll always be mommy's baby.


All of my love always, 
Mommy 

Random Thoughts

I started to write a post about how I'm much happier and a much better mother when I put my phone down, and while that is true, there wasn't much else to say. So, put your phones down more. It feels really good.


Vanderpump Rules is my favorite thing to watch right now. It's perfect guilty pleasure tv, but I don't feel guilty about it. This world makes me feel weary, so I like comfort in the form of dumb entertainment. Jax is the worst, and I wish someone would call his bluff, and just tell him to move to Tampa and tweet about hockey. He's so pathological. Brittany is adorable and needs to rip off the bandaid and call it a day.

Did any of my fellow VPR watchers see that Jeremy (Ariana's brother) IS legit bad news? I was not feeling the Witches of WeHo calling him out, because they're so annoying when they're all together, but do your googling. Jeremy has been in trouble for domestics. #charming


I am still watching the Real Housewives, of course. I was so disappointed in Erika when she lost it on Teddi, and the way she behaved after the fact. That was just gross. Dorit is so irritating, but I personally think that she makes great tv. Other things I'm loving on RHOBH this season: Lisa Vanderpumps's softer side, Kyle's new house, and how ridiculous Lisa Rinna is. I live for Lisa Rinna. I have no idea why. I've been a fan of her's since her Taylor McBride days.


Speaking of tv, is anyone else watching The Alienist? (TNT, Monday nights). It is not about aliens. It's basically a murder mystery, set in New York City in 1896. It's pretty creepy, which I love. I also love the fact the Buffalo Bill (from Silence of the Lambs) is in it. That just seems so fitting. To me, Luke Evans is the strongest actor on the show, and there is plenty of strong acting. There is something so endearing about him, in everything. It's like the opposite of Lisa Rinna, but I adore them both equally.


Moving away from TV, I was super bummed about Toys R Us having to close. I read about it, then like 10 min later, was ordering stuff for Lyla off of Amazon, and realized the irony. As sad as it is, nothing will ever be as sad as Blockbuster closing. I'm still not over it.


The most important random news/thought is that Lyla had an awesome clinic appointment last week. She has gained all of her weight back since she was sick and on antibiotics. That was our biggest concern. She even handled getting checked pretty well this time around, as in she only screamed for a few seconds, as opposed to a few minutes. I am consumed with this child's diet and weight. That's usually not a way that you ever want to be with a daughter. It's a fine balance, but it's nice to feel like we're doing it right. She seems really happy and confident, so I'll take that as my lead that we're handling her CF the best way that we know how, and for her, at the moment.


That seems like a good note to end on. Until next time XO

Here we go..

I've been wanting to start this hobby back up for over a year now. Just this week, there have been plenty of signs. So, here we are. Hopefully in the future, this little blog of mine will take on its own domain and look, but for now, I'm editing and throwing together what I can on my phone or Lyla's iPad. If anyone would like to buy me a gold MacBook on top of my invisible braces this month, I'm very open to the idea.

I'm planning to write a little bit about raising our wonderful Lyla (my almost 2 year old, who happens to have Cystic Fibrosis); what I think of most Bravo cast members; updating our home, and everything in-between. So, basically, my stream of thought. It's interesting to me, so maybe it will be to someone else. Like my mom.

All of a sudden, I'm overwhelmed thinking about it, so I'm going to sign off and work on some upcoming ideas. That's the beauty of doing this on my own. I'm kind of tired, so I'll simply stop. That also explains me pretty well.

Until later this week. Anxious to have all 3 of you back!

I'm off to either walk my puppy dog or watch the horrible-yet-beloved Sex and the City movie until my girl wakes up. XO