~Hayla Lavender~: Forever my baby

Last year at this time I was roaming this world with Hayla Lavender nestled in my big bulging belly. The snow was falling and falling, Christmas was all around us and the thought of soon holding our baby girl in our arms was almost to much to wrap our heads around. This very week, last year I was reaching my due date....but little Hayla was not to come for another couple weeks.

I know all the mommys say it but time has really flown by. I remember how my heart would break as each week crept by when she was first born. But looking back on it now it seems like those days stood still. One of the things I have so much enjoyed about being a new mommy this time around was the peace that surrounded me. With Olivia I was so young and had so many questions and concerns. I was back to work when she was a month old and seperated from her for 10 hours a day. Angelo came at a time in my life where there was chaos and fear. He was such an unhappy baby. That time was a whirlwind of emotion. Still of course I was in love with my babies....I just did not get to relax as much with them and spend my life thinking of nothing but loving on them the way I have with Hayla. I thank God for this time and for giving me a man who is kind, soft spoken, generous and strong. God gave me a man I can trust and rely on and God gave me a peace in my heart to just relax and open myself to the little things, the sweet moments of being a mother. I love you Jesus, I love you Colin, Olivia and Angelo....I love you Hayla Lavender.

There is this Switchfoot song I have not heard in forever that I always loved. I think of it a lot and relate it to my relationship with Jesus and to being a mommy. It reminds me of the chances I have had to feel Gods presence in my life. One of those chances was having the opurtunity to be a mommy for a third time....the last time...and to do it the right way.

On Fire by Switchfoot
They tell you where you need to go
They tell you when you'll need to leave
They tell you what you need to know
They tell you who you need to be

But everything inside you knows
There's more than what you've heard
There's so much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words

And you're on fire
When He's near you
You're on fire
When He speaks
You're on fire
Burning at these mysteries

Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be... near You

Cause everything inside me looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I'll take when I'm on fire

When You're near me
I'm on fire
When You speak
And I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries

Now time for some pictures!!! This first set she is hauling diaper towards trouble only to be swooped up by dad. (Her dress looks funny because I have to tuck it in her chonies so she doesn't trip on it):

Below Watching some Barney:

Hayla loves when daddy gives her a bath in the sink. She has a little lion bathtoy she calls her sea horse or mermaid. Below it appears she is blowing kisses although this was random as she has not yet learned this trick:

Hayla's first time eating sketty

One of Hayla's favorite things in her little world are her kitties. She and Carlos spend much of the day wallering around on the floor together. He does not seem to mind the occasional eye gouging, whisker tugging and ear pulling. I guess it's a small price to pay for a good rub down.

Hayla also loves Finster...and he loves her...just not so much her generosity with affection. He is known to swat so she gets better love from him when she finds him napping. I have a vid of her on this day kissing his sleeping head!