Lyla Girl at 8 months!

So, it's been 2 1/2 months since I last posted.... But let's just pretend it never happened.  Deal?  Deal.  Where to begin... I'll just begin with a Lyla update!

Baby Dedication- 7 mos

Baby Dedication photo with Nana and Papa

Lyla is now 8 months old and as cute as ever.  Her seventh month was a big month for her as she started crawling, pulling up, clapping her hands, self-feeding, turning pages in books, and got two teeth!  The girl is active, y'all.  She now follows me around the house, wants to taste the toilet, and pulls up on anything and everything (for example: her brother or the dog).  She already tries to let go and stand alone.  I think I have my hands full.

However, I do love the age where they begin to learn at such a fast pace.  I feel like she is understanding certain words and I can communicate with her a little more.  The girl STILL does not like to sleep through the night.  I joke about it on here, but I have a breakdown about every week and a half because she still wants to eat 2-3 times a night.  I had no idea what sleep deprivation was like until this child.  We have been really trying to push the solids during the day to help her get more calories (petite thing) in hopes that she will sleep longer, because momma isn't gonna make it much longer.  This sleep deprivation and weakness is really forcing me to try to trust God.  This morning I was encouraged by this verse and prayed it for myself

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."  1 Peter 5:10

You might be thinking, "Oh please, Amber, sleep deprivation is not suffering."  But I won't listen to a word you say unless you have experienced this before, for 8 months straight.  And the enemy, who prowls around looking for someone to devour, likes to attack those who are weak, like me for instance.  I won't keep complaining to you, because who wants to read a blog post of complaints!

I know I am very blessed.  I have two healthy children and I love them with all I am, even if they keep me up at night!  I also have to say that I am blessed by my church family who has encouraged and served me during this time of trials.  And I am thankful for my dear mother who kept Lyla in her room over our Thanksgiving visit and only woke me if necessary.  My mom is just that kind of lady, always trying to give and serve.  I am taking notes and plan to do that for my daughter one day!!

So, where was I...?  Lyla is SO happy during the day.  So smiley and giggly and cuddly.  Even though she is so active, she is very content to just sit in your lap too and I love that.  She will lay her head on your chest sometimes and I soak that up.  Sometimes she gives very slobbery kisses, and other times she thinks it's really funny to withhold kisses from you if you try to get one.  I think this girl might have a sense of humor.  She truly is a joy and a beauty.  I am loving having a little girl.  She has my heart and I hope and pray that we have a lifelong bond that God intended mothers and daughters to have.  I thought it would be fun to post her monthly picture to see how she has grown and changed :)