This Is How We Do It

This is what we do while mommy gets dinner ready. I'm so glad that they are finally at the age where they can kind of play with each other. Usually Briley does something super cool and Colt just tries to copy her. He is fearless. Sometimes a little reckless, but does everything with complete abandonment. I love that about him and at the same time I'm sure its gonna give me a heart attack about 100 times before he reaches adulthood. Briley is always so cautious. She thinks things through and always has. I never really had to babyproof the house for her. Babyproofing these days...Check!

Are You Ready?!!

It's that time of year!! After about 50 pictures this was the best we got!! It's funny to go back and look at them, and I'm sure all you parents of multiple children know how hard it is to get a good picture of both kids. Someone is always making a silly/sad/mad faced while the other is smiling. Oh well...Hope you're ready for fall!!!

You know you're a mom when...

It's past your child's bedtime and you're frantically searching through the DIRTY clothes trying to find the least dirty pair of jammies to put on your child. The laundry had not been done in a week or so. Good job, Leanne. Ten minutes later, dressed with speckles of cheese grits and grape jelly, BK was ready to hop into the bed and put her paci in her eye. Yes you heard that correctly: IN HER EYE. It's very funny but strange. Her baby doll next to her, "Rock Rock" had to put her paci in her eye. Finally, prayers were said, and the music playing to cover the noise of the thunder outside. Mommy fell fast asleep... And the laundry still wasn't clean :) Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Out of the mouth of children...

You never know what to expect. My little BK is talking up a storm. CONSTANTLY! I love it. I really do. She sings anything and everything she can think of. She remembers lines out of movies and thinks it's quiet hilarious to repeat them. She is also asserting herself and testing limits. CONSTANTLY. This I do not love so much. She is very determined, and I hope that she maintains that spirit; on the other hand she must learn to listen and obey. We are struggling with that concept but making progress. I have learned that each child is different (really Leanne...that's pretty obvious!) So the punishment has to fit the child and their understanding and personality. We have now created the punishment song. She responds really well to it and is a completely changes her attitude the moment I start singing it. Thank you LORD.

The other night we sat down as a family to pray. This was mommy's version of the prayer.

"Dear God, please bless mommy, daddy, colt and Briley. We love you God. Please help us to obey mommy and daddy and please help us not to be afraid" Then I asked Briley if she would like to pray. Here's her version "Mommy, daddy, mommy, colt, daddy, briley. You no scare me God. Disobey and you sit in time ouch! Amen." I had to fight both laughter and tears. She was so proud as was I! You never know what they will say these days :)

Growing Up In Heaven

Today has been a hard day. I've written and rewritten this post about a dozen times. Words filled with sorrow, desperation and utter helplessness. I miss my Layla. Sometimes so much it physically hurts. It is a feeling that so many mommies, too many, know so well and yet at times I feel as though I'm the only one who has ever hurt this much. I want to hold her and feel her heart beat. Just once. She is growing up in Heaven. I hope she knows how much we love her. How many dreams we have (had) for her. We wanted to give her the world, and yet she has so much more.

About Time for an Update

Her Face on the train at the new orleans zoo...hahaha

Tshirts for a Cause

See our blog post below for information about the march of dimes. We are selling southern belle designed tshirts to help raise both money and awareness for the march of dimes. The shirts will be teal blue and will have the following quote on it:

A Legacy born to small

Can impact the world

and

Change us all

I Will Carry You

We are asking for a minimum donation of $18 each for the tshirts but more is always welcome. Just give as you feel led. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE MARCH OF DIMES! You can email me if you would like a shirt or with any questions: leanne.malik@gmail.com If you cannot give but would like to still show your support please walk with us on April 30th in downtown jackson!!! Here is our team link where you can donate money and sign up to walk http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1515777.

Many of the therapies developed to aid preemies or sick full term newborns have been developed by the march of dimes. This organization has given life to many babies that previously would not have had a chance.