Saginaw Children's Museum

We had a GREAT time at the Saginaw Children's Museum today! Layla absolutely had a blast. I was a little nervous that a lot of the exhibits would be too old for her but everything was perfect and I'm so glad we took her. We can't wait to go back!

Dow Gardens Butterflies

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am scared. To. Death. Of. Bugs. If you didn't know this about me, then you apparently have never seen so much as a fly land close to me. I am ashamed to say that my reaction to such would be something you'd never forget. This phobia will not even spare the "pretty" beasts bugs including butterflies.

I've heard from several people that we should take Layla to see the butterflies at Dow Gardens. After struggling to keep my heart rate down and get out a "I'd love to but I'm deathly afraid of bugs" in my inside voice I think to myself "I'm going to have to face my fears eventually". Yes, I do know that normal kids like bugs. I have actually feared for the day that someone gets Layla a bug catcher for her bday/Xmas/Easter. And knowing how my family loves to make fun of me and my weaknesses, it will be soon (gasp!). I know that someday Layla is going to come running up to me thrilled and screaming "mommy mommy, can I keep it?!" while trying to hand me a grasshopper. I am shivering as I type this...it is hard for me to keep these horrific images in the back of my mind while I still can.

So Bryan suggested we go see these butterflies one day last week. At first I was horrified, why was he springing this on me?! I didn't have enough time to see a professional hypnotist and get myself cured! I decided it would be okay, I could just stay outside of the exhibit while Daddy and Layla did their thing.

We had a great walk to the butterfly house and when we got there it didn't look so scary so I decided to go in! But it wasn't even two seconds into the first door that I had my first brush of death. There was a HUGE butterfly right on the door when we first walked in. I almost threw myself on the floor in fetal position but I held it together and once we got in, I was totally fine! You'd all be SO proud of me, seriously. I did freak out a couple of times but it was just a mini freak out and I didn't let Layla see (I really don't want Layla to be scared).

So here are the few pictures I took of my "big leap". It was really humid in the exhibit and I couldn't get my lens to unfog so the pics are a little blurry. What? Do you really think I was going to stay in there long enough for my lens to clear up? My hair was getting curly. Hahahaha!!!

Coloring with Daddy

Layla really loves to color! We are still struggling with "big kid" crayons because she still likes to eat them...plus with her super human strength they don't last very long. So we decided to break out our crayons last night so Layla could have some quality coloring time with Daddy. They made a HUGE mess...Bryan decided it would be cool to show Layla how to color on her shirt. I'm pretty sure there is some crayon on the carpet as well. Oops!

Fun with the Bartons

We had a blast with the Bartons during our trip home...Ashley, Grayden and Addelyn even stayed a few days longer so the kids could get some much needed time together. ;o) Layla LOVES to follow Grayden around and can't wait for Addelyn to get moving! Haha.

Sweet baby Addelyn was all smiles!

Layla opening her Valentines Day present from Grandma and Grandpa

Rediscovering the swing...I think she remembers how much time she spent in the thing. Haha. Poor kid, at least she likes it.

Hahaha! I think this was one of Ashley's toys

Kisses

Oh the trouble these two are going to get into. Layla's face says it all.

Me and baby A

Poor Grayden didn't really feel like getting his pictures taken. But he did let me sneak one in as he was getting ready for his photo session.

Layla pushing Annie around

Fun with my family

I think I managed to get pictures of just about everyone while I was home! ;o) At least I did better this time than I've done in the past. Some of the pics were taken with my phone and are on Facebook...but here are a few I took with my camera.

The new game at Grandma Mudd's house is to take everything out of the snack drawer and then throw it back in. There were A LOT of potato chips harmed.

Moosie

Oh the dogs...

Uncle Brock encouraging the snack drawer shuffle. Here Layla is demanding a cookie...later that week she demanded bread right out of the bag like a little duck.

Cheeeeeseburger!

Studying Grandma's camera

That's it! Right before Layla took her very first picture.

Grandma painted L's toes while I was in the shower one day. So cute!

Waaahaaahaaa. The things grandparents do for their grandkids...I will never understand what possessed my claustrophobic mother to crawl into the coffee table, but Layla thought it was hilarious.

Just love this pic of Grammy and Gramps with L.

Layla's Baptism

I am SO glad we got to do Layla's baptism at home. It was really important to have our family there (we missed you Grandma and Grandpa "Bawk Bawk"!!) without everyone having to come to MI.
 We got into town on Friday and had her baptism Saturday evening. We didn't have much of a choice due to Bryan's travel schedule that was so last minute.

My only regret is not having done this sooner. It is no excuse really but when we lived in IL, we just had no time between work, Bryan graduating and relocating. Besides the fact that she is a 1 year old tornado on a normal day, poor Layla was not really in the mood after all that traveling. Let's face it, this was more like an exorcism than a baptism but at least we have some hilarious footage of the event. Here are some great pics as well: