One year already.... It is hard to imagine. Becoming a mother is such an amazing gift. It is really a miracle. Even now one year later I can't believe that Danny and I created such a beautiful human being. I have been in awe all week. Lyla is truly a blessing. Just last night as we were all cozying up in bed even Danny made a comment to Lyla telling her that today (the day after her birthday) we brought you home. One year ago today you were officially ours. My mom sent me an amazing email as well it said "What kind of thoughts are going through your mind today....? A new life and a whole new world you live in. So what do you think about motherhood so far? Lyla is a very lucky little girl to have such loving and wonderful parents and you have created such a a wonderful world for her so far....I still remember the phone call, how calm you seemed during all those intense contractions, waiting for Danny to come around the corner to say Lyla had arrived, seeing the expression of relief and accomplishment in your face, holding Lyla for the first time, bringing Lyla home the next day, getting to stay an extra day to help and the surge of emotions that I could no longer contain as I drove home that first time. It's all like...yesterday and yet it's been a whole year and Lyla has grown and learned so much already and you and Danny have grown into such attentive and nurturing parents. Take it all in and thank god for all his blessings." ... It is difficult to describe what thoughts are going through my mind during this amazing day. Most of you know that the first week with Lyla were probably the most testing. I did not fair well in the delivery (there were some complications for both Lyla and I) and then afterwards I had a lot of other challenges. So motherhood for me didn't start the smoothest. With all that aside I never once questioned the gift I was given. And I love her more everyday. She is our everything. And trust me I have been showering her with more hugs and kisses then ever this week. To an end to this post "Happy First Birthday Lyla. I love you and I will always love you."
Saturday after going to Rainier Lake to help put in the jump (well Danny helped put in the jump Lyla and I just sat on the sides and watched) we headed to Broho Lake to see Grandma and Grandpa Stajgr. Grandpa Stajgr was competing in a tournament there. It wasn't the most beautiful day but we did manage to step out side the "Land Yacht" (my parents new motor home) a few times to enjoy the waterskiing. Lyla even went in her first swing. She loved it. I use to swing for hours when I was little, my grandma use to call me her "little swinger" so I am sure it is inherited. As you can see she can't get enough.
This morning after we all drug ourselves out of bed Lyla was first to dive right in to the toys. As you can see from these snaps Lyla scored on her birthday this year...so much so that she can't even decide were to begin. Here are a few pics of her and Daddy checking out her new stuff. :)
The party didn't start quite promptly at noon as was scheduled...we were still in decorating, cooking, and bbqing mode...but we made due and thanks to the rest of the Stajgr and Horner clan we were able to get everything done before the majority of the guests arrived. Danny and I are a little worn out today but we both feel like yesterday was a huge success. It may have taken a while but the food turned out great. We had fabulous company. Lyla had a great time which was most important. I won't go to long into detail because I am sure it is the pictures people are most excited to see but I do want to say thank you to everyone who did come out and for all the amazing presents that were gifted to Lyla. She has been playing with them all morning. We love you all. (p.s. My camera was passed around a lot yesterday so not a lot of photos were taken but 
It seems we were going to the very last second yesterday...trying to make everything perfect for the big "First" birthday...I am not sure we got to perfection but I feel pretty good about the final results. Here are some pictures of the pre-party prep. More photos to follow of the actually party next (the pics of Lyla and Grandpa Stajgr were taken while we were setting up...as you can see wii was much more interesting).
Our weekend was filled with waterskiing, waterskiing, and more waterskiing. It should have been filled with cleaning, decorating, and party planning (since Lyla big birthday party is less then 6 days away) but I suppose that is what this week is for. Saturday we headed out to Rainier Lake which are the pictures above to do a little skiing. It was a gorgeous day for it. So warm. Lyla and I even put our feet in the water. I could tell she was ready for more but sadly I didn't not bring her bathing suit. While we were there Lyla met another little tike just about her size. Her name was Addison, grand-daughter to Doris and Randy Hominda. Another cutie if I don't say so myself. Sunday we headed out to Orting and Ski Park Lake for a Judges Clinic. Grandma and Grandpa Stajgr were there so of course Lyla came to. She did pretty well thru the whole thing but got a little tired of sitting towards the end. Everyone loved her and said she was perfect (I felt a little bad though disturbing the clinic). All in all a great weekend but feeling a little worn out this Monday morning.
You might remember a while back I posted a little something about my "Lyla's First Birthday" party aspirations...well today I took my first big decoration step and I think it went really well. The party decoration at hand: The 
Mother's Day started out a little rocky and ended a little rocky. Thankfully everything in between was wonderful. You see Lyla is teething and she is not just getting any teeth she is getting her molars. Now I obviously don't remember getting my molars but I do have a faint memory of my wisdom teeth trying to come in and even those at an older age hurt like crazy. Needless to say our pumpkin is in a lot of pain and a tad grouchy. The beginning and end I am refering to is night time. Lets just say we all haven't been sleeping well the last couple days. Besides all that my first Mother's Day was quite nice. It started with Danny and Lyla making me breakfast...which of course was yummy...then Lyla and I playing on the lawn while Danny got the garden ready and then finally off to the Danny's sister's house for a little BBQing, Birthday celebrating and family fun time. It was Rielda (aka Grandma Savage's) birthday yesterday as well so the entire family came out. It was a lot of fun as you can see from the many photos. Lyla just loves her cousins. There are many stories between each of these photographs but it would take me pages to describe them all. Let's just say there is a little cousin rivalry starting already and a lot of "No Lyla" from both Ruby and Wriley (and I am sure Ella if she could) :)