Layla Jane

The "La-Las"- Layla and Isla

Quick update for our friends out of state since it's been FOREVER since we've updated our blog :

We've purchased a home in Virginia Beach 2 miles from my big brother and his family and our sweet Layla Jane was born November 9! :)

Our Layla Jane is 3 months old now! She giggles and smiles and has recently found her speaking voice and cracks us up as she talks away to her butterflies. Her little personality is starting to come out and the little princess will speak up with coos as she tries singing along to Itsy Bitsy Spider or fusses as she gets frustrated when she can't get her toy to her mouth. Her highness is not afraid to speak her peace. She is still wearing 0-3 months clothes and weighs 12lbs. She's mommy's buddy as we go to our exercise classes, shop, clean, and even dabble in the kitchen. Layla is a Mamma's girl. So much so, that she cries when held by anyone else... even her own family! This does not help our cause for a date night.

Robert has continued to do his home health job and is doing well. He's a great Daddy and continues to shower me with love as well. :) I'm so fortunate that I am still able to stay at home for a few more months before heading back to work. I couldn't be happier! This is what I've always envisioned myself doing- going to school, getting my degree, working a bit, then being a stay at home mom. I LOVE IT!

We'll be updating the blog more often now that things seem to be settling down after the move, holidays, company, oh and having an infant. ;)

*Tutus- as seen in this picture were made by my dear friend Lindsay* www.PalmHarborCreations.Etsy.com

Robert's Body Building Competition

After 6 months of intense weight lifting, waking up at 5 a.m. to run for an hour, eating practically nothing (1200 calories a day), all while dealing with realtors and brokers, shopping for appliances, appeasing his pregnant wife and of course working daily the body building competition arrived and HE DID AWESOME!!!!!

He competed in two different areas:

Novice (for those who have never one a competition) and the Open Class (for anyone regardless of experience or age).
He also had to do a 90 second choreographed muscle showing performance.
Choice of song: "Pretty Fly for a White Guy" by Offspring.
The audience loved his wit, facial expressions, and big muscles... yes I did hear other girls hootin' and hollering for him.

Back up girls, I'm 8 months pregnant!

(Layla was flexing too!)

He won second place in the Novice class and third place in the Open. Let me tell you... There were some big dudes out there. Competition was stiff! What an accomplishment!!!

Finally, real food!... it's not lettuce, tuna, or broccoli.. just the greasiest, fattiest, American meal he could find. He was in heaven! :)

Blueberry and Blackberry Picking

It's berry time!
Busted!

Lots to pick from

Me helping too! But it was HOT!!! So after about 30 minutes I sat in the shade and sipped water. Robert kept on picking berries as our bucket wasn't even 1/2 full. Needless to say, we came home with a new appreciation for high cost of berries at the grocery store.

Update on the Friedmans:

We're in the process of buying a home 2 miles from where my big brother and his family live. We are hoping to close by the end of the month! Meanwhile, every weekend we're out looking for appliances, furniture, home decorations etc., so once we do get into the house we'll have a bed to actually sleep in. :)

Robert is training for a body building competition that will take place in 3 weeks. His 5am runs, followed by a day of work, and then lifting at the gym, and helping his pregnant wife are really paying off. I'm just amazed at the discipline he has. He really looks amazing!
I'm planning on working up until Layla Jane comes or when my mom gets here in November. We're super excited for Layla Jane to arrive. She's moving around all the time and my belly is getting bigger and bigger.

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!!! Unfortunately, in Virginia there are laws and limitations as to the fireworks that can be used. Furthermore, it's really hard to find fireworks in this state and I had to drive about 40 minutes to the NC border to get ourselves some sparklers and small fireworks to celebrate. Here is Madison starting off the light show.
Here is the family (check out Tia's growing belly) happily celebrating our day of Independence.

Behind Madison's head is Layla just brewin' and a stewin'. She's been kicking up a storm lately, and Tia even claims that she actually saw belly movement a la Aliens.

In order to accomodate the new member of our family, we bought a brand new car to bring her home. A 2010 Honda Accord which we absolutely love. I got a new car too! A 2002 Kia Spectra with working radio and door handles. Just 2 of the additional features that were not included in the Toyota Tercel. I would like to take this time to say good-bye to my car, which was donated to charity. She's in a better place now, and hopefully the charity will be able to benefit from her. She gave me 10 great years. Good Bye, WhiteHawk, you will be missed.

We made it to Virginia Beach

We have arrived here in Virginia after 3 long driving days. We are so thankful that our cars made it here without any problems and that we arrived safely. Thank you, God! The Horn family welcomed us into their home as this will now be our home too for the next month. Robert and I are a bit overwhelmed with so much going on: unpacking, looking for a home, finding and starting new jobs, finding new doctors, and very possibly buying a new car as Robert's really on its last legs.

On a fun note, it's great to be with family! Our nieces have changed so much in the 4 months we were in Texas. We're looking so forward to summer fun at the beach and pool and evenings of grilling and s'mores.

More fun news: This week, Layla Jane is the size of a mango.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas is very eclectic.

This man had to be over 60 and was playing a bunch of instruments in the heat and smiling and having a blast performing next to the strip of restaurants. Everyone was taking pictures with him so we thought we'd join and get into the spirit of Austin.
Flowers are in bloom and gorgeous!

The state capitol is behind us. We toured the large building and wish we had, once again, paid a little more attention in high school history when they taught the differences between the different legislative branches.... Hmmmm... maybe we just need to get internet on our cell phones and all questions will answered with a click of button ;-)

Take our poll and let us know if you think Baby Friedman is a boy or girl.

Answer will be posted on Wednesday after the doctor's appoinment.

Remember the Alamo!

We went to San Antonio for the weekend! This here is the Alamo. Unfortunately, we don't know our history too well, and for some ridiculous reason the audio tours were unavailable on a very busy Saturday, and there wasn't too much information posted on walls explaining what things were (like in a museum). All this to say that we walked around the Alamo for a good 45 minutes wondering what the heck the Alamo was. I finally got the skinny and then enjoyed myself a little more... Tia... well, let's just say the baby could care less what the Alamo was after 45 minutes. Quick History: Davy Crocket and other Americans and Texans were defending the Alamo against overwhelming numbers for 18 days before finally being taken over. They were defending Texas and its independence against Mexico. Although, most died, their courage and passion continue to be a integral part of the great American spirit. So, we struck back at Mexico and Santa Anna years later yelling "Remember the Alamo" as we defeated Mexico and took our soon-to-be-state.

Here is Tia hanging out where Davy Crocket used to hang. By the way, Davy Crocket was the one who said the famous words "You may all go to hell, I'm going to Texas".

We then took the boat tour around the San Antonio river named after St. Anthony the saint of lost items. The area is awesome. A bunch of restaurants decided to plant themselves on both sides of the river and then put tables on the river side. So, we got to sit (and I got to drink a little) and eat and enjoy the river and people watch. Very nice.

The Buckhorn Saloon was like the oldest saloon in TX (Buckhorn saloon may not have been the oldest saloon in TX). We really don't know too much about the history because we refused to shell out the ridiculous 18 bucks a head to check out this pretty cool albeit very cheesy museum. Either way, here I am next to ... um .... supermoosebuckelk? I don't know what that is.

For a museum which we didn't get into we sure got a lot of pictures for it. Here's the outside of the Buckhorn saloon. Here's Tia auditioning for the part of Buck"horn"...

Here's Tia looking like a million bucks and Robert looking like $47. Well, next to her, I'm happy to get up to 47 bucks. Anyway, we thought we'd enjoy going out and having a nice fancy dinner before the baby turns our world wonderfully upside down.

See what I mean? Right there by the river, people watching, eating, drinking(me: beer, Tia: sprite in a wine glass) and feeling great! We then walked around and enjoyed the nice San Antonio Riverwalk. We had a wonderful time.