Lyla Mae, 25 weeks old - Big day!!

Lyla finally rolled from tummy to back! I was truly beginning to wonder if she'd ever show interest in locomotion... Okay, not really, but the thought crossed my mind, considering Timothy was crawling by this age.  As you can see, she is very deliberate in her movements.  My cautious little girl. :)

In other news, Lyla got to try bananas for the first time! She was VERY interested, and promptly took the spoon away from me to feed herself.  I must say, she did very well!

Lyla Mae, 24 weeks old

On the Polar Express

Wassup, yo?

Really, mom? Enough with the pictures!

Lyla Mae, 23 weeks old

I love that my babies love each other so much!!

Lyla Mae, 22 weeks old

More smiles... and brother cuddles.

Lyla Mae, 5 months old

Whatcha doing, mommy?

Ahhhh, yes, she's getting so big! And so very fun! In the past month, she's become more and more aware of her surroundings, and has developed clear preferences for and opinions about different people, places and things.  She finds Billy and Timothy infinitely amusing, while only mommy will do when she's tired or upset.  She also loves - and I mean LOVES! - our bed, and will be instantly cheered (in most cases) when we put her down on it.

She's still not rolling, but she's been working on her fine motor skills, and is very adept at passing objects from one hand to the other, getting it to her mouth, and is very determined when she wants to get something.  Interestingly enough, she can sit up with very little support, which Timothy did long after he crawled, so it looks like they're not going to be following the same developmental path.  She's also quick to grab anything that is within her reach, so ladies - and gentlemen not of the Harrigan clan ;) - watch your hair!

All in all, she's still delightful, and getting more so every day. And little girl, we're in no hurry for you to grow up.  You take all the time you need.

Girl Power!

When I met Billy, he already had 3 nephews and 2 nieces.

Circa Christmas 2005

Fast forward a couple of years to Timothy's arrival, and the girls were outnumbered 2-1.

Summer 2008

So, when we found out that we were having a girl this time around, the girls had one thing to say: Girl Power!!

Thanksgiving 2010

And while the age difference is 6.5 and 7.5 years or so, I have high hopes for them being close.  Lyla was very happy to sit with them at Thanksgiving, even though she had refused everyone else except for me that entire day. 

Also, I have a cousin, Martha, who is about 10 years older than I am, and I've adored her from day one.  Growing up, I thought she was the most beautiful, intelligent, amazing person I'd ever met (still do!), and even though I was probably more than a little annoying at times, she always made time for me and let me tag along and hang out with her. She, her hubby & 2 boys even came up from Mexico for our wedding!

With Marthita & her hubby Rafael

So, yes, I'm excited that the girls aren't so greatly outnumbered anymore, but mostly I'm excited that Lyla has such awesome cousins to show her the ropes of girlhood!