April Showers

We managed to get out a bit more in April. We got Ayla a cute little rain jacket with daisies on it and the cutest pair of sunglasses. Hello Kitty, shaped like daisies. Ayla thought she was the bees knees when we put them on her. I was surprised, I'd expected her to try to shake them off but instead we got the cutest little crinkly nosed smile. So like a normal toddler's reaction to getting to put on sunglasses, but somehow out of the ordinary for Ayla.

We got good news about her nursery placement for August. She will be going to a special needs school for nursery. I am thrilled. I can't wait to see her progress.

I'm getting a little bit more scrapbooking done just now during her naps. I'm trying to finish off all of my works-in-progress. I have many, so even getting some finished and into albums is a good feeling.

March Madness

Well, most of March was spent getting Ayla back on her feet after a prolonged stay in hospital. These are just some of the month's highlights.

• Her cousin Thomas' 3rd birthday
• Started sensory group on wednesday mornings, she loves it. Lots of songs, games and attention
• Both her seat and stander needed adjusting because it would seem that she has taken a growth spurt.
• We packed up all her 9-12mth clothes and started buying 18-24mth clothes.
• Postural supportive armchair ordered
• her minibutton came out, intact and inflated so a little trip to A&E was the order of the day.

I just can't believe that we are well into spring and I am only just catching up with myself in trying to document Ayla's progress. this is her with her tiny superhero cape because in my eyes she is a little superhero

February was RSV month

Shortly after the last post about Ayla turning 2yr 5mth we were admitted to Children's Ward. A week later we were transferred to PICU at Glasgow Yorkhill Children's Hospital.

I can tell you there were times when I thought she wouldn't see 2yr 6mth. 3 times to be precise! However, the little lady pulled out all the stops and she is fighting like a little trouper. Thank goodness she has my stubborn streak!

We are 2 days off being in hospital for a full calendar month, and I actually think we will be here for the whole of February, but you know what I don't mind as long as she is getting better.

Scrapbooking has taken a back seat, obviously. However, I am pleased to say that I did eventually get my 2012 Journal Your Christmas album finished. Once we get home again I'll upload some photos.

Sometimes I miss the distraction scrapbooking affords me. Sometimes I miss seeing the progress when i can look at older photos, but when i do get a chance to complete some layouts, scrapbooking helps me to look back at some of the more difficult times with Ayla and it helps me appreciate her journey in its entirety.

Can't wait to get my girl home and share some of our layouts with you all.

2 years 5 months

well, how time flies. My little girl is growing up and growing out of her new clothes already.

I found a couple of photos from 30 Dec 2012. This layout was for a challenge that our team on UKS is trying: every month we find a challenge site and hopefully take part.

This layout is for Sarah's Cards January Sketch Challenge

I enjoyed making it. Made a little dent in my new stash too: Studio Calico - Darling Dear; Crate Paper - Random; Amy Tangerine - Amy Tangerine

I've been working on my JYC (more of that to come) so not much other scrapping going on. Hopefully I will get back into the pile of photos that i have printed out. The only thing is I keep taking more :-)

2 years 4 months

They said that we would never make it past 5 days.....but here we are sporting a new hairdo and full of the mischief of the season...

I decided that a new haircut was long overdue. She hates her hair being brushed because it gets so tangled due to the amount of time she spends lying down.

Oh no she has me 

ack! I'm being strangled...

OK, melodrama isn't working. Lets try this

The trauma......I'm bald....

I count my blessings twice when I count Ayla, little monkey mischief xxx

JYC 2013 Day 1

Day 1: Christmas Manifesto

This Christmas we are going to keep up with our traditions that we started when Ayla was born.
We will revel in the sparkle of the season, and will spend the month of December making magical memories
We will be present with Ayla all month, and hopefully make a Santa Tinsel list of things to do before New Year.
This Christmas is a time to enjoy having family with us, and keeping them around us. It is a time to slow down and appreciate what we have around us .

This Christmas I intend to have a great season and I hope that it results in a fabulous treasure book of memories at the end in the form of my Journal Your Christmas album.

Is it here yet? JYC '13 approaching....

On the crafting front I have been trying to get some Christmas cards made, but alas not much success there. I think it will be shop bought ones again.

I have also been trying to complete JYC '12. This is a vain attempt to get the album finished before JYC '13 happens. I have only managed 2 pages of 20, so not looking likely. Whatever happens, I will still be participating in this years journalling party. I love Christmas, and I love that Journal Your Christmas helps you focus on all the magic of the season. 

This year I am using a project life style album, so hopefully I might have more chance of completing it this year.