c e l e b r a t e

Happy Birthday, Layla Claire! My first furbaby is finally four years old. Layla is a black maltipoo. She weighs eight pounds {always, no matter how fluffy her hair gets or how chunky my brothers claim she has gotten}, loves to kiss, play with her ball, and loves her mommy! She is such a joy to have in my life. I love how excited she gets every time I come home, how she snuggles so tight against my back every night, and how funny she is when she 'fights' her big sister, Samantha. 

To celebrate, I treated the girls to a puppy-approved ice cream party of whipped cream and sprinkles served in vintage ice cream bowls. They were a little suspicious at first as they're rarely ever given people food {although they've been known to sneak a quesadilla or two off the coffee table and into the bed...Layla...} but they seemed to enjoy their afternoon treat! The girls definitely liked the plain whipped cream better than the usual pet store birthday treats I find; I'll have to think of something for Samantha's birthday in August! 

Pup-date

I realized that while I share a ton about my life on this blog, I've neglected a huge section: my puppies! Yes, yes, my puppies, plural. If you've been reading since the beginning, you may remember when I brought teeny tiny Layla Claire home, and how quickly she grew. Shortly after I got Layla, Christopher got Samantha, the golden retriever. Since she's such a classic American dog, we named her after a classic American girl doll! 

While we were living across the state from each other, the dogs were not friendly. Samantha is a big lover, and Layla is very jealous and protective of me. It took some time for the two of them to get used to each other. Eventually, they began to get along which made things a lot easier.

In September, I took Samantha on full time. Christopher was beginning pharmacy rotations, and would be changing sites every five weeks or so. I thought it would be better for Samantha to have a more consistent and regular routine {and I love a good routine!}, and would also be easier for all four of us to live under the same roof after the wedding if three of us are already used to it. 

After a couple of transitional weeks, the girls really began to get used to always being together. Now they play together, go outside together, and even eat and drink out of the same bowl!  You have no idea what an accomplishment that is. 

I love spending time with their two very different personalities. Samantha always wants to play with the ropes or throw the balls, or love all over you--there is no 'off' button for her. Layla has finally become somewhat of a lap dog, and is laying on me much more. But she always prefers her ball over anything else. 

Layla has always had this one ball that she loves. It's a specific plastic ball that can only be found in certain Christmas stockings at Petsmart. She knows the difference between it and all other balls. As hilarious it is, it's also kind of annoying. If the ball disappears or is torn up, her world ends. If she forgets to bring it to bed at night, she will literally scratch at the bedroom door so I can let her out to go and get it. 

Three girls, one boy. Oh what a very particular household Christopher is entering into!

Layla always lays on my bags if I leave her
with anyone for any length of time. 

Samantha apparently thinks she's the same size as LC...
or a cat. Either one. 

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Twenty-four

It's my birthday! Here's 24 reasons why I'm excited about my birthday, and being 24.

1. The fair. 
2. Today is the 4th year anniversary of the day I met Christopher.
3. Getting to go to the fair today, with Christopher. 
4. Birthday cake.
5. Funnel cake. 
6. I'm getting married this year! 
7. My wonderful friends who made this past weekend the absolute best. 
8. It's Tuesday, so that means all of last night's Bravo shows are now available on the app for me to watch {it's the little things}.
9. My family and getting to celebrate with them this weekend.
10. 441 Kitchen & Pub for lunch with my wonderful work friends. 
11. Getting my first place setting of my everyday china as a birthday gift this weekend from my future sister in law. 
12. Feeling older, and in a good way. From Friday night:
    Random guy: Happy Birthday! 21?
    Me: Thanks! Nope, I'm turning 24.
    Random guy: Well you look 21!
    Me: Excellent...!
13. Perfect birthday weather. 
14. Christopher's wedding band arriving today {it's a sign!}. 
15. Finding a Georgia Southern academic logo sign in the Chamber yard left over from last night's fair parade. 
16. Morning snuggles with my puppy dogs. 
17. My best friend's wedding in 12 days. 
18. Wearing my new favorite shirt to work {it's the pink one in the picture}. 
19. All the coupons my favorite stores have sent me to use this month. 
20. This "Very Vanilla" coffee I stumbled upon at the grocery store last night...yum. 
21. The Google birthday logo! So fancy.
22. All the sweet texts, calls, and Facebook posts I've gotten today. Thank you!
23. Being alive {these long lists are hard}.
24. This list being over! 

Happy Birthday, Layla Claire!

What a fun spring break I had! Christopher visited with me and my grandparents during the first weekend of the break, and then I headed to Florence to stay with my mom and brothers for a few days before rounding things out with a weekend in Savannah. During the middle of the week was a much anticipated holiday: Layla's first birthday!

I can't imagine how tiny that sweet little nugget was when she was born on April 8, 2013. She is such a blessing to me, and my whole family! I would have been so very lonely throughout the last year without her little kisses, snuggles, and loves. I love my LC, Miss La, and Bubbie. Of course we had to have a little Lilly Pulitzer themed party for her and Miss Macy. I found the cutest Pup Pie at PetsMart for the dogs {pumpkin and peanut butter, smelled yummy!} and got a little cake for the other guests as well.

Layla's party on Tuesday seemed to be fun, she spent a lot of time chasing after Sam on his bike which was something she had never seen before. She and Macy obsessively played with the Magical Ball that must be put away at bedtime or it becomes a problem {and of course she was less than excited about her new present, a crinkly and squeaky fox toy} before they devoured their cake pieces. So much fun!

Puppy Photo Shoot

One of my sweet friends (who I now get to see all the time as she will be a Senior at the school I am working at!) took some 4 month old pictures of Layla and me the the other day. She did such a good job, and I can't wait to get the prints. I think I'm a little obsessed with my cutie patootie dog.

Layla Claire has a big couple of weeks coming up: her first trip to Savannah, Ga., to see her daddy (we haven't seen my sweet fiance in six weeks!), a visit from her Grandpa next weekend, and our biggest trip so far to Edenton, N.C., to see my family over Labor Day weekend. Such excitement for such a tiny pup--she is officially 3.2 pounds so far!

Check out Hannah Kidd Photography if you're in the Flowery Branch area!

Pupstar Update--1 month

One month ago today, I went and picked up my sweet Layla Claire. I can't believe I'm a puppy mother to such a crazy little nugget of energy! She loves her ball, her Boo, and gnawing on anything that is wooden, or my fingers. She's just over three pounds now, and only expected to be about six pounds after she finishes growing. She likes to sleep right next to me, and basically be right near me at all times, except when I can bring her to work and she can run the long school halls (she's a little diva that loves her air conditioning!).

Love you, Miss La!

Bringing Home (fur)Baby

Today I got to bring home my sweet Layla Claire! I've been searching all over for a black Maltipoo for months, and when I spotted her two weeks ago, I knew she was it.

She's named Layla after the Eric Clapton song, which is one of my favorites. And Claire is in memory of my fiancé's dog. Plus, it's practically mandatory that my dog have a double name. 

She's been a great pup so far: very curious and following me around everywhere. She's currently napping on the sofa with me now, and so far--no accidents!