17 Months

Sweet Little Lily, 

You have turned into a little girl almost over night. Last night you were still such a baby & now looking at you I see a little girl. You started walking at Easter and haven't stopped since. Your little newbie wobble is starting to go away and you are looking much more stable on your feet. You are climbing onto things now and think you are so big getting up on the couch all by yourself. You love climbing up there and sitting right next to Jake...which usually ends up with you rolling all over him because you think it is so much fun to wrestle around with him. 

You are talking up a storm. You are saying so many things...mommy,dada, pawpaw, nana, wawa(which is what Jake started calling Heather when he was a baby), WyWy for Wyatt, eat, please, thank you, more, bite, yes, no, JakeJake(when you 1st started talking we would tell you to say "mama" and because I had 2 names Jake thought he should be JakeJake and that stuck), trash, shoes, hairbow, brush, byebye, phone, hi, up, down, baby, dog, quack-quack, bath, outside & I am sure there are so many more. You will repeat a lot of 1 word things we ask you to say. And aside from what we can understand you have really started to jabber on and on. You walk around with the phone to your ear just a talking. And you love reading books. You will sit forever looking at books and jabbering on reading each page. 

You love taking baths. If you even hear the word bath you are running to the bathroom ready to get in. 

Jake is still one of your favorite people and you usually ask for him as soon as you wake up. If he gets up before you he can't wait to hear you start making noise. And as soon as he hears you he gets in your bed with you and guys play before you are ready to get out. 

You love to play outside & go to the door asking to go outside. You aren't too into being in the pool yet, but hopefully that will change soon. 

You are a super spirited little girl and know exactly what you want...all the time!!! And you aren't afraid to scream or tell us when things aren't going your way. And you are such a joy, lover of life, super smiley, and so much fun!!!

(not the usual in the chair picture, but you just look so grown up in this picture)

Camping

The beginning of June we had a great one night camping trip. This was the 1st time camping with kids. We used to camp every summer, but over the years that had stopped. Then it seemed like Jake was too little. This year was the perfect time to go. Jake loved every minute of it. Loved being outside all day...loved swimming in the lake, loved playing...did I say loved every minute of it!! Lily on the other hand was a little more difficult. She seemed to love it just as much and loved playing in the lake. But when it came time to sleep it was another story. She did not want to go to sleep and every time she seemed to be asleep she would wake up as soon as I tried to lay her down. Finally around midnight it was Pawpaw to the rescue and he was able to get her to sleep and stay asleep when he laid her down. There will definitely be more camping trips this summer. Jake can't stop talking about it.

 Jake out in the lake...it was hard getting pictures of him...this is where he stayed the whole time

 Wyatt...playing in the water

 Hi Mommy...walking down to the lake

All the boys fishing across the lake

Easter Morning

Valentine's Day

Well a little over a month late with this update...but if you are still checking for updates here is one. I am so sorry I haven't been good about updating the blog with all the fun my children are having.

It literally took me 30 pictures and a sucker bribe to get Lily to sit still for a picture. Finally they were both sitting and I love that they are cracking up!!

My babies are definitely the best Valentine's a mommy could have!!

Winter ONEderland

We had the most adorable pink & wintery birthday for Lily. A Winter ONEderland that couldn't have  been any better. Our house was filled with snow flakes & lots of friends and family to celebrate! Sweet Lily was dressed in a precious winter dress & the bottom even had snowflakes in it. Here are some pictures of our wonderful day to celebrate our wonderful girl.

The wintery fire place...the banner says Happy 1st Birthday

Me and my sweet birthday girl

This picture does not do her cake justice....it was covered in beautiful sparkly sugar...thank you to amazing Vickie

The food table...the windows are covered in her monthly pictures placed on doilies(they look like snowflakes)

Lily eating her lunch in her snowflake covered tutu high chair

No birthday is complete without two Captain America's to save the day

Opening presents

Lily checking out her new baby doll

Jake reading Lily's new book to all the little girls

Her cake was still cold from being in the fridge so was a little hard to get into, but she loved trying to eat it with a fork!

You are ONE!!!

My Dear Sweet Lily Kate,

Today you are one!! It is so hard to believe that you are already a year old.
You are truley the happiest baby ever. You are so smiley, giggly, & bubbly!! You love for people to talk to you & are always ready to dazzle with your extraodinary blue eyes and precious toothy grin.

You are always waving hi & bye and frequently follow it up by blowing kisses. You love to play patty cake & get so excited to get to the roll em up part. But you can't quite figure out the rolling your hands so you wave them wildly in the air. It is the cutest thing. We play peek-a-boo, but instead of covering your eyes you cover your ears...you are the cutest girl! You have started to play with your baby dolls and love to say "ba-ba-baby" and give your babies kisses.

You aren't walking yet, but are crusing all over the place. And have started walking with anything that will roll.

You are always trying to keep up with Jake and love when he gets home from school. Having him chase you around the house is one of your favorite games to play with him. But really you will do anything as long as you are doing it with him.

Besides playing with your brother food might be one of your most favorite things. You LOVE to eat and will eat just about anything. But fruits & veggies are by far your favorite foods to eat.

My life has been beyond blessed since you came into it. You saved mommy this year & I know that without you and your brother I would be lost! You are God's precious gift and He knew exactly what you would be for everyone this year! My sweet tiny girl God has big things in store for you and I am beyond blessed to see you grow and learn every day.

Happy 1st Birthday my precious Lily Kate!!

A few pictures from her actual birthday. We had a little party with Heather, Caleb & Wyatt.

Pre-Christmas

Ok so I am totally behind in blogging. Maybe in the new year life will settle down a little and I can get back to regular blog post. But until that happens here is leading up to Christmas day in pictures.

Jake's school Christmas Performance

Santa was little traumatizing to the babies

Decorating Cookies

10 Months

Oh Little Lily Bean you are now 10 months old. You have officially been here with us longer then you were in my belly. You are a full of life and always on the go little 10 month old. This month you have been a teething girl, but it has only effected you a little bit. You took getting 4 new teeth within 2 days like a super girl. All 4 of your top teeth are now in and your toothy grin couldn't be any cuter. On the bottom you still just have the 2 teeth you have had for a long time. But I am sure a few more will be popping up soon on the bottom too.

You started pulling up on everything that even possibly looks like it will be a good place to stand. And right after you started pulling up you quickly discovered cruising along the furniture. You frequently try to let go of whatever you are holding onto, but always end up falling down. Only to get right back up and try again. You are still just army crawling. Occasionally when you are too far to reach something to pull up on you will crawl on your hands & knees for few motions to get you closer to where you want to go.

You love to play with your toys and chase your brother around the house. You like to be wherever we are and will follow us from room to room trying to keep up.

You are one of our greatest joys and I can't believe you are so close to being a year old.

9 Months Old

Well, I was supposed to get this up earlier...but finally a 9 month update on Miss Lily...

Lily is into everything these days. She still prefers to army crawl. She has started to get up on her hands & knees. But she just rocks back and forth and then usually does a little hop to get back to her army crawling. She is eating all most all table food these days. To say she loves to eat is an understatement...she definitely takes after her brother when it comes to eating. And as soon as she sees food she is opening her mouth asking for some. She has gotten pretty good at feeding herself too. She loves to play and loves it the most when her brother plays with her.

She had her 9 month check up and is doing great!! She weighs 17.5 pounds in the 23rd percentile and is 24.5 inches long in the 45th percentile. She is growing like a weed, but still our tiny little girl.

She is absolutely the happiest baby ever and little Miss Personality. She is so much fun and watching her grow is such a joy.

8 Months(way late)

So here I am a week away from Lily being 9 months and just now sharing 8 months. So I am just going to post her 8 month picture. You can expect a full update at 9 months.

7 Months Old

Oh Little Lily,
You are 7 months old!! You are the most precious baby girl. You love life and are as happy as can be. You are into everything and make your way all through the house. I know the time for you to figure out the steps is right around the corner!
You light up as soon as you see Jake and it is the cutest thing ever. I can only pray that you two have the best relationship as you grow up. Jake has started baby wrestling with you and you crack up the whole time. You love being right with him anytime he is home. It has been an adjustment for all of us with Jake being in school all day long. I think you & I are starting to get into a new rhythm during our days while Jake is in school.
You started sleeping through the night this month and oh what a blessing that has been for me. You are in bed no later then 7:30 every night and then sleep until about 7:30 the next morning. And after we drop Jake off at school you usually take a 2-2 1/2 hour nap in the morning.
You are eating baby food and are starting to pick up small pieces of food to eat on your own. I believe I said this last month, but oh my goodness you LOVE food and get so excited when it is time to eat. However, with 7 months also came a new phase for us...you are no longer nursing(longer post to come later). It is a big adjustment and makes me very sad, but you have officially completely stopped nursing.

Oh my Lily girl...you are more then a joy and a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for you!!

Yummy in her tummy

Over the last week Lily has really seemed ready to eat food. Along with putting everything in her mouth when we are eating she opens her mouth too. So tonight I decided it was time to start feeding her food. I go back and forth and I know there is a lot of discussion about what food to start with. I decided to start with rice cereal to get her used to eating off a spoon. Well, we will be moving to food very soon. She acted like she had been eating for weeks. As soon as the spoon was near her mouth she had it open and ready. She did make a few faces, but probably just getting used to the texture and taste. After a few bites she was grabbing the spoon and helping to put it in her mouth. I couldn't get the food in fast enough. She was too cute eating and I am excited to start making baby food and letting her try other foods too.

5 Months

Precious Lily,
You are 5 months old and sweeter then ever. You are rolling all over the floor and now putting everything in your mouth. When I say everything in your mouth...that is no joke. If anything even comes near your mouth you have it open. You discovered your feet this month too and love grabbing for them. You have really started playing with your toys too. You reach for them and entertain yourself with whatever is around. Of course most of the time Jake is right there playing with you too. He loves to pick you up and hold you and is always talking to you.

You are such a joy & I love watching you grow!!!

4 Months

Oh Little Lily...you are 4 months old. I am sure I start all of your monthly notes with this, but where oh where does the time go?

You are the sweetest, happiest baby. And super active. You are rolling all over the place. And when you can't roll there you kick your feet and some how always end up moving all over the floor. You are also the drooliest baby & love blowing raspberries. If you don't have your paci you are always sucking on your hands, fingers, or any other skin you can get into your mouth. And sometimes you will even take your paci out to suck on your hand. You have become very attached to a little, pink, silky blankie. You love having it with you and when you are tired almost always put the blankie up to your face.

We had your 4 month check up today. You are 12 pounds 2 ounces in the 18th percentile for weight and 23 1/2 inches long 23rd percentile for height. You are our teeny, tiny baby girl.

 You love Jake and always look as soon as he starts talking. Usually you look right at him and give him the biggest smile. Of course this makes his day and he is all about you too. Every month he insist on getting in with you for your monthly picture.