This sums it up...

A quote from another blog I follow:

"Just because my blog is quiet- doesn't mean our house is!"


How true it is. Lily and I are constantly on the go- doing something- going somewhere- having people over ; ) etc etc. It might be a week or so between posts- or maybe the stuff we're doing generally doesn't merit a whole blog post- but rest assured we are keeping busy- having lots of fun and relatively few meltdowns.

As you know Lily is starting to write a little and the other day she drew a whole group of people (heads, arms, legs, faces) that actually looked like people for the most part. So cute. I'll take a picture to post later. She is always changing and learning- but the changes at this age seem to be a little more subtle - they kind of sneak up on you - they may not be huge developmental milestones- but always something to be proud of.


Her favorite toys right now are the Polly Pockets from Christmas and the Thomas the Train sets. I'm constantly stepping on all the little pieces- fun! Though I will say her favorite toy changes from day to day and moment to moment. You never know what will be the most important thing to her at any particular time (did I mention she always keeps me on my toes??) She also loves getting into whatever craft project I am working on- cards, stamping or painting (mostly painting). But as most of you know art and crafts are in her blood so no one is really surprised she has a knack for artistry.

We haven't been outside too much lately but when we are she's learning to be a little more brave on climbing toys- though we still have a ways to go on this issue. She just seems to prefer her feet planted firmly on the ground which is OK with me. I never have to worry about her jumping off anything too high or climbing up the wrong way. So she's saving me a heart attack here and there.

My proudest moments recently are how well she has done with Auntie Joeleen and Uncle Dat and Auntie Briana too. They have been amazing babysitters this last month and a half- since Lily hasn't been going to her dad's house. She has done such a great job and it has allowed me to get a tiny bit of free time (huh, what is that???) I can't believe how big she is getting and the mommy guilt of leaving her over night was tough- but I know it is good for her in the long run- and me too. She's just not the little baby attached to my hip anymore : (

I can't believe it but she is already starting the "I hate school" bit. I'm not sure if she is just tired in the morning or if school is boring or what, but it seems like we have to go through it almost everyday. She says she just wants to stay home with me- and break my heart while you're at it why don't ya?- but we get tired of each other when we spend too long as each other's sole companions. Really. Of this I have to keep reminding her.

So onto a new year filled with new adventures-we are excited to see what amazingly fun and funny things we'll come up with to keep ourselves and our blog readers entertained. So long 2009!

First Haircut!!!!!!

Lily wasn't completely opposed to getting a haircut this morning (when I asked her) so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. It took a little effort to find a place but we ended up at Wallingford Center at Lil' Klippers. They had wooden seats - a train, boat, car, dinosaur, and horse as well as buckets of fun toys and books. Lily did a great job- probably even better because they don't let the parents hover around while the hairdresser works. I had to stand in the waiting area : ( so it was hard to get a good angle for a picture but overall was a great experience and I don't think Lily will have the same kind of anxiety next time she needs a trim. Thank goodness. We also had fun checking out the new toy store there and having a cupcake and Milk from Trophy Cupcakes. Yumm! It turned out to take up much more of our day than originally planned but we had a fun girl's day together and her hair looks soooooo much better already. I think the cut will help with some of the tangling and make it easier to brush in the morning. Here's hoping!

Lily covered her ears when the tickle spray hit her hair.
A special princess cape for Lily
First Cut!


Give me a princess face!

All Done!

Early Christmas

We had a little get together at our house last night- Martin, Kendra, Briana and Lily and I had a yummy dinner and lots of fun exchanging Christmas Presents. The girls were dying with anticipation about the presents under the tree- but overall did a great job.

So much fun!

Merry Christmas Everyone! And a Happy New Year too! There will be lots more pictures soon!

Clarification

Here is a picture with the letters of her name hightlighted- for those of you that are having trouble. But it's plain as day to me. Haha.

Lily writes her name.

So the pictures didn't turn out that great but.... LILY WROTE HER NAME!!!!! TWICE!
She's been attempting the letters for awhile now and usually I guide her hand to write each letter but the other day I just reminded her what each letter looked like and she wrote it all by herself!

Mommy: Line down then a line across at the bottom...ok now next to it a line down with a dot at the top...another line down with a line at the bottom - last one line down with a "v" on top (Y's are hard to explain).

She was so proud! Me too!

A Love Hate Relationship

Lily: Mommy I hate your beautiful face.

****
This morning we're sitting at the table eating breakfast and reading a story. I know the story of Skippyjon Jones and the Curse of the Cat Mummy basically by heart so as I read I was looking from the page to her.

Lily: Mommy- look at the page when you read!

Me: Why?

Lily: Cause I'm eating the sugar off my oatmeal.

A couple new pictures...

I was painting a frame for our picture from Zoo Lights and Lily wanted to paint too. I think hers turned out even better than mine. She painted lots of dots and used a ton of glitter paint. She was so excited about it she wanted to give it to Poppa for his birthday last weekend. Sweet Girl!

This picture really shows me how much she is growing up- her face is changing a lot- I think she is starting to look more like me...but much cuter! She kinda looks like Maddie too I think....

So we've been having lots of adventures lately. Lily stayed over night with Autie Joeleen and Uncle Dat (all night!!) last weekend and did a great job. Of course Joeleen and Dat made it super fun for Lily and she can't wait to go back. And...I got a night off!! Whoohoo! Awesome!

Last night Lily and I made chocolate chip cookies to bring to our dinner over at Lily's friend's house tonight. She is getting good at cracking eggs and helping me measure.

Who knows what we'll be up to this weekend...more fun I'm sure.

Heard this week at our house:

Lily: Some people's houses are made of fuzz.

Lily: Floyd's tail was in the water- I am not kidding you mom.

We borrowed a SpongeBob DVD from Poppa's house a couple weeks ago (when our extended cable got taken away) that has about 10 different episodes. Lily can literally recite with each episode all of the dialogue. Pretty scary.

Real blog posts coming soon....

I have some cute pictures coming soon...no internet at home right now so I'm super slow at everything : (

Thanks for all your warm thoughts yesterday. They really helped...we're doing good and will just keep moving forward.

We need you.

Please every one keep Lily and I in your thoughts and prayers all day today.

We love you all and thank you for your support.