Always Amazing Me

Lillian is constantly surprising Shaun and I with just how smart and creative she is. She not only plays well independently but she is starting to pretend play, which is not really common at this age. This morning I watched her as she held her baby doll and tried to feed it with a spoon! I was blown away; if only I had my video camera on hand. But of all of the new things that she has learned to do giving hugs and kisses is by far my favorite! Lillian has become so affectionate, and will shower you in kisses whenever you ask. When Shaun walks in the door from work she almost runs to him to give him a huge. Yesterday morning when I picked her up out of her crib she took the paci out of her mouth and gave me a huge kiss and then wrapped her little arms around my neck and gave me a big hug. My heart just melts when she does little things like that. Sometimes it is almost like she is saying, "You are doing a good job Mommy. I love you!". How blessed I am to have such a loving little girl.

*this is a really cute video of Lillian pretending to put sun screen on Eli.

The Pool and The Zoo!

I think that if the heat would allow it we would stay at the Birmingham Zoo all day, every day. Lillian loves to watch the different animals, and she really loves riding the train-something we have to do every time we go. So this past Friday when my niece Bailey's daycare went on their field trip to the zoo, Lillian and I couldn't wait to meet them there. It was really hot, but all of the kids had a great time and Lillian of course loved seeing her cousin! On Saturday we went over to Ryan and Julia's neighborhood pool for in an attempt to cool off from this classic Alabama summer. It was really hot, but the water felt great and Lillian had a great time kicking and splashing in the water. She is such a water baby.

eating a cookie at Edgar's

Lillian and MeMe at the pool

Just a Few Pictures from Our Week

when we can't get it together to go to the real pool, we just play in this one on our back porch. Lillian loves it!

she looks like such a big girl in this picture

taking a nap with Grammy- her name for this week.

looking like a cool dude in her shades

The Things Mom's Get Excited About

There was once a time when a pair of new heels or a cute new sun dress would send me over the moon with excitement. I could not wait to put on my new outfit and go out with my husband for dinner and drinks; how things have changed. Today Lillian's new Quinny stroller was delivered and I could not be more excited. We will be taking it for a real test run tomorrow when we go to the zoo! Maybe after the zoo we can run by the mall and I can stroll us through the shoe section, but all I will be able to think about is, "Man, this stroller turns on a dime!".

Shaun pretending to take a stroll

Happy Father's Day!

Shaun, I have never loved any one or any thing more than I love you and Lillian. And watching you with her over this past year has brought such joy to my heart. You are an amazing father Shaun, and a wonderful role model for our little girl. I pray that God continues to guide both of us as we try our best to raise Lillian in a way that would honor Him. We love you so much, and hope that you had a wonderful Father's Day!!

pictures of Father's Day 2009





And a Happy Father's Day to my Dad- I love you very much!

Lillian Heart's Eli

Just look at all of the LOVE that Lillian likes to give her cousin Eli...

Lillian even shares her paci's w/ Eli, and for her that is true love!

A Mommy's Idea of the Perfect Christmas Present

There are seriously times during the day when I wish that Lillian was in daycare somewhere just so I could go to the bathroom in peace. Often I find myself just "holding it" until I can get Lillian down for a nap. Otherwise, I have a sweet little toddler crawling up my leg, or pulling the toilet paper off the roll. And her personal favorite, flushing the toilet over and over again. I mean, when I read What To Expect The First Year it never said, "expect to never pee in peace again". We keep the bathroom doors closed so Lillian can't go in there during the day, so if I actually need to use the restroom she knows that I am at her mercy. She is completely aware that I am occupied so to speak, and she takes full advantage of that fact. But I have found the solution in the form of a little seat mounted on the wall. I have never seen one of these before today, and I literally called Shaun and told him that we needed to get one of these for our home ASAP! And whats more, Lillian loved sitting in the thing. She pushed my hands away when I went to get her out of it. The only thing that broke my heart about it, was what a BIG GIRL she looked like sitting in there.

The Safe Sitter! Also known as an answer to my prayers.

Cool New Stroller

Lillian and I are always on the go it seems like. We are either going to the library, the zoo, the McWane Center, the pool, etc. And the lightweight Combi stroller that we have just seems to be having a hard time keeping up with mine and Lillian's pace. I loved it at first but the wheels on it are not really heavy duty wheels and it is difficult to turn using just one hand. So today I was online doing a little stroller shopping when I came across this Quinny Stroller and had to have it. It sells for $250, but we got it for $119 on albeebaby.com (Julia keep this website in mind when you start your shopping)! I called Shaun at work and emailed him a picture of it, and he gave me the go ahead to order it! Hopefully it will get here quickly and I can take it for a test drive.

I had vowed not to buy any more baby gear that was gender specific, but it was either bright pick or mustard yellow. Lets just hope that our next baby down the road will be another girl.

A Visit Neurologist and Then a Trip To The Pool!

Lillian had her check up with her neurologist Dr. McGrath yesterday-sorry no pictures-but he said that everything looked great! He said that Lillian was a completely different child compared to the little girl he saw last week. Her white blood cell count was still "elevated" but the doctor told me that he had expected it to still be a tab bit high. After our good report from the doctor we went to visit Lillian's great grandparents and have lunch. They are always so excited to see 'their baby" and I love to see how much they love MY baby!

It was so hot yesterday that Alli and I decided to take the kids to the pool, and because Korey got home early he got to go with us too! Lillian and Eli LOVE the pool and they always have so much fun playing together. Eli likes the pool a little too much, he always falls a sleep while he is floating. I guess he just gets so relaxed by the water that he just dozes off. Also, Lillian went all the way under the water for the first time yesterday! She did great and there was not one tear!

Eli falls asleep in the pool every time; he is so cute!

Lillian would only take pictures w/ Aunt Alli

on our way home after all of our pool fun!

here Lillian is going under the water!