This just in!

More pictures from Grandpa & Grandma's visit!

Visit with Doc Hollywood

Today was Lily's 18 month check up and she's healthy & happy! She weighs 26.4 pounds and she is 33.5 inches tall!

Our little artist!

So Lily found a pen today and colored on every pillow and cushion of our couch! Although it was initially shocking, it wasn't upsetting--Actually, it was hilarious! Thankfully, with Resolve carpet cleaner and lots of scrubbing all the ink came out and the couch looks better than before!

Imagine this: At first glance, something looked different about the couch, but it was hard to identify exactly what that difference was. As you sit down, you notice a few pen lines on the white pillows--Lily is clearly the guilty party. You knew this day would come, so smile to yourself, but you do wonder if the ink will stain. Either way, it's not that big of a deal, the pillows can be replaced. And then you see a few lines on the tan couch cushions and brown pillows--now you get a little panicked! In a quick survey of the furniture, you see that not a single part has escaped her creativity! She even colored on the rocker and her matching baby chair! The couch is almost three years old, but you certainly weren't ready to replace it yet! You are speechless, but you have to laugh! "EVERY cushion and pillow, Lily? Really?!"

The best part about this whole discovery is that Lily then wandered into the living room and seemed thrilled to show me all that she had accomplished in only a few minutes. She babbled on, as if explaining her inspiration for designs. When Eric and I took apart the couch for cleaning, Lily lounged on the pile of pillows and admired her artwork!

New words!

Recently Lily added a few new words to her vocabulary!

Some words she pronounces very well--dinner, up, baby, woof woof, and okay.

Other words are missing a letter or two:

For "please" she says, "peas!"

For "thank you" she says, "tank-ooh!" (all one word, said very quickly)

For "bless you" she says, "blessie!"

It is so exciting to hear her using more words--I dream about all the talks we'll share together as she gets older!

Goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa

Lily's a little somber because Grandpa & Grandma are leaving!

Ed and Christy returned to Washington today. We really enjoyed having them here and Lily loved getting to know them more! She spent lots of time jumping around and climbing up grandpa. And she was so happy to have grandma around to swing and cook with!

Having grandparents around is nice for so many reasons! Sadly, it always leaves us feeling a little empty once they leave.

Grandma & Grandpa's visit!

Ed & Christy arrived today and we look forward to a relaxing visit with them! Lily was well rested and had lots of energy to play! After playing in her kitchen and with her stuffed animals, Lily spent time showing everyone how high she can jump! Here are a few pictures from their first few minutes together:

Lily just woke up from her nap and was waiting patiently for grandma & grandpa to arrive!

We brushed her hair and put on the valentine's dress that grandma sent so she looked her best!

Lily was happy to show grandma around her little kitchen and cook something special for her!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We didn't have a babysitter this weekend so we decided to make our own Valentine's party as a family! Eric and I have a date planned for the weekend Ed & Christy are in town, but last night was one of my favorite Valentine's Days ever! I've always loved this holiday because I love pink, and red, and flowers, and candy, and dressing up, and the Charlie Brown special...But having Lily here to enjoy everything with us, just made it all better!

We got Lily a small Valentine's gift

She really enjoyed tearing the paper as she unwrapped it!

We ordered these strawberries from Classy Chocolates in Liberty and they are our new favorites! You'll notice some are already missing in this picture--they were delicious! I recommend supporting this local, family-owned business and ordering a dozen for you next special occasion (you'll seriously need at least 12, especially if you're sharing with someone else)!

After FOUR YEARS of waiting, my Valentine's wish finally came true: A Minsky's Heart Pizza!!! I'd like to say THIS exact pizza was the best pizza I've ever had!

And of course, my sweetheart got the most beautiful, fragrant roses for me! The ladies at Keefer's Flowers actually recognize Lily now!

Sleep Over!

Parker spent the night with us on Friday and Lily was so excited to have a friend around! He and Lily ran around all night, chasing each other and falling into piles of pillows!

We were excited to have Parker stay, but we didn't really know how the night would turn out--and from his short visit, Eric and I both agreed that two kids seem EASIER than one because they can entertain each other!

Parker and Lily danced, laughed, and talked all night! All we had to do was make sure we had multiples of each item so no one felt left out: Two puppies, two laundry baskets, two toothbrushes, two cell phones...And the evening was actually calm and relaxing for Eric and me!

Parker and Lily LOVE cooking together! They make Goldfish and Multi-Grain Cheerios the best! Apparently, they thought Lily's kitchen had a working garbage disposal...?

Saturday morning we got both kids in the bath. They splashed around, pouring water from cups and making a mess! When it was time to dry off, neither wanted to get out!

Parker woke up at 8 AM and as soon as Lily heard his voice she was ready to play! I gave them both a banana as I made breakfast and when I went looking for them, I found them chatting away!

Going for a ride in the laundry basket

Goodbye, Auntie Kristen!

Lily and Auntie Kristen jumping on the bed

It was so nice to have Kristen in town and Lily loved all the extra attention! We tried to find indoor activities that allowed us to get out of the house and walk around, but we ended up watching a lot of movies at home! The best part of being stuck inside was the conversation and the Farming Game!

Kristen even inspired us to try Indian food and on Sunday we had lunch at Korma Sutra. Having visited India before, Kristen confirmed that it wasn't traditional food, but it was still fun to try something new!

Welcome Auntie Kristen!

This evening Auntie Kristen arrived! It is her first trip to Kansas City, since her return from China! We look forward to hearing all about her latest adventure!

Friends!

Tonight we had a few friends over for dinner. I always stress about having guests because I'm not the best cook or house keeper, but we have such amazing friends--I know they don't judge me for my shortcomings! We had a great night and look forward to planning another dinner party soon!

First time putting on Lipstick

Well we knew this day would come eventually...The day when Lily secretly started wearing lipstick, even if Eric and I said, "No!" But I was expecting it much later...like in sixth grade or something.

After following Daddy into the bathroom as he got ready for work, she came out and surprised us with her new look. I really wanted to take more pictures of her like this, but she had lipstick all over her hands! And of course, she started touching EVERYTHING!!!

Happy 17 month birthday, Lily!

Random pictures

Lily enjoying an Orange

Lily wearing chapstick, she learned how to put it on all by herself!

Long time, no post...

It's been a while since I've posted so I thought I'd write an update.

I have three or four unposted drafts that are still incomplete, and I have to admit--I just don't want to spend time away from lily to write about lily! Since December she's revealed new and interesting layers of her personality and we have been having so much fun--I just don't want to miss out her, not even for a moment!

First of all, she understands so much now! I guess because she doesn't speak in sentences to us, it doesn't seem like she could possibly comprehend very much of what we tell her...but she does! Each day we celebrate the many exciting first times in her life: The first time she jumped into the air and landed on both feet! The first time she swaddled and rocked her doll! The first time she threw her own wrapper in the trash! We never knew how exciting so many small things could be!

Recently we discovered that Lily knows where to put away the recycling, how to wrap the vacuum cord up when we're done using it, and how to change DVDs in the player. She plays Ring Around the Rosie, she knows the moves to If you're Happy and you Know It, and she can grind sea salt or cracked pepper over dinner entrees at home. She can show you her ears and her toes when you ask, she's starting to alert us when she has to go potty, and she likes to bathe laying down on her tummy so she can "swim" around (This is a bit stressful because she likes to put her face in the water, but each time she does it, she gets so excited (and proud?) that it's all worth it!).

Her enjoyment of singing and dancing continues to grow--two things you have to see her do! The other day she was singing along to Carrie Underwood in the car, but she doesn't always need music. Often at home she just makes up little songs and dances of her own and it is seriously the most precious part of the day! And as of last week, Lily even "counts" numbers in her own little way. She doesn't say the correct words, but she mimics them and alternates her fingers accordingly. It looks like she's making gang signs, but its adorable!

Thankfully, not everything has changed: She is still very affectionate, she still hums for a few seconds before falling asleep at night, and she still has us wrapped around her little finger! Watching her prance around the house, the fairest princess in the land, it's too good for words!

Halle turns ONE!

Happy First Birthday, Miss Halle Rose!

It's hard to believe that you're already ONE! We can't wait to see you again!

Hugs & Kisses!

The best moment ever!

I wish you all could have been over last night as we watched movies because we had one of the sweetest and funniest moments in our lives! I can't even begin to describe how precious the moment was--It was beautiful!

The credits began to roll on screen as we finished watching a movie as a family and when the instrumental music started we heard a tiny hum in the room. Lily, very serious and focused, was singing along with the stringed instruments...as if she knew the words meant to accompany the music!

At first Eric and I started laughing, and then we tried to hide it so she wouldn't get distracted by us! It was such a hilarious moment, but when she stopped singing and looked over at us I couldn't keep myself from crying because it was such a lovely moment--Watching Lily's eyebrows furrow and relax as she created her own song; her delicate voice drifting through the room.

It makes me cry just remembering it all! And it probably sounds silly to everyone else, but I know it was one of those rare, amazing moments when get a glimpse of the Father's heart.

Such a big girl

Lately Lily has decided she is ready for bigger shoes. She's been scooting around the house in my flip flops and even trying out my high heels!

Playing in the snow!

Today we tried to buy a sled for Lily at Target and at Walmart, but they were all sold out! We contemplated using a laundry basket or the lid from a large Rubbermaid container and making our own sled, but in the end we decided to build a snowman instead. We didn't get to complete him, because Lily decided to take her gloves off before we could find anything to use as his eyes, but it was still fun to run around in the fresh air!

More Christmas photos

Checking out her new big girl undies

Playing with her Christmas kitten

Eric putting together Lily's Retro Kitchen

Resting with daddy after all the excitement, watching all the Christmas classics!

We've obviously been eating too many sweets!

Christmas Day

Lily's trying to figure out how this Memory game works

Tickle time with Eric

Sampling her first dish

Cooking a Christmas meal with her new Retro Kitchen

Christmas tree snapshot

Christmas Eve

I'm the Christmas Queen, Charlie Brown

Trying to get Lily dressed

After returning home from the Christmas Eve service at church, it was so nice to come home and put on our new, matching, Christmas pajamas and watch It's a Wonderful Life together!

The meaning of Christmas

Great weekend!

On Thursday we headed to Lincoln, Nebraska for Eric's Christmas party. Each year BNSF is kind enough to host a holiday weekend and we always look forward to attending! Eric spent Friday in meetings so Lily and I hung out at the mall for the day. We walked around for hours and spent lots of time playing in the children's area. Lily is usually very well behaved during shopping trips because there are so many people for her to engage with. She waves and says, "Hi!" to everyone we see!

Friday night we met up with our friends, Ty & Breann, to meet their new baby, Raija Jewel. Ty and Breann used to live a few minutes away in Liberty, but moved to Nebraska for Ty's job, so we really miss them! While the Christians attended the cocktail hour of the party, Eric, Lily, and I watched Miss Raija. And during the dinner portion of the event, the Christians watched Lily. It wasn't anything like the BNSF Christmas parties of years past, but Breann and I aren't ready to be without our baby girls yet!

The best part of the weekend, of course, was seeing our friends and meeting Raija. She is such a little sweetheart!! Lily was so fascinated with the baby, but we had to remind her to be gentle because she wanted to poke at Raija's face. She didn't mind having another baby around...until I started bottle-feeding Raija and rocking her. Then Lily kept trying to climb up and take the baby's place in my arms!

Lily and Raija are 13 months apart, so seeing what a difference a year makes was really fun! That same evening another hotel guest guessed that Lily was about three years old because she's so tall and independent! It's such a miracle how children grow up!