Back to life

Today we are exhausted!! The visit from my cousin Liseth felt like just the break we needed in our routine! I haven't laughed so much in a very long time! We reminisced about growing up in our family, discussed the trials of becoming an adult, and talked for hours about weddings and marriage! We gave her a tour of KC, shopped for antiques, over-indulged on coffee and ice cream, stuffed ourselves with snacks at the Twin Drive In, and had leisurely morning brunches--the trip wasn't completely perfect, but we definitely enjoyed her company!

Again, the best part for me was having someone to just hang out with! I do have a few friends in Kansas City, but with families of their own and their careers, its hard to find time to get together. My favorite events don't require a babysitter and are usually spontaneous...It isn't always easy finding friends to join us on our family adventures. Truthfully, it seems like I keep being reminded of how important it is to have family around. It makes me curious for what God's plan is for our lives this year. Maybe a big move? Or maybe I am just supposed to appreciate our summer guests even more?

The first day without guests is always a strange one--The house feels so quiet and still. It isn't easy adjusting back to our "normal" routine. Lily really seems to enjoy the extra attention from new people and I've gotten out of the walking habit! We ended up spending most of the day in pajamas...playing, cuddling, and napping. But in the late afternoon, the cleaning bug hit and we got down to business. Lily played in her crib and listened to a Worship cd. I was able to get the house back in order. And Eric got home after a long day at work, already starting his weekend!

We love love love having visitors, but I realize we do miss our family time together--just the three of us! It was nice to just relax and spend time on the bed being silly tonight. This is actually one of our favorite things to do--Lily crawls back and forth between Eric and me, talking to us, climbing over us, and getting our attention if we pretend to be asleep.

Now we have one week to prepare for my mom's visit on the 10th!

Goin' to the chapel and she's gonna get married!

So we had this great idea to be silly and play dress up...I can't wait until Lily wants to play!!

"Pool honeys!"

Liseth's first day

We picked Liseth up from the airport yesterday and we are so excited for her visit! Lily just adores her!

Lily's 9 month check up

Today we visited Dr. Pittala for Lily's check up and not surprisingly, he said she's just about perfect!

She weighs 19 pounds 9 ounces (putting her in the 75th percentile) and she is 28.5 inches long (putting her in the 90th percentile). Her iron level is 12.4 and she is right on track developmentally.

Anniversary!

Today was our two year anniversary. We both agreed, it seems like we've been married longer than two years, but we weren't sure if that was because we met in 2001 or because we squeezed so much "growing up" into the last two years together!

This morning we went on a three mile walk as a family and we talked about what the last two years has taught both of us. We talked about what we hope for Lily's future and the lessons we've learned over the last eight years. It was a foggy morning and the time passed so quickly. Now that we have Lily, our "deep" discussions are less frequent, but just as amusing as they've always been.

Eric surprised me by planning a dinner date for us tonight at Fogo de Chao on the Plaza--he even arranged for our friends Jon & Tara to babysit Lily--all without me knowing! It was our first time at the restaurant and the service was incredible! We tried all 15 specialties, enjoyed a bottle of wine, and a rich dessert--it was so much fun to relax and celebrate together!

This has been the best two years of our lives and we look forward to many more together!

Memorial Day Weekend!

This morning at 5:30 Grandma Christy and Grandpa Ed left for Washington. It was so sad to see them go, but we had a wonderful, busy weekend with them and look forward to their next visit for Lily's birthday in August!

After we picked them up from the airport on Friday we stayed home and barbecued. Lily felt comfortable with them both right away and wanted to hold grandma's hands and walk around the living room for most of the evening. It was obvious Lily was going to make the most of the extra love and attention she received!

On Saturday we enjoyed a huge breakfast at the Corner Cafe and stopped at River Market. It was a beautiful day outside and very warm! Most people visiting from the Northwest agree: Its not the heat, its the humidity that is overwhelming here! After an afternoon nap we headed down to the Plaza to celebrate Lily's 9 month "birthday" (and our anniversary) at Buca de Beppo. The meal was delicious and the atmosphere is family friendly...Lily started to get a little noisy after our food arrived, but with all the action going on around us, I don't think anyone noticed.

Sunday morning we went to church and after Worship, Lily was fast asleep on Grandpa's shoulder! After lunch, Christy and I headed to Penguin Park while Ed and Eric went golfing. This was Lily's first time playing at a park with other kids and she was very observant. She had fun on the swings, she tried the slide, and she made it half-way through a crawl tunnel! Later we all went for a walk around the neighborhood and a dip in the pool. The water wasn't as warm as Lily's bath water usually is, but she seemed to enjoy her experience! Grandma Christy moved Lily around in the water and Lily even kicked her feet to help!

One of the best things about this visit (for me) was having someone here to do small things with and most importantly, to share Lily with...someone to take Lily to the park with, someone to go to Target with (this time Lily fell asleep on Grandma's shoulder!), someone to walk around the neighborhood with...having that familiar company really does make me miss being closer to home! Seeing Lily bond with Grandma & Grandpa was so sweet...It hurts me a little to see how happy she is with them but know it will only be for a short time.

The entire weekend was great and we feel blessed Ed & Christy were able to visit us!

Sunday afternoon

A few pictures from the park and the pool

Grandpa & Grandma Smith visit!

Today we pick up Grandpa Ed & Grandma Christy from the airport!

We are excited for their visit and will share pictures of our weekend together as soon as possible!

Almost there!

Today Lily took her first two unassisted steps while playing in her crib! I took her out and tried to get her to walk on the carpet, but after standing alone for a second or two, she would squat and then sit on her bottom or fall to her knees and crawl towards her toys.

I don't know if I am ready for her to start walking yet...Its just another milestone that makes her more of a little girl and less of a baby!

We don't want to rush her, but I will post updates as she makes progress.

What a difference 6 months make!!

I am AMAZED with how much Lily has changed in the last six months! I remember thinking she was a big girl when I took the black & white picture back in November!

Tonight I spent time after dinner just playing with Lily in her room. We both squeezed into her little Dora the Explorer ball tent, we crawled all over the house, and she climbed all over me--it was so much fun!

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to stay home and raise Lily! Every day with her has been such a treat and each new experience is perfect in its own unique way!

I am blessed beyond belief!

Pictures!

Happy Birthday!

Today would be the 22nd birthday of my brother Jacob Matthew.

As a mother, my understanding of his death has been changed...The empathy I feel for my own mom having to grieve her infant son...and the impact his short life had on our family...its all so overwhelming.

Life is such a precious gift. To love and be loved is icing on the cake.

A friend has this quote on her blog:

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it." - Michael Gartner

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish the Happiest Mother's Day to all our friends and family who are already moms or soon-to-be moms!

Another fabulous day!

Tonight after dinner we spent some time outside making bubbles for Lily to play with. Unfortunately, she didn't really care for them...but we still enjoyed the fresh air!

Our perfect day!

If you look closely, you will notice that Lily was giving the #1 sign in a few pictures. She just started doing it at the ballpark without any help or prompting from us. I guess she's a true M's fan!

Today was absolutely perfect! Exactly the kind of day I dreamed for my future, years ago!

I woke up with the rain falling against the window and pulled the blankets up higher, grateful that I didn't have anywhere else to be. When the rain stopped and the sun filled the house, I finally rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen. The birds outside were singing as I made breakfast. It was the start of a beautiful day!

After breakfast together we headed our separate ways--Eric to the gym, Lily and I for a three mile walk around the neighborhood. The sky was so blue, the sun was so warm, and for once there wasn't any construction going on in our subdivision! Everything was so peaceful!

Getting ready for the day I checked the baseball calendar on our fridge to see if the Royals had a home game. And what luck? They did! At 1:10 they played the Seattle Mariners! So we packed Lily up and headed to Kauffman Stadium for the afternoon.

At the game, our tickets turned out to be ideal seats--in the shade (it was 81 degrees today) and near the aisle! Lily's first game was last September, but she was only four weeks old so she slept through it. This time she danced to the music, watched all the people around us, and even cheered and waved her arms at the appropriate times! We had so much fun!

During the ninth inning, I looked over at Eric and Lily playing together and thanked God; for my wonderful husband, for my healthy baby girl, for our happy home, for the freedom to be spontaneous together, for my incredibly blessed life! I certainly don't deserve sweet days like this, but I am so grateful for them!

Ah the joys of parenting!

Before we had Lily, I thought parenting was more of an event--or maybe a series of events--but in my mind, things were black & white. Now, being able to look back at our time with Lily, I understand that parenting is actually a process--with lots of gray areas! And we still have so much to learn!

We all start out with an idea of what type of parent we are going to be, but the truth is that parenthood often changes us in unexpected (and wonderful) ways! Pre-Lily, I promised that I would not give my children sweets until they could ask for one by name (brand and flavor specific). I would try to avoid all messes possible. I would put them to bed promptly at 7:00 and I would never, ever, throw my one-year-old a birthday party (it's a total waste of money)!

Post-Lily...things have changed. I must admit, "My children" were an idea...no faces or personalities to love. "Lily" is a precious gem! Sugar & spice, and everything nice--she's enchanting! Even though she hasn't asked for sweets, she has tasted them...just because I wanted to share them with her. After three or four months I realized putting her to bed at 7:00 meant she was awake at 5:00 AM (hey--one luxury of staying at home is sleeping in!) so now she goes to bed around 9:00 and wakes up around 8:00. And of course, I started planning her one year party when she was six months old!

As for avoiding all messes possible? Life it too precious to not be fully enjoyed! Sometimes chaos is better than order! Besides, blackberries in the summer are a necessary childhood memory. Just ask my sister.

Cinco de Mayo & Spring pictures!

Random pictures

Lily's fan club

Tonight at dinner Lily was the hit of the restaurant! Not only did she have the attention of the staff, but also of other guests! We had the funniest conversation with the kids from the adjacent table. It was so strange and silly at the same time! I'm guessing they were around 6 and 8 years old.

Upon our arrival at the table...

Little brother: (Polite, but surprised) Excuse me...I never seen a baby with earrings before!

Eric: Yes, well. She told us she wanted to get her ears pierced, so we got it done.

Little brother: (Laughing) Oh my!

Older brother: (Highly suspicious of Eric) Hmmm...She seems awfully young to be speaking.

Eric: (Caught of guard by the kid's resistance) Well, she told us through sign language.

Older brother: (Sarcastically) She signs?!

Eric: (Laughing) Yes, my wife taught her.

Older brother: (Looking over at me for a reaction) Uh...

Sarita: No, he's just kidding!

The boys left the table as our food arrived, but our interaction didn't end there.

Little brother: (Attempting to hug Lily) She's so cute. I wish she was my baby. What's her name?

Sarita: (Hesitant about the kid touching Lily) Her name is Lily.

Eric: Well, maybe one day you will have a baby!

Little brother: (Still trying to hug Lily) Hi, Lily.

Eric: (Now also hesitant about the kid touching Lily) She doesn't really know what a hug is yet or how to do it.

Little brother: Maybe we can babysit her?

Sarita: (Trying to pacify the kid and eat dinner) Maybe!

Little brother: I'll give your our phone number. Its XXX-XXXX.

Sarita: (Still eating) Thanks!

The talk with the boy ceased and we returned to our own conversation. But then a whisper interrupted.

Little brother: (Hand over his mouth) Hey! Hey! Our number is XXX-XXXX. I'll write it down.

And two seconds later, he was back at our table with his number written in crayon on a napkin! Honestly, it was too difficult for anyone to read anyway, but his older brother was close behind. He inspected the napkin and was noticeably disturbed.

Sarita: (To older brother) You can take that back if you want.

Older brother: (To little brother) You gave them our number! You gave them mom and dad's number. That's wrong! That's just wrong!