Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the best parents in the world.  We love you!

And Happy Halloween too!

Love her little Jack Sparrow hands!

Riley

I love our dogs.  Really I do.  One of them, Riley, is quite a character.  He has some weird habits.  First, the dogs are not allowed on our furniture.  So whenever we leave, Riley follows us to the door, watches us leave, and then gets on the couch.  I know this because he will look out the window for our car, and the couch is under the window.  Plus, we've come home and there have been drool marks on the pillows.  Don't worry, we wash the slipcover regularly.  We can't ever catch him in the act in the house because he hears the garage door and then goes into his room and lays down like he's been there the whole time.  Couch is still warm though.

Another habit of his is bringing us something when we come home if he really missed us.  It can be anything from his favorite toy to a twist tie he found on the ground.  Yesterday when Jay came home, Riley brought him this.

There were two of them from a birthday cake we bought for a friend.  Now these were on our counter, and Riley likes to help himself to things he wants up there.  You can hear his feet clicking as he jumps to see what's up there.  Anyway, Jay took this away from him.  I didn't think anything of it until I found this today.

Looks like someone is going decorate our backyard with some colorful balloons.

Yep, that's my boy.

One of us is feeling better

Well, Lily has been an absolute joy to be around these past few days.  I love waking her up in the morning; she usually stretches and grunts, and when you say "Good morning Lily," she breaks into a huge grin.  Yesterday she napped well and went to bed very easily.

Which was a huge blessing because I got some sort of cold.  I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat.  I assumed it was because we kept the windows open.  But as the day wore on, I felt worse and worse.  Today, Lily and I napped together most of the day.  She is feeling fine - still in a great mood.  Me, not so much.

Here is a picture from Boo at the Zoo.  I couldn't get rid of the red-eye, but its still a picture.  She is quite a cutie pie.

She is small still, buit we sure look like giants next to her!  She 3 months old in this picture.  Time sure flies!

Family Fun Day

We had a very eventful day today.  First, our church had a Family Fun Day where we had a park church service, lunch, and then games for the kids and kids at heart.  We also brought food to feed the homeless.  Lily was great; she slept the whole time in my carrier that I wear. When she woke up after a good while, she laid down under an umbrella and talked and cooed.  It was great.

The best thing about the day, besides a ton of visitors, was a story Jason told me.  He was talking to one of the ushers after service.  The usher was telling Jason about collecting the offering.  He didn't pass the basket to some homeless gentlemen, because he didn't want them to feel obligated to give.  Everyone needs to give as they see fit.  But the gentlemen waved him over, and they gave their offering to God.  Now I know that just because someone is homeless, it does not mean they have no money.  But to give in that way, when you aren't sure where you will sleep that night, or possibly what you will eat, was very encouraging.  It made us think of the woman with the two copper pennies.  It really was the best part of the day.  I think Jesus smiled for that one.

Later Lily, Jason, and I went to Boo at the Zoo with some friends.  We saw a cute magic show and got candy.  Lily got a little grumpy and when we got home and changed her diaper, we found out why.  Sneaky pooper.  I'll post a picture after I edit it.  Not of the diaper, but of the three of us.  She's got some redeye to get rid of.

Overall a really nice day.

Lily's nap

Well, Lily has been doing a little bit better today.  She is sleeping really hard at night; for the past two days I've had to wake her up in the morning.  She isn't napping well, and she has been a little fussy still.  But it was only for half the day and not all of it so I'm happy.  And I am especially happy she is such a good sleeper through the night!  Very, very happy.

Today I put Lily in her new swing.  She is wearing one of her Halloween outfits.  About an hour later, she had peed through it and onto my jeans.  First time for everything!  So by the time we were in playgroup, we had both changed our outfits.  But this is her during her morning nap.

Now every time we put her in the swing or carseat and cover her up, she always gets into this position and uncovers at least one foot. 

  Hello!!

Not so good of a day

No pictures of cute Lily today because cute Lily is not home.  Instead, cranky Lily is here.  She didn't nap yesterday, but did sleep until I woke her this morning because she was so tired.  Then today she has been just a grumpy bear whenever she's awake.  She is a little over 12 weeks, so we are thinking this is a growth spurt. 

So while she has been sleeping, I crock potted a roast with potatoes and carrots, made baba ghanoush with 2 eggplants from my CSA, and made two loaves of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin bread.  The bread is addicitive; its the second batch I've made this week.  For a taste of fall, you should try it.  http://www.make-it-do.com/cook-it-bake-it/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-bread/

Hopefully this growth spurt will get better and I am very glad she is growing.  Its just frusterating when you usually have such a pleasant child and then a little booger visits instead.

Hiccups

Since I finally figured out how to sync up my phone to the computer, I've been taking lots of videos of Lily.  I like this one because she has hiccups. Such a cute little sound!  Reminds me of Otis after he's had a snootful.

She is also cooing a little towards the end. She is in her bouncy chair, and is finally figuring out how to make it move.  Well, I think she is at least!  It may be a coincidence.

Halloween Costumes

We got Lily's halloween costume in the mail the other day.  It is really cute; I just hope it isn't too big for her!  I know she is getting bigger, but whenever a stranger sees her, they ask if she is a newborn.  She is just petite.  I still think that is strange because she has ginormus parents.  She turned 12 weeks on Saturday.  Here is a picture of her costume.

Jay is trying to tell me that Lily looks like him.  Frightening picture though, right?  Here is something cute to make up for it.  Here is Jay and Lily napping.  Precious!

Peace out.

Lily's smile

I finally got my phone to sync up with the computer so I can upload Lily smiling.  Sorry for the baby talk.  I never thought I'd do that but once you know what gets results, you stick with it.

Finally, feeling better

Lily is feeling much better, which is a HUGE relief.  All of her plumbing seems to be running just fine which makes for a happy baby.

Today, since it was so beautiful out, I dressed Lily in her first pair of overalls.  Since they are shorts, this may be it for this specific pair, but I do love them!

So today we had playgroup, did some laundry, hung the diapers on the clothesline, and are now trying a new creation using some apples and biscuits.  The goal is a hand held pie.  We shall see.

Oh yeah, please disregard the spot next to Lily.  I think its magic because it only appears on camera.  Live in person, perfectly clean sheet.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Do I really look pregnant??

A while back Lily and I went grocery shopping.  I was wearing her in my baby carrier because its easier that way rather than putting the infant car seat in the cart and loading groceries around her.  Anyway, a woman asked if I needed help unloading my cart onto the check out belt.  I said okay and then she said, "Oh, there's a baby! I thought you were pregnant!"

Look at the pictures.  Do I look pregnant? 

I mean, her feet are hanging out for goodness sake!  Theoretically, even if I was pregnant, shouldn't someone call a doctor and find out why there are feet coming out of my body?  Her head may not have been that exposed, but still!

Anyway, yesterday was a hard day for Lily Jane.  Poor girl was constipated.  She still is having issues.  Since that is kind of a gross topic, the only thing I will say about it is glycerin.  Hopefully we can figure out what is causing this.  She isn't on formula so I think this isn't so common.  Her pedi gave us some advice and we are trying it now.  Meanwhile, this is Lily in one of my favorite outfits from Aunt Emilie.

Bad angle...she is kind of sliding down the pillow.  But it sure is a cute outfit!

Our weekend

Our weekend was pretty good.  Lily is finally getting bedtimes down.  She hasn't turned into a scary screaming monster for the past two nights.  Amen.  She's been smiling and in an overall good mood.  She usually is, but its still nice to mention.

Friday Jason came home with the entertainment center from Ikea that we wanted.  He got it together Saturday.  This is our first experience with Ikea, and so far we are very impressed.  Here it is:

It is really a linen cabinet but we like how it works for our entertainment center.  I do think we should add something on the sides of it to anchor it in the room.  It seems a little out of place, but that may be because we aren't used to it yet.  We'll see.

Here is Lily in her Sunday dress.  I believe she got this from Emilie.  It sure is cute!

We usually wear Colts gear on Sundays but lately she spits up on it and then they lose.  So we waited until the game started to get her team spirit on.  And they won!  It was a great way to end the weekend!

Day with Dad

Today Lily spent most of the day with Jay since he had some paperwork to do around the house for work and I had an appointment with a friend.  They had lunch together and Jay gave her a bath. I am VERY lucky because Jason is the type of dad that does not "babysit" his kid.  He takes care of her.  And I have no concerns while I am out and about.  However, I did leave some instructions because we are trying to keep her on a schedule to help establish a bedtime.  Schedule: Feed her at 2.  Sleep by 3:15.  He had it covered.

This is Lily in one of her 3 month outfits from Uncle Jim and Aunt Celia.  It's still a little big but Lily is not quite 11 weeks old.  But with the cloth diaper on, she fills it out pretty well.

Another picture from yesterday morning... I tried to get her asleep but she woke up.  She looks kind of ganster to me.

Yo.

Babysitting

Jay and I were to babysit for a friend's 2 sons.  One of them, we'll call him J for privacy's sake, is 4.  P is still a baby, although he isn't little... but anyway I digress.

Jay was running late, so it was me and 3 children, including Lily.  Thank God she was sleeping.  I don't like those odds of being outnumbered. Two was PLENTY, as you are about to see.

P was put to bed, and J and I were playing with a puzzle.  Lily was sawing logs next to us. 

J: Are you going to wake her up?  She's pretty.
(I didn't add that.  J really said that.  Smart boy)

Me: No, I'll wake her when you go to bed.  She'll want to eat when she wakes up.

J: Do you breastfeed?

Me: (shocked that a 4 year old puts these two events together) Yes I do.

J: Do you breastfeed little boys?

Me: Um, well, since Lily is a little girl, I breastfeed her.  But if she was a boy, I would still breastfeed her.  So, I would if I needed to.

J: Oh.


So I was relieved.  There are many awkward ways this could play out.  I mean, Medela doesn't even want people sharing their breastfeeding pumps.  Jay got there shortly after that.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of Lily.  See, she is pretty!

Camera adds 10 lbs

So when we went to the doctor for our 8 week check up, our pedi asked us, with an excited knowing look, "Has she smiled yet??"

It was then I knew she was behind.  Like any good parent, we said "Sort of.  We figure its gas."  But, of course, she isn't behind.  Jason just isn't funny.  A few days later though, she started her smiles.

Trying to capture a baby's smile is a lot harder than I thought.  And when we lay Lily down to take pictures, all her face fat comes to the surface and makes her look chubbier than she is.

She usually looks cuter than this.  See?

She needs to cut back on the salt.

Lily and Jay

I always knew Jay would be a great Dad.  What I didn't know was how much he could help out around with Lily.  He is awesome and it plays really well into my laziness.  Here is Jay helping Lily sleep.  Such a face!

And here is he feeding her.  Doesn't she look like a squishy face bird??

A little later, here is Lily with her eyes open.  She has my nose.  As Aunt Michelle says, it is blooming.

And then we met her...

Lily was born July 24, 2010 at 2:55 pm.  Jay knew that she would be a girl, I was stubborn and wanted it to be a surprise.  After laboring for 7 hours, I asked for them to break my water.  See, I was getting bored and more than a little hungry.  I figured, yeah, I can do this.

Then it hit.  I thought I was going to die.  At one point, I looked at Jay, because he was the one who loved me most in that room, and begged him to take me home. I was done.  But through a lot of prayer, and screaming, I started on the task at hand.  I'm doing my best even though I've never pushed anything from "there" before, and the doctor says, "There's the head! Do you want to touch it?" Really, do I want to touch it?!? I told her to grab it and yank it out.  Why would I want to touch it? Ew.  Okay, enough graphics.

Here is Lily's first picture.  Thank God she was small.  Any bigger and I think I would have been dead.  Seriously.  She's a girl, by the way.  And I am so glad she had hair!!  And if Jay hadn't made it back from Arkansas in time, you'd be looking at a picture of Duke.  I picked out the name and threatened him with it if he missed the birth. 

Duke would have been a cute name though.  Very original.  Would have been the only girl in her class with that name I bet.