Good mama

Lily is turning into such a good mama these days.

She kisses and hugs (and yes, sometimes licks) her baby.

And Elmo? Possibly her very favorite friend ever!

Wherever Lily is, Elmo is close by.

But he doesn't enjoy the same mothering as baby does.

Hugs and kisses are saved for those without red fury skin, apparently.

Yoga

One of Lily's new favorite games is "yoga". Guess she's been watching me do one too many videos, huh?

Up on her toes. Nice down dog!

Daddy likes to play too!

Ultimately she rolls over into a summersault.

I hope to enroll Lily in a gymnastics class once the weather turns hot. I have a feeling we'll be stuck inside this summer when it's 115 outside - this little gal is super active and I'll need to find lots of ways to tire her out!

Coffee please!

Rough morning?

Get this girl some coffee, pronto!

18 months

November 30, 2010.

Weight - 23 lb, 6 oz. 33 percentile

Length - 33 inches. 86 percentile

~ You are such a talker. According to your new doctor here in AZ, your speech is exceptional and you are talking like a 2 year old. A few of my favorite phrases include: 'are you ready', 'lily do it', and 'here you go'. However, I'm often the only one who can understand you, and therefore spend lots of time interpreting.

~ You have become quite affectionate. You love to give hugs and kisses to Mommy, Daddy, Ellie dog, and your baby doll.

~ Speaking of your baby doll, you are becoming such a good little 'mother'. You cradle, cuddle, rock, and kiss your baby. You read her books, cover her with a blanket, and speak so lovingly to her. To make it extra sweet, your favorite doll is from Mema, your great-grandmother. When we ask what your baby's name is, you promptly say "yi-yi" (Lily). Melts our hearts!

~ You've been spending lots of time at the local library for storytime and have started attending a few play dates in our new neighborhood. But your new favorite friend is cousin Kayl, who you often ask for and have told us a few times "Kayl funny!" Now that you aren't in daycare, socializing with other kiddos is an extra special treat.

~ Your favorite toys tend to be blocks and trucks. You love to build huge towers, stack your rings, and push your truck and cars all over the house. You are one active little gal!

~ You have made the transition to one nap a day. You still take a pacifier for naps, bedtime, and long car rides (ie numerous errand running trips) - and Mom was one happy lady when your pediatrician told me not to sweat it until you are two!!!

~ Your very favorite thing to do is to pick up the mail. Our mailbox is in a neighborhood nest down the street, so each afternoon we head out to pick it up. You insist on carrying the keys and walking by yourself. Upon arrival, you try the keys in all the locks you can reach until finally giving up and letting me open it for you. On the walk home (after a minimum of 5 minutes just playing around the mailbox), you insist on carrying at least one piece of mail and 'reading' it aloud.

You make us laugh each and every day. It's hard to believe how much we love you and how happy you make us. We love you more than words!

She bakes?

Not very well, but I did attempt a baking project today. Though I love to cook, I have possibly only baked once since I've been married. Brownies. Out of a box. So yea, not so much.

But today I was feeling ambitious, and decided to try some homemade healthy muffins for Lily's snack.

Oat Bran Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 large can pumpkin pie filling mix

1 c. milk (I used whole since this is for Lily. non fat would be fine)

3/4 c. light olive oil

2 eggs

3 c. flour (next time I might use whole wheat instead of white)

1 1/2 c. oat bran

1 t. salt

2 t. baking powder

2 t. baking soda

1/2 c. miniature chocolate chips

1/2 c. toasted chopped walnuts (optional)

Variation: 2 c. pumpkin puree, 3/4 c. brown sugar and 1 t. cinnamon in place of the pumpkin mix.

Whisk dry ingredients.

Blend wet ingredients well.

Add to whisked dry ingredients, stirring until just blended.

Fold in chocolate chips and nuts (optional).

Spoon into sprayed muffin tins and bake at 375 for 20 minutes, or until done.

Remove from oven and carefully move each muffin to cooling rack.

Success!

Lily liked her new snack. And I liked that it was a variance from the much request granola bar!

Snip snip

After sporting a not so cute mullet these past few weeks, I finally gave in and took Lily for a first haircut.

Before. Playing with the train table while we wait our turn.

The mullet

She wasn't a huge fan of the scissors. Freaked out a little bit.

She clung to the steering wheel of the firetruck, holding on for dear life, the entire time!

Luckily Dora was on the TV in front of her!

Goodbye mullet!

Giving mommy the stink eye. 'Keep those scissors away from me!'

After. Playing outside enjoying 70 degree weather in December!

She looks like such a big girl to me. My baby is growing up!

Fashionista

Auntie M has always been the fashionista of our family. Looks like Lily is trying to follow in her footsteps - our girl is absolutely obsessed with shoes.

She was thrilled to discover Auntie's boots.

After many attempts of putting them on herself, Auntie helped out!

Not a fan?

Apparently Lily isn't a huge fan of Thanksgiving.

Remember last year's debacle? This year wasn't much better.

Moments after Nanny served this yummy dinner...

...Lily projectile vomited all over the table.

Let's just say leftovers didn't sound too good.

After Lily's rough time at Thanksgiving #1, we were so lucky that Grandma O had hers a few days later. Everyone was feeling much better and food sounded good again. :) And of course the best part was playing with our cousins!

(Liam 2 yrs, Aynslee 5 yrs, Lily 18 mths)

Thanks for a fantastic Thanksgiving! We have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Cruising

Cruising along in my automobile...

...just checking out the neighborhood.

How was your weekend?

Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time. (name that movie!!)

Our family had a pretty nice little weekend. Shopping for the house, running lots of errands, watching some football, plus...

...a little shower cleaning with the best little helper...

...followed by church, with donuts and coffee afterwards.

(Yes, I'm wearing a skirt, sandals, and sleeveless shirt in November. Jealous?)

Sometimes regular, boring weekends are actually the best kind.

We found grass!

One thing we really miss is the color green. So we headed out in search of grass.

Lily loves these "Tickle Monster" mittens. She yells "on, on, on, on" whenever she sees them!

Look what we found!

At the local baseball field.

Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains.

OUCH!

After face-planting the tile floors, Lily has herself a great big fat lip. Poor baby.

I love how instances like this show off our different parenting styles.

Mine equates freak out mode..."omg, my poor baby, where is my phone, should I call 911, do you think she is ok, will the bleeding ever stop, ohhhhh my poor baby, let me hold you and snuggle and spoil you until you feel all better"...

Ryan..."you're ok, you're tough, it's just a little blood, you're fine...Lindsay, stop freaking out!...."

Good balance, I suppose.

Trick or Treat

Our ballerina, ready to answer the door and hand out candy (though she hid between Daddy's legs whenever the doorbell rang).

Trying the candy herself.

She has never had candy/chocolate before - I think we've created a monster!

We had lots of fun seeing all the neighborhood ghosts and goblins. With one exception - a 10yr old GI Joe informed me that his family "looked at this house, but bought a waaaaay better one." Thanks a lot, kid. No candy for you!