Favorite spot...

Lately she insists on eating and reading here, as well as "helping" me cook.

She is growing up way too fast.

Under the weather...

We've been spending the past few days here...

...recovering from what seems to be the flu.

So it might be a little quiet around the blog for a few days.

1st Day of School

Lily had her first day of preschool on Monday.

I can't believe how big she looks.

Grandma sent her 1st day of school outfit.

Unfortunately we didn't get to take our Dora backpack that Grandma also sent.

The school provides a canvas bag so every student has the exact same thing.

Ryan had a good laugh at me trying to creatively decorate it.

I ended up ironing on her name, a butterfly, and a bird...that is the extent of my creative abilities.

As this was exactly how she acted when we walked into her classroom.

Look at all these toys!

Dance party, round 2

Our girl got her groove on at a local outdoor mall.

Unfortunately it looks like she might have inherited the Saylor dancing curse.

A response

I am overwhelmed. By the amount of emails, voicemails, facebooks, and texts I've received over the past week after writing this post. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and families.

From the friend who talked about her own miscarriage and how she not only felt heartbroken due to her loss but also guilty for feeling sad even though her 2 year old daughter is absolutely amazing. (When she sent me that email, I read it in tears thinking "yes, that's it, that's the part I haven't been able to verbalize. I also feel so flipping guilty for being sad. Lily rocks, yet I want, I really really want, more.)

Or the friend who had a miscarriage and was devastated but also realized if it wouldn't have happened, she wouldn't have her son whom she loves more than anything (actually two friends, very similar stories).

Or a new friend who talked about her own trouble with infertility who said she not only felt like a failure but that no one was willing to talk to her about it. She now has five children. :) (Thank you, thank you, thank you...I think you should start your own blog. Seriously, your thoughts really touched me and hit home.)

This same new friend talked about enjoying the time you have with just one child, as it will never be the same. (I especially took this to heart, enjoying my alone time with Lily, as I tend to forget how special it really is).

Or my oldest friend whose job it is to fight cancer, talking about how hard the loss of control over our bodies is for us women (talk about putting your life in perspective!).

Or the friend who decided to wait to have a baby, spent so much time and energy fielding questions as to why they weren't ready to start their family, only to find out it actually took longer than anticipated (foot in mouth...shove).

I have probably twenty more stories to tell, but let me stop and just say...THANK YOU.

Thank you for supporting. Thank you for loving. Thank you for just being there. And most of all thank you for sharing. I love you all and wouldn't be the person I am today without you.

Two Lily's

Aren't these two Lily's cute!

Lily has a good friend, Lily S, whom came over for a playdate last week.

I really enjoy her mom, Tuuli, and feel so lucky our girl's enjoy each other so much.

Plus I get a baby fix with her eight week old, Mimi.

Tuuli is from Finland and it's been really interesting to compare cultures.

Especially when it comes to having and raising children.

Plus she is super sweet. I love our adult conversation while the girls play!

Thank you girls for coming over. Can't wait to do it again soon!

Date night

Here's a little story for you...

I had preschool orientation last night, so Ryan met us at school and took Lily home for dinner.

Or so I thought.

As I pulled into the driveway, I see Ryan and Lily cruising down our street. Apparently he decided they needed a father/daughter date night at our neighborhood restaurant. He told me they shared one side of a booth and at one point, Lily put her arm on Ryan's back and said "Daddy, you are a good friend."

Melt my heart, she can be such a sweetie.

Ryan has been working longer hours the past few weeks, and often gets home only to put Lily straight to bed. So she has been punishing him by not wanting anything to do with him. Hurts a Daddy's feelings!

However, date night was apparently a huge success. When I opened the back door to help her out of the car, she said "No Mommy, you close the door. I need my Daddy to help me." And when Ryan went to help her, she said "Daddy, I don't want her (and glared at me)."

Don't have to tell me twice, this mama went on break!

Afternoons

Someone woke up early from her nap.

And someone else was too lazy to leave the house for a fun activity.

So outside to the water table we went.

Mommy, it's too bright. I need glasses!

I struggle with mid to late afternoon activities.

We almost always have a big activity or a bunch of errands in the mornings.

But after nap time is my tired time of day, and I often don't have the energy to head out the door again.

And bubbles. I need lots and lots of bubbles.

Lily has this figured out and will wake up from her nap begging to watch TV.

While she does get a fair amount of screen time during breakfast or while I'm cooking dinner, I try to make a rule of no TV during the day.

So it's a daily struggle for me. Leave the house, come up with an at-home activity, or resort to Dora the Explorer.

Lily, no drinking the bubbles!

Hour and a half later, our girl was exhausted and ready for a bath.

And Daddy was on his way home.

Afternoon = success!

How do you get through the late afternoons?

At the car wash

Not exactly a fan, as evidenced by the closed eyes and number of comfort items required...

Strawberries...

After hosting the baby shower last week, I had a ton of strawberries left over.

Ryan kept snagging a few while I was cleaning up.

Declaring these were the best strawberries.

No seriously, they are so good.

You don't understand how good these taste.

Ummm, are you hinting that you want me to make your Mom's strawberry pie?

Oh, I mean, if you have enough.

If it's not too much trouble.

Strawberry pie isn't too much trouble.

But these two are!

It's a baby shower!

My sorority sisters will enjoy this post...say hello to Mo! Bet you gals are as happy to see her smiling face as I have been!

Since our big move, I've been reacquainted with a great college friend, Maureen (aka Mo). We've had so much fun catching up and she's been a sweetheart to include me in girl's night out as well as introducing me to her friends in the valley. Lily calls her 'my Mo' and tells everyone she has a baby in her belly. Yep, Mo's pregnant, due with baby boy Logan in September.

Doesn't she look beautiful?

I was honored to co-host a baby shower last weekend and we had an awesome time spoiling the mama-to-be.
Plus I of course had a blast preparing a few recipes I've found on Pinterest.

(I'm addicted! Are you??)

So excited to meet baby Logan in a few short weeks. And Lily is pumped to show him the ropes (probably boss him around a little bit too). Congrats Mo!

Playdate

When Daddy's away, his gals will play.

Ryan had an overnight work trip to Vegas last week.

So we gals invited a few of our friends over for a fun evening.

Lily went to bed early, absolutely exhausted, and I enjoyed a quiet night to myself.

Win/win for all of us.

Except for Ryan, who didn't touch a single slot machine while in sin city.

Lame.