It's Friday, June 5th at 2:29 P.M. Hopefully I will have this posted before June 5th, 2016. ;-) Finding time to work on my blog is very challenging these days. I'm sure you can't imagine why....I don't have an almost 8 month old (:.:.:tears:.:.:)....a spotless house...plenty of free time to just kick back and relax. Haha! Life is busy that is for sure. Everyday I jump out of bed running and every night I jump into bed still running!! I told someone the other day that I feel like I live in a tornado...just swirling around constantly in full force! Going...going...going...nonstop!
Lilly is napping right now, so I figured it would be a good time to get a little bit done. :) I do have laundry to wash, dry, fold...dishes to wash, dry, and put away...a floor to sweep and mop...furniture to dust...and the list goes on and on...BUT this blog hasn't been updated in 2 months and I am determined to do this. :)
Today is an extra special day for Nick and I...it's our anniversary...not just any anniversary either...it's our 5 year anniversary! Where does the time go??? I feel like I say that so often nowadays. It seems as if it all is in fast forward...everything just flies by!! I am blessed beyond words for the amazing husband that I have! He is my very best friend! I truly believe in soul mates...Nick is mine...God created him especially for me. There is nobody else in this world that could go through life with me! He is the sugar to my spice! We balance each other out just right! And when I tell him "no"...which is my first answer to everything he just rolls with it. If I change my mind to yes then he's good with that and if I keep no as my 'final answer' he's good with that, too. His laid back, easy going personality matches up perfectly with my anxious, ADD personality...yes I do believe that opposites do attract.;-) Thank you God for Nick, for the strong, Christian man that he is...the rock in our home...the driven....hard working man that he is....the one who makes me feel safe and warm and secure...the one that challenges me everyday to be a better wife and mother...the one that encourages me on the days when I feel the weakest...the one who makes me feel pretty even after days with no make-up and no shower...He loves me through it all....before, during, and after every thing that we have ever endured together I have never doubted his love or his commitment to me and our marriage...to our family. He has shown me in the past 5 years what true love really is. I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else.
Riding horses in Antigua a few summers ago...this picture makes me laugh. :) He was not very excited about riding horses with me, but I told him that it was on my "Bucket List" to ride horses on a beach...so he did it with me.:) Such a good hubby I have!!
This was us in Aruba last summer enjoying a night out with a beautiful view after dinner.:)
Lilly was with us, too just in my tummy:):)
Here are some pictures and notes to show what life has been like for us over the past few months...
April 11, 2015
This was at Nick's mom's house before we loaded the car to head home after our visit to see them over spring break. She is always such a happy girl! :)
On the car ride home...she was entertained for quite some time with the crunchy sound from a plastic bottle:)
Tina the Turtle kept her occupied for a little bit, too!
Later that day we went to Nick's dad's house and went for a ride on the boat. This was Lilly's first boat ride and she loved it!:)
Silly girl!!:):)
Helping Poppy drive the boat:)
Hanging out with her favorite!:)
That tongue!:)
Watching the water:)
So peaceful!:)
I love her!
My girl!
She wants to know what everything tastes like! YUM:)
One of my favorite pictures ever! <3
Beautiful!
Hey dude...I love your sunglasses!
April 12, 2015
...breakfast time...I got this mom!
Nap time or play time? Hmmm...
Crazy hair!
We went over to Poppy and JoJo's to watch The Master's! Nick picked out her "preppy outfit"...Ralph Lauren dress and a cardigan. :)
Emily was getting some Lilly lovin and Lilly was telling Chrissy just what she thought about her! ;-)
Sweeeeet toes peeking out when she was napping!
Having a little dinner:)
April 13, 2015
A few pictures before walking her into daycare:)
Trying out the door jumpy later that night. Her toes are still barely touching.:)
April 14, 2015
Silly girl sticking her tongue out!
Playing in her exersaucer:)
April 15, 2015
Dressed and ready for school:)
He little legs and those shoes are just too much!:):)
Thanks Emily for the outfit! I love it!:):)
Dressed and ready for school:)
Look how cozy she was when I went to pick her up after work:)
April 16, 2015
Her teacher sent me this picture of her. They just love her to pieces!:)
A little bit of randomness....going through some old pictures at my mom's and we came across this picture of me with my aunt Jan! So sweet! :)
April 17, 2015
My YUMMY face!!:):)
April 18, 2015
Trying something new! I love her reaction!:)
Such a big girl!:)
Having a little snack:)
We all went over to Nanny Bob's house to clean it out. It was a hard time for everyone, but it was sweet getting to spend time together and reminisce about special memories made!
This was in the floor in Nanny Bob's room. Lilly was being a silly girl with Mike the Monkey:):)
She has a ring on her toe that they gave her Poppy when he was born. That's what they use to give babies when they were first born at the hospital. Lilly is going to have it as a keepsake forever.:)
She is so funny about looking at herself in the mirror! She absolutely loves it!:)
April 19, 2015
Breakfast time for this sweet girl!
Breakfast time for this sweet girl!
Play time in her new Minnie Mouse highchair! My mom put her in it in the floor in her nursery!:)
Then when it was time for dinner she really got to sit in it for the first time to eat!:)
April 20, 2015
A little early evening walk before dinner:)
Silly girl sticks her tongue out all of the time!!
Dinner time!:)
Reading what the box says ;-)
April 21, 2015
Dinner time:)
She's so observant!
Licking her bib!
April 22, 2015
This baby loves to eat!!
April 23, 2015
April 24, 2015
Hanging out before daycare:)
Always something to smile or laugh about:)
Hanging out before daycare:)
MiMi came to visit:)
April 25, 2015
MiMi is feeding her breakfast
She was trying out her new bracelet teether from her MiMi:)
Her great grandma Sandra came by to visit:) She brought her a special book!
Her great grandpa Larry was getting some lovin':)
Grana came by to visit later that day:)
All dressed and ready in her jammies for our late dinner with the Allen crew:)
Buffalo Wild Wings with 'the fam'
Uncle Jake holding Lilly
April 26, 2015
A cool spring afternoon swing in the hammock:)
Daddy's girl!!:)
April 27, 2015
Playing in her exersaucer! She loves to spin the jeep and watch the tires spin!:)
April 28, 2015
Dinner time:)
Sweet girl!!:):)
April 29, 2015
Strolling in the hood before dinner:)
She's learned how to pull off her sunglasses! 8-)
And she knows to smile for the camera/phone;-)
After dinner play time:)
She loves her ladybug from her MiMi:)
And she loves her blanket that her Aunt Shannon made her:)
April 30, 2015
Going with me to get my hair done:) She was having too much fun getting all of the attention! She kept smiling at Meredith when she got her phone out to take pictures!:)
We tried to get a picture of Lilly and Kim, but Lilly kept wanting to look at herself in the mirror!:)
I love the quote/poem on this pic collage..."put something silly in the world."
May 1, 2015
Taking pictures before I dropped her off at daycare:)
Dinner at Capri's...her first time in a "big girl" highchair":):)
Reading her book;-)
Dinner date at Capri's with some of The Allen's ;-)
Play time after dinner in mommy's new hat:)
May 2, 2015
Breakfast:)
Early morning kisses:)
She loves her doughnuts:)
Headed to a lunch date at Olive Garden with Aunt Debu and Aunt Rhetta:)
Later we had a play date with Emersyn and Erica:)
Priceless:)
A perfect day for a stroll:)
May 3, 2015
Headed to church:)
Exploring in her Exersaucer:)
Having a little treat and loving on her mommy:)
Just a swingin'
I don't know which one loves each other more?!?;-)
Walking around in the yard and look what we found hiding in a plant...a little froggy:)
This may be my favorite picture of her ever!!! Ahhh she looks so beautiful!! But makes me sad because she also looks so big!!!! Where has the time gone?!?:**(
Lake Life:) Taking a ride on Poppy's boat:)
Dinner at Lake Bowen Fish Camp...loving her Ingles $1 bib and bowl and spoon set. ;-)
May 4, 2015
Dropping her off at daycare is so hard sometimes...
Silly girl!
Some fun outside in our backyard before dinner time:) Sweet, sweet moments!
Jonah was protecting us ;-)
My heart is so full!!
God is so good!! My friend Haley said it best...He always redeems the pain!
The view out of my window...
Play time in her room after dinner:)
...she can already spell her name ;-)
May 5, 2015
So peaceful...so beautiful!!
She was a tired girl when I picked her up from daycare! I love her little neck rolls!
May 6, 2015
A few pictures before dropping her off at daycare...
We went to play at the park before dinner...it was her first time in a big girl swing:)
My two loves:)
Always up to something!
Photo shoot at the lake:)
May 7, 2015
Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's:)
Friday, May 8, 2015
Little Photo Shoot in the front yard for her 7 months
May 9, 2015
We took a morning walk around the neighborhood with her MiMi who was in town.
She was excited about the shoes she got from her friend Kensley at the neighborhood yard sale:)
Dancing in her new shoes:)
"What are these things on my feet?"
Talking my ears off on the way to the park:)
Dinner date at the park with Lilly's friend Banks and her sweet mommy and daddy:)
Little angels just a swinging:)
First time on a slide. We slid down together, too:)
Besties:)
My view for the night:)
May 10, 2015
My first Mother's Day!!
Nick put my gift in a bag and used a towel (that he got at a conference and was in the floor by his bed as tissue paper!! Hahaha!!)
He got a card from Lilly, too:):)
He had been working on my gift for so long...staying up late at night...I wondered what he was doing. He put together a photo album with a picture of Lilly in it for everyday since she was born!!! It was the sweetest thing!! I cried!!!:):)
Okay, so the day before this I put Lilly in the floor in her nursery and I turned to pick her out something to wear from her closet. As soon as I turned my back she lost her balance and fell sideways into her crib. She started crying...I started crying...it was the worst thing ever!!! I ran to get Nick who was outside doing yard work and he came running when he heard me screaming. I just told him that I couldn't look at her because I was too afraid...I knew she was hurt bad. She started smiling back at him and she was just fine other than a little knot that was on her head. My heart was so broken!! I felt like the worst mom ever!! I called my friend Kayla right away (Dr. Kayla) to see what she said I should do and she reassured me that it won't be the last time she gets hurt and that she will be just fine. My mom came by right after this happened and she made me feel better about it, too. Well since that happened, the next morning while we were getting ready for church I put a soft pillow border around her while she was playing!!:):)
A little nap before church:)
On our way to church:)
Mom went to church with us!!:):) Made my day!!
We went over to Nick's dad's to celebrate Mother's Day with their family:)
Lilly with her Poppy and JoJo:)
Playing in the sun-room while I was getting some milk;-)
They went to put flowers on Nanny's grave and Lilly and I stayed at the house...so we were swinging and being silly waiting on them to get back:)
This was the first time she was holding her cup and trying to drink out of it!!
Hanging out!:)
Happy Mother's Day!
May 11, 2015
Grana was over to play and took Lilly outside to play in the rain:) She is always wanting to do something silly with her!!
Grana was over to play and took Lilly outside to play in the rain:) She is always wanting to do something silly with her!!
Swinging while we were waiting on the rain to stop:)
She LOVED it!!!
She watched my mom splash her feet and she she copied her:)
May 12, 2015
May 13, 2015
May 15, 2015
Lilly said "Mama" in the floor in the living room!! My heart melted!!!!
After dinner...play time with daddy...you never know what he's going to do!;-)
May 16, 2015
Lilly said "Hey" in her nursery when I looked at her and said "Hey!"
May 17, 2015
After church photo shoot:)
Swinging in the hammock with daddy!:)
May 18, 2015
May 19, 2015
The sweetest sound in all the world!
May 20, 2015
Dinner time:)
Photo shoot in her nursery:)
May 21, 2015
Relay for Life at my school
Her first time meeting my students:)
Aunt KK and Lilly:)
Mom standing with my teacher friends:)
Sending hugs to Papa Kim:)
We love you Papa Kim:)
It was a hot day!!:)
My love:)
Doing a lap around the track:)
Posters we made for our Relay for Life:)
May 22, 2015
I took this picture of Lilly as I took her out of the car at daycare. Her teachers saw me through the window and laughed and joked around with me about it! Only I would take a picture of Lilly on a curb at 7 A.M.;-)
Shopping with Grana:)
Red Lobster dinner date with Poppy, JoJo, and MaryAnn:)
Her sippy cup tipped over in her highchair and soaked her so we had to change her outfit!:)
Getting her Poppy:)
Playing on the way home:o)
I took her dress off so she would be ready for her bath as soon as we got home:)
This is out of our kitchen window.:) It's a hummingbird light that my daddy got us. It doesn't shine every night and I love that because I love the randomness of it....I will catch a glimpse of it and smile and tell my daddy that I love him!! It makes me think that he is thinking of me at that exact moment and God is sending me hugs from him.
May 27, 2015
May 28, 2015
Lilly's first dance show...we went to see one of my students perform and she was AWESOME!!
May 30, 2015
Lilly's first time in a swimming pool and her first birthday party:):)
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
JoJo and Kelly kept Lilly all day because I had to work...
my last day before summer break!!
June 3, 2015
Our first official day of summer break together!!!
Day 1 of Summer Break
Story Time at the library and then a lunch date at McCalister's with our sweet sweet friends It's official...my Summer Break has begun! No better way to start it!
The weeks pass by all too quickly...but I'm celebrating her 34 weeks with a happy heart because for the next 2 months she is all mine!! Happy Summer Break to us Lila Bug! annnnd...Happy 34 weeks to our precious bundle of love who is our everything!
June 4, 2015
Playing:) She loves playing with the diaper wipes container...she likes looking at the baby on the front of it and she likes to close the lid when I open it (over and over and over:))
Eggs for the first time:)
Gandy had back surgery...we went by to bring some Lilly smiles and dinner:)
Summer Break Day 2...Lilly tried eggs for the first time! Yummy! Then a 2 hour nap together! Pajamas until lunch time! Play time all day! Snack time was a pumpkin banana wafer! Yum! Then dinner date at Nanny and Gandy's! A fun day!!☺️
June 5, 2015
Mine and Nick's 5 year anniversary!! My mom coordinated and planned a surprise party for us!! We had NO idea! We were going to Josh and Kelly's for Tobias' birthday party and it ended up being a party for us, too! So sweet!! We had a great time! Then they also surprised us with new outdoor patio furniture! It was a great day!!
Summer Break Day 3...morning walk around the neighborhood then a lazy morning playing at home...then a lunch date with Grana...afternoon nap then play time again...late afternoon walk and then ended the day with a get together at Josh and Kelly's! 🎉😃 Lilly tried a Popsicle for the first time too! Yum!😋
Morning walk in my jammies:)
A little morning power nap:)
Do you like my blue bracelet?
"Ohhh"
Lunch date with Grana....she gave her guacamole! Ahhh...I couldn't stop her fast enough. My mom is a mess!!
More play time:)
She loves this book!!
Sweet memories from our wedding day:)
Showing Lilly our wedding book:)
Evening stroll to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Josh's:)
This girl would look in the mirror all day!
So fun!!!:)
Every once in awhile, in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairy tale...
I am blessed beyond words for the amazing husband that I have. He is my very best friend! I truly do believe in soul mates...Nick is mine...God created him especially for me. There is nobody else in this world that could go through this life with me! He is the sugar to my spice! We balance each other out just right! And when I tell him "no" which is my first answer to everything he just rolls with it...if I change my mind to "yes" then he's good with that and if I keep "no" as my 'final answer' he's good with that, too. His laid back, easy going personality matches up perfectly with my anxious, ADD personality...yes I do believe that opposites do attract.
Thank you God for Nick, for the strong Christian man that he is...the rock in our home...the driven and hardworking man that he is...the one who makes me feel safe and warm and secure...the one that challenges me everyday to be a better wife and mother...the one that encourages me on the days when I feel the weakest...the one who makes me feel pretty even after seeing me go days without make-up and no shower...he loves me through it all...
Before, during, and after everything that we have ever endured together I have never doubted his love or his commitment to me or our marriage...to our family. He has shown me what true love really is. I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else. Happy 5 years to US!! I can't wait to see what's ahead!
My sweet family surprised us with a party to celebrate our anniversary! Too much fun!!
Grana and Lilly:)
My loves!!
Musketeers:)
That Popsicle!
A yummy mess!
My main squeeze!!
Lilly is a product of our LOVE ;-)
Every celebration requires cake!!
June 6, 2015
We were working on cleaning out our garage and attic..reorganizing and trying to get rid of some "stuff"...a Wal-Mart trip was needed for tubs...look at Lilly's happy Wal-Mart face!! Haha :):)
There's a sweet smile!! A man walking by her said that she had "the cadillac of buggy's" with her comfy seat! :)
Summer Break Day 4...play time inside and outside...an afternoon trip to Wal-Mart for some people watching...an early evening stroll to play at Aunt Kelly and Uncle Josh's with some new friends! She was showing off for them and started crawling a little, too!! A pineapple Popsicle was a new yummy treat today!
She will fight a nap until she is just worn out!:)
Pineapple Popsicle!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Summer Break Day 5...fun morning playing and then eating warm oatmeal for the first time!...late morning nap {loves fighting her sleep these days} so we didn't get to go to church...spent the day visiting family and friends...then back home around 6...dinner time...play time...then bath, bottle, and story before bed time for a sleepy little girl!! She makes my heart so full!! I love her sooo!!!
Breakfast with daddy!!
Then play time!!
JoJo took her for the day...Braxton loves her!!!
Back home for dinner:)
Playing with a new toy that her Grana got her :o)
She was watching her daddy show her how it works:)
Then it was time to swing a little:)
A little frozen treat in her Exersaucer:)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Summer Break Day 6...woke up at 4:30 AM {big poopy} then back to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed...7:30...bottle and play time then breakfast...warm oatmeal and bananas...long morning nap...then play time...afternoon walk...lunch time {carrots...yum!}...afternoon nap...early evening stroll around the hood...stopped by "The Popsicle Stand"for a grape Popsicle! Yummy!...then went to the playground to swing!
Breakfast is fun!:)
Look at this sweet girl!!
Rise and shine sweet girl!!
This is her famous "What is this?" "I am going to figure it out." face:)
Snack time:)
She just started doing this on the walk today...holding onto the tray on her stroller:)
Her holding her tray from the back:)
Those arms!!
Grape Popsicle at Aunt Kelly's:)
Grana and Mommy took Lilly for a photo shoot at the pond:)
We took a break for a little swinging time:)
Dinner time..her eating faces are just too funny!!:)
I remembered I was going to use her 8 month sticker after she was out of the bath.:):)
Lilly had her first bubble bath tonight and I took a bath with her for the first time, too! So sweet!! She doesn't take a relaxing bath though...she's all over the place!!;-)
After Lilly's bath...Jonah had a bath and we took a trip to Bruster's!! Can't forget to spoil him, too!:)
8 months ago you entered this world and immediately took over our hearts! We love you so very much and we are so thankful God chose us to be your parents! You make the rainy days bright and sunny! There are never any dull moments anymore! Each one is filled with smiles and laughs! You truly are our sunshine...from the inside...out! My continued prayer is that you are forever shining a light in this world...His light! Happy 8 Months sweet girl! Mommy and Daddy love you times a million!!
Milestones...
"DaDa...BaBa...MaMa...Hey...
Bye...UhOh...No...Ohhh"
Almost officially crawling...lots of scooting and rocking
Big girl bathtub! {climbing out of baby tub}
Pulling yourself up and standing by yourself
Trying new "big people foods"...eggs...Popsicles...
Holding your bottle
Drinking out of a sippy cup
Favorites...
Cell phones and Remotes
Seeing herself in a mirror
Frozen Bananas
Water
Yogurt
Dogs
Kids
Grabbing Faces
Giving Kisses
Balls and all of her toys and books!
Bouncing in her Exersaucer
Cartoons...Smart Cat
Music and Dancing
I'm known for...
Not liking naps {afraid she's going to miss something}
Not wanting to stay still for diaper changes {who has time to just lay around? There's too much to do!}
Dancing on the counter before bath time
Not wanting to be strapped into my car seat
Smiling when I'm told "no"
Making sure I have everybody's attention
Being "The Happiest Baby"
Trying new "big people foods"...eggs...Popsicles...
Water
Bouncing in her Exersaucer
Not wanting to be strapped into my car seat
Making sure I have everybody's attention
Being "The Happiest Baby"
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Summer Break Day 7...7:00 wake-up...bottle...cartoons...play time and helped mommy vacuum! Morning nap then got ready and went to meet Hollis and Jodi for the first time...played there for awhile...then home for a nap...a trip to Ingles for a few groceries then sat outside and watched it rain...played for awhile then ate dinner...went for a walk then back home for a frozen banana before bath, bottle, and bed. ☺️
Playing with Hollis:)
This was supposed to be her nap time, but somebody kept wallering around and climbing in her crib! CAUGHT!!:):)
Watching it rain:)
She loves her beach ball!!
I take a million pictures of her a day, but she's just so cute!!
She loves her treats in her net:)
This is my baby...my precious, precious baby!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Rise and Shine...it's play time!
Trying eggs again:)
She's not too sure about them?!?:)
She just kept moving them around in her mouth!!
She loves her books!!
And her Rosie!:)
The best feeling in all the world is holding her in my arms!!!
I don't take these moments of granted. I know she is a gift given to me....I cherish her more and more with each passing day.
I was trying to get some sun and Lilly was busy in her Exersaucer:)
I had to get her out and love on her!!:)
Got my shades on!!
Swinging at the park...waiting on Daddy to get back in town:)
Loving on her DeDe!!
Hair appointment...Lilly gets lots of love out of those appointments and she even got to try junk food for the first time:):)
She wanted more!!!
She pulled Kim's hand to her mouth!!:)
Climbing around!!
Giving Minnie some loving!!
Summer Break...Day 8...35 Weeks Old Today!!
1:40 AM wake up {somebody knows it's summer break and she's ready to play in the middle of the night these days😜}...but right back to sleep in the bed with mommy😴...7:00 AM officially got our day started...bottle...play time...breakfast {was not a big fan of eggs this time}...morning nap {fell asleep in my arms which is very rare these days☺️}...then play time outside...lunch time...afternoon nap...went to get my hair done {Lilly was happy the whole time we were there and she LOVED trying a Cheeto for the first time!😋 Thanks @kseay84 😉}...got to see daddy after being out of town and loved play time with him...Aunt Kelly, Uncle Ja, and Grana came by to play...Aunt Kelly fed her dinner to her...then Lilly ended her day in her outside swing before bath, bottle, and bed!😍
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Summer Break Day 9...7:30 AM started our day...bottle...play time...breakfast...then got dressed and ready to run errands...stopped by Grana's work and surprised her while we were out...got back home around 11:30...an hour nap then time for lunch...played outside...Ingles trip to get stuff for dinner...no afternoon nap {kept trying to climb out of her crib for an hour}...fell asleep in her car seat as soon as we left our house...dinner and dessert at her great grandparent's house...she tried some of the Chocolate Pudding Pie {yum!} and played with grandpa in the floor...came home...bath, bottle, book and then sleepy town for a very sleepy little girl
Morning play time with Daddy:)
Then we surprised Grana at work:)
Everybody had to come see Lilly:)
She loves her musical books!
She watches Jonah's every move!!:)
Hanging out outside drinking her bottle:)
Toes:):)
Then she wanted to crawl to my feet!
Sleepy girl fell asleep on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's:)
Playing in the floor at Grandma and Grandpa's house:)
Looks like somebody had a bite of something sweet:):)
Chocolate face!!
Grandpa got in the floor to play, too!:) She loved playing with his watch!
She didn't want anyone trying to play her music! She kept pushing our hands away!!
Friday, June 12, 2015
Summer Break Day 10...3:00 AM...awake and ready to play! {too early for mommy and daddy}...drank a little milk and then right back to sleep with us! {seems like this is happening a lot lately...hmm}...8:30 AM awake and now we are ready to get our day started!! Bottle...play time and cartoons then a morning walk in our jammies {crazy hair thanks to the humidity }...breakfast after our walk {first time drinking out of a sippy cup with a straw...she loved it! Some water spilled on her highchair tray and she loved playing in that too!}...we played for a little longer then nap around 11...time for lunch then got dressed and ready to run a few errands...helped address invitations for great grandma's 80th birthday {little goat likes to eat paper }...then helped mommy fix dinner and dessert for 2 of our favorites{Lilly was so helpful and made sure the pudding tasted 'just right'}...played and spent time in her swing outside then ate dinner {sweet potatoes make green beans not taste so bad!}...a short car ride to give away some love and hugs...back home for bath, bottle, book, and bed.
Morning stroll:)
The effects of humidity:):)
Drinking out of her straw sippy cup for the first time...she did pretty good!!
Playing on her tray in the water that leaked out:)
They were helping make dessert for Aunt Kelly and Uncle Josh:)
Daddy likes to lick the bowl so he wanted to give Lilly a taste, too!
Sometimes it's fun to swing for awhile:)
Tall Cloud!!
I was getting invitations addressed for Grandma's 80th birthday party and Lilly was helping me check the list! Haha:)
My little blurb... ;-)
It has been so much fun watching Lilly grow. My heart is so full from the joy that she gives just by being around her. I get sad thinking about how quickly time is passing by, It seems like just yesterday we found out that we were having a baby. Through the sadness of how quickly time has passed us by, I can find the joy in it all because I have loved seeing her go through each stage..it has been a lot of fun watching her reach milestones and grow and change. Thinking back on the first few months of her life and just being able to hold her and rock her to sleep makes me smile...I miss those moments. Just this past week she was drinking her bottle (holding it by herself) and she fell asleep in my arms. Of course I was thinking of the million things I needed to get done while she was napping, but I stayed right where I was and just held her in my arms. I know those days and moments are few and far between the older that she gets. I won't always get to hold her in my arms while she's sleeping. So I soaked it all in...I just sat there and starred at her and thanked God for my sweet girl.
I've been laying her down for naps in our bed since summer break started because I love to cuddle with her...she plays with my hands and my face until she finally falls asleep (sometimes this can be a 30 minute process for her to finally settle down and take a nap)...then I will lay there sometimes just looking at her...wondering how has it gone by so fast?!?...why can't she stay little for a longer amount of time. My baby...she is growing up right before my eyes.
She is becoming so independent now. She is crawling sooo good as of June 16th!! She went through all of the motions of beginning to crawl and she rocked back and forth for awhile, then she started putting it together to move one leg and then she would fall on her face...she then understood that she needed to move her arms, too. She would move a few times doing good with going through the motions then she would fall...just a few days ago (it's June 18th right now) she wasn't falling anymore...she just goes and goes and goes!
It's fun to see her reach these milestones, but then I get sad because I miss the baby that I could just hold in my arms and who needed me so much. With each stage I feel like I am relinquishing control and hold of her life...with each stage she needs me less and less. But, with each stage she also is able to show me that she loves me more and more. My heart melts when she reaches out for me to hold her or pick her up...my heart melts at the sweet sound of "mama" that she utters sometimes...my heart melts when she looks deep into my eyes and I can just hear her say "I love you"...she is my baby girl..my precious gift from God.
When Nick and I were playing in her nursery with her a few weeks ago, she had been laughing and getting excited with us and I picked her up and just randomly felt her heart beating so fast...just feeling her heart beating sent chills all over me...life...a life that God allowed me to be apart of creating...for 9 months she was living and growing inside me...it made me think about all of the doctor's visits we went to and got to hear her heartbeat...all of the Pic Collages I made that told what her BPM were from each appointment. Since I had a miscarriage before getting pregnant with Lilly...I of course held my breath every time they put the device on my stomach to detect her heartbeat...and then when I heard that heart just a going I could breathe a sigh of relief...she was alive...she was breathing...she was mine. I had Nick hold her that night in her nursery because I wanted him to feel her heart beating like I did. God is so good.
The other day when I was rocking her to sleep during one of her afternoon naps, I just started crying when she fell asleep. I was rocking her in the chair that Nick and I drove all the way to Charleston to buy. Nick had made a comment just a few days earlier that we never used the chair, so I have been making a point to rock her in it sometimes now and I am so glad I have been. It feels good to hold her and rock her and just be close to her. I will hold her as tight as I can and for as long as I can. I grab her and pull her as close as I can to me and I whisper how much I love her. I always thank God in those moments. I know that she is His and I know that I have been chosen to be her mommy on this Earth...I know what a gift she is and what a blessing it is to be her mommy...I don't take it for granted at all.
