Here We Go Again

Well, we're attempting a night (actually TWO nights) away from home with our little princess once again. We might regret it, but most likely not...even if we don't sleep a wink.
We are seeing our good friends Shane, Kelli and their two kids Olivia and Nolan. They are the friends you see only a few times a year but it's like we see each other every weekend when we're together. We just jump right in and love and cherish our time with them. Olivia and I have been pals since she was pretty little and Nolan is such a sweetheart. Lilah will love them as much as we do. The last time she saw them was in September and even then she was so intrigued by both of the kids.
Kelli and I (and some of her friends) are running in Bloomsday on Sunday, and I'm so looking forward to it. I haven't done it in years, but it's such a fun run, with a great course.
Mostly we look forward to hanging out with them - Kelli and I will talk about our kids, fashions, running, yoga, cooking. Shane and Lance will quote movie lines, eat bad food together, and reminisce about their days working at Camwest and Lidig together and living in their old apartment. The kids will play and entertain us and we'll just eat up the special moments with all 7 of us.
We're praying for a little bit of sleep (at the very least) and a safe drive there and home. Assuming we come home...we have a love affair with Spokane that never quits. :)

The Most Unlikely Animal Sound

I think most babies first learn the sound a cow, dog, or kitty cat make. Not my daughter...and not because it's her fault, but totally because her mom taught her this sound first.
Lilah has a little stuffed monkey that lives next to her changing pad. She snuggles with it or we use it occasionally as a distraction when changing her diapers. So I always tell her that a monkey makes the sound, "ooh ooh, ahh ahh".
Now she knows when I ask, "What sound does a monkey make?". Her's is a little different than mine ("ahh, ahh") and includes a body shake for some reason (I guess that helps her get the "ahh, ahh" out).
When will she encounter a monkey and be able to make that sound to them - well, probably not until we visit the zoo. But, regardless, it's pretty cute.

Why I LOVE my job...

It's the best because I never miss a second with my baby girl. We may not have the money like many to go on vacations often, or go out to dinner every week (and Qdoba doesn't count!), or for me to shop as much as I'd like. But, I wouldn't trade this for the world...or any amount of money.
Today before we ate breakfast we went to pray like we always do before meals. I said to Lilah, "Okay, let's pray", and she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes!!!!! I tried to get her to do it for my camera and video camera, but no such luck. She did it AGAIN at lunch and AGAIN I failed miserably to get her to do it on video. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I'm going to be more prepared at dinner time with the camera rolling before we even begin our prayer and eating. ;)
Here are the "words" (I say that lightly) that Lilah is saying: mama, dada (not too exciting as most are saying these by now), hi (with a wave to the "neighbors" who usually aren't even home), hot (she thinks my coffee is called "hot"), and stinky (HA! Lance was changing her diaper the other day and she must have heard us say that word a million times because now she's trying to say it).
I really love my little family.

The NFL Draft with Daddy

Lilah and daddy watching the NFL draft together....so touching, I know. Lilah doesn't watch tv at all during the week, but on the weekends gets to watch exciting things like the Mariners, golf, football, and yes, the NFL draft.

It was a Hat Sort of Day....

and mainly because it's the cutest hat. My dear, wonderful friend Emily sent this hat to Lilah (along with a MILLION other things) for her 1st birthday since her and her family can't be here to celebrate. I couldn't hardly wait to put it on her...and luckily today was a little chilly and cloudy on our mom's walk. Here are a few shots from today and a few of our PEPS friends.
Love you Em and miss you all so, so much!! xoxo

Because She's the Cutest...

And we had to get her head tilt that she does to ALL her friends on camera! :)

A Weekend to Remember

What a great weekend for all three of us with so many "firsts" for Lilah!

Friday was Lance's dream date...with his friend Mike. They went to a "secret" show put on by the Nude Dragons (aka: Soundgarden reunited). Lance was SO very excited and had a great time eating wings and other bad, dude food and then seeing a small concert put on by Soundgarden. Mike got them tickets and Lance was thrilled that we had no plans so I could stay at home with Lilah and he could get out. I was really excited for him too and knew he would be on cloud nine (I already knew about the concert because I had seen Mike's posts on facebook).
Saturday I got to meet baby Anika (Olympia and Darren's new little baby girl) and snuggle with her a little. Then we headed over to the assisted living place where my grandma lives to celebrate her 78th birthday. She has had alzheimers now for quite a few years and seems to be going downhill, although it was nice to see her. Lilah met my cousin Melissa for the first time on Saturday, and my grandma. She loved Melissa - she would smile her cheesey, scrunched face smile at her, and tip her head (obviously a sign she likes you). It was nice to spend time with the family. Mandi got her to take 4 STEPS with Parker's phone as bribery. If I can figure out how to get the video from Lance's phone on here, I'll post it. Although, I've tried it before and was NOT successful.
Sunday we went to Lilah's first Mariners game...it was a beautiful 70 degree day here and a perfect day for a game. She did wonderfully for being so sleepy, and tried numerous times to get the young guys in front and in back of us (that had all clearly drank too much) to pay attention to her and be entertained by her tricks, but they pretty much were not interested. We had fun and she has a cute, pink Ms cap from the day (which she refused to keep on her head).