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).

Our 1st 1st Birthday

Ahhh..what a treat to be a mama!!!
We went to Leah's 1st birthday party today....so fun. It was a jammie party, so all the babes had on their jammies. They had snacks and played and hung out on a giant blowup mattress in honor of the jammie theme. :)
We had such a good time with my mommy friends that I met when Lilah was just about 3 months old. So...our first 1st birthday! In a few weeks we'll celebrate Clara's birthday - stay tuned for more great group baby shots! YAH!

Smiles

I don't know how you can resist her...even with blueberry pancake all over her face! There are also some shots of her snuggling with the blanket Brooke made for her back in September when she visited from NY. The blanket lives in this magazine holder next to the couch, and Lilah often times pulls it out and just rolls around on the floor, snuggling it. It's so cute, and I think she loves how soft it is. I love being at home with her....what a special gift!!!

Changing...

I cannot believe how my little baby has changed! She doesn't even look the same girl...
We love her so much and can't hardly believe in less than a month now we'll be celebrating her 1st birthday. Other parents weren't lying when they said the time goes by so quickly. Now I know why people have 5 kids (don't worry honey, I don't want 5 kids...just sayin'). :) Lance and I SO longed for the first 2-3 months to be over because it was so hard with Miss Lilah...and now I wish it would slow down some. But, we are definitely loving every minute and we think she is one of the greatest blessings we have been given.

Mama's Makin' Progress

So, I think that a lot of these things that I'm so excited about for Lilah is more excitement deep down for me...that I can let go of the worry and try out new things. The latest is taking Lilah (almost 11 months) to the gym childcare. I was very nervous (actually, I've been for days...yikes) about taking her. Mostly I worry about her throwing a fit and being sad in there, and also trying to make sure it's at the just right time that she won't be hungry while I'm at the gym. I think mostly it's me, being a spaz. Anyhow, we tried this morning after breakfast...but alas, our attempt failed after waiting for 20 minutes in the childcare room and the girl never showed. So, after her first nap we tried again. This is not because I have to get a workout in...actually, today counted as a day off. I was determined to stop putting it off and making excuses for not taking Lilah to the gym and trying it out. So, she lasted almost an hour (I did a short workout, just to test the situation) without tears or anything. I think she did just fine! Yippee!!! Check that one off the list! Next will probably be something like a shopping trip & lunch with Lilah. Scary!

Mommy's Day Out

It really was wonderful...and I think so needed for all of us mommies (and one soon-to-be-mommy). We got a good deal on a mani/pedi combo so the 5 of us got together on a Saturday to get our feet and hands massaged and painted and just chat with each other without the distractions of the kiddies. Sarah brought us all Trophy cupcakes (mmmmm...so delicious...my favorite) and we had a small cup (yep, I said cup) of champagne to celebrate our day together and Sarah's early birthday get-together. Then we went to a place in downtown Seattle for happy hour (we got there about 20 minutes before the end of happy hour and ordered nearly everything on the menu). It was so relaxing! I came home telling Lance that it's great that I've been friends with these girls for so long (some of them for now about 13 years!!!) and we won't see each other for a month or two. Then, we get together and it's been like no time has passed. We just catch up and continue on just like it's always been.

p.s. Ladies - I will probably never pay for a manicure again. I LOVED my nails after I got it done. However, from putting my hands in water and cleaning the bathroom, I had to take off my polish by Monday! BOO! My hands will from now and on be painted by your's truly at home, or stay their usual "naked" color. :)

Easter

This time last year I was VERY pregnant and actually hoping I'd be having a baby VERY soon (alas, she was a week late, so I wasn't even close). :) This year Lilah's almost one and is moving around as much if not more than she was this time last year!
Our Easter morning was busy because we gave Lilah her Easter basket (with a stuffed ducky, bubbles, a book and a toy laptop) and then I had to hurry and get ready to head to church. I volunteered with the toddlers for another service and met Lilah and Lance for the next service. Lance got a basket too - full of candy, an itunes gift card, and bunny ears. ;) Lilah really likes bubbles, although she's not too sure yet what to do with them. She just sits there while you blow them and stays stiff as a board, maybe touching and popping one. It's funny to watch.
That evening we went to Gretchen's for Easter dinner. It was really nice and Lilah was on her game. She kept everyone entertained with her smiles and snorts and showing off. And, she looked so, so cute in her polka-dotted dress! I cannot believe that she is almost a year old. I told her the other day that she really is such a big girl and it happened SO fast!