First Sled Ride

January brought some very cold weather our way along with a few inches of snow! So Ernie bundled Lilly up in her thermals, her jacket, her hat and then the snowsuit and boots! He said it took 20 minutes to get her winterized! And because it was so cold out (the high was 10 degrees) they only enjoyed the snow for five minutes and came inside to warm up... for another 20 minutes of quality time with daddy's wardrobing efforts.

Beef-a-Roni

Lilly is a picky eater. By picky - I mean sometimes she eats and other times she doesn't. Beef a roni and yogurt have become our "go to" foods for her. I decided to be brave one night and let her feed herself! There was nothing stopping her this night!

What a mess! She went straight to the bathtub!

Hide and Seek!

Lilly really loves to play hide and seek! This is her newest efforts.

Don't worry though if you can't find her.

Honestly - even a blind person would find her!

Long Time....

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy because Lilly has been so active! Here are some missed opportunities.

1. We blocked off the front room because we were wearing a path from the family room to the den to retrieve a certain toddler. The first morning of the "blockade" caught Lilly by surprise. She had a couple of toys with her and went to her forbidden room. She saw the gate and threw the toys up in the air and screamed. Ernie just laughed, but we do not have it on video to share with you.

2. Lilly was playing in her play area in the family room one night. I could tell she was looking for something in her toybox. All of a sudden she was crying which usually means she needs help. I only wish I had my camera handy! She fell in and her feet were dangling in the air. I actually debated running to get my camera, but the nurturing side told me THAT'S JUST WRONG! so I rescued her and again have no footage to share. And I'm embarrassed to admit it - I hope it happens again!

3. Some of you keep asking if she is saying any words yet. And the answer is yes! All my patience has finally paid off and she knows sign language for "up", "bath", and "all done!" She accompanies them with some verbal efforts. We know what no means and the babysitter thinks she is saying dog also. I'm not sure about dog.

4. And as if learning to communicate is not impressive enough - she is trying to dress herself! She knows her socks and shoes go on her feet and she tries to put them on all the time. She was trying to put her socks back on one day and got frustrated with her effort. I was so proud of her for not losing her patience and showing her temper (another skill she's been honing) and impressed with her initiative. She may not be able to get that sock on her own foot, but Goose was laying on the couch minding his own business and he has feet too! Yep - she tried to put it on one of Goose's paw and nope - I didn't get the camera fast enough. I really need a camera in every room! And a proud Mama moment for Goose - he didn't even flinch when she tried to put a pink sock on him. He looked at me with those beautiful eyes and begged me silently to put her somewhere else, but he did not move and he even gave her a little kiss on the cheek.

Baby thug....

So Mickey made Lilly a hat! Lilly has lots of hats. She won't wear any of them. Mickey's hat is a little too small, but Lilly loves it! She puts it on all the time while playing.

Lilly is still wearing 9-month outfits. Weather has forced her to move into some 12-month outfits and most of those pants have to be rolled up because Lilly is "vertically challenged."

I never really know what to expect when Ernie dresses Lilly. And Lilly is really owning it this particular day. I'm sure she knows these pants fit her well! Daddy on the other hand left nothing to chance.

I'm pretty sure this picture says it all!

Welcome 2010!

We spent New Year's Eve with the Heffington's. We celebrated with Rio de Janiero which means we got to bring in 2010 at 8PM! Smart thinking... Remember our little friend, Claire? She's a lover, for sure... Lilly is still indifferent towards her.

but Claire is undeterred! She shows Lilly her newest way of showing affection with her open-mouth kisses!

Meanwhile - in the no-kissing zone, we donned our party hats!

and practiced our noise makers! Lilly never got the idea of blowing into the noise maker.

There were 15 kids there! And they were loud! Somehow, Finley managed to sleep through it all!

A Christmas Story

On Christmas Eve evening - Goose didn't really seem like himself. By Christmas morning - he was definitely not himself. Ernie had to go back to work and Lilly was up a lot Christmas night. I think she was teething so I hung out with her in her room so Ernie could get some sleep. Little did I know, Ernie was spending that time cleaning up after Goose. And just when we thought he had nothing left, Goose threw up more. I had to take him to the vet Saturday. They had to give him fluids and some drugs via injection and sent me home with an antibiotic and some anti-nausea pills for him. He spent several days here resting.

or laying here in the breakfast room resting...

Even Lilly sensed his discomfort and gave him the sweetest Eskimo kiss. And then, in a never before seen move, she actually brought him one of his toys. I did not get any of this on film though and I'm pretty sure they won't happen again. Goose is back to eating his regular food, but he's still laying around a lot. Not sure if he's completely recovered.

I guess we'll try again next year!