Wrapping up 2010

I am finding less and less time and desire to blog these days but I feel the need to wrap up last year. I turned 30 the week before Christmas and for the first time I felt like I had a "hard birthday." Entering a new decade and leaving my so-called youth behind stung bad at first, but once I ripped the band-aid off I realized I'm still awesome (no, really) and the 30's are going to be the decade we raise and hopefully add to our little family and we have soooo much to look forward to. Lots of people have told me things like, "the 30's are better than the 20's" or "you really don't know what life is about until you are in your 30's" etc., etc. Anyway I am okay with it now...

We had a wonderful Christmas at home and got to see almost all of our loved ones and tried to pack as much quality time as we could into a few short days. My dad and Tammy were amazing sports to come and visit us and stay in our guest suite (toy room equipped with two twin beds). They live in Vermont and it's hard that we, and especially Lily, can't realistically see them more than one or two times a year. We love them so much and are so glad that they got to see Lily in the adorable phase she is in now.

Christmas was a blast this year, with most of the joy coming from giving Lily gifts and having her actually be excited. Our sweet girl was 21 months old on December 2nd. She continues to keep us on our toes. (Perhaps I shouldn't mention the incident where I was driving down the freeway and she completely finagled her way out of her carseat, after I unbuttoned the button to free her trapped foot, thinking the shoulder straps were enough to contain her--that was "fun!") She, aside from being a handful is so so sooo much fun. She is wilful and hilarious and sassy and energetic and sweet and brave and being her mom is pure joy!

We are much looking forward to whatever 2011 holds and we wish you all a vey very belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

"How to Make your Mom's Day" by Lily Johnson

Step 1: "Go # 2 in the tub", 9:00 a.m. (I'll spare you a picture)

Step 2: "Remove diaper during "nap" and go 'tinklepotty' all over your bed", 11:00 a.m.

Step 3: "Since diaper has duct tape now and won't budge, pour your bottle all over your only remaining clean sheet", 11:15 a.m.

Step 4: "Since Mom still thinks this nap is actually going to happen show her who's boss by taking a nice good bite out of your crib", 11:25 a.m.


All this and it's not even noon...


{I love love love this kid, but gosh she is crazy mischievious!}

"cheese!"

"yucky, Mom"

Oh no you don't!

Oh yes she did! And have I ever told you about the time I left her eating in her high chair for like 10 seconds and when I walked back in she was standing on the kitchen table, at the edge, holding my heavy centerpiece bowl in her hands? (I don't want to think about the number of ways that scenario might have gone awry)... or the time we were driving down the street going 40 or so and she figured out how to unlock the door and open it? I know, I know, it's called childlock people!! I try to stay a step ahead but sometimes the stinker gets the best of me...aaahhhh!

Halloween!

So, do you ever just feel like you dropped the ball? I feel like I have been dropping lots of balls lately...namely planning ahead for things like Halloween, and maybe more importantly taking the time and effort to actually get decent photos of my kid and of the family. I am ashamed to admit that below are the only halfway decent photos taken, and they're still pretty bad. I think I can count on one hand the number of decent photos we have of the the three of us. Um pathetic? Investing in a decent camera and then learning how to use it has been a goal of mine for a loooong time. I am just so tired of the sloooooow shutter speed and of the majority my pictures being of googly eyes and the backs of heads. Needless to say here was my attempt at Halloween this year. Lil was a cute bumble bee (bought the costume like the day before Halloween) and Chris and I just didn't get our act together this year, which I was majorly bummed about because I am a total Halloween person. Get ready for Halloween 2011 because next year we are going to rock it! Note to self: In the future please start thinking of these things sooner than October 29th or 30th)

Riding the "hosey" at Gamma and Poppy's


We are all looking at the camera!! Lily has a blank look on her face and we forgot to put her antennas on, does it still count?


I love this cute little body, even if she's not looking at the camera,and even if the light is bad...and it's blurry...

"Snow! Awesome!"

That's all Lily could say yesterday when we received the first snowfall of the year, "Snow! Awesome! Snow! Awesome! Snow! Awesome..." She was purely delighted with everything about snow: touching it, eating it, throwing it, walking in it-- and it was purely delightful to watch her discover it! It brought back such vivid memories of being a kid. I love those moments where I forget about laundry and messes and what to make for dinner and just bask in her pure innocence and joy...those moments where I get a little teary-eyed because everything comes together and I stop and remember what life is all about--sorry to get cheesy on you here. (Note to self: have more of those moments) You may be able to tell from the pictures that she did a lot of eating the snow. Someone taught her that that's what you do...(Not thrilled about that one Chris)

 

 

 

 

Lily's latest love...

...is shoes. It cracks me up to watch her line all of our shoes up and then try each pair on. And my favorite is watching her throw a tantrum when the shoes are too cumbersome to walk in and she falls over (I love the kid, but some things are just funny)

Summer Favorites

Lily has been a blast this summer. I know I always seem to mention her delightful, not to mention dramatic personality but she is just a complete crack-up and I sometimes just don't know where she gets it. She walks around ( or I chase her) and she asks the same question over and over and over and over, while pointing her finger at different things, "shat?" I listen to our conversations and laugh to myself...

"Shat?"
"That's a stop sign."
"Shat?"
"That's grass."
"shat?"
"That's a booger."
"Shat?"
" That's chapstick."
"Shat?"
"I don't know probably a tree...what are you even pointing at?"
"Shat? Shat? Shat?"
It really never ends. I love her curiosity and her courage and how determined she is to discover every inch of her surroundings. This kid is funny!