*Christmas Time
-Christmas Tree- Dec 14
-Coloring- Dec 13
*Real Food
-Soy nugget, soy yogurt, REAL cheese & Veggies
-Watermelon
*First Thanksgiving-Nov 26th
*Meaning in the world- Nov
*Halloween-Oct 31
-Pictures w/shannon
-Trick-or-Treating

She's a maaaniaac

Lily is full fledged walking. She doesn't pull up to something, and then walk. Oh no! that'd be normal.. she just stands up in the middle of the room, wherever she may be and takes off. It is very cute. Since she prefers walking now, I rarely see her crawl anymore.



She is going to be running marathons on her first birthday.

8 Months, 1 week

As of now, you are 8 months, 1 week and developmentally ready to do EVERYTHING. You have shocked your family. You are not only walking to get something you desire (i.e. toy to toy, couch to toy, etc.) but have now moved on to the "i'm going to walk now, and it's just because" and we see you take off across the room- 11 steps.

Your Aunt Lauren is one of the moms who can vouche how WEIRD and abnormal it looks for something as tiny and young as you and your cousins, Parker and Griffin are to even be standing up on your two feet without assistance. I'm sure I will experience all of the "oh my gosh how old is she!?" "oh my gosh, she is walking!?" just like Aunt Lauren, but at least when we go to her house it's not something that will FREAK her out; its her been there, done that story. Thank goodness someone understands you.

There is no secret that you are VERY interested in food. You have been stealing off lunch trays since you were 6 months. But, it's gotten more intense. During dinner you MUST have a snack or NO ONE gets a bite in without you howling "OOOOo o OOOOOOoo" at them, which is very intimidating, I might add. =P

We have finally given in to your howling and have started you on your first "real food".. Bananas. Yes, mom is going Organic (for you, at least- possibly us too). So, organic banana. You had 1/3 of it and just handled it; not surprisingly.
P.S. I think puffs are your favorite "I can do it myself food".. when you hear that jar a shakin' and those puffs a makin' noise, your little two feet just thump, and go, and thump , and move. You show excitement through your feet which is so cute when they barely stick out of the end of your feeding chair and are moving a mile a minute. That's when I can tell that i'm understanding what you need- that sheer excitement.

You are growing up little girl. Can you believe your first Halloween is almost here?

Happy FOUR!

Happy Birthday Griffin Daniel Wright
a.k.a. Fin, Pippin, "srumpy face", silly

As we all embark on the fourth year of your beautiful life, nothing and no one could ever fill our lives the way you do, in the ways you do it. You are unique and wonderful and we celebrate your life today.

With love bigger than the world for you.

Aunt Mimi

Yeah, i'm pretty behind but as time permits I will catch up.. I swear to myself. ha

But, I just HAD to write about this something.

So, yesterday I had an appointment at 7pm, but with a busy busy schedule lately, I left the house at 5:20, thinking it was at 6, only to get halfway there when I thought it would be "smart" to look at my appointment card and just MAKE SURE. Sure enough, that intuitive feeling was right, and there I was halfway to Laguna Niguel, and with about an hour or so to spare. Then ta-da my little light bulb went off- I was finally going to take myself to the new Fresh & Easy that i've been desperately hoping to find time for. All of these conversations with my sister-in-law Lauren about how wonderful it was inspired my curiosity. With some free time, and much easier shopping because Lily was at home with Jon, I set forth on my new grocery shopping adventure (which to me was a treat in all ways).
As I neared my 4th aisle, wide-eyed picking up items i've never tried before.. I heard a familiar little voice. Flabergasted, I jumped in the air, pushing my cart forward and bounced happily and gayfully to the other end of the aisle, where no other than the advertiser herself was there with my little bundles of Joy, my nephew Griffin, and my beautiful niece Parker. WHAT A SPLENDED SURPRISE!!...

As I left, my heart filled with love- I just was reminded how amazing life's timing can be, and how one thing that seemed like a drag, turned into giving me enough time to do something i've awaited and then the cherry on top: seeing my favorite little people. 1 minute earlier, later, I may have missed them around an aisle turn. I love life's perfect timing even when we don't realize it will be perfect at times.

♥

I'm a little behind, so this is a reminder to myself:

*The Fair
*Parker's Birthday
*The Santa Ana Zoo

shaaaaake & siiiiiiiip

Your first earthquake
&
your first cup of water

6 Months Today ♥

Busy is fun

I'm just checking my e-mail as I look over at my 5 month old daughter whom is teeny tiny man-handling a bucket of toys like it's nothing. Once she has dumped it all she decides it's time to eat the bucket which is about her size. She then proceeds to get up on her knees, then her flat feet, leaning all of her weight on top of it, when she tumbles completely backwards with the bucket in tow and doesn't even wince at the the abrupt fall, or the bucket hitting her smack in the head. Instead, there she goes again for the next bucket of toys.

As i'm writing this:

She has gone clear across the room and is destroying it (I thought I had a couple months until I repeatedly pick up the same toys and clean the room; over and over) WRONG.

Jon is upstairs lowering her crib one more notch.
-Now when you go to get her up from naps, she is sitting up with half of her body above the rail and i'm not ready for the "oh my gosh she fell out of the crib" moment, especially since she just proved to me what i've suspected for a couple weeks: that the next step is pulling her body up to stand and hold onto things.

p.s. Today she stole toys from an 7 1/2 month old. Poor guy.

Laughter

From Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Wisdom Through the Ages, edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky

"A Time to Laugh"

1. Laugh when people tell a joke. Otherwise you might make them feel bad.

2. Laugh when you look into a mirror. Otherwise you might feel bad.

3. Laugh when you make a mistake. If you don't, you're liable to forget how ultimately unimportant the whole thing really is, whatever it is.

4. Laugh with small children… They laugh at mashed bananas on their faces, mud in their hair, a dog nuzzling their ears, the sight of their bottoms as bare as silk. It renews your perspective. Clearly nothing is as bad as it could be.

5. Laugh at situations that are out of your control. When the best man comes to the altar without the wedding ring, laugh. When the dog jumps through the window screen at the dinner guests on your doorstep, sit down and laugh a while.

6. When you find yourself in public in mismatched shoes, laugh -- as loudly as you can. Why collapse in mortal agony? There's nothing you can do to change things right now. Besides, it is funny. Ask me; I've done it.

7. Laugh at anything pompous. At anything that needs to puff its way through life in robes and titles… Will Rogers laughed at all the public institutions of life. For instance, "You can't say civilization isn't advancing," he wrote. "In every war they kill you in a new way."

8. Finally, laugh when all your carefully laid plans get changed; when the plane is late and the restaurant is closed and the last day's screening of the movie of the year was yesterday. You're free now to do something else, to be spontaneous… to take a piece of life and treat it with outrageous abandon.

.. and i'm proud to be an American...

Oh my goodness- tomorrow is a wonderful holiday and you haven't even hit your peak years for the excitement; although it's quite exciting for me because it is another first for you. This day we will join many others in eating snow cones, face painting, going on rides, eating hamburgers & hot dogs; all waiting for the light show at night which typically is insync with patriotic music that just gives you a burst of good ol' American pride. Plus it will eventually be one of the nights you get to stay up super late and as a kid that's a fun night in itself.

We are heading up to Big Bear Lake with nanny and pop pop around 6 pm today and will stay there until Sunday, 1 pm. It's going to be a full weekend full of water, play, maybe the zoo, laughter, and good family fun. I will update with pictures upon our return.

Have a safe 4th of July everyone :)

Update

Results are in: 13 1/2 pounds, height- 25 inches

LONG & LEAN babay.

and.. guess who won the bet? Mom

I hold you everyday; I'd hope i've got a handle on this.

You're doing okay- very clingy, tired, and sore. Despite that you are still talkative, crawling, and smiling wide.

Goodnight Lily Bug

Today:

• New Doctor (Dr. Tran)- which i'm happy about because not only do I hope she is better than your last one, but also because of the fact that it is 7 minutes away (compared to 30), we dont' have to pay for parking because it's not at the hospital, and it will be easy to remember as it is my OB's name!
• 4 Month shots (you're now one month behind because we had to wait for the new insurance to go into effect) we shall catch up. I'm sorry little bug but we all have to get them.
• Rice cereal for the second day in a row that completely knocks you out into a 2 hour nap (at least). It will begin to be our routine; you're growing up.
• Find out how much you weigh. I love this one. All of us have a bet going to see who will be the closest, just for fun of course; not that it really matters or anything.

Finally, to just love you up because you don't even know what's coming. The only good part is the Tylenol, right?

♥

Zippity Do Da, Zippity Aye!

We finally embarked on the Disneyland™ journey for your first time (compliments of Papa Buzz & Lita, of course). There is no way we'd be able to afford $70 pp; or more if we wanted to park hop. I had awaited this day since I don't know when (probably since you were in utero) because it is one of my favorite places to go. Our group included: Mom, Dad, You, Papa Buzz, Lita, Auntie Erika, and your 2nd Cousins Katie & Sarah- our big group ready for some fun!

As we strolled down main place, we couldn't help but take the "normal touristy" pictures.

The real adventure began with the ride: Pirates of the Carribbean; all wondering how you would do, but there you were: locked in the baby bjorn, front of the line, in the boat, here we go- no going back. In the beginning, the ride is dark and very peaceful with very soothing sounds of a banjo and people dining rideside- so peaceful, you thought it was time to go to sleep and slowly began to close your eyes in those split seconds and nodded off; laughing we all thought it was amusing that you thought it was time for bed because the lights were out. However, it didn't last long. It took about 1 more minute for your eyes to open up giant wide because your tummy was doing something you'd never felt before- WEEEEEEEEEE! the big drop. You looked all around; wondering where all the voices, noises, and lights were coming from; what kind of dream IS this!?. Sitting, well probably standing, perked you made it through the ride- no crying, no tears, no fussy- nothing; just a mind taking in all that was new; all that you'd never experienced before.

-We continued on to The Winnie The Pooh Ride

-Ate at Pizza Port and Visted Space Mountain

-Took a tour to the tea cups and watched them go around and around

Then, we came to the carousel. This was my favorite ride as a child. There was something that always felt so free about it to me as I would go up and down and around on this beautifully lit, magical ride that played the perfect mood lifting music while atop a horse.

It was your turn to experience it.

It's just like a baby to be able to sleep completely through a 30 minute firework show; and that's just what you did; only waking once it was through, when the stillness woke you.

We ended the night with all three of us trying on hats, being silly, and just completely enjoying each others company at the happiest place on Earth.

I look forward to the days we take you and you remember your favorites, placing those memories in us to cherish with you forever, and falling asleep at the end of the nights so tired because nothing, and I mean nothing is better than wiping out from such a wonderful feeling.

♥

these legs are made for movin' and that's just what she'll do

It all began at barely 3 months when you were already rolling over. Okay we will give you that one; sort of on time but definitely impressive. So 3 1/2 months comes around and you are pulling your legs all the way up under your chest on your stomach. Okay maybe she's sort of advanced with this movement stuff. But now, at 4 months and 2 weeks, you are attempting crawling; you have mastered army crawling. We put you on one side of the room and in 10 minutes you're clear on the other side. Do we get ANY rest Lillian!? At this rate, you're going to be walking at 6 months; and yes, thats REALLY freaky.

could you please calm down child!

Every night I go to bed a little freaked out, unsure of how you will end up in the early morning hours. (by the way, you have been sleeping 11 hours every night, waking to feed only once in the middle of it!!) My fear is posted at the right. This is how, most mornings I find you in your crib. Mind you, you are in the center of the crib at the beginning of the night and when I lay you down the second time after nursing; but for some reason you always find your way to this corner where you can't breathe very well and find it either comforting or funny to make me worry ALL NIGHT!

The world is at your finger tips

Auntie Shell graduated from highschool yesterday. We are so proud of her and her choice to go to Long Beach for college. It was the last of your daddy's baby sisters to head off into the adult world. We didn't get to the actual graduation because it was at 1 pm and too HOT outside for your new skin; but we did attend dinner at a restaurant of her choice. P.S. Isn't she so pretty? We think you have her smile. Also check out G diddy in the background! ha

Lita Pictures. Later on in the night,

we all went to starbucks and you ended up falling asleep in her arms; so peacefully.

CONGRATS AUNTIE SHELL!

Palm trees, clear water, snorkeling...

Dad and I are off to a wonderful vacation in Maui, Hawaii for 7 days! You will be staying with both of your Grandma's while we are gone (i.e. Lita & Nanny- no "grandma" for you!) We are very excited for our paradise trip but know it will be hard to be away for 7 days without you. While you will not notice our absence, except maybe at our return, we will know of yours.

We hope you have a wonderful time being loved and cared for :)

A first, but not a last

You attended your first Angel's™ baseball game with us tonight. Originally we had bought our seats way in the top, but called Uncle Trevor who was attending the same game with his girlfriend, Emily; whom we eventually migrated to and watched the game with. Of course, as you showed up in your Angel™ attire, they were super excited to see you and help your dad and I through the game (which honestly, was easy).

Above:

Here is you as you neared your very first wave

Notice your Uncle Trevor's anticipation in the background.

It still amazes me how you can take 50,000 people who all come from different backgrounds, styles, opinions, thought processes and yet at this single moment in a baseball stadium they can all collect to do one unitary wave that goes all around the stadium, with most not missing a beat, and hearts in unison to create something all together. At that single moment each person is thinking the same thing, waiting for their turn to jump up and flail their arms in the air without the concern of looking weird or abnormal.

Like most junctions, you ended the night as such

SeaWORLD!!

Yesterday, Friday April 11th we woke up pretty early; had a very busy morning getting all of our things together, making sure everything we needed was in tow, slipped out the door about 30 minutes past schedule, scooped up your cousin Griffin, and headed to SeaWorld for your very first time. Periodically through this day he would amuse us with his "Conversations with a 3 year old" as his mother calls it; which we will document in here for you both.

You began the trip as you do most days, with a long nap after breakfast- which really worked out for us today because it's not a short drive. You began smiling in your sleep, when your cousin chimes in:
*Griffin: "MIMI! She'ss smiiiling in her sleep"
Mimi: "Oh, she is? Do you think she is dreaming?"
Griffin: "I donno"
Mimi: "Do you dream?", I ask him
Griffin: [slightly puzzled] "No, How DO you DO it!?"

I laugh and explain and find his innocence so wonderful; pondering whether he does and if so, maybe he just didn't know what it was, or what to call it.

The drive goes on and we hit NO traffic what so ever (so awesome) and arrive at SeaWorld!!

You're asleep when we visit the Sea Lions, which we do to pass some time before our first show ( So here is one of the other two):


By this time, you're awake and smiling as we head off to the Seamore and Clyde's Risky Rescue Show. You give out some smiles and coos but let us know it's time to eat:



Sorry about the sun!! I moved my head back after the picture, I swear!

We arrive at our next show: Shamu


Again, you're sleeping but here is Daddy and cousin Griffin enjoying the show:


and my awesome photography of the whale if I say so myself!:


However, after the show you decided to wake up for photos with Griff:


We then headed to see the polar bears, baluga whale, walrus, etc.





The loud polar bear noises towards the end made Griffin walk through just like this:


Griffin decided to push his own seat around for a while:

He proclaimed. "MIMI! Look i'm doing it all by myself!" which we assured him how awesome that was; while he hit a curb or two =P

We visited the flamingos, bat rays, eels, star fish:

(sorry babe, you were sleeping, AGAIN)

However, our next stop you were awake. Dad took Griffin to the bathroom to poop because we needed to cool off. It was SOOO hot and with you against me in your bjorn and long sleeve and pants because I didn't want you to burn; Daddy had to take this one for mom.
Later, when Dad came back he shared yet another "CONVERSATION with a 3 year old"
* While sitting on the potty, he looks up and asks "PEEZ! Why is my weiner getting bigger" with a sigh

He is a crack up.
I laughed when they returned with the story, and thought your dad did a pretty good job of explaining it "because you grow, so everything grows" Good Job Dad! I would have laughed.

It was time to feed the fish to the dolphins! We bought 6 fish, and got to interact, touch, and feed one. It was the first time i've ever felt one, and it was your first time for all of it. Cousin Griffin threw one in her mouth too!
Here is our beauty:


All in all, it was a very awesome, HOT day, but full of lasting memories for your father and I, and for Griffin (as he cannot stop talking about the eels since we made such a fuss about how weird they looked).

You both knocked out on the way home, except for when you demanded dinner in the middle of our drive home. =) Gladly, you slept like a baby from there on out.

I love you all so much; thank you for spending the day with me :)

We need a re-match!

First, HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TO DAD!

Sunday:


We went to dinner with Lita, Buzz, Darryl, Great Grandma & Grandpa, Mitch, and Michelle at Champs. It was really good and your dad enjoyed it. We made him open his snorkel set for Hawaii in the restaurant; which he was secretly embarassed about =X.

After dinner, Lita let you play at her house with the new bug floor mat & toys she got for you while we went out for a little bit. You seemed to really like it, and now you will get tons of tummy time with her:



Monday:
We all got up real early (which has become usual), and headed out for breakfast, did some boring errands, and then went to the mall after we took your pops to work. I decided to try the baby bjorn™ for the first time. The doctor said 2 months, or 10 lbs; and you finally made it to the weight requirement. At first, you were like "What! the HECK" as your cousin Griffin would explain it; but by the end your arms and legs were all limp and dangled to my pace as you slept away.


Today:
Again, you went and spent time with Lita; it's a good thing she really loves you because it helps mom out; and dad too since he got to skate today!
Tonight, you stayed with Nanny & Poppy while I treated him to Olive Garden & a game of miniature golf. We had a $20 bet and he beat me by 5 strokes. Dad decided he wanted an Angels™ hat, so I will be contributing to that on Friday I believe.

Love You both ♥

No Fair!

Today was a very hard day for me; it was your first set of shots (2 months) which included 5 shots in your legs and one oral liquid dose for Polio. While I realize that you need all of them, I just can't find my place of 100% "okay-ness" because while i'm still protecting you by vaccinating you against these diseases, I am still the one who has to just sit there and let them poke you with a needle 5 times while you look at me with screaming, tearful eyes that just don't understand.

Shots pulled me in two different directions and feelings; like i'm sure it does most moms. I found absolutely no comfort when I asked the doctor if they could be spread out; and he sadly and shortly gave me the N O conclusion; which I still don't understand.

Well, here is the proof for today =(
It began with a dose of baby Tylenol ™ (grape), which to this day has been the only other flavor you've had besides breastmilk. You made a funky face wondering what this new wonderful taste was, swallowing it with enjoyment.

Before it all:



Little did you know that "mean" nurse who just walked in would be your least favorite friend of the day; which you let her know quite quickly:

Before the shot:



AFTER =(


How can that picture NOT make you sad or feel your pain. I did. I know Dad did. As far as the nurse, I don't know how she does it everyday.

I did however ask her if it would be weird to take your picture; and she said that yesterday someone video recorded theirs; so I didn't feel so bad!

P.S. You're 9 weeks old, 10 lbs, 22 1/2 inches

I love you. I'm sorry. I guess we do this to you because we love you; it's just one of those parenthood things.

Your 1st Easter

Easter was a very full day for you.

Well, let's back it up to the Saturday evening before Easter; your first could not go without coloring eggs even if you had no idea what was going on; you would still participate.

Look at your cute egg and you!


Theres Dad making his:


You in one of your Easter dresses (Britt got this one):

"ooooo I love this dress"

Then you were mad at me:


Pooped from it all:


Now to actal Easter day, it began with sunrise breakfast at Nanny & Poppy's.
You got a basket full of goodies, but no egg hunt this year there because your cousins were elsewhere; next year :)

After that, Dad went to work and you and I headed out to Corona to visit with Dad's side of the family. Everyone was delighted to see you there. You had pictures taken with cousin Ella & a big huge Easter egg hunt, in which you picked up $11 dollars; plus some chocolate for mom. Woo hoo!
Auntie Eeka feeding you:


Cousin Jess' turn for the sleeping part:


After Corona, we met up with Dad at Great Grandma McCarty's home in Orange where all of dad's other family was including Nanny & Poppy. Lita had goodies for you that the Easter bunny brought. We have no pictures for this stop :(

Overall, it was a very busy, yet fun 1st Easter. Next year you'll be walking and need your first egg hunting basket