Wednesday, March 11, 2009

what a trying day

With all of the painting we are giving the new home (full, half full, empty) paint cans are EVERYWHERE. I haven't had you at the new home, or at least to wander because of this (wet walls, wet pans, brushes, etc.) are just too tempting to an expanding mind.

Today, I had you with us and the preschoolers because Nanny didn't have a spot open. So, I had no choice.

After we went to get the mail to open and read (you to tear apart and run with my ads), I literally looked away for a minute to read the Albertsons ad, when you start CRYING, and I mean crying... Great.

Come to find out, you dropped a full quart sized paint can on one of your feet. I was unsure which one as you just kept grabbing them, sobbing. Results are in, your right foot was the one injured, bleeding, and turning colors. Nanny phone call immediately as i'm walking around frantically with your injured foot in hand, your body laying in my arms, like i'm going to die if I touch the blood.

With all the years i've experienced thrown up, skinned knees, stubbed toes, everything you can imagine; it happened to MY OWN. So glad Nanny could keep me focused (run it under water and then inspect).. obviously, come on Kim. Get with it.

Still frantic, I call your dad to bring me a band-aid (when we moved in, this wasn't on the top of my list for a 1 year old's cabinet), and he did. He still thinks i'm crazy but what mom isn't! BRING ME THE BAND-AID haha

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Happy Number One, Lily Bug

Hello [First] birthday girl!
I have thought of this day for a whole year, and cannot express how whirlwinded I feel that it is actually here. I have spent 365 days learning you, playing with you, comforting you, teaching you, feeding you, sleeping with you, and falling in love with you (even more than at first sight- it WAS possible, even if I couldn't be convinced at birth that the love I had for you, would just grow).

In some ways you are still the same- tiny, needy, pretty, and happy
In some ways you are different- verbal, running, eating, entertaining, and full of this BIG personality

Some of your favorites at 1, are:
Favorite Food- Pears (but really, you will try anything we give you)
Favorite Veggie- Green Beans
Favorite Animal- cats & dogs
Favorite Toy- your music boombox
Favorite Friend- Gracie
Favorite Move- Headbang
First Word- Maaa Maaa (thank you, I did earn that I think)
Favorite Game- "wheres.... -enter what we want you to look for" Example: "Wheresssss Biiiiinkyyy!?".. and then, you literally look for it, walking around, looking around, until its found.

Throughout this year, we have become convinced that you will be involved in music at some point in your life. We understand that [most] children love songs, dancing, etc. but you take it a notch further. You will stand in front of a speaker, attached to anything (radio, tv, etc.) and crouch halfway bent over, throwing your head forward and backwards in a headbang motion. Sometimes, you even notice the music before we are even aware there is any. This awareness is brought forth only when we realize what you are doing, and it happens EVERYWHERE (grocery stores, Disneyland, parking lots (when cars pass by with music), movies, anything). You are just very aware when there is any type of music playing, anywhere you are, tired or not, you're down for the rocker moves; and if you are seated and not able to dance, your feet go a mile a minute, while your head bangs anyway. Seatbelts don't hold you back.

We have also learned that you are VERY smart. From the moment anyone met you (family, strangers, etc.), many of their first reactions were "wow, she is so alert". We had no clue what we would be in for.
Here are a few of my favorite examples.
1. We have locks on the drawers in the kitchen, so they only open about about a finger width unless you press down the latch to release the lock. Well, the kitchen bags were on the bottom drawer (with the foil, oven bags, etc.). You found out that if you put your fingers in the small slit and pulled the boxes toward the front, you could pull the bags out of the boxes (thus getting past the locks and latches that held you back). Well, we had to come up with a solution because you'd do it over and over and over and over (get the point, ALWAYS, over and over). So it was time for the ziplocs and other contents to go up a drawer, and the dish towels to come down a drawer to the previous ziploc bag drawer because theres no way you could pull the dishtowels out of the small slit, just mess with them (fine with us, less clean-up). A few days pass and we see you walk into the TV area with a bag (what the heck!?)... so we make you put it back, tell you no, you know all the normal stuff and then observe how you're doing it. Well, you've now found out that if you put all of your weight down on the drawer, the latch goes down with it and WA-LA you now have the ziploc bags that we thought we'd properly re-locked up. Sigh, and they call those "child-proof"

2. Poppy likes to play peek-a-boo with you, but it goes more like this: Poppy hides behind the cabinets in the kitchen around a turn and you so trustingly, but very cautiously go after him into the dark to find him. Well, one time after he kept "getting you", we see you go on the other side of the futon that separates the TV room from the kitchen area, and you crouch down, waiting for Poppy to come get you. Except this time, you're ready. You've not only crouched down, you have figured out that you can see exactly where he is if you watch him underneath the futon (because it doesn't sit on the floor, it sits about 4/5 inches above, allowing sight to the other side). This gave you time to run the opposite way around the futon from Poppy and creating entertainment for all watching your critical thinking at 11 months, insane.

You have learned so much in your first year, and it is truly amazing to watch your brain expand.

Smarts aside, you have this soft, sweet, "I could run to you and hug you everytime I see you" side. You melt my heart with your "maaaaaaaaaa" open mouth, plunge for mommy's lips, kisses; your need to hold hands when you're falling asleep or feel too far away from me (in your stroller, or on a drive); your little "wobble runs" for someone you love when they enter a room, even if they've only been gone 5 minutes and you've seen them all day; your sweet full arm waves at complete strangers; the way your eyes smile more than your lips do; and when your lips do smile, the sillyness of it that you still keep that binky in. Your heart is open wide for the world and you wear your love on the outside; what a strength this truly is Lily. I hope nothing ever changes this about you, that people respect your trust in them, and the love you give them.

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Your love for animals is beyond my comprehension, especially for cats and dogs. You love Sydney and Penny as much as people, in my opinion. They will be sleeping on the floor and you will waltz over with your smiling eyes and mouth, binky in tow and flop your body so gently onto theirs, throwing your arms over the other side, with your head sideways on their body, doing your love sounds as I call them. (hmmm mmmm mmmm)

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You have taught me more about myself than any book could ever try to. Everything I thought/predicted about motherhood has become so true, but you've really highlighted the things I underestimated: selflessness, energy, trust, compassion, and most importantly, unconditional love.

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I look forward to the year you actually made it to a number (for a while, you were zero years old)
Heres to your number 1 and all it will bring for next years entry.

I love you.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

*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

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

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?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

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

Tuesday, September 16, 2008




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.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

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

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

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

shaaaaake & siiiiiiiip


Your first earthquake
&
your first cup of water

6 Months Today ♥

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

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.

Monday, July 14, 2008

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.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

.. 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 :)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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?


Monday, June 23, 2008

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.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

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.


Tuesday, June 17, 2008

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!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

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!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

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 :)

Friday, April 18, 2008

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