11 Months

Lily was 11 months old yesterday.  One month away from being a year old.  It doesn't seem possible!

It's pretty much impossible to get a good picture of this little girl.  She thinks she needs to crawl OFF of the couch, pull her sister's hair, or look at the tv instead of the camera.

 

Big sister thought it was funny to climb on Lily's quilt when I got it out.  She knew exactly what time it was and didn't want Lily to sit on it!

It seems like she's changed so much over the last month or so.  She was never a cuddler, but she's started giving kisses and little hugs, and I like it!!!  Ainsley was the complete opposite, and always wanted to snuggle.  I don't think I'll ever forget Ainsley's snuggles, because they included a big, hard helmet with them, and weren't very comfortable.  Lily's are a lot softer!

Lily's getting closer to walking, but still has a ways to go.  She can go from one side of the couch to the other in no time if there's something she really wants.  I've seen her go from one piece of furniture to another without actually holding on with both hands in the last week, so she's getting braver.  She refuses to try to walk while holding our hands or behind a walker, and I'm not pushing it. 

I've tried introducing whole milk to her in a sippy cup, but she seems to only want a sippy cup that is Ainsley's.  She didn't care for the cold milk, either. 

She had ice cream for the first time at Placke's last week, and loved it!

She still has 4 teeth, and we call her our little fang-toothed girl.  Joel says she looks like a hockey player because she's missing the top front two teeth. 

It was past bedtime and she just wanted to play!

I love the way her little curls peek out from behind her ears.  Her hair is staying the same color, which has a very reddish tint.  If she's in the sun light, it's even more red.  Her eyes are almost a dark hazel, but tend to change colors based on what she's wearing. 

Her favorite word is still "mama", but she's said "dada" a few times.  She mainly just squeals, grunts, and blows raspberries.

Her favorite food is probably blueberries.  She can eat as many as Ainsley! 

She figured out how to wave bye-bye and clap a few weeks ago.  She also loves playing peek-a-boo.  That's another word I forgot about.  She says "boo" in addition to "mama" and "dada".  If you ask where Lily is, she'll cover her ears (instead of her eyes) with her hands and get a big grin on her face.  When she takes her hands off her ears, I'll say "peek-a-boo" and she'll grin and then say "Boo!"

She also loves watching herself in the mirror!

I've been able to take her outside a few times over the last few weeks, and she loves being outside.  We've went for a few walks, and she takes everything in.  Her head doesn't hold still for a minute.  It darts back and forth in all directions looking at everything. 

I love that little face!!!!

Lily is definitely a Mommy's girl, and she can usually be found at my feet pulling at my pant leg to pick her up.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to miss those pant leg tugs in a few years.  I think Daddy gets a little jealous sometimes, and I'll annunciate the word sometimes.  We sure do love our little ginger baby!

Enjoying

We've been pretty busy, but that's okay.  It's so much fun to watch the girls have fun with each other and explore.

There are so many things that I keep saying I'll get caught up on, but they don't move from my to-do list.  Rocking my girls, reading just one more book, and crawling around on the floor chasing them while they giggle is much more fun.  Hence, why my house constantly looks like a bomb went off inside it.

She loves playing Matching

I love hearing Ainsley tell Lily:  "I missed you today.  I love you sooooo much!"  That's usually followed by a big kiss and hug, which ends up with Lily crying and smacking at Ainsley because she wants her space.  I love watching Lily watch Ainsley.  She watches every little thing Ainsley does very intently and doesn't make a sound.  You can sure see the wheels turning though in her little head. 

I walked in one morning to find Ainsley playing with Lily's hair

Bubble beards!

Ainsley was reading the book to Lily

We visited the chicks at Bucheit one evening.  Ainsley loved looking at them, but she was quick to tell me how bad they smelled!  Lily was scared of one of the roosters and would jump in the cart every time it moved.

They stink, Mommy!

My friend "Hadwee"

Ainsley talks about her "friends" all the time.  Her friends at music class, Will, Madilynn, Hannah, and then there's "Hadwee".  When she's talking about them, she usually refers to them as:  "my friend" and then their name.  It's cute!  Lou and Alaina brought the kids over one afternoon, and Ainsley and Hadlee had a great time playing.

Hadlee's been wearing her hair in pigtails, and I'll mention it to Ainsley while Hadlee's here.  Ainsley has refused to let me put her hair in a pony tail, but one morning shortly after Hadlee was here, Ainsley requested pony tails like "Hadwee".  How could I tell her no?  I couldn't find the pony tail holders fast enough!

After I put her hair in the pigtails, she ran into the bathroom and just stood in front of the mirror looking at herself smiling.  I walked in and she was smiling saying: "pony tails like Hadwee".  She's requested them a few times since.  I'm so glad she's finally getting out of her stubborn ways.  If only I could get her out of her rut when it comes to eating and food.....

Ainsley loves when kids come over to the house to play.  She's always requesting for Lani and Drake to come over, or to go to Lani or Drake's house.  Jennifer, Ashton, and Drake came over one afternoon and Ainsley had a blast drawing and coloring with Drake. 

Drake drew this picture for Joel.  He's quite the little artist!

A Princess Party!

Madilynn had a princess themed 4th birthday party, and as soon as we got the invitation, Ainsley said she wanted to wear her Cinderella dress to the party.  She's been waiting a few months for this party, and was so excited to see Madie!  She got dressed in her outfit and tiara and was ready to go.

Madilynn looked so pretty, and was excited to see her friend Ainsley.  (Ainsley's new found love of the camera is cracking me up.  She squints her eyes and gives the cheesiest smile when you ask to take her picture!)

Joel and I just sat back and laughed at Madilynn and Ainsley.  Madilynn took Ainsley right in and back to her room to get her some lip gloss, shoes, and necklace. 

The girls tried putting the tiara on the princess and kissing the frog.  It was cute to watch.  Madilynn's Grandpa Mark even tried kissing the frog, but wouldn't do it with lipstick!

Little Miss Hannah was there too!  (Lily was too, but I didn't get any good pictures of her!)

Callie always decorates so cute for the parties, and the cake was adorable! We sang Happy Birthday a few times to Madie and she blew out her candles a couple of times.

I'm so glad my friends have girls around the same age as Ainsley and Lily, so they can grow up together!

Taking a little nap while Puttin

The annual Puttin Round the Block was in late February.  We dropped the girls off at Mom and Mark's and headed to Greenfield.  Ainsley was happy to see that Rowdy was at Grandma Shelly's when she got there! 

We met Lou and Alaina for some lunch before the festivities started.  

It was also National Margarita Day, so I had to break out the Straw-ber-itas!  Joel thought I needed the extra large ones, so that's what I had to work with.

It was Alaina's first outing since Holden arrived, and we were both ready for a few beverages.  The guys knew this already and were prepared!

I ended up running out of alcohol...that's what happens when you let your husband pack the cooler and end up drinking it all.  Whoops!  I was beyond tired, and everyone else was still drinking.  I needed a little nap, so took one in the truck.  Of course, Alaina thought it was hilarious to post the picture on Facebook saying I passed out.  My phone was dead, so I didn't even see it until the next morning!  So, it just goes to show that you can't always believe everything you see on Facebook!  I was the only sober one at the end of the night, but that just meant I was the one that felt the best the next day! 

Me "passed out", aka taking a nap.  Alaina's eyes give her away...she'd had WAY too much to drink!

End of the night

I'll get her back one of these days, but until then, I hope everyone got a good laugh out of the picture!

We all had a great time, as usual.  I'm sure glad it only happens once a year, though.  I'm getting too old for these all day events!