Finally warming up!

No, I am not referring to the weather...it is still stinkin' cold. No signs of spring here!

I am referring to Lily and her 'inanimate object' friends. Lily has always been the type who takes a good, long while to get to know you before she lets you get too close. She was like that with ME, my mom, my sister, family friends...just about everyone. Well, she has also been like that with her dolls, stuffed animals, and blankies. I practically FORCED her green blanket and doggie on her for the first 3 months we were home and then one day -POOF- she didn't want to go ANYWHERE without them. (still doesn't)

She was sent a beautiful doll from her friend Sophia (thanks again, Stef) and she didn't touch it for several weeks. Didn't even want to look at her. Now, she plays with her like they are old friends. Even named her Kim! (well, Tim -- she can't pronounce her K's ).

Then there is the "Polka Dot Guy" that Jay's grandparents gave her for Christmas. She would kind-of give him the "hairy eyeball" from a distance for awhile. Trying to figure out his story, I suppose. Then, Jay told her that the cute, yet strange, little guy had a name..."Blabla" (no joke)

Well, this changed everything for Lily. She decided that she loves "Bwa Bwa" and is often seen givin' him big squeezes!

Her bear, bunny, and flower blanket rank just after her green blankie and dog. For awhile I had to carry a HUGE beach bag with us wherever we went -- for all of her newfound "friends". I have now explained to her that her stuff will wait for her at home. Thankfully, she is OK with that.

Other than that, she has "baby" -- a beautiful Chinese baby doll that my sister gave her before she was even here with us...she has just now added her to her list of friends.

That about covers her fake friends. She has several real pals now too. Her cousins being her absolute favorites in that category. She asks to see them daily! Luckily, she sees them quite often! She might not warm up right away. She might make ya work for her love and devotion, but I think her friends (fake and real) will agree with me...she is well worth the wait!

Favorite Photo Friday -- Flashback

Last Friday was mom's turn, so yep! today it's all about me and my dad! First of all, I love this picture. I am not one of those people that remembers the little details of their childhood. I remember bits and pieces here and there, and the rest of the story I rely on old pictures to tell. I love this particular picture because of the way my dad is looking at me. As a girl, is their anyone in our lives whose attention and love we desire more than our father's? I think not. Not in my life anyway.
My relationship with my dad is so different than mine with my mom. My mom and I are obvious. We love each other loudly, if you will. We talk on the phone every day, see each other at least twice a week and we basically say whatever we are thinking or feeling and just go with it. Not so with my dad.
Now, my dad is not an emotional guy. Never been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, or be real expressive. More of a "man's man" in that area. But, my dad loves deeply -- I am convinced of this because I feel it. Not because he showers me with words of affection, but because when I need him... HE SHOWS UP. Always has.
In highschool he never missed a game or a track meet. (he was also the loudest guy in the stands). He even danced (on stage) with me when I was in dance club my Senior year..."Come to Papa". Good times -- it is all captured on video! Anyhoo,
After highschool I was busy being a rebellious twenty-something...living on my own for the first time. I remember him just showing up at my apartment, out of the blue, because he "hadn't seen me in 2 weeks" and he was wonderin how I was.
Now that I am all grown up ( I use that term loosely), he is still showing up. Last year we had a health scare with Lily. We were back and forth to the doctor's office, trying to figure out what was wrong with our little girl. It lasted about a week, and one night we drove to the emergency room because we didn't know what else to do. It was late. I was terrified and couldn't stop crying. I had no idea what was going to happen with my baby! And, who showed up?? Yup. dad did. I remember feeling overwhelmed by him at that moment. He didn't say anything much...just wanted to check and see how Lily was. But, I just wanted to cry because at that moment I knew how deep his love for me and my little girl runs.
Taking us to lunch on Sunday afternoons; watching Lily on the occasional Friday night so that Jay and I can get out alone; these are just things that my dad does, cuz he is my dad. He is a great man and I love, respect, and admire him for so many reasons, but mostly because he has always been someone I can count on to be there for me, to support me, to love me in his quiet way and I am so thankful that he just keeps showin' up.

The Greatest Giggle!

I have been hearing so much about people fighting the "Winter Blues" and the "Waiting for Baby" blues and just the "All around feeling poopy" blues, so I posted this video in hopes of bringing a smile to your face.
If this doesn't make you smile...I don't know what will!

Wild n Crazy Weekends -- Part 2

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So, you saw how I spent LAST Saturday -- partying like a fool with 4 of my favorite little cuties on earth. Well, this past Saturday we decided we needed to go see some of our other favorite people. So, Saturday morning we loaded up the car and headed to the west side of the state to see Jay's family. Apparently I don't tear myself away from my computer long enough to catch a weather report these days, because I was completely oblivious to the fact that there was a major snowstorm brewing and we were going to be driving right through it!!!! I spent a good hour of the trip praying that God would just allow us to get there in one piece. Luckily Lily was sound asleep in the backseat, so she missed her momma having a slight meltdown. We were listening to the radio where the announcers were saying things like: "Stay home where it is safe and warm. Only leave the house in extreme emergency. Road conditions are treacherous." (Oh my gosh!!) I MIGHT HAVE ripped Jay a new one for bringing his family in harm's way. But, I am almost positive I apologized once we had made it safely thru the storm.
Once we reached my in-law's house I had almost completely recovered and we ended up having the best visit ever! Lily was sooooo good. She is completely crazy about her Papa and Booma D. And she got to see her Aunt Kristen and her cousins Morgan and Macey which is always a great time. (Uncle Jason, unfortunately, was not home because he is doing us proud over in Iraq. He was missed by us all.)
What started out as a small disaster ended in complete bliss for us all. I got to sit back and relax! Gone are the days where Lily needs me in her sight at all times or she will throw a fit. She was quite content to let everyone else attend to her every need, sweet little princess! It was fun to watch...We have truly come a long way!

Wild n Crazy Weekends!

I am a totally wild n crazy girl and my weekends certainly reflect that. Hubby has started working Saturday nights (for some extra cashola) so last weekend I took Lily over to my sister's house so she and her hubby could get out ALONE for a change. So, I spent my evening with 4 children, and it was a blast. They know how to party! We danced, played game boy, played hide n seek (of course), ate popcorn, and watched a kick-butt movie (Monster's Inc.)...

Not exactly the way I spent my weekends when I was in my 20's, but I am lovin' every minute of it!

Wanna know what I did LAST NIGHT???? Come back tomorrow and see.

Favorite Photo Friday -- Flashback

Some of my blogger friends have been posting pics of when they were just wee ones, and it looked like fun to me, so for awhile my Friday favorites will be from MY childhood.
The circle of life is so fun...here I am just a babe with her mom, and now I am the mom with her babe!
This picture is one of many that are in a precious scrapbook that my mom made for me --sorry if the quality isn't the best...it is a picture of the picture in the book. (does that make sense?)
Anyway, I love this photo of my mom. She is so beautiful and so young. We made quite a pair back then, and we have a wonderful relationship that has stood the test of time. She is an outstanding mom and she has taught me so much about what love truly is. She has been there for me UNCONDITIONALLY and I am so grateful to her and the example she has set for me...thanks mom. XOXOXOXO

Lily goes to the salon!

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Well, I was in desperate need of a trim... so off to the salon I went. I have been getting my hair cut from the same wonderful girl since I was about ten and she is the best... so I decided that Lily should come with me and get her first "official" haircut. I didn't know if she would enjoy it our not, but SHE LOVED IT!!!! She was such a good girl for Jenny and we had a blast. I see Saturdays in our future filled with haircuts, manicures, and pedicures -- ooh, how fun and girlie can you get???