Category Archives: lily

ramblings of a mama …

Just some mom stuff that I want to hold on to … I understand if you don’t make it through until the end!

Really, I had no idea parenting could be so incredibly rewarding! Up until around 5 months was a serious adjustment period for me. After that, as each month passed, I swore it would be the best. Almost 2 years later, that trend has continued and I’m still saying the same! The best just keeps on coming.

I’ll share a picture of Kitty soon. I hadn’t realized just how much personality he had until today, but he’s as much a part of our family as we are! He’ll jump on your head and refuse to get down. He’ll tuck himself under the covers and go ‘ni-nite.’ He even eats off your dinner plate! My favorite is when he licks my face. Okay, you may have guessed it – Kitty is Lil’s most favorite stuffed friend! Did I trick you?!

Under the old oak ... With Kitty comes Tags. Instead, I should really say with Tags comes Kitty. Tags is Lil’s blanket. It’s a Taggies, and thankfully it’s not the specific blanket itself, but the concept of the blanket with tags that she’s so attached to. We were able to successfully introduce a second Tags in a different print for Lily’s birthday, so no worries if the original Tags needs a ‘bath.’

I got a good laugh twice tonight over donuts. I think I’ve mentioned it here before – I am 100% obsessed with Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee. I’m not even going to try to hide it anymore – it’s true. Well, I go there so often that Lil now knows the location. I picked her up this evening and had to pick up the dry cleaning on our way home. At the traffic circle by the Dunkin’ Donuts, she started laughing, put her hand up to her mouth, and giggled, ‘Donuts?’ OMG. So we went home and headed out again. Truthfully, we were headed to Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up coffee beans (And no, I did not get an iced coffee! Talk about willpower!). About a mile from the house (and maybe 3 miles from Dunkin’ Donuts), she asks as we make the first of 5 turns to the store, ‘Donuts?’ I’ve created a monster.

She hates wearing her bike helmet. We went to the park tonight and took her bike for the first time. I don’t think she actually needs a helmet as it’s a tricycle, but I want to start the habit now so we don’t have to fight her later. I’m beginning to question that decision, though I know it will take a lot for me to change my mind. The Mr. even stood behind me on this one, taking her off the bike when she removed her helmet. We’ll see how things progress – I wonder if she’ll get used to it?

Buses are the coolest thing. She knows where they are on our way to and from places, and she points every one of them out. If it’s not there, she asks, ‘Where bus? Where go?’ And when they are there, she shouts, ‘Bus!’ and then proceeds to tell the bus ‘Bye bye, bus!’ as we drive away. I love it. She also likes to point out trucks (large pickups and tractor trailers), tractors (Yep, they’re often road vehicles around here.), and the ‘choo-choo.’ Same rules apply to the train – almost every morning, I hear her say as we pass over the railroad tracks, ‘Where choo-choo? Where go?’ Melt my heart.

I guess that’s about it. If you’ve lasted this long, two thumbs up. And if you didn’t, well, you wouldn’t be reading this anyway, but I’d tell you that it’s okay – it’s my mom (Er, she calls me ‘mama.’) moment, so I don’t expect you to be interested. No worries!

Before I go, I’ll share a quote I ‘borrowed’ from a friend’s FB status today – seems to fit life as it stands right now:

“When you stress out about the little things, you miss out on the best things.”

Cheers!

to my girl …

I get so sentimental when this day comes around each year. Granted, this is only the second (Or third, depending on how you look at it.) time we’ve been here, but both times have been full of such joy that I really feel my heart could explode at any second. I fight back the tears of joy throughout the day – tears that come from memories of that day.

I think about that day two years ago and try to remember what I was doing at that very moment. I have a rough timeline in my mind, and I know for SURE what I was doing at 2:00pm on Monday, May 11, 2009.

Holding our beautiful, brand new baby girl.

Happy birthday, Lily Rose. I’ll never be able to express, through words or actions, just how much you mean to me. Sometimes looking at you takes my breath away. You’re beautiful, with an amazing spirit. Your joy and laughter make me smile, and the sound of your voice reminds me of just how much you mean to me.

May you have a life full of happy days. When bad things come your way, I hope you have the confidence in yourself to tackle them head on, letting the things that don’t really matter roll right off your shoulders.

And I hope the strong connection you have with your dada lasts a lifetime. You’re truly a daddy’s girl if I’ve ever seen one. Does it make me sad sometimes that you don’t want to sit with me and fall asleep? Sure, but I know dada loves you as much as I do, so I manage. I know you love me, so I don’t worry.

I love you, sweetheart, and I’ll always be here for you. Thank you for showing me what love truly is – it’s because of you that I’m more patient, more kind, and more understanding. You make my days sunny and my spirit bright.

Happy birthday to you, my sweet Lily Rose!

another mom moment.

I had another mom moment this morning when I reached into my purse to grab my keys … and found other surprises left by Lily! These are the moments that make me smile – being a parent is so amazing!

Mom moment.

little reminders.

Update – 05.11.2011:

So the weather has improved slightly for Saturday, and the map looks a wee-bit better. We’re now looking at a 30% chance of rain instead of the 60% from yesterday’s forecast! Hey Mother Nature, let’s keep it going in the right direction, please!!!

(I also finished my tablecloths last night and would really, really love to be able to use them!)

saturday_weather_wed

Original post – 05.10.2011:

Sometimes life’s little reminders come at a time when you need them most.

So we’re having our daughter’s 2nd birthday party this weekend. For those of you who know me, it won’t come as any surprise when I say that I started planning this thing over 2 months ago. Yep, it was early March when I started really thinking about it. (Confession … I just looked, and the first email I sent to my husband about it was on 2/14/11. Yeah, that’s 3 months ago!) Given that last year’s 1st birthday party was almost perfect in my opinion (My mom was ridiculously sick and couldn’t make it – that was the big bummer.), I was all set to make sure this year’s would be just as great. Life was wonderful until …

… I looked at the weather forecast.

I’ve been watching it for the past week, and up until yesterday, there was a 40% chance of rain on Saturday. My aunt was telling me to stay positive, and I was following her advice.

Until I looked this morning and saw that our 40% had increased to 60%. And it didn’t help when I looked at this map from The Weather Channel:

saturday_weather

No, there’s no escaping this storm. Waaah! Yep, I’m a little bit upset. I know it is what it is, but honestly, I’m so totally disappointed. Months of planning this outdoor event, only for us to be forced indoors. Ugh.

Reminder So back to this reminder. Just minutes ago, I opened my drawer at work to grab a fruit strip and something yellow caught my eye – it’s a round, yellow magnet about 1″ in diameter – something someone who resided here before had left behind. It’s cracked in several places, but its flaws don’t bother me. Why not?

It’s a reminder.

Everything will be fine. Sure, it’s absolutely going to rain on Saturday, but what can I do about it? Lil’s party won’t be exactly as I planned. So what? The rain is just like one of those cracks in my little yellow magnet. Is there, but it doesn’t really matter. Our friends and family will be with us to celebrate a fabulous little girl, and that’s all we really need.

Sure, we’ll be packed in our house like sardines. I’ll get over it, and it might just end up being more fun!

little feet.

Here’s my confession.

I.
Hate.
Feet.

I’ll leave it at that. However, there’s just something about little feet that melt my heart. I know, it makes no sense. These little feet have been cruising for about 9 months now, and oh how I love to watch them go.

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already?

I know. I know. I could be considered insane, for sure. Our daughter’s birthday isn’t until mid-May, and I’ve already started planning. I’ve made lists, ordered a few party supplies, kicked off the design of her invitation, brainstormed on a theme, and started looking for a bakery for her cake.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I don’t ever want her special day to be something I threw together on a whim. Then again, how early is too early to start planning something as ordinary as a 2-year-old’s birthday party? I swear I don’t have too much time on my hands, but my mind is always going. On overdrive.

Okay, I’ll admit it. It’s crazy.

cheese!

I had my tripod out this past weekend. Lily was walking around the tripod, turning every knob she could find and having a great time. It was pretty funny to see her so engaged with something that’s so basic to me, so I sat down to observe. As she’s turning and swiveling, she looks up at me and says, ‘Cheese!’

Seriously? I have never, ever told her to say ‘cheese’ while taking a picture. I don’t tell anyone to say ‘cheese;’ it’s just not my style.

I really don’t know where she gets this stuff from! Someone along the way must have told her to say ‘cheese,’ though I can’t figure out who. I’m pretty sure she made the association herself between ‘cheese’ going with the camera, and the camera going with the tripod. I’m blown away – the mind is such an amazing thing, and to watch it grow and develop is a gift.

I love this life.

so many new words.

I don’t want to forget these things. Seems like there’s at least one or two new words every day. I love watching her learn; teaching her something new and observing as the understanding takes place. The best is when we actually get to witness the light bulb come on – when things become crystal clear for her.

Here are some new words …

  • ‘juish’ (juice)
  • Shrek
  • shoe
  • sock
  • brush teeth
  • ny-night
  • balloon
  • up
  • down
  • ‘uv you’ (love you)
  • like
  • ‘ten-key’ (stinky)
  • ‘core’ (color)
  • ‘nack’ (snack)

… to add to the old words …

  • milk
  • cheese
  • ‘ma pa’ (paci)
  • ‘ma ba bu’ (my baby)
  • ‘ou’ (where)
  • done
  • hi
  • ‘Bran-pa’ (Grandpa)
  • ‘Bran-ma’ (Grandma)
  • airplane
  • choo-choo
  • ‘iss’ (kiss)
  • bye bye
  • ‘shesh you’ (bless you)
  • ‘da du’ (thank you)
  • ‘oon’ (moon)
  • bird
  • ‘gee’ (geese)
  • cow & mooo
  • ‘shish’ (fish)
  • woof woof (both describing the dog and the noise they make)
  • Huck (our dog’s name)
  • sit (She loves to shout ‘Huck, sit!’)
  • ‘ibby’ (Libby, Brum Brum & grandpa’s dog)
  • ‘key key’ (kitty kitty) & mow (meow)
  • ‘ba pak, ba pak’ (‘Backpack, Backpack’ from Dora the Explorer)
  • Awww!
  • ‘ket’ (jacket) & hat
  • ‘side’ (outside)

I know I’m forgetting lots of them, but that’s okay.

bye bye.

I dropped Lily of at day care this morning. I normally spend 15 minutes or so catching up with the sitter (a family friend), giving Lily her breakfast, and chatting with the two school-aged boys that are there a few days a week. When I’m getting ready to leave, out of habit I typically say something like, “Okay, Peanut” or “Alrighty.” This morning, I think I said, “Alrighty,” and immediately after I did, Lily turned around and said, “Bye bye” as she waved. My heart immediately melted. Sure, she’s said it before. This time, I think it was the way she said it. She was sitting on the floor playing with blocks, and for some reason it just felt different than every time before. She seemed more grown up. More like a little girl and less like a baby.

I don’t want to blink – I’m afraid I’ll miss everything.

box.

I was giving Lily a bath tonight when I heard Justin come down the steps. He had a box in his hands, and I asked,

M: “Whatcha doin?”
J: “Emptying this box.”
M: “For what?”
J: “Trash.”
M: “Oh. I see.”

Satisfied, I turned back to Lily, who had been playing in the tub. Now I know Lily heard us, and yes, I know she couldn’t have understood and chimed in. But I’m telling you, this is exactly what it sounded like she said. It was hilarious!

L: “What’s he doin’?”
M: “Emptying the box.”
L: “What box?”
M: “The box from upstairs.”
L: “Oh.”

She then promptly went back to playing – like her questions had been answered and she, too, was satisfied. When she spoke, I gave an answer that seemed to match what it sounded like she was saying. It’s how we roll around here – it just doesn’t always make as much sense as it did tonight!