At the park

Fever

Lily,

Yesterday I got a call from your school saying you have a fever. You had a fever of 100.8 and just weren't your normal happy self. I'm hoping it's just from these teeth that are about to break through the gum. We are all ready for these teeth to go ahead and make their appearance. Today I stayed home from work to take care of you. You are still a little tired and don't feel like playing much. You have recently shown much interest in Sesame Street. You are pretty happy relaxing and watching Elmo.

I realized I never updated your 12 months stats from your doctor visit. Here they are:

Weight: 21.7 lbs (57% of growth percentile)

Height: 2 ft. 6 in. (78% of growth percentile)

Head circumference: 17.7 in. (50% of growth percentile)

I guess that means you are tall and your weight is leveling out. When we went to the doctor they looked in your ear and discovered you had an ear infection. This explains your crabbiness several weeks ago.

You are starting to find humor in things. I said Bowie's name in a funny way yesterday and you laughed and laughed. Anytime Mommy or Daddy finish singing you a song you clap for us (even when I think I had successfully sung you to sleep). You have developed a strong attachment to 2 blankets and like to drag them around the house. You are so close to walking. Yesterday you stood up without holding on to anything! You consistently say "Bow" for "Bowie" and "Sca" for "Scout." You are starting to imitate words and sounds. As of lately you are much more of a toddler than a baby. That transition was fast.

Hope you feel better soon!

Love,

Mama

Zoo

Had a great time with Evelyn and Christina at the zoo today!

1st Birthday Party

(Long post with lots of pictures)

This weekend was your 1st Birthday Party! We had some friends over and Grandma Mandy and Uncle Cristoph flew in from Texas to celebrate with us. Grandma brought this chair all this way on the plane and you love rocking on it. Nonna sent you your pretty party dress and you couldn't help but strike a few poses.

This one's going up on the wall.

Laughing with Grandma Mandy

Playing with your friend, Eli.

Mommy made your cake from scratch and it was soooooo tasty.

Other than the two bites of cupcake you had on your actual birthday, this was your first bite of cake.

I think you're going to be a good mommy some day because you love rocking your baby in your rocking chair.

Fortunately for Mommy and me, you received an abundance of books for your birthday. Good thing, too, because if I had to read Moo, Baa, La La La, Goodnight Moon, or Brown Bear one more time, I would have gone mad.

Work it, girl!

The day after your party we decided to head into the city and have some fun.

Though I'm excited that Uncle Cristoph is getting into soccer, I am puzzled as to why he picked Chelsea as his team instead of Liverpool. Perplexing, right?

That's my girl! You throw that Manchester United merchandise on the floor!

You have developed quite a fondness for swings lately and you could sit in one all day.

Faster, faster!

You were so mesmerized by this fountain that we had to pry your fingers away from the bars when it was time to go.

You are very cautious and deliberate when it comes to new experiences. You like to figure something out before you jump into it, unlike most kids who go blindly stumbling into misadventures. This carousel was no exception. Though you had ridden one once before, enough time had elapsed between then and now that this counted as a new thing. As with the fountain, you weren't ready to leave when the music stopped and the horses settled. Again, we had to pry your fingers away from the bar. I'll take you again soon.

Grandma Mandy and Uncle Cristoph taking their chances in random-water-squirting-fountain. Risky.

Reservoir Dogs, perhaps?

Lily, I can't believe that your first year has passed so quickly. I feel like I've known you forever and I can't remember what life was like before you joined us. We love you with every fiber of our being and are blessed to have you as our daughter.

Love,

Dad

LOLing With Your BFFs

OMG! did u c sesame st tday? POS. TTYL!

Birthday Blues 2

Dad

Birthday Blues

It's the day before your birthday party and you're not feeling so
well. I know this because while playing with your laptop you very
sloooowly laid your head down on the keyboard and rested for a little
bit. Get your strength up! Tomorrow's a big day!

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Dear Lily,

Today is your first birthday!! I can't believe it's already been a year. I can't remember life without you. You are doing so much now. You are getting close to walking. You have mastered walking by holding onto furniture but you just will not let go. You don't like standing by yourself without holding on to anything. You are trying to talk. You consistently point to Bowie and say "Bow." You say "Mama" and "Dada" but you rarely say it on your own. Anytime you see a clock you say "ta ta ta" for tic-toc. You use "boo" for balloon and say "buh" when I undo the buckle in your car seat. You shake your head for yes and no. You have to use her whole body to shake your head for yes. It's pretty funny. You love to give us and your bears hugs and kisses.

You are now mostly eating whatever we eat. You like just about everything now. Cheese is still your favorite. We are having a party for you this weekend. I will post more then. Here is a video of a new trick you learned today.

Happy birthday Lily. We love you so much. Thanks for the best year ever!

Love,

Mama

First Philadelphia Union Home Game

Yesterday was the first ever Philadelphia Union soccer home game. Daddy was so excited for this day. He couldn't wait to have his three favorite things all together (you, Mommy, and soccer). We had a long day planned which included tailgating before the game. We weren't sure you would be able to handle all the noise and festivities, but you were a champ! Best baby ever! We are learning that it takes you about 30 minutes to an hour to warm up to a new environment. This held true for tailgating. Initially you wouldn't leave my arms, but after a little warming up you were hamming it up for everyone.

Here we are saying "Cheers!":

You had fun holding on to the chairs when we got to our seats. I turned around for a second and you started crawling fast down the aisle. This was shocking to me since you are never that daring. You usually never touch dirty floors either. I've got my eye on you now.

We finally sat down. Here you are with Daddy.

You enjoyed all the sights and sound of the whole game. You were even happy after bed time came and went. The Union won the game and fireworks went off. Here you are staring at the fireworks:

A family photo taken just after the game. Your eyes are looking out for more fireworks:

It was a great day. Since Daddy bought season tickets we will have many more days like this (so it's a good thing you had fun too). Daddy and I kept telling ourselves that we have the best baby ever. Thanks for being awesome.

Love,

Mama

Happy Easter!

Dear Lily,

Today was your first Easter! We have been very busy the past few days. Yesterday we had an Easter Egg hunt in the house. You were VERY skeptical of all the eggs in the house.

With a little help we were able to get all your eggs in the basket. You have been doing a lot funny things lately. You love to give us hugs and kisses. The other day you accidently poked my eye and I yelled "ouch!" You were so upset that you hurt me that you cried and cried. You are very very sweet. You have also started fake coughing. Here is a video of that:

Here you are blowing kisses in your Easter dress.

And here you are looking super cute:

We had a wonderful Easter weekend by going to the playground, helping Mommy and Daddy plant flowers in the yard, going on an Easter egg hunt, and having brunch with Mike, Julie, Merideth, and Bryce in the city.

Love,

Mommy

Bottoms Up!

Are you talkin' to me?