We've Moved!!!

We have two kids now but still one blog! Instead of this site, please visit Lily and Rio's blog by following the link. Thanks for reading!

Dear Lily

Dear Lily,

Your little brother is due to arrive any day now. Right now we are a beautiful family of three. You are the center of our world. You bring laughter into this house every single day. You talk about the new baby’s arrival on a daily basis. You say good morning to my tummy and talk about all the fun you will have with your brother. You talk to me about taking him on walks, changing his diaper, and showing him your toys. I think you will be a wonderful big sister. Although you know he is coming soon, I’m not sure you understand what that really means. It means that Mommy and Daddy will have to give attention to you and your brother. It might take some time before you adjust to this change, but I know you will be fine.

I have been a little worried about how you will feel. I don’t ever want you to feel rejected or less special. In time, I know you will understand that we are giving you the greatest gift that we can...a sibling. I hope you and your brother build a friendship and a relationship that can only be understood by having a sibling.

I have been treasuring every last few moments of our family of three. The truth is, you will never remember the first two beautiful years of your life when it was just the three of us. I can’t even remember what life was like before you. When you read this someday, I want you know that this has been the most special time of my life. You have taught me how to mother, you have taught me how to let go, and you have taught me about how much love is in this world. Mommy and Daddy have a lot of love to give. You will always be special to us. I am excited to imagine all the love we all have to give to each other.

Love,
Mommy

Trains? You want to play with trains? Finally!

Dear Lily,

So, for the past two years I have patiently and lovingly endured tea parties, princess fairies, pretend cooking and make-believe makeup. Despite my attempts over the years to slyly introduce a basketball or toy car, none of the toys I grew up playing with ever caught your attention.

...

And that's okay. You like to play with the things you like to play with. And yes, trying to get you play with these things was out of my own self interest because every once in a while I would like to do something other than check your stuffed Elmo's blood pressure and heartbeat and have a play picnic afterwards.

...

You can imagine my delight when a few days ago you suggested we play with trains. Yes, trains! I love trains! I remembered back to all the fun I had as a kid with the train sets that my dad got for me. We pulled out the trains, laid the tracks, and off we went taking turns zooming the trains back and forth. But then tragedy struck - one of the trains derailed. Train play was over.

...

You sprung into action, scooped up the train in your hands and said, "It's gonna be okay, train," as you rocked it back and forth and patted it on the back. You laid it down to rest and covered it with a pretend blanket. Sensing the concern the other trains must have felt you empathetically comforted them too, reassuring them that all was well.

...

With the train fully recovered, and the other trains settled down, you wanted to put the trains to bed since it was also your bed time. We disassembled the tracks, put the trains to sleep and called it a day. We were able to get some of this on video.

...

...

Though it was short lived, thank you for indulging me and playing with something with wheels for a change. I love you exactly how you are and I'll go pretend grocery shopping with you any day.

...

Love,

Dad

Water Play

Water play in Xander's yard:

Farmer's Market

Enjoying music at the farmer's market:

Strawberry Picking

We went to Linvilla Orchards to pick strawberries. Who knew toddlers would be such good fruit pickers. I think it helps that you are so close to the ground. You and Xander could probably find work as strawberry pickers, except for every one you picked you ate one. We also took a hayride and saw farm animals. It was a great day!

You thought Mommy looked like a strawberry in this picture:

Impromptu Song

We went to a cool little zoo in Cape May while at the beach. You ran into this gazebo and decided it was a perfect place for a little song and dance:

Beach Vacation 2011

Dear Lily,

We recently took you on your second trip to Ocean City, New Jersey (the last time we were there you were about 16 months old). It was a little early in the season to be visiting the beach but since your baby brother is scheduled to arrive in about a month, we had no choice but to go a little early. You didn't seem to mind the cool beach weather at all. We rented a beach house with Xander and his parents. We got some much needed rest and relaxation. You were enthralled by the ocean. Sometimes you would go out on the deck, sit in a chair, and just stare at the ocean.

You had no interest in putting your feet in the water (which was probably a good idea since it was super cold). You were hesitant to walk around on the sand because of those big waves coming toward you.

You were very happy to watch Mommy stand in the waves as long as I was holding you tight.

We set you up on a beach towel where you seemed most comfortable. You liked playing in the sand except you didn't want to get too sandy. Once again, you are just like Daddy.

Pointing at something on the beach:

You and Xander loved running around the deck. This was early one morning when you were running around in pajamas. You put your blanket around you and declared you were a princess!

We spent the morning at the boardwalk. You enjoyed the nickel arcades. You are still talking about that Clifford ride!

Whose doing the driving here?

We went back to the same arcade we went to the year before. Here you are now:

And you here you were last year.

Kid sized skee ball:

Mommy sized skee ball. Mommy LOVES a good game of skee ball!

We celebrated Xander's birthday while we were at the beach. He decided to eat his birthday cake without any hands. You thought that was funny:

The last day at the shore we drove over to Atlantic City for lunch. We had to walk through a casino to get the restaurant. You were begging us to put $5 on red 2 but we told you that you are too young to gamble.

We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Every 15 minutes all the rainforest animals come to life and the lights flash. I was worried you would be frightened but you were not scared at all.

What a wonderful vacation. We can't wait take you again!

Love,

Mom

Soccer Game

You went to your first Union game of the season. As usual, we tailgated before the game. You played this tailgating game for at least an hour. We won't mention where you were throwing that ball.

Watching the game:

You ate an piece of pizza all by yourself:

Easter 2011

We spent Easter at Xander's house this year. Xander's Dad designed an Easter egg hunt that involved limericks and a big surprise Easter basket which you found in the freezer at the end. You loved it! Grandma sent cascarones that you weren't too sure about this year. We found confetti everywhere for the next few days. Maybe you will think they are more fun next year. We didn't do a very good job of taking pictures, but a great time was had by all!

Down The Shore

Pretend picnic at Please Touch Museum

Party Horn

Happy Birthday

Update: 2 Years

Dear Lily,

It doesn't seem possible that you are two years old now!! Right before you were born two years ago I wondered what you would be like. Today, you are your own little person with original thoughts and funny things to say. You make us laugh EVERY SINGLE DAY. Your way with words and creativity make you who you are right now.

Recently I told you to the leave the door ajar and after explaining what ajar means you said, "No Mommy, a jar is for cookies." That is funny. You are very sensitive to sound and frequently ask me "what's that?" when you hear a noise. When we were at the playground you asked "what's that?" I told you it's an airplane (which I'm pretty sure you already knew). Then you said it wasn't an airplane it was "robots flying like a bird."

You have quite an imagination. Sometimes I can't keep up. Many times throughout the day you will announce what you are. Like, "I am a mouse," "I am a lion," "I am a doggie," I am Clifford," "I am Dora," " I am a baby." It's endless really. You frequently say this to me, "I am a baby. Mommy say baby you're so cute." You use correct pronouns and grammar. You have started to use words like: maybe, first, right now, like, can, can't, not, not right. And long words like: recycling, handrail, escalator, umbrella (and so many more that I wish I had written down).

You have so many toys that you play with from time to time, but you are mostly entertained by the most simple objects. You played with an Altoid can and battery for hours the other day. You said the Altoid can was a camera and you went around the house taking pretend pictures. Oh, and the battery was medicine. Speaking of medicine, you had yet another ear infection last month. That's three in four months. We are hoping that will be it for the winter season.

One day I was fascinated by watching you play with a little slip of paper. It was about an inch wide and six inches long. First you imagined it was a tie. Then a bra. Then a flag. And lastly a kite. You regularly and spontaneously say "I love you Mommy." You also say, "Mommy you are so pretty" which works wonders for my self esteem. Yesterday you also said trees are so pretty (which I thought was a thoughtful observation).

Your birthday was last week. We celebrated at home on your real birthday then had a party on Sunday. I'm not sure which is more exhausting, throwing a keg party in my college days or a party for toddlers. You guys were all over the place. By the end of the day there were cans and cups in the yard and grapes in the bubble machine. It's safe to say, it was a fun party.

Here you are at our quiet home celebration. You got a cupcake with two candles. You are saying cheese in this picture but it looks a little more like you may have sat on a porcupine:

Then we opened some gifts from family. Uncle Mark sent you a bunch of super cool books:

Nonna and Grandpa sent you this beautiful dress:

And Papa and Nana sent you this Lily doll that sings a special Lily song:

Grandma Mandy, Uncle Brandon, and Uncle Cristoph came all the way from Texas to party with you for your birthday. We didn't do a very good job of getting many group photos:

Grandma and I stayed home with you while Daddy went to a Union Soccer game in the pouring rain. We were glad to be all dry while the boys got soaking wet. I don't think those ponchos really did much:

Grandma made tortillas from scratch. Yum yum! She made you a special Lily size tortilla that you thought was teeny tiny and cute:

Before we got to party with your friends...Daddy, Grandma, and your Uncles jammed out with a little Rock Band:

Grandma love her baby:

PARTY TIME!! We couldn't have done it without Grandma's help. She cooked amazing brisket and Tex-Mex fare that had all the locals from Philly wondering when she was coming back. Grandma also cleaned and organized the house, to which am VERY thankful.

The theme of your party was Dora in the Jungle. It was Dora and animals galore:

You had a Dora cake that you were super excited about:


Love this smile:


You partied with your friends:

We even had a little sand box and bubble machine in the backyard:

Then it was time to open presents:

Posing with Daddy:

I don't know what's going on this picture but I liked all the action:

After everyone was gone and the house was quiet you literally did this:

I think it's safe to say you had a great time. We loved celebrating your day of birth. You are a riot. You are still the coolest thing I have ever seen.

Love,

Mommy