she walks

quick update....Lily is walking!! Yay! What a cute site it is to see a small person waddle with little coordination. I don't mean to bash her style, but she is still not that good. She definitely has room for improvement :) Steps from room to room , standing on her own, and even holding things while she walks are getting a little easier for her. What an exciting stage this will be. I have faced the fact that I no longer have the 'baby' anymore. Lily is waddling into early toddlerhood! Plus, two more friends have welcomed their first babies this past week. Congratulations to Maggie and John on their super handsome baby Aaron and to Christina and Tim on their cutie pie Braydon!

Pediatric Update

As I have in the past, I have measurement updates for Lily. Today was her 'one year' check up with my very favorite Dr. Reilly. She is the most wonderful woman/Pediatrician there ever was. I have spoken of her before...she sings while doing her assessment, she has the sweetest most calming voice, and Lily is in awe of her. I love her for her kind words and perfect demeanor with babies. Even while calming Lily, I feel at peace Lily is in her hands!

Stupid me forgot my camera this time, but Lily is now sitting on the scale instead of laying down, I guess a right of passage to babies at the peds office. She was super cute weighing in at 21lbs 13.2oz (50-75%), height 30.25 inches (75-90%) and big head/brain 18.5 inches (90-95%).

Go Lily! Keep up the good growing work!

Anyways, a quick blurb, Dr. Reilly mentioned how her teenage daughter was doing a science project on the benefits of breastfeeding, and the difference in the immune system of a breastfed baby vs. a formula fed baby. Now before anyone gets all hyped, for the record I have NOTHING against formula fed baby, fortunately I was just blessed with a baby who took to nursing like a champ, for a WHOLE year I might add. Dr. Reilly said that Lily is a perfect example of a successfully breastfed baby! Looking over the last year, Lily has not been sick, (besides the throwing up incident) she is growing appropriately, and she even mentioned Lily's attitude/presence as being appropriate to one of a breastfed baby. Now I am only sharing this, because in the moment of Dr. Reilly boasting about my baby I felt prideful! For the past year I have exclusively breastfed Lily with exceptions of bottles while I was at work, and of course solid food around 6 months, and it has been that which aided in her growth and development. Dr. Reilly said to me, 'Way to go Mom' you have a perfect baby! And to that I feel great pride.

* Walking update.....today, she took almost 10 steps! Not around the coffee table, not from table to couch, but on her own in the very middle of the room. In fact we were at our friends house for a playdate and Ethan (19 mos) I believe was a bit of her inspiration. I am looking forward to possibly a walking baby by the weekend???

a NEW year rings

Happy New Year to all! We spent a great couple days in my grandparents cabin in WV with great friends, had great food, great drinks, great conversations and great games. Overall, a GREAT time! CHEERS!

We all feel this way sometimes!

Beef Wellington...courtsey Christie

Besties

Mike and Jurgs cheers to a New Year with their special beer for each other

Kristin and Ryan Reese...baby Kage was there I promise, but I have no photos to prove it

I guess it is appropriate to still dress up when you are 27......the closets were like gold with vintage circa 1990 gear!

Game Time

This years focus......(in no particular order)
* SAVE MONEY
* Half Marathon
* Faith
* Patience
* Health
* Family Values
* New recipes
* more reading