Bye-Bye Binkie!

It has now been one full week since Lily last had a pacifier!

I always intended to take it away as soon as she turned one, but when the time came I was a lazy parent and just couldn't do it. In my defense, I also started weaning her from nursing right when she turned one and I didn't think that it would be nice to take both away at the same time, but even with that, I should have started sooner.

It was just so easy to keep using it. We only let her have it at nap time and bedtime, so it wasn't like she was wandering around all day with a pacifier in her mouth, but I found that she was getting more and more attached to it. She used to let me take them from her when I got her up without a fuss, but in the last month she started crying and getting very upset if I took it from her. So, I finally decided that they had to go before she got any more attached.

My genius plan, I decided that instead of just taking them from her, I would let her decide that she didn't like them anymore. So, I hid all but one and I cut a slit in the tip of that one. That way, she she sucked it would deflate and it would take about 10-15 seconds to inflate again. So, I left that one in her crib and when I put her down for bed last Friday night she reached for it, sucked on it for a minute, and decided that she did not like it at all. I left the pacifier in her crib for about two day and each time I put her down she would reach for it and then toss it aside a minute later.

She takes a little longer to fall asleep now and fusses a bit, which she normally never does, but only a little and I figure that will pass with time. I am grateful for finally being done with the pacifier. They are a fabulous tool for soothing infants and I am grateful for them, but I am so glad to be rid of them!

4th of July

I know this isn't Lily's first 4th of July, but last year was a little crazy so while Tyson was at work Lily and I just stayed home and went to bed. This year we thought that we would introduce her to the festivities.

This is Lily playing around on the front steps in her little dress.

And because I am a little crazy, I painted her toes to match.

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

And finally Lily and her first sparkler. She was not very excited about it and kept throwing it on the ground. Maybe next year she will like them more. She really liked the other little fountains and such.

Driving Lessons

Just a short little video of Lily going for a ride in her car. I love babies with their puppies.

Story Time

I used to read to Lily all the time when she was smaller. It was easy, she just laid there and let me read her stories. I actually used to read some of my favorites aloud to her before she was even born while I was up late waiting for Tyson to get home from work. Anyway, around 8 months old she got so squirmy and would not let me read to her anymore. She just wanted to take the book away and flip through it herself. She loves to flip through books.

I replaced one shelf on one of the living room bookshelves with her books. She spends time every day pulling some (if not all) of the books out and flipping through them.

Recently though, she has started picking up a book and walking over to me. She puts her arms up (her way of telling me to pick her up) and shows me the book. I love these moments. She cuddles up on my lap and lets me read her the story. She laughs when I make the funny sounds or I do voices. I love it! It is such a wonderful quiet time, just me and my sweet baby girl. I don't think that I can really convey just how much I love this age.

More Pool Fun

This afternoon it was finally warm again so we went and played outside. Lily was loving her pool and I was watering nearby and decided to see what she thought about getting sprayed a bit, and well, she LOVED it!

Let the TODDLER YEARS begin!

As of this evening, we officially have a walker. Lily stopped just walking to me, now she is walking from toy to toy and of course chasing after Oscar. She is still wobbly and falls a lot, but she likes to walk and prefers to walk. She will only crawl after she falls.

This is such a fun age, I am loving it! This evening as we were playing I just kept thinking "Can she stay this age forever?" It is so much fun. She loves to play and is very independent which is great because it allows be the time to get my chores done, but she also loves to play and interact with me. We read stories together, build with her blocks, I fly her around, we sing, she laughs, I love it! She really is a great joy and we love her dearly!

And just for fun, a little video of her playing peek-a-boo with me.

Lily's FIRST Steps!

Today Lily decided that she doesn't want to be a baby anymore and would like to become a toddler. I didn't have my camera on hand for her very first step, but I still got a few little clips today.

I love the milk all over her chin. She is so happy!

Here she gets in a few steps. She doesn't want to try going very far. If her destination is more than 3-4 steps away she just drops and crawls. That's okay, she can stay a baby a little longer.