Smiles and Laughter

Since Lily joined our family, we laugh.  A lot!  She is just so funny to us (and we are sure she would be just as entertaining to all of you too!) and does the cutest things.

First of all, she's always ready to lend a hand.  Here she is helping with laundry:

But Mommy, when will I need to start wearing this??

The other day while the weather was nice and we were driving somewhere, we decided to put the windows down.  After all, we are well aware that in the near future, putting our windows down won't be an option in the heat.  We looked back and this was Lily:

She was covering her eyes from the fresh air!

Playing in the backyard one day and this is what I caught:

Don't you ever just want to stand in your yard and lift your dress up and hold it under your arm? You don't?  Geez, you are missing out on life according to Lily!

While unpacking and putting together her first tricycle, this happened:

Hey, is there anything else in there?

Lily has started running lately when she's playing with us.  And yes, sometimes she does the toddler run away from me when I'm trying to get her.  When she runs, she pumps one of her arms and it makes her go fast!

Run Forrest, run!  (From one of our favorite movies!)

I'm sure all parents laugh with their entertaining toddlers but we do it so much each day, it's crazy!  She is so full of personality and it continues to unfold for us. I mean when you can get morning snuggles and selfies like this each day, it's truly a dream come true.

In The Kitchen

In the kitchen with Lily...sounds like a good title to a cooking show!

Lily liked helping to bake some brownies the other day.  So maybe she just liked licking the spatula and eating brownies but that's help, isn't it?

First, the eggs

Next, the brownie mix

Now, stir it all up

Ahhh, chocolate!

Current Favorites

 Yes, I do.  Several times a day!

I have many favorites right now about Lily.  I know they'll change quickly as she continues to change so much each day!

Currently, here are some favorites:
1.  Impromptu giggles and smiles - sometimes for no apparent reason.  I love hearing her giggle.

2.  Endless curiosity - about everything.  Toys, boxes, paper, leaves, sounds, people, food...EVERYTHING!

The playland at the mall - barefoot.  Huge change from the little girl in China who never wanted her shoes she came to us in off.

Index cards were a big hit for a long time one day.  The next day when Lily went to open the drawer where she found them, they were gone!  Her confused look almost made me feel bad for putting them away out of reach.

3.  Can't tell time - so the 8:00 bedtime may mean 7:30 but shhhhh, don't tell her.

4.  Unsolicited hugs and kisses for Mommy and Daddy.  Love when she just wakes up and leans over for a quick kiss.  Or, when she runs up and hugs your legs so tight like you've been gone forever when you really just went to put the clothes in the dryer.

5.  Her attachment to us as well as family in town who she is lucky to have in her life and see so often!

 Playing with bubbles with Bonny

Enjoying the outside with Robert

6.  Lily's expression when she tries something to eat for the very first time.  It's just hilarious!

Mmmmm, banana bread.

7.  How cute she looks in her little clothes.

8.  Seeing her love on our puppies.

9. How she rocks her baby doll and "sings" to her.

10.  Getting to see her truly be so happy and content in her home.  This is an awesome experience for all of us!

Her idea - to wear her Daddy's hat after playing at the park.

My Current Life

So after going to work each day for the past 22 years, staying at home with a toddler is a change.  A big change!  I'm use to getting up, showering, putting on make up, fixing my hair, choosing a cute outfit (OK...maybe not cute, maybe one that just fits that day!) and heading off to my classroom.  

My classroom - the place where I'm in charge and it's organized.  Everything has a place and everything (for the most part) is in the correct place.  I can find what I need easily.  Sure, there are 22 children there but, they aren't toddlers.  They generally listen and follow directions just fine.  There's not whining or crying. (Maybe there's some, but it's usually short lived.)

Now, I still get up early so I can get a quick shower.  I put on the "typical Mommy" stay at home outfit:  exercise pants (although I can't remember the last time I went to the gym), tennis shoes and hopefully, a stain free t-shirt.  Make up is minimal and my hair is pulled back with a bobby pin.  I know I need to do something different with my hair when Lily opens up my bathroom drawer, pulls out the bobby pins, and immediately holds it up to her hair wanting one in.  Lily thinks she wants her hair just like her Mama. Who have I turned into?

Have you seen this person lately?  It could be me without my bobby pin!

I use to make my coffee in my to go cup and leisurely enjoy it once I got to work and throughout the first part of the kids coming in to class for the day.  Now, I make a cup, get a few sips and reheat it in the microwave several times, only to finally empty it down the sink after breakfast.

Mmmm....coffee, how I love you!

I use to think that staying at home would mean I would get so much done around here.  Well, for those of you who have stayed home with little ones, you know that's not true.  At all!  I never imagined one 2 year old would add so much more laundry, dishes and messes around here. Everything my shadow and I do now takes 5 times as long.  She is a big help though - she likes to put

clothes into the dryer, turn on and off lights, load the dishwasher, close all the doors and put things into the trash.

Love this little girl so much!

I hope to soon get my "brain" back.  I think Lily took it from me right after we came home from China.  With Michael sick initially and all of us recovering from our jet lag, my brain was total mush.  As my husband told me recently, out of all the things he thought would be different, me without the ability to think normally was not one of them.  I'm happy to say that he went back to work this week and was on a trip for two days, Lily and I survived!  We even went out to eat, went to the park and did a big grocery shopping trip.  Yea for us!!

I don't want to be in jail, Mommy! Just playing at the park...

Yes, things are very different around here and I wouldn't change it for the world.  How awesome is it that I get to spend my days with this sweet girl and to watch her experience so much on a daily basis? Anyway, I know I'll get my brain back.  One day.  Maybe.

 Sleeping with a blanket her Great Grandma made a very, long time ago