One Year Check Up

Today Lily had her one year check up. She is meeting all her milestones and growing and thriving just like she should be. Her stats:

Weight: 21 lbs 8 oz
Height: 29.5 inches
Head: 17.5 cm

She got four shots today, which she was not a fan of. I actually think shots are worse the older she gets, at least for mommy. Before she would just cry, but now she cries and gives me a look like why are you letting her hurt me mommy? It just breaks my heart!
One thing kind of ticked me off today. I took Lily to the doctors last week because her one eye was red and goopy and watery. Her eye ended up being fine, but the nurse put Lily on the scale fully clothed and with her shoes on. It said she weighed 22 pounds 6 ounces. Today when they weighed her, in only her diaper, like normal, she weighed almost a pound less. The doctor noted that, and asked if she had been sick. I told her no. She asked if last time they weighed her she was wearing her clothes. I told her yes, and her shoes. She said that is probably why she weighs almost a pound less a week later, but none the less, they want to keep an eye on her weight since a one pound drop in a week throws her way off the curve. Hello! We know why she weighs less. She is right on the curve if you throw out last weeks weight. It is just frustrating because they made a note in her chart to keep an eye on her weight at her 15 month check up and if she has any appointments between now and then. Grrr!

Lily's New Wagon

On Sunday we woke up to snow. Monday was sunny and 50 degrees. Gotta love spring in Chicago. Lily and I decided to take a walk in her new wagon that was a birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa Smith. It was a beautiful afternoon and Lily really enjoyed her wagon. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Lily's Birthday Party

On Saturday we had Lily's first birthday party. Before I tell you about it, I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my parents and sister. My parents were gracious enough to let us hold the party at their house, my mom made half the food, and Steph helped clean and bought decorations, as well as made cookies and helped entertain some of the kids at the party.
Lily's party was huge! We had over 50 guests! We had lots of yummy food and cake, and tons of presents. Our friends and family were very generous. The day went pretty well. Lily didn't really take a nap at all on Saturday - she only slept about ten minutes on the way to my parents house - so she was a real trooper. She lasted the entire party, although she started to fade at cake time. Anyway, here are some pictures. It was a great day.

OMG! She's One!

Wednesday was Lily's first birthday. You read that right, she is one! I can hardly believe it. The past year has gone so quickly, yet at the same time I can't really remember life without her. We had a pretty awesome day. It started at 3:30 with me getting up to soothe a fussy baby. Lily has been doing pretty well sleeping through the night lately and if she does wake up, I usually let her cry herself back to sleep, which takes all of two minutes most nights. But since it was her birthday, I couldn't let her cry. No one should have to cry on their birthday! She went right back down and then gave mommy a present by sleeping in until 7:40. Daddy had to go into work for a little bit, so Lily and I got up and played and ate breakfast. I also frosted her cake that I had baked the night before.

I got myself ready while Lily took her morning nap and I got everything together so we could leave for the zoo when Matt came home and Lily woke up. When Matt got home we debated about what to do because the weather was not really cooperating with our plans. We decided to go to the zoo anyway, and I am glad we did. When we first stepped out of the car, I started to think maybe it was a mistake because it was chilly and windy, but the wind died down and the sun even came out for a little bit. The nice thing about having a zoo membership is that you don't feel bad if you only spend a couple hours at the zoo. We stayed for a while and saw some exhibits that we hadn't really seen before. Lily is more and more engaged every time we go to the zoo. She pointed to all the animals and called them "ba-bas".


We headed home and Lily took a nap in the car. When we got home it was time for presents. Daddy got Lily her first guitar. She also got a little toy cell phone. Now she has her own so maybe she will leave mine alone :)!



We had a nice dinner - steak and baked potatoes for mommy and daddy and chicken for Lily - and then cake.

Lily wasn't really sure about the cake. She just stared at her piece for a while, then stuck her finger in it, ever so gingerly.

She finally took a bite.

I guess she liked it well enough, but she didn't really have much interest. Mostly she seemed annoyed at the cake stuck on her fingers.

Overall it was a really nice day. But I still can't believe she is one. Through out the day, I kept glancing at the clock thinking "now is when labor started" or "now is when we went to the hospital". I can't believe it, but I totally missed looking at the clock anywhere around 10:53 pm, which is when she was born. While I was reading in bed, I glanced over and it was 11:17. I totally missed it. I am not sure why it is such a big deal to me, but maybe next year I will notice. Now we just have Lily's big party on Saturday. Perhaps she will like cake a little more this time. But if not, that is fine with me. Cake is icky!!

Spring, Is That You?

Today is the first day of Spring, which in Chicago means absolutely nothing. However, we did have some pretty nice days this week, and today was no exception. Every time I walk out the front door, I check to see if my hostas are coming up. So far, there is no sign of them. And then I remembered all the lilies planted along the back of the house (how could I forget about those?!!?!) I took a stroll out into the back yard today, and what do you know? They are growing!

Get That Girl a Guitar!

Every evening after dinner, while I am cleaning up, Matt takes Lily into the play room for a little daddy-daughter time before bed. And so I can actually clean up the kitchen in peace. Most of the time, he pulls out his acoustic guitar and Lily dances or helps him play. She loves to pluck the strings and loves to listen to daddy play. It is just the cutest thing. I have a feeling daddy may be buying his chickie a guitar for her birthday. She is a budding musician already!

Milk

My darling daughter doesn't like milk! I am shocked and appalled (anyone remember Mrs. Chapman, 7th grade?). I am amazed and dismayed. I LOVE milk. My sister Steph and I could together probably finish a gallon in one sitting. Lily, however, doesn't want anything to do with it. Perhaps I should back up. Some of you may be saying she isn't a year yet, why are you giving her milk? I will tell you why...Lily doesn't have much interest in nursing anymore. Maybe a couple minutes before bed, a good nursing first thing in the morning, but other than that, no interest. Well, she needs more milk than just that. But I wasn't about to buy formula for a couple weeks. I called her pediatrician to ask if I could go ahead and switch her to whole milk a little early. I explained the situation and they just wanted to be sure she didn't have a dairy allergy. I told them how, if it was left up to her, she would eat nothing but cheese, and she has had yogurt, cottage cheese, and of course all the cheese I will give her, with no ill effects. She doesn't have a dairy allergy. They said go ahead, about 16 ounces a day. This was last Thursday. Friday I got a half gallon of organic whole milk (at home we only drink organic milk). We got home from the store and I poured her a cup, set her in her high chair, and expected her to gulp it down. Not quite. She took a sip, made an awful face, and threw the cup. WHAT!!! Not at all the reaction I was expecting. It never occurred to me that she wouldn't like milk. I mean, what the heck! I have tried repeatedly and haven't given up yet. Pretty much every friend that I have asked have admitted that their children also didn't like milk initially. So we keep trying, every time she is in the high chair. I even figured maybe I could sneak it into her oatmeal in the morning, but she is hip to that. This morning she actually ate most of her oatmeal. Not so much Sunday morning or yesterday morning. I had to also add applesauce to the oatmeal the past couple days to get her to take it. Since last Friday, she has probably ingested about 10 ounces of milk. The rest of that $4 half gallon of organic milk has quite literally gone down the drain. I haven't given up...I am sure she will like it eventually...right?

My Wardrobe Needs Help!!

I am majorly in need of a visit from Stacy and Clinton...you know, from TLC's "What Not to Wear". I went to the zoo yesterday wearing the same pair of jeans I was wearing when I got engaged - six and a half years ago! I own a t-shirt from my high school swimming days. It proudly states "Cary-Grove Swimming 1995". I still wear this shirt, 14 years later. Granted I wear it under a sweatshirt, since it is pit stained beyond help, but still. The sweat shirt I am wearing over it is likely as old. In fact, I have two Gap sweatshirts that are being retired from my "acceptable to wear in public" wardrobe. That is, acceptable by my standards. One is so holey it is a miracle it is still together. The other, one of my favorites, was puked on by a very cute little girl and is now stained (beyond my level of acceptable). I remember wearing that sweatshirt the day I met Matt...over ten years ago. My clothes are old! My clothes are all stained. My clothes are not flattering, don't fit right and probably make me look like a homeless person. Even my outfits, and I use the term loosely, that I think are my best outfits probably make people on the street think that I just threw something on. I have no fashion sense. And while I don't totally care how I look, I need to branch out from my uniform of tennis shoes, jeans, and one of my gray sweatshirts. My daily decision is hooded or not. Every once in a while I throw in either my navy Eastern sweatshirt or my Cubs blue Cubs sweatshirt to spice things up. Since spring may be on its way (and I am not taking today's projected high of 74 as proof) I will need to purchase some decent looking summer clothes. I don't really do shorts because of my super duper thunder thighs, but I may look for some longer shorts...like just above the knee. I think these are called walking shorts? Or maybe a couple super casual skirts that hit just below the knee. I love the casual look of a skirt and nice fitted t-shirt and maybe some flip-flops. Is that a style? When I see it on other people, it says put together but not pretentious. Am I wrong? Of course, I don't really have any money for shopping. I have a $25 gift card to Kohls. That might get me an outfit, if there is a sale (but really, at Kohls, there is usually a sale.) Old Navy is usually reasonable and has cute stuff. I mean, most people probably don't notice me much anyway since I am usually toting an adorable tot. And she could be dressed in a potato sack and people would still probably gush all over her. But none the less, I need to go shopping. Anyone want to help? Matt offers some opinions, but I can only take his advice to a point. He wears a polo shirt (usually striped) and jeans everyday.

New Shoes and A Trip to the Zoo

I decided that it was time to get Lily some shoes - some real, hard soled shoes. She has a bunch of pairs of soft soled shoes that have been great for covering and protecting her feet while practicing walking around the house or just keeping her feet warm when we venture out, but with spring here (fingers crossed!) and her almost walking, we needed something more substantial! I asked around a I heard everything from Target brand shoes are great to get stride right shoes. I was hoping not to spend a small fortune so I started at Target. Turns out, my kiddo has fat feet and I couldn't even wedge her foot into a size three, but a size four was just too big. And so the adventure began. After trapsing from store to store looking for size 3 wide that weren't $30, we realized that this was easier said than done. After about the fourth store, Matt finally said he didn't care, we would pay whatever as long as we didn't need to go to another store. Apparently wide feet run in my family, because my mom told me they used to joke that I could just wear the boxes because my feet were so wide. We were successful though, and found the cutest little shoes. And apparently, $30 is pretty average for kids shoes.

You may notice Lily's cheeks look a little pink. We went to the zoo today and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! I could have done without getting pooped on by a bird in the Living Coast exhibit, but whatever. The sun was shining and the temperature was awesome. The shining sun is why Lily has an, um...healthy glow? to her. I was worried if it would be too cool and didn't even think to grab some sun screen for her (or myself for that matter). I did grab her sun hat, but it is a little bit too small and she wouldn't have anything to do with it anyway. It was a great day though.

Untitled

This post is going to be a hodge podge of sorts, so I couldn't come up with a clever title. The more toddler-ish (is that a word?) Lily gets, the more my brain goes to goo. I always did the baby talk thing, but now I am actually having conversations in a language Lily has invented. For example, I now refer to the dogs as ba-bas, because that is what Lily calls them. I say "Ba-bas, want to go outside?" They respond, but then, I think they just hear outside and come running. At one point she was saying something that pretty closely resembled puppy and another word that was close to doggy, but apparently ba-ba has won out, so that is how we now refer to Eli and Lucy. However, when I picked her up from Moppets the other morning, one of the volunteers asked if we had a dog. I told her we did, wondering why she asked. I mean, I didn't think Lily was too covered with dog hair when I dropped her off. She told me that Lily pointed to every animal and called it a puppy. Which is another of her favorite things. Lily points to everything now. And if you ask her where her nose is, she will point to her nose, and then point to your nose. We haven't mastered any other body parts yet, and even the nose ranges from spot on the tip of her nose, to along the side, to - and I hope this doesn't become a habit - slightly up the nostril. I am having a hard time trying to teach her eyes, ears, etc while simultaneously trying to teach her not to grab faces. It is getting really hard to trim her little nails, and I can't take much more of the clawing.
Yesterday I lowered Lily's crib to its lowest setting. She discovered it is fun to hold on to the side and jump (well, more like bounce) so I figured better safe than sorry. It needed to be lowered anyway.

We have been very fortunate to get a lot of hand me down toys and whatnot from friends and some of Matt's co-workers. Last night we got out this little tunnel and play wall that we were given and Lily has just been loving it. Hours and hours of entertainment, I tell ya! We have been really lucky to have a toy room that would give the appearance of a very spoiled child, without having to shell out all the money. And yeah, she is probably a little spoiled. She also loves books now, and I probably read her about 10 books a day. We have a lot of books, but not that many. So therefore, I probably read her two books five times. She just crawls over with a book in her hand and sits patiently until I start reading. She likes to flip the pages. The books aren't very long...some just have a couple words a page, and I have most of them memorized. I am sure this is from sheer repetition, but I like to think it shows that my brain can still function at more than the basic survival level.

We also have a new gate for the play room. The ironing board wasn't cutting it anymore. Lily learned she could just push it and then get around it. She also dove over it a time or two.

Take a look at how long her hair is getting!

She is growing up so fast and getting so big. She loves to let go and just stand on her own, though I am yet to catch a picture of it. As soon as I pull out the camera, she just tries to grab it. She cruises all over and pushes her walker and music table (not its intended purpose, but what the heck) all over the room. I think one day she will just start walking. She has no interest in walking holding on to my fingers though. She just buckles her knees if I try to get her to. That is, if I can even get her to stand. She is more than happy to stand for long periods of time, just on her terms. But I did lean over the gate and put her in the play room and she stood there for a couple seconds.

Today Lily and I had to go to Sam's and the grocery store. Lily proceed to yell through both stores. She was happy, not crying or upset or anything. She just yelled. This is kinda new. It started on Friday when we went out to lunch with a friend and her daughter who is a month older than Lily. Lily yelled the whole lunch, except when she was making friends with the ladies at the table behind us. Luckily it was lunch time and pretty crowded, so it was loud in the resturaunt. Before I had Lily, when I would see a child behaving the same way and think the mom must be going nuts listening to that. Today I realized that the mom probably wasn't going nuts because she probably didn't even hear it. I stopped hearing the yelling about halfway through the store, although I know she was still yelling because of the looks - and smirks from knowing moms - we were getting. Lily is actually a little hoarse sounding after all the yelling...well, that and the roaring. She has a stuffed tiger and stuffed lion, and is more than happy to tell you what sound they make. Such a funny little girl!

Nap Time

Isn't Lily cute? Of course, she is a little (just a little) less cute when you have been trying to put her down for a nap for an hour. Which is the case most afternoons. She just doesn't like napping. Or sleeping in general. Still. Sometimes she is deceptively quiet, so when I check on her, she is waiting, standing by the end of her crib, watching the door. When I ever so slowly open it, Surprise! There she is, smiling at me. What was she doing instead of napping.
Take a look:
She decided to throw everything from her crib onto the floor. Pretty typical. If I was a smart mommy I would learn not to put anything in her crib and maybe she would go to sleep faster if there was no re-arranging to do. As you can see, there are several stuffed animals, her baby, a couple pacifiers, and her socks, which she pulled off her feet. I also found a nice little pile up vomit in the crib, but decided not to photograph that. Of course, she didn't seem sick. She still pukes a lot. More so lately. But she is always happy, so the doctors call her a happy spitter. I kinda thought that would be over by now.
It's hard to get mad at her though. She is just so dang cute. Doesn't the wall look bare? There was a cute little wall hanging that is part of a series of three. There are these little stuffed pillow thingies. She figured out how to get one off though. And then destroy the hanging apparatus.
She did humor me and smile for the camera. The little angel is now asleep, on clean sheets. We need to lower her crib. As I look at this picture, I am noticing she could get out if she wanted. You would think I would learn that when she naps, I should be getting caught up on some chores and not blogging. There is a learning curve with parenting. Some days I don't even think I make it on the curve. Today could be one of them. Sigh.