merry christmas!

Starting new traditions this year ... we're listening to Christmas music, we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, we opened gifts, and now we're relaxing before cleaning up. Lilah's more excited about ripping up paper and running around than anything. We're pretty much snowed in so we're looking forward to a cozy day and to seeing our family in the coming days. Merry Christmas, everyone!

one year

At her one-year check-up, here's Lilah's stats:
19 pounds, 4 ounces (8th percentile)
29 inches tall (32nd percentile)
46.5 head circumference (75th percentile)

birthday party

Lilah had a Cute as a Button birthday party! She gave herself a fat lip about an hour before the party but the cake and frosting must have had healing properties because she did just fine hanging out with family and friends and opening presents. Happy Birthday Lilah!

santa, i've been a very good girl ...

first birthday

Today is Lilah's first birthday! I haven't taken her one-year photos yet (will soon!) but I had to commemorate the day somehow. So, here's some of my favorite things about Lilah now:

Her tipsy little steps! She's walking now and takes these funny little hesitant steps that are so stinkin' cute.
Her need for speed! She still prefers crawling because she can go faster. And it's so cute when she puts her head down and gets so determined to go even faster.
So smart! She recognizes several words now and loves books and learning. She knows milk, Milo, cat, bye-bye, shoes, music, books, bath, no, mama, dada, toys, O's, grandma, grandpa, blocks, kiss...
Talking! She's saying a few words, only when she feels like it, but she's said bye-bye and mama and dada, of course. Other words come out sounding like she's trying to talk pig Latin. For example, today she was trying to say cat and it sounded more like at-kuh.
Hugs! She's still super independent and never has been much of a snuggler but I love when she gives Jeff or me hugs. And, she usually rests her head on my shoulder and cuddles before I put her in bed. Love that.
Smiles! She has the sweetest little smile and I love her laugh when I'm tickling her and she really gets going. She has two bottom teeth and four top teeth now and she has started to make this funny little squinchy face when she's being silly.
So sweet! She really is the sweetest little girl. She has her moments, is very independent, very determined, very stubborn but we got really lucky with this one.

Love you SO much Lilah! Happy birthday!

here's hoping I win something





I might win stuff! This is one of my favorite Web sites.

family photos

Yay, family photos! The wonderful and talented Christina Kahler (www.christinakahlerphotography.blogspot.com) took these and I'm so glad she did. I love them all!

11 months

A time of transition lately ... we transitioned to her big girl carseat, she's transitioning out of her morning nap (and I hope will start napping longer during her afternoon nap :) ), we've switched daycares, and we've had to start supplementing with formula after breastfeeding exclusively for 11 months. I think we might switch to whole milk soon. Little girl has a HUGE appetite. I don't where she puts it all; she's still pretty petite. It's a beautiful weekend so we went outside and explored at a nearby arboretum. She had so much to look at and explore I got very few pictures of her actually looking at me!

first halloween

Lilah's first Halloween! She's Princess Leia. Pardon the lopsided buns on her hat - it's handmade by her mom :)

10 months

Almost missed this month. Here's Lilah at 10 months. P.S. I'm only doing pictures every month for the first year :)

husker fan

Here's our little Husker fan! I guess. She's only allowed to wear this sort of stuff on game day. And if her dad dresses her.

for her dad

Lilah got to watch a little bit of the first Husker game of the season before she had to go to bed. Her dad said she enjoyed it. She looked cute anyway in her pink Husker outfit :)





Also, an update on Lilah at 9 months after her doctor check-up today. She weighs 16.5 pounds (6th percentile), is 27 1/4 inches tall (32nd percentile) and her head is 45 cm around (75th percentile). All is well and so far we've avoided the flu that's going around our neighborhood so here's hoping we all stay healthy!

9 months old

Lilah is now 9 months old! She's crawling like a champ, pulling up to a stand with ease and has two little bottom teeth coming in. Oh, and she's a pretty little lady ...

dress of the day

We had so much fun today! A Friday and Jeff and I both had the day off. I started and made the dress Lilah is wearing today. It was a women's turtleneck shirt. I made it a bit too long so gathered up the sides with "roses" which look more like fabric wads due to my poor sewing skills but, oh well. I also put mini roses by the straps, which I need to redo because they're a bit too long so I think I'll cross them in back and they'll be perfect.

first doll

I made my first doll and it's Lilah's first doll! The doll is in pretty sad shape if you look too close but Lilah doesn't seem to care.

first refashion attempt

I was given a LOT of cute baby girl clothes by a friend. One of them was the cute romper pictured above. Given Jeff's dislike of rompers and that it's starting to get cooler out (for now, anyway), I decided to see if I could refashion it into a little shirt for Lilah instead. It's not a great sewing job by any means but I did it!