Lilly Rae - Week 23

Sunday, November 18

Lilly really loved playing in her exersauser.  She loves playing anywhere really, but this is especially great for her because she can be upright and there are so many new things to see!

 Darren is a great puppeteer.  Lilly always get a kick out it :o)

 23 weeks old...where has the time gone???

 It's hard to believe how much stronger Lilly is after just a few weeks!  She has such great head control and strength now!

I am still not sure who she looks like.  I see a lot of Darren in her in this picture.

Monday, November 19

Mondays are always hard.  I miss Lilly so much.  Luckily this is a short week, so I only have 3 days without my baby before getting to spend 5 straight days with her!

 Kristi sent these pictures of Lilly playing in her Bumbo seat.  

 Lilly loves Gus Gus.  She loves any dog she has seen actually.  She loves to pet them and reach out her hand for kisses.  She does this with Maggie as well and cracks up when Maggie licks her.

 We are still waiting (patiently?) for her blocked tear duct to clear up.  I like to think it is getting better, but it seems that every day I think it is clearing up, the next day is worse.  

Tuesday, November 20

Lilly is so vocal!  She loves to sing and grunt!  Sometimes people think her grunting means she...well...had to do her business, but it's actually just the way she "coos"!  Haha.

 Lilly makes the most adorable face when she is concentrating on something, especially when she has something new to play with.  I love it!

Wednesday, November 21

 Kristi's daughter, Mia, loves Lilly and Lilly loves Mia.  They are watching Elmo together on the laptop. Lilly likes to play with the big girls.

 We are still waiting for her teeth to come in.  Until then, there is only one place all of her toys are headed: her mouth!

Thursday, November 22

Lilly’s first Thanksgiving was so great!  We traveled to Lexington to spend Thanksgiving with some great friends.  We first stopped at the Riddle’s house to visit with them and settle in to their guest house that they graciously let us stay in for the night.  Then we headed to Erin and Pete’s house. 

It was great to see Erin, Pete, Teri and Ron, and of course Chad, Michelle, Jared, Carissa, Allie, Ryan, Addie and Drew.  We are so lucky that we have such amazing friends in Carolina who treat us like family.  It’s hard being away from our families during the holidays, but we are never lonely because of the amazing friends we have. 

We had Lilly dressed in her holiday dress, complete with brand new shiny black shoes.  Too bad they would only stay on for a few seconds before Lilly would kick them off!  Oh well.  She still looked adorable.  It was nice because everyone wanted to see Lilly and hold her and she was so friendly and loving to everyone. 

We took some nice family pictures that day as well.  It still surprises me how warm it is on Thanksgiving in Carolina.  I remember my brother and I used to go sledding every morning on Thanksgiving day and now we are outside enjoying the cool fall weather. 

Lilly gave us a special Thanksgiving present by taking a nice nap just in time for dinner!  Darren and I were able to actually sit down together with everyone and enjoy a full meal J  I love Lilly with all of my heart, but I cannot remember the last time this happened!  

 Pete was making Lilly laugh so hard.  It was adorable!

 Drew asked me if he could hold Lilly.  I love how much he loves her.

Ryan saw Drew holding Lilly and immediately wanted his turn :o)  Those boys are so sweet!

Friday, November 23

 Lilly was completely passed out in Darren's arms when I came downstairs.

 Visiting with the Holder family before heading home.

 Darren's former student, Alyssa.

 This is where Lilly was when I set her down on her mat.  

 This is where I found her when I came back in the room from getting some water!

 Lilly really liked Chad and Michelle's Christmas tree

Saturday, November 24

We decorated the house for Christmas today.  Lilly like the tree and the lights.  We realized we need to get a new stocking for Lilly!  It's amazing the little things that can be so exciting when you have a baby :-)  I cannot wait for her first Christmas morning.  Even though she is too young to really understand or remember, I know we will remember it forever.

 We still do nightly tummy time after her bath.  I thought she was being so cute tonight I just had to snap some pictures.

Lilly was getting frustrated during tummy time and making this funny scrunched up face and breathing really hard through her nose.  It was so funny I had to try to capture it on video.