It's hard to believe that we have a toddler now. All of the emails I get from the various websites telling me what to expect with my "baby" this week now are about my "toddler". It was inevitable, I know, but it's still crazy to think that Lilly is 14 months old, walking, talking (somewhat) and a full blown toddler now. I love every crazy moment!
Here are some videos of Lilly's early walking. She was still pretty shaky, but she did such a great job! It was so amazing that we were able to see her first steps (see previous blog) and that we have watched her grow and develop so much these past few weeks. I am also thankful that we caught so much of it on video. There are a lot of videos on this blog, so pick and choose what you want, but I watch these over and over and it never ceases to amaze me that this tiny person is mine!
Here are a few shots from dinner and movie with the Smiths. Allie and Addie are always so sweet with Lilly. They play with her and are gentle and patient. Lilly loves them!
Darren may have to watch out for Ryan in the future. He's smiling now, but wait until these two are teenagers! Haha. I am kidding. I love how affectionate Ryan is with Lilly. He has always loved her and done such a great job with her. He loves to give her hugs and kisses. This picture doesn't do this moment justice, but he was being so sweet and gentle, I promise! He will make a great big brother!
We went to the outdoor movie in Holly Springs. Lilly was all ready for a pajama party and to watch the movie with the big kids! Unfortunately, it started to sprinkle, so we left. Even more unfortunately, after we left it started to pour! I am sure the other kids had fun playing in the rain :-)
I remember this day. This was the beginning of Lilly really shifting from crawling to walking. She was walking longer stretches and could keep her balance much better. I couldn't believe she walked this entire hallway! I think I was holding my breath the entire time!
Lilly loves the play with the magnets on the fridge. It's also hilarious because she needs to make sure that all of the doors are shut in the downstairs. She always pushes the pantry door shut if it's open, and even if we are trying to get something from the fridge she pushes on it until it shuts. It's really funny (until you are the one being smushed by the fridge!)
Lilly still loves her Maggie Moo. She was shaking Maggie's paw and leaning down and giving her kisses. She imitates us when we call Maggie and can actually copy our sing-song inflection perfectly. It's amazing how much she is learning!
Lilly's hair is at that strange in-between stage where it's not really long, but it's not really short, so I have been trying to find things that I can do with it. I actually managed to get her hair into pigtails! She looked so cute!
They only lasted about 15 minutes, but they were in!
Lilly loves to turn the faucet on in our bathroom. Hey, it keeps her occupied while we get ready, so why not! ;o)
When we nurse, we nurse in this chair. I put Lilly down so I can get myself situated, and today I had to snap a picture because she just looked so funny leaning back and relaxing in this huge chair. She had the remote at one point and was babbling to herself. It was really cute.
Pigtails, take 2! These stayed in a bit longer. I was hoping they would stay in while we went out to dinner, but no such luck. We will just have to keep trying!
We went to hang out with the Robinsons and it was awesome to see Emma and Lilly together again. It was also great to see Matt, Jess and Ana of course, but it's so special that Lilly has a friend who is just two weeks older than her! Lilly was very pre-occupied with the shopping cart for a large part of our playdate, but she did stop to have some tea, and play with a few of Emma and Ana's awesome toys.
Lilly was using a cloth napkin as a cape. She does this a lot lately. She tried to put her lovey or blanket around her like a cape. Superhero in the making perhaps?
Well, this is it. Lilly is officially walking! She
does not crawl anymore, she walks. She is officially a toddler!
It's funny because it happened very quickly this week. She went
from just walking some of the time at the beginning of the week to walking all
of the time this weekend! I am so proud of our Lilly pad!
She still loses her balance once in a
while and, this might sound mean, but it's actually really funny! Parents
know that 99% of the time when a toddler "falls" they just catch
themselves on their hands or land on their butt, so that is what I am talking
about! It is not funny the few times she has bumped her head.
What's funny is that she goes "uuugh!" when she falls.
You can hear it in the video. She even entertains us when she is
losing her balance.
Our new favorite thing is that Lilly will grab our legs and give us big hugs. Then if we pick her up, we will get more hugs and "pats". I know that sounds funny, but she pats our backs. This is really because Darren pats Lilly when he is holding her and giving her kisses, so she learned to do it too! So if you ever hold Lilly and she gives you some pats, she must really love you!
We have gone out to eat a few times the past few weeks and I have been so impressed how well Lilly is doing (knock on wood!). She likes to people watch and engage the servers and other guests when they will give her the time of day. She gives them big smiles, or tries to hand them her toys and just melts everyone's hearts. I have said this so many times to Darren, but we are so lucky to have Lilly. Not only is she the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, but she is well behaved, has a sense of humor and she just brings joy with her wherever she goes. I am so in love with my daughter!
