Lily and Mommy's Big Adventure

Mommy and I went to Ottawa to visit grandma and grandpa Hewens. Daddy had to work and couldn't come this time. It was SUCH a long drive, I kept asking mom if we were there yet and the answer was always no! Good thing mommy bought me a DVD player and had a Dora DVD ready to go when I got really cranky.

I was soooo tired after my long trip.

After a good night's sleep I got reacquainted with auntie April. She's so much fun!

Here I am reading the morning paper to grandpa...

...and here I am having breakfast with grandma.

I had a lot of fun visiting and I have a LOT more pictures to share!

Lovely Spring Strolls

It's been so nice here we've be getting out for walks almost everyday. Today we walked down to Queen St. (our Main St.) and checked out the view of the lake.

There was even a para-surfer out taking advantage of the wind and waves. (By the way, that's sand you see, not snowbanks)

Lily got tired of being in her stroller so Daddy lifted her up on his shoulders for a different view of the neighbourhood.

She was having a great time, but poor Daddy got kicked a whole lot cause she was so excited.

Clownin' Around

This week we tried Lily on Blackberries and Raspberries cause they just seemed to scream spring time to me. Her first spoonful of raspberries didn't go so well, I guess they were a little tart cause she spit them out and proceeded to smear them all over in the perfect little clown face pattern, complete with red nose!

Go Sens Go!

We were all home to watch game 2 of the Sens playoff series. Daddy was, of course, cheering for Pittsburgh...Boo!

Ready for the game to start

Where are the snacks mom?

That guy with the funny suits cracks me up

Nail-biting action!

Daddy, stop cheering for Pittsburgh, it's not funny anymore!

Like father, like daughter

Even mommy watched with us

I can't even smile for the camera I'm so fascinated by the game

Easter Lily

Here's Miss Lily in the outfit the Easter Bunny brought her yesterday for her very first Easter. She also got a Dora Doll and of course her activity table. Lily and I went to Jason's sister Denise's for dinner yesterday and Lily got reacquainted with grandma and grandpa Goetz. She didn't take to grandpa Goetz very well, she cried every time he got close...must be a grandpa thing! If you're wondering what the dark spot on her forehead is it's a bruise. My independent little girl figured she was big and strong enough to let go of her table while she was playing and took a header into the baseboard. I'm predicting a lot more bruises in her future :)

I'm 9 months old today!

Wow, 9 months. I can't even believe it. She's getting big so fast, I wish I could slow down the clock. I spend all day with her but it doesn't feel like enough. Everyday she's doing something new and everyday something else doesn't fit anymore. Crazy! Anyways, Lily's had a very busy month. We went to two 1st Birthday parties, one of which was in Kitchener and she was perfect for the drive down even though it was just me and her and she was all alone in the back seat (that's a first for such a long trip). We also had a visit from John and Jen and Isabella, we've been getting a lot of socializing in this month!



The other thing that's been keeping Lily busy is her new Leap Frog activity table. I can't say enough good things about this toy. Before we got it, Lily could only stand at the coffee table for about 5 minutes before she got tired/bored/frustrated and would cry to be put back on the floor or just fall over...and then cry. I picked it up for her last weekend, a public health nurse at baby group suggested I get a little chair and table set to help her learn to pull up, cruise etc... but I thought this looked much more fun. The minute I took it out of the box she was standing at it all on her own. For the first couple of days she just stood there and I had to help her with the toys and make sure she didn't fall (which she did quite a few times). By the third day she was standing without me having to watch her like a hawk and she figured out all the toys. By the fourth day she started dancing to the music! ( I LOVE the dancing!) By the fifth day she was cruising around the table! I have seen such a leap in her progress since I got this thing it's amazing! It's even improved her walking. Before when we'd hold her up to walk around she'd either just stand there or she bounced (darn jolly jumper!), now she's walking in a very straight and determined way, like she knows where she wants to go and she's excited to get there.

The only problem is I can't put her in crawling position anymore, she just howls. I guess it'll be straight to walking. On one hand we'd like to slow her down and keep her little and needing us, on the other we're just so proud of every little milestone she hits. I guess that's what it's like for every parent. Today in her crib she squealed "DA deeeeeee" so I guess we're in for some talking next!

My New Friend Isabella

Today mommy's friend John and his fiancé Jen and their new baby Isabella came over to visit. They're thinking about moving out this way and mommy and I took them around and showed them the sights (daddy had to sleep all day cause he was working nights this weekend). We had lots of fun but I think Isabella was tired of sitting in her car seat, I know I was! I sure hope Isabella comes back to visit in the sumer time when we can play in the sand on the beach!

Enjoying the weather

Mommy and daddy are taking me for a walk today. They said I don't need my snowsuit anymore, just a sweater! I'm all dressed for spring and I'm ready to go! They mentioned something about a nap, but I'm too excited to sleep.

Wow, all that fresh air sure did do the trick!

Lilianna's First Spring!

Welcome Back Spring!

We went and had some professional pictures of Lily taken a week ago. I wanted to get them done at 6 months but winter being what it is here you go when you can actually make it out of town. Place your orders grandmas!

Happy St. Patrick's day!

Erin Go Bragh!

Lily steals the show

Today we went to Lily's friend Alexis's 1st birthday party. Alexis's mom Jessica is from Ottawa too and they just moved here in December when her husband got a job at the plant.

Poor Alexis, Lily stole all her thunder. Alexis wouldn't wear a party hat, Lily didn't even notice she had one on; Alexis was being shy and clingy to her dad, Lily was sitting in the middle of the floor chatting away and waving to everyone. All the moms kept saying they were going to take her home, as did Alexis's grandparents who were visiting from Minnesota. Lily's turning into a very easy-going and sociable kid. As long as she's the centre of attention she's a happy baby!

Lily and Alexis

Hating party hats

Party party!

Surprise!

Lily exploring (in the background Jessica)

Chaos

The birthday girl

Lily test drives Alexis's car

Playing with the kids

What was that?! Did I do that?

This was an amazing moment for me as a mom. I saw for the first time that spark of learning something new in Lily's eyes. She was playing with her train and she pressed on a button that made a song play. She's heard the song a million times and she's seen me press it, but in that instant it was like she put it all together in her head and figured out that by pressing the button the music played. She was so surprised and then just totally happy that she got it all figured out. The video is short cause I just had to stop filming so I could hug and praise her. I was very proud.

I'm 8 months old today!

Lilianna is 8 months old today, I know I say this every month but time sure is flying by! It's almost time to start planning her first birthday party! She's such a good baby, even with the teething and frustration at not being able to crawl yet she's still a pretty happy girl. She loves her fruit, cheese, cheerios, Dora the Explorer, Hi-5 and of course mommy and daddy. She's getting very sociable at playgroup and having a lot of fun with the other babies. She only had a little stint of making strange over christmas (sorry grandma and grandpa) but now she seems fine with everyone. She plays shy sometimes which is really cute and she's getting the hang of peek-a-boo. We've had a couple of playdates with a new family in Kincardine who are from Ottawa! Alexis is 11 months old but her and Lily get along great. We're really looking forward to the next trip we can make up to Ottawa, hopefully it'll be sooner than later!