Lilah's Birthday Weekend

My little baby is 2!   And acting like it.  But I digress.  We had quite a weekend celebrating with Grandma Miaja, Auntie Michelle, Peyton and Rylee.  Their coming really made the weekend and was such a treat for Lilah.  This post will really be mostly pictures but I will give a quick recaps.

The weekend started a little rough  with a stomach bug, Lilah had it Wednesday and I got it Friday.  Luckily just a 24 hour thing, but rough nonetheless.  Shannon whisked the company away as soon as they pulled in the driveway to head over to a birthday party for our dear friend Savannah.  The girls all had a great time in a bounce house and I got some more time to try and pull myself together.

Sunday we debated what we wanted to do for the day and settled on the zoo.  It was a good idea because all the girls had such an amazing time and it is so fun to see the excitement over the animals.  Grandma spoiled the girls and they got to feed giraffes, ride camels, and just enjoy what the zoo had to offer.  Both little girls left the zoo asleep in the stroller.

We couldn't get enough of the hand holding.  

In or Out?

Carving pumpkin fun with Aunt Danielle (can you spot her?)

Monday was the big day.  Halloween, Lilah's Birthday, FUN FUN FUN.  I had decided that with all the other parties going on and the excitement of having family around, that we would not hold an official birthday party this year.  I am glad in hindsight based on the fact that I was bed ridden for 24 hours and it would have stressed me to no end to pull a party off.  Instead we decided to celebrate with all our Stroller Strides friends at the Halloween themed class and bring cake to the potluck after.  Then we topped off the night with Trick or Treating, of course.  Lilah's best buddy, Madeleine joined us and the babies were amazingly adorable; walking right up to the doors, yelling trick or treat, inspecting each piece of candy, saying 'Thank You' and looking precious in their costumes.  We only walked around the block, but it was plenty for the girls.  We had some pumpkin rolls/bars/cake (didn't quite turn out like planned, but still yummy) and opened some gifts.  The girls played and played that night and didn't get to bed until late, but I just didn't have the heart to break up Lilah's "It's my Birthday Party!"

Enjoying the Birthday morning surprise...a new play table,  just their size.

Pebbles

Not sure what Megan is doing in the background, but love it!

Parading

Costume off, cake time!

"This looks good"

She is a serious eater

Family swim time in chilly waters

Who else gets to swim on their Halloween Birthday?

I love my backpack Gram!  I wore it to open my presents.

Pre- Trick or Treating

Lilah had a hard time staying on the path

Her new "Glasses" (it's a tiara)

Wilma and Pebbles

Cat in the Hat, Thing 2 and Thing 1 (and a half)

To all of you who follow this...sorry!

And welcome back.  I guess this post is my attempt to getting myself used to blogging again.  I have gotten out of the habit and besides not feeling like I have much to say, I have been feeling way too behind to catch up.  So what have we been up to in the past month (plus)?  A lot!

Part of the reason for lack of desire to think, let alone write, was the first trimester "fun."  For the first 13 weeks of this pregnancy nausea was running my life.  I was exhausted, no energy, no brain power, and trying my best to  stay on top of being a mom to a active toddler.  I managed to get myself to Stroller Strides at least 3 times a week, which helped.  I also took naps most days with Lilah, who luckily is still napping regularly around an hour and a half.  Now I am feeling much better.  I am 16 weeks.  And I feel like I am alive again.  Although I admit I am still napping most days.  I went to my OB thursday and got a thumbs up on progress.  This was the first time I got to hear the heartbeat.  Last time, baby wasn't cooperating yet so there was another ultrasound.  It was nice, but it is a little like seeing anything on TV, not really reality.  But hearing that heartbeat was one of the most uplifting sounds I have heard in a while.  And to make it better, Lilah came with me.  As the whoosh whoosh of the heartbeat came over the speaker, she leaned up and said "What that noise?"  Dr. Tom explained it was the babies heartbeat and she looked confused.  But later she explained to Daddy that we heard the baby, it is in Mommy's tummy!

Probably the most important event of the past month was Megan's wedding!  That meant a two week trip to Cedarville for Lilah and me.  The first week was a whirlwind of activity trying to finish up everything for the wedding, the rehearsal dinner, and the Sunday breakfast after the wedding.  Let's just say there were a few small details to work out!

Helping with favor decorating

The decorating committee

Lilah and I really didn't take much on by ourselves, except to play outside in the great weather and make sure we were eating on a regular schedule.  I am not really sure how we spent our days, but it was nice just to go with the flow and relax.   We picked and ate a ton of tomatoes from my mom's garden, we picked and ate wonderful peaches off the neighbors tree.  You get the picture.  We spent a lot of time investigating and supervising the work going on the my parents big remodel project.

Lumber inspection

Headed home after visiting Gram's classroom for more books.

Meeting the neighbors miniature horse

Gram reading Lilah her goodnight books

On Thursday I went with Megan and Alyssa to get our nails done.

On Friday was the rehearsal and big dinner.  And Saturday was the big day.  The weather held for the first day of October with clear skies, windy conditions that calmed for the wedding, and highs in the 70's.   Megan was absolutely beautiful and I was a weepy mess.  Darn hormones.  I don't really have many pictures from the big day because we were so busy. Me, trying my best to get beautiful and Shannon, chasing our crazy little girl all over.  I bought Lilah some squeaky shoes because I like the way they looked, and it was decided that she should leave the squeak in.  This meant that she didn't stop moving the whole day, but managed to capture the spotlight for the day, behind the bride of course.  I am hoping to post some of Jen's amazing photos when they are available.

Feeding the wedding crasher some apples

Gramps and Lilah before the wedding

I guess the rest of our month(s) away will pass without the updates that they probably deserve.  We really fell into a routine to get us through everyday, and besides a few small adventures, we are carrying on.  Lilah will be two in a week and a half!  And is getting more and more amazing.  It is impossible to accurately relay the hilarity of the phases that come out of her and attitude that goes with them in text.  With as much growth as she has had in the last year, I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

I will finish with some pictures from a recent pumpkin patch outing with the Stroller Strides group.

Lilah and her good friend Madeleine chasing each other around the corn maze

"This One!"

Things heard at our house tonight

Demanding voice: "Daddy, get it!"  Shannon:  "Get what?"   "Daddy, get Lilah's red soccer ball, PLEASE!."  

"Where's ball at?'  Lilah can't see it!  And then giggling like crazy because she was standing right over it and pretending not to look at it.

Me: "Where's Lilah?"  Lilah:  "Here's Lilah!"  (She popped up over the side of the chair, and it was a little reminiscent of "Here's Johnny!")

I really couldn't be more proud of her and how much she is communicating already.  She is not even 23 months yet and this is everyday conversation for her at this point.  She just had us in stitches tonight!  Here is a picture from yesterday.  She is getting so big.

About a month ago we got to visit a local Fire Station, thanks to Stroller Strides.  I have been remiss at posting the pictures, but better late than never I guess.  Lilah, in usual fashion, was a little hesitant to jump right in.  I never got a picture of her by herself on the engine and she wanted nothing to do with the spraying the hose when they let the kids take turns, but she can't stop talking about the firefighters and how she wants to go back.  Maybe next time around she will be a little more adventurous...or maybe not.

Fire Engine - eh.  Slick floor - fun!

Poor Madeleine wasn't too happy, and Lilah couldn't figure out what the problem was

All the cute kiddos....where's Lilah?

Oh, there she is

Junior firefighter - she takes her job seriously

Camping...Rain or Shine

We decided early this summer that it had been much too long since we went camping.   In fact, the last time we went I was pregnant with Lilah.  The thought of taking Lilah last year was too much, she was barely crawling, let alone walking, and stuffing everything in front of her in her mouth.  But this year, we felt she was ready to experience roughing it.  Shannon took off two days and we originally were thinking of going for three nights.  However as it approached, I started to chicken out.  I am fighting nausea and exhaustion.  I wasn't sure how well Lilah would sleep in the tent.  And I was having trouble getting us ready to go at all, with everyday adding extra planning, packing, and cooking.   

We made it out Thursday morning just after 10.  We had the car packed with us and the dogs and were pulling the trailer with the gear.  We made our way out of the city and up into the hills.  The temperature kept dropping.  The clouds were forming up ahead and we commented on how we better set up camp fast because it looked like we were going to get some afternoon rain.  We checked out several campgrounds around the Woods Canyon Lake area and decided on one.  Lilah and the dogs were both whining to get out at this point.  We were literally at the site for 5 minutes when we felt the first drops.  Shannon rushed to get the tent up since we had already pulled it out and Lilah and I sat underneath the back door of the car as the rain started to pick up.  Once the tent was mostly up, with rainfly, Shannon joined us and the five of us cuddled at the back of the car for about 20 minutes while it poured.  Then it started clearing and we thought we were good. We unpacked more of the car and started to get set up.  But the dark clouds didn't let up and soon it was raining again.  We tried to sit for awhile under the shelter we rigged, but we were getting wet and our campsite was turning into one big puddle.  Shannon took this picture with his cell phone because I was too afraid to bring my camera out of the car even in its bag.   

I decided that I could at least be setting up in the tent while we waited for the rain to subside so Lilah and I retreated to the tent.  Shannon ran back and forth bringing the suitcases, sleeping bags, and pack n play.  I set up and Lilah "helped."  It was pouring rain at this point with lightning and thunder directly overhead.  Lilah handled it really well.   A couple of the cracks of thunder made me jump out of my skin.  It wasn't long before we realized we were hungry.  So Shannon braved the elements and cooked us dinner.  I wished I had the camera with me in the tent to take a picture of Shannon, standing in a puddle with shorts and sandals on, the rain coming down in sheets, in front of the camp stove.  We made it out of the tent briefly while the rain slowed to a drizzle to eat. But all got soaking wet.  As soon as we were done we were back in the tent and never made it out the rest of the night.  Lilah went down relatively easily and was asleep before 8:30.  Shannon and I were going to wait out the rain and then go back out when it slowed, but were both asleep by the time that happened.  The rain continued off and on all night, but we woke up to a beautiful morning.  

We were able to sneak out of the tent around 7 without Lilah waking! I started hot water and was headed to the bathroom when I saw the most amazing sight.  

And the second most amazing sight of the morning...

Our campsite

Once we were all up we got breakfast and walked around the campground.  Then we decided to take a drive and go investigate the area more.  The campground is located right next to the beautiful Mogollon Rim, at about 7,500 ft.  It is beautiful.  I wish we would have explored it/hiked it a little more.  Instead we decided to drive into the forest about 20 more miles off the highway to a small campground/lake area (Knolls Lake) to investigate the campground.  We are looking for a great place, a little more off the beaten path, but with amenities and this one seemed to fit the bill.  It was a great little lake.  Clear, beautiful, small boat ramp, and chilly.  We had PB&J on the shore while Lilah and the dogs waded.  But we could see the clouds building again and rolling in, so we didn't stay long.  It was worth the drive and spectacular views from the rim.

We had about an hour after getting back before the rain rolled in.

Doritos - ultimate camping snack

Camping war wounds

Taking a nap on her rock

I told her to sit on a rock to take her daily picture - all kinds of large flat boulders around, this is the one she picked

Here it comes!

 I was preparing myself for another night in the tent, and NOT looking forward to it.  I got Lilah and I better dressed for rain and pulled out some things to keep us busy in the rain, outside, as long as possible.  This time the rain/hail down poured about 15 minutes, drizzled another hour, and then let up.  We never even had to escape to the tent.

My umpteenth hot chocolate session of the trip

Puddle hopping

We had dinner and lots puddle hopping.  Then it was time for Lilah to go to bed.  Once again she went down like a champ.  Shannon and I got to have our time next to the campfire, over a game of Scrabble.  Not to brag or anything, but I whopped him with a score of over 300.  That never happens to me!  The campground got more and more full as people started coming in for the weekend.  I was feeling old, I got grumpy trying to sleep while all the "young" people got loud and rowdy and drunk.  Maybe it was a little jealousy as I lay there feeling nauseous, hoping the loud noises and car lights wouldn't wake Lilah.

Morning two, I woke up to voices at 5 AM.  Lilah made in until 6:30.  It definitely wasn't the same calm scene as the morning before.  Instead of two elk, I got to see a trail of red cups heading to the bathroom.  Oh well.  We had a great breakfast, which always makes everything better.

Lilah was a little grumpy this morning.  Everytime she would pick up a toy she would cry out that it was dirty and throw it back down.  Every five minutes, she would whine and ask for us to wash her hands.  Poor thing, I don't think she understood the beauty of camping, and was ready to go home.   I was tired, and so Shannon and Lilah took the dogs for a walk while I laid down before packing.  A must - the camping nap!  Lilah played around while Shannon I took our time packing up the campsite to head home.  Conner was ready to head home too.

The biggest smile of the day - when I asked her if it was time to go home.

I am really glad we went.  It was a really nice trip.  Even the night spent in the tent was worth it.  I think Lilah will love camping, as soon as we can convince her it is ok to get dirty while camping.  And I am so glad we only stayed two nights.  I am exhausted.  But not as exhausted as Lilah was for the ENTIRE ride home.  Literally, OUT, before we left the campground.

A BIG month for this family

I am so ashamed.  It is August.  My last post....mid June!  Wow, I am on the ball this summer.  Granted we were gone from home for almost three weeks while we spent time with friends and family in California.  It was a great trip.  To be honest, the first long trip I have taken with Lilah that I wasn't dying to get home after the first week. She was a great traveler, slept well (except those couple of nights when she would realize I was in the room with her), and had a great time having a constant stream of people to play with.

Naked swim time with Peyton

Then I left again the very next weekend.  Just me, no kid, no husband.  I went to Bend OR and spent the weekend with my good friend CB.  CB is the quintessential gym rat, the strongest, most in-shape girl I know (well besides my SS moms of course).  I knew that an excuse of a good race would be the perfect reason to escape for a weekend and go hang out with her.  We ran the 10k as part of the Deschutes Dash weekend (a full triathlon).  It was a great weekend and so nice to get away from everything.  The race went well too.  I wanted to be under 60 minutes and I came in at 56:14.

Nothing better than finish line drinks (at 10AM)

After that weekend I didn't feel like I could catch up.  I tried getting back to regular workouts and better eating habits.  Lilah was cranky and clingy.  It went on this way for a couple of weeks.  Just trying to keep it together, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not.  Then I had a morning Body Back run on a Saturday morning.  We put in just shy of 6 miles that morning.  Usually I feel great after doing that, but this morning I was dragging.  I took a nap for 3 hours that day and another the next day.  My stomach felt a little uneasy all weekend.  I was crying at stupid commercials.  Wait a minute, could it be, oh no!  I mean, oh YEAH!

That's right.  Lilah is going to become a big sister sometime around April 1st, 2012.  Was this planned?  Yes.  Were we trying?  Yes.  But for only a couple of weeks.  Literally a few days.  And I had been gone so much that there was only once.  Yep, it really does take only once.

I know I am only 6 weeks along and you are supposed to wait the official 8 weeks to start sharing the news, but I am not as nervous this go around.  If anything does go wrong, I am sure I will share with all of you here, and we will move on.   There are actually a lot of things different about the way I feel about this pregnancy and I have a feeling that will be indicative of the whole second kid.

I love this baby already.  I had no idea what having a child would be like the first go around, and had a hard professing love to the thing that made me feel so awful. Of course now I know what that love is and I am already in love with Baby Lentil (the vegetable equivalent for this week).   Last time I had given up all "bad" substances, like alcohol and caffeine, before stopping birth control.  This time I have the 'oh, I am pregnant, guess I better put down this cup of coffee' mentality.  Anyway, I am glad I will have this blog to share the pregnancy ups and downs.  But just don't expect it too often because the official rule is that Momma sleeps when Lilah sleeps is in effect!