The Cutest Moments are the Littlest Ones

I started taking picture tonite with a few things in mind: commemorate Lily's first mini french braids and take some pictures of her new favorite thing, her big red chair. Like always, my plans took an unexpected twist and turned into something so special.

First.... Lily's new big red chair:

Now, on for the best part... After I took these big red chair pics, I figured maybe I should take some pics of her famous pediped collection of polka-dot shoes. I've been meaning to do this for a while, so knowing my Mom needed her camera back, I figured now was as good as any.

I went into Lily's room and gathered up her pedipeds and went into the kitchen to start photographing. Almost immediately, Lily stopped what she was doing and headed into her room (a place reserved for bed and the occassional stroll with Mommy or Daddy) and re-appeared with her boots. She came right over and arranged them in my mix of shoes and looked on proudly. As I kept rearranging, she jumped right in. She stacked and unstacked and made several more trips into her room for more props. (A lot of walking for tiny little legs.) The more pictures I took, the more she mimicked me, arranging and rearranging and adding and subtracting. Such a precious little moment with my precious little girl!

Lily Loves Legos!

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Peek-a-Boo

Lots of great new changes this week in the world of Lily and a few old ones I forgot to mention...

New: Peek-a-Boo (completely Lily initiated), nodding yes (something I thought wouldn't happen until I started giving her $$), "cup", LOTS of "Mamas" (a personal favorite of mine... It used to be a few mamas in btw a million dadas), climbing onto the couch, running hugs, walking unassisted in public places (which leads to long naps...yes!!!), discovery of zoo animals, "up", shrieking for no apparent reason and cracking up after, building huge lego towers bigger than her, high fives, moving furniture to climb wherever she wants, using the dog as a step-stool (such a good dog!)

Old: shaking her head furiously "no", "cat" and pointing to a cat, blowing kisses, climbing EVERYTHING, laughing at TV shows, trying to brush her hair and smiling when you say "pretty", throwing a tantrum anytime any shoes are put on her other than her Polka-dot Pedipeds or Uggs (thank you, Elaine and Alex McLain... there will be paybacks!! ;) )

Spring has sprung

Such a proud little girl...and excited, too! The weather warmed up to almost 60 today, so after a loooonnngggg winter, we finally got outside. Lily went wild!

The minute I told Lily she could actually step over the threshold of the door, the spot normally only crossed in the safety of Mommy's arms, she smiled from ear to ear. It got better and better. As she walked outside, it was like Christmas all over again. A slide! A swing! A picnic table!

Lily quickly mastered the rock climbing wall up to the slide...the spot she didn't even know how to pull up on when I put it out there. She beamed as she stood at the top, so proud of her accomplishment. She went down the slide and began climbing right back up it. Minutes later, she climbed to the top of the "big girl" picnic table (to Mommy's horror!!).

As if this weren't enough, I had another trick up my sleeve, a new (used) wagon. The rest of the afternoon was spent climbing in and out, working the door and riding around the block. As soon as Lily learned that standing up while moving was not allowed, she stood up over and over with a big smile each time. I couldn't help but laugh to myself...imagining a smiling girl of 16 sneaking out with the car keys.

The first day my little girl walked, climbed and played in warm spring air...a day to remember.

A battle of wills

Over the last few weeks, I've told you about a little bit of 'tude that Lily has been developing along with her walking. Little pushes to signal you're in her way and head (or whole body) shrugs have become a staple in our house. Today, she upped the ante. My little angel officially found her stubborn streak and I have a feeling it's here to stay.

It all started with putting away toys. Or the lack there of. Lily didn't want to and showed this adamantly with head shakes and by stomping away.

No biggie. I brought her back and asked again. This time it escalated to throwing her body against the floor and some tears.

Still no biggie. I asked again. This time it was war. Daddy was there and Lily was going to get him involved. No luck... so she did all that she could do...my little angel turned into a green eyed monster.

She kicked. She screamed. She threw herself on the floor. She cried like I've never seen her cry before... Cries of terror! Remaining cool has never been so hard.

Alone, Lily would've given up quickly, but this time she had an audience. This went on for at least 10 minutes. It felt like years.

Finally, Daddy persuaded her into placing a single block in the box by making it a funny game. Game over, right? Wrong. I try to hug Lily and she emphatically shakes her head no and instead marches over to hug everyone else.

Team Lily=1, Team Mommy=0. Who taught who the lesson?

Finally, Lily gave in and let me hold her before bed, but she occasionally looks over at me as if to say, "remember what you learned today." This whole parent thing might be a little harder than I thought. ;)

Growing up girl

I can't help but love all these precious pictures of my little girl sleeping. So peaceful and cuddly. Everything's so perfect in the world when she decides to climb up in my lap and snuggle, falling asleep in the perfect safety of my arms.

Lily has grown so much in the last few weeks... Really becoming more and more her own little person. With walking has come confidence and a little attitude. Watch out world, here she comes! If you get in her way, she'll let you know by pushing you out of the way. Such a funny experience to have a little munchkin letting you know you're in her path.

Lily's still sweet as ever. She gives hugs and kisses in pairs, never kissing one person without including the other. She also babbles incessantly totally expecting that you understand every word she says. She is absolutely the light of our lives.

Video: Lily Walking

By popular demand... Lily walking :)