New Year's Eve

Rob and I started out New Year's Eve by going to see "Wicked" at the Detroit Opera House with friends.

We all really enjoyed the play and Mommy really enjoyed kicks all through it from our Girl To Be. :)

At home, Lily enjoyed lots of fun in Birmingham with Mimi.

Now, we're spending the last minutes of 2011 in our favorite place... with our perfect little family at home.

Happy New Year!

Wrapping up 2011

It's new year's eve and another year is coming to a close. On this day, I can't help but reflect on all of the blessings that 2011 held for us and all of the excitement of the coming year. Mainly...

This Christmas season held lots of fun for our family. For the first time, Lily really started to "get it." Unfortunately, "getting it" meant a paralyzing fear of Santa Clause.

Christmas morning, our girl ran out to her presents with excitement... until Daddy and I announced "look what Santa brought you!" I've never seen such a quick turn around. Our little girl made a quick beeline for the bedroom at the suggestion that Santa could be anywhere in our house. Forget presents, this was serious!

Finally, however, when the coast was deemed clear from any Santa Clause sneaking around, we had a great time opening presents. Lily opened them one at a time, methodically, true to her norm. She wanted to play with each and every toy before moving onto the other, which made for a slow, but special morning. Kitchen sets, playdough and duckies...oh my!

We also got to enjoy Christmas with all of our family. It started with "Christmas in Michigan", an annual Conley tradition.

We spent Christmas Eve at Auntie Diane's enjoying good food and great family.

Christmas included family and even a special night with friends, too.

We have been blessed with so many wonderful things this year, but most importantly, all of our wonderful friends and family.

Happy New Year!!!

Daddy's Girl

It never ceases to amaze me, my girl's love for her Daddy. A special kind of love like none other. Sure, she comes to me for confidence and comfort, but she goes to Daddy for fun, for adventure, for a special kind of adoration that is all its own. This special love comes out most in these precious weeks when Daddy is off and is all hers. My girl's absolute devotion to her Daddy really shows most in these weeks.

On these "off" weeks, Daddy is all Lily's and any deviation from this is noted and fought. This morning, Lily woke up to Daddy out running errands and she immediately informed me that she was not happy about it and waits for the "beep beep beep" that his car makes upon his arrival. When he came home to some outdoor house chores, she had to drag her stool to the window to supervise.

She's always Daddy's shadow and wants to be a part of everything he does. Whether it be cleaning the dogs ears (yuck!) or playing on the ipad, she's Daddy's Girl. Mommy tries for days to get her to wear certain shoes, a simple request from Daddy and the wish is immediately granted. This girl's ready for a fight when the comb comes out to do her hair, but Daddy tries a "pony" and she walks around showing it off proudly. It's just the magic that is Daddy and it is wonderful.

Such a great day!

A day that started out like any other turned magical in minutes with every mistake we made.

We drove out to Flint trying to ride the Huckleberry Train only to find it closed for another 2 hours. Instead of heading home, we headed to the Flint Children's museum and loved it.

Lily had a great time building with Mimi and Mommy,

 bossing around Daddy,

and playing in the kids' city.

Mommy and Daddy had fun, too! :)

We had a great time at Flint Children's Museum and definitely will be heading back!

Next, we headed off to try the train again. Our tired little bunny barely stayed awake for the ride, but loved the "Choo-Choo" and watching "her moon" (I'm convinced it comes out every night just for her) from the window.

Finally, we headed off to try a restaurant we had anticipated, to once again be detoured by a long wait and a sleeping girl. But, we picked up take-out from Lockhart's instead and all shared a delicious BBQ picnic at home. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Holiday Traditions

I had a date with a friend tonite that I was all excited about. Every year, we break out our culinary skills and have a cookie-a-thon full of laughs and lots and lots of eating.

Today, thing after thing got in our way so I decided to make some dough (in my new kitchen aid mixer!!!) and wait for her arrival. Bad news. 2 hours later it's a no-go and I have dough that needs to be baked.

Plan B. Try out my little munchkin's hand at baking. She's kind of short and I was pretty sure a little too young for any baking beyond slice and bake, but I gave it a try...

I got a night of pure magic. My little girl perched on her little stool telling me to "push" (the roller) and repeating "cookies! Cookies!" She was even quick to jump in pjs for the chance to continue. We made snowmen, bells, trees and gingerbread man. Most importantly, we made our first mother/daughter christmas cookie making memory. Just another reminder to store up those little moments in her tradition bank. I'm sure she'll laugh about it when she's older and I'll cherish these memories for a lifetime.

Introductions

Today I met you for the first time. You became absolutely real and made your presence known. You said, "hello Mommy! I'm here!" And just like that, you moved into my heart. Each little kick pushed the walls of my heart bigger and bigger and caused my anticipation to grow more and more. I can't wait to see you. I can't wait to hold your hand. I can't wait to see how much your sister is going to love you. "Hello little person. It's your Mama and I'm so glad to meet you."

Holiday memories

I'm officially that girl. Standing in the middle of a crowd, tears pouring down my cheeks. It's just all too perfect. Dozens of friends clustered together sipping hot chocolate. Little girls huddled together on a blanket dancing to the music of the high school bands, grabbing candy as it flies through the air and waiting for Santa to make his big entrance. My little girl's eyes are as big as gum balls and her smile is forever plastered on her face. The feeling of family is so thick in the air you can taste it and I know that these memories we're making are some Lily will always cherish. These friends that are more like family. Parades and pizza dinners and talent shows with the girls after. Staying up late with "big girl" friends, giggling in a circle and playing games she's too little to understand. It's the holiday season and we couldn't be happier. :)