LOOK WHAT LILY FOUND!

A couple of new discoveries....

Lily has been trying to find that crazy thumb since birth, and finally did! She is still working on this skill... notice her other four fingers are straight. This frustrates her, especially when she pokes herself in the eye! 

She also found her toes, and loves them. So cute. :)

It is amazing how her little brain stores each new discovery. She now automatically goes for her thumb and toes... they are her new best friends!

We are struggling a little with the sleeping department. It's not that she doesn't love her sleep.... it's just the schedule that her little body thinks is "normal." Most "nights" she can sleep 7-9 hours at a time... and has even slept a record 12.5 hours!!! Naps are not an issue. She cries to let us know it is time for her nap, and then she puts herself to sleep without a problem. However, night time is a different story. This is the time she wants to party. Despite our best efforts, her "bedtime" keeps moving in the wrong direction... should be interesting when I return to work next week!

Lily has been so chatty. Scotty was just telling me about a funny "conversation" they had last night. She loves it when we mimic her sounds. Her Daddy is especially gifted in this department.

We are getting excited for a visit from Paw Paw, Nana Jo & Aunti Ri for Thanksgiving. They arrive tomorrow & will be here for a week!

Lily after sleeping 12.5  hours straight!

OUR SILLY LITTLE LILY...

It seems that Lily is literally changing in some way every day. Last week, I think her eyelashes doubled in length. In the last couple of days, Scotty & I noticed her hair is really coming in... now not as much of a "business in the front, party in the back" look... she has a party in the front too. :) When she gets excited, she swings her feet up in the air. I think it is a matter of time before she grabs on to those toes.

We introduced a new game known as "naked time"... and Lily LOVES it! First we crank up the crazy Land of Nod music from Lily's friend Henry. Then we place one of her unbelievably soft blankets in the crib and lay her down with only a diaper on. She kicks, swings her arms, and squeals with delight. So much fun! 

We are also now doing web cam with Gramma Di & Gramps (Scotty's parents) and Paw-Paw, Nana Jo & Aunti Ri (my parents & sister). It's a really fun way to keep in touch with them... and will hopefully hold them over between visits. Lily sure loves it!

Mommy & Daddy had another night out on the town last night. Cora & Jill came over to watch Lily for a few hours while we went to Home Depot & out to dinner. So far, we haven't had to ask anyone to babysit... the offers come to us first! It really is important to spend a little time together, just the two of us. And I don't know that we would necessarily think of it. So thank you, friends!

Jillian and Lillian!

Cora and Lily!

I love naked time!

Please mom, just let me have two more minutes of tummy time!

THE BLOG HAS FINALLY BEEN RELEASED... AS PROMISED!

As many of you know, Lily's Mommy can be a bit of a procrastinator & perfectionist... thank you all for being patient! You had to wait, and now I have probably gone a little overboard. Anyway, we hope this will be a great way to keep family & friends updated, as well as keep a journal for ourselves. Please check the blog for future entries & new photos. :)

The last few months have been incredible and life changing. We never imagined the love & happiness that would fill our hearts. We've heard it before, but now can understand, that a baby will change your world & priorities. I actually feel more relaxed now than ever before. We are learning more & more from our beautiful daughter every day. Even though Lily isn't "using her words" as we like to suggest to her, she has other ways of letting us know what she needs. :) 

Scotty has been an AMAZING husband & daddy (who had a doubt?). Lily adores him & loves her Daddy time. She especially enjoys all of the personalized impromptu songs that he sings (a talent Mommy does not possess). Mommy's favorite Daddy song would have to be "Gimme some of that BLT... don't gimme no fake may-nase." 

Some recent news... 

11/4/08... a big day, for everyone! Anyway, in our little world it was a big day because I ventured out with Lily to vote, go to the post office, get gas & go grocery shopping (all in one trip). Lily usually stays at home with Daddy when I run errands. Yesterday I felt brave... and she was an angel the entire time.

Lily is definitely smiling/reacting with intention to her Mommy & Daddy... we enjoy carrying on family "conversations." 

With most every nap, she successfully breaks out of her swaddle/burrito. Notice "Houdini" in the photo. This is how I found Lily one morning... looks like she may be into the 80's "off the shoulder" style. Also, she lets us know it is nap time with a very distinct cry that Mommy likes to call "the sick cat cry."

She is sleeping like a champ! We have had 2 nights in a row (11/3 & 11/4) with Lily sleeping 9 hours during the night!! Amazing. 

She HATES "tummy time"... not new, just unchanged. We welcome any suggestions. :)

When playing on her mat, she can turn her top half to the side.

Lily loves bath time... with the exception of rinsing her hair, washing her neck & the transition from bath to clothes. 

P.S. Here are some of Lillian Faye's nicknames:

"Lily" (of course)

"Pooperton" (pretty much retired... I probably don't have to explain this one)

"Babers"

"Smiley"

"Liller"/"Liller-Pie"/"Liller-Pie-Punkin-Face"

"Squisher-Pie"

"Sleeper-Pie"

Really, most anything works with "pie" attached... try it.

LILY'S FIRST HALLOWEEN!

Lily dressed as a black cat all day, and a bumblebee while "trick-or-treating" at camp. Thank you, Ellie, for letting Lily borrow your adorable bumblebee costume! We stayed at home that evening to greet other trick-or-treaters (including Lily's friends Scarlette & Evi).

  Scarlette & Evi

Lily loved seeing all of her friends at Hole in the Wall...

Cathie

Dwyer (Mark)

Tiffany

Audrey

Mary

Matty

Cora

Hilary

Ryan

Peaches (Sarah)

Ellen

AN EXCITING MONTH FOR LILY... MANY BIG EVENTS & "FIRSTS!" (OCTOBER 2008)

1. First time with babysitters (October 2nd)-- thank you Hilary & Dwyer! Mommy & Daddy went out for a delicious dinner to celebrate Daddy's birthday & their second wedding anniversary. We heard she was well behaved (must have been the "talk" we had before leaving).

2. Lily started "talking" (cooing/making fun noises) during the first week of October. So much fun! While "talking," Lily flares her nostrils just like her "Aunti Ri" (Mariah) did when she was a baby. :) Also, please note the expression in her eyebrows... we love it!

3. First wedding (October 4th)... our dear friends Grahame & Beth had a beautiful wedding in Somerset, MA. Another camp marriage! Somehow we didn't get a photo of the bride & groom together... I guess we were distracted!!

Grahame, Daddy & Lily

Lily, Karen, Tiffany, Dylan & Kate

4. First laugh (October 6th)... at her birdie mobile. This happened about 2:15 AM. Mommy & Daddy didn't care what time it was... this was too special. She laughed off & on for about 2 minutes (still the record). We haven't been able to capture this on video, but hope to soon! 

5. First trip to the zoo (October 10th)... Lily, Mommy & Daddy met their friends Emily, Henry, Laura, Olivia & Sophie at The Bronx Zoo in New York. Animals are missing from the photos below, but you'll have to trust us... we really were there!

Emily & Henry

Laura & Sophie

6. First time to sleep in her crib (October 16th)... also the day of her 2 month appointment. She was 13 pounds and 24 inches! Also not such a happy event... her first shots. And we thought it was important to mention, Lily slept a record 7 hours at night just a few days before moving from her cradle to the crib!

7. Second time with babysitters (October 18th)... thank you Mike & "Coop!" Mommy & Daddy enjoyed another dinner out.

8. "Uncle" JP's visit (October 22nd-26th). Lily was happy to finally meet someone other than Daddy that speaks "her language."

9. Lily's first Halloween (10/31/08)!

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LILY... OH MY! (SEPTEMBER 2008)

Under construction. :)

ARRIVAL OF LILLIAN FAYE STEVENS! (AUGUST 2008)

Under construction. :)

AWAITING LILY'S ARRIVAL... THE LAST MONTH! (JULY/AUGUST 2008)

Scotty & Sarah in Cape Cod, MA 7/19/08

photo by Marcia Cook

photo by Marcia Cook

Hutch for the nursery refinished by Gramma Di & Gramps

Gramps with a "bump" too

Great find for the nursery at The Brimfield Antique Show!