Little Lily

Oh sweet Lily! I just caught you standing in your play pen, holding & swinging your baby doll, talking and smiling up a storm.  You are just the sweetest.

My Little Fire Engine

Lillies, Everyday you give me something new to laugh at.  You have taught me how to squeal in delight.  I shouldn't laugh at how you cry but you are making this very difficult. You do the most perfect impersonation of a fire engine that I've ever heard.  Your cry starts off low and builds to a crescendo that sounds exactly like a fire engine sounding its siren.  Typically, you sound your siren when you are ready to get out of your crib.  You reserve your silent cry for bumps and bruises and a half-laugh/ half-cry for sleepiness. 

I love you cries and I love you.

Scrunchie Face

Looking back through my letters to you, I realized that I hadn't written one on your "scrunchie face."  Unbelievable because it's my most favorite thing in the WHOLE world.  You started making this face while you were eating at the table. It looked like you really hated what I was feeding you but you would make the face even when drinking your water.  Now, all I have to say is "scrunchie face" and you screw up your little nose and close your eyes.  Sometimes Mommy has to make the face first before you'll do it.  I don't even care how silly I look as long and you make that precious face.  I love your little giggle and smile that comes afterward too.  At your birthday party, you made a speedy scrunchie face for everyone that was drop-dead funny.  It was like you didn't have time to make the full face.

I could go on and on.  I don't know that I've ever thought ANYTHING was as cute as this face you make. I love you!

Steps

Sissy, You have started taking steps.  I love when you PLOP down on your hiny like it's been hard work to make those few half-steps. I can tell that you are very proud of yourself. I think your enthusiasm causes you to fall more than any lack of balance.  I will miss your crazy crawling (where you don't touch your knees to the floor) when walking starts full-time.  This in-between is very entertaining. 

Have I mentioned that I LOVE your "scrunchie face" lately?  I'm rather obessessed with it.

You're One Today!

Mimmies!
You are ONE today!
I just don't know where the time has gone.  I love you more at this moment than ever...and I imagine tomorrow I will love you even more.  I love it when you make your "scrunchy face."  It gives me uncontrollable happiness.  You are starting to balance standing up and have managed the step-and-fall without hurting yourself (thank goodness for diaper-padding).
I'm so excited to celebrate you, your irreplaceable addition to this family and your sweet, spunky self.
I love you.

You're a MESS

Oh Lily Kate, you are such a mess!  Your smile takes up your entire face and your giggle is contagious.  I could listen to you laugh endlessly.  Last night, you thought I was funny and I repeated myself until we couldn't possibly laugh any more. This morning, for your nap, you wanted to play peek-a-boo and your laugh could have kept me there for hours if you weren't too sleepy to keep giggling. 

I love how you have starting dancing, or bouncing. You wave one arm like crazy and dip low to the ground only to pop back up as fast as you can and swing that arm up with you.  It's like you're doing crazy squats or something.

Looking into your eyes, I am just so curious about who you will be.  You are independent and hysterical, with your own little sense of humor and a million faces to go with it.  You love your brother but have moments when you are DONE with him.  You just beat your own drum and make up your own march too.  You are fascinating!

Ugh PeePee

Uuuuuugh Lily Kate. 
This morning, as soon as I opened the door to your room, I guessed you had been busy in your diaper.  Pee Pee everywhere...with a side of poop.  Through your clothes even.  I would never have guessed by the smile you gave me that you were even the slightest bit uncomfortable.  Now everything smells like your diaper.  It's a good thing you are adorable because, this morning, you are a super stinker!