At Stroller Strides today, Lily and Brooke were holding hands and being really cute. As you can see below and on Michelle & Brooke’s Blog.

This was a few months ago, but I don’t think I ever posted them!

So there we were, sitting on the couch. She was sitting next to me like she was a little kid. She grabbed my arm and pulled it around her so we were snuggling. Three minutes later she was fast asleep with her head resting on me. My heart melting just a little at that moment.

Lily has started solid foods. The first time we tried it with the spoon and as soon as it would touch her lips (not even in her mouth yet) she would perform an overly dramatic gagging routine. So we had to start by using the can of baby food like a cup and letting her try to drink it, stick her fingers in it, and make a mess of everything within a five foot radius. Then we moved to the spoon. After a few days she got the hang of the spoon and she is now eating in a semi normal way. It is still messy but she doesn’t need a bath after every meal.

We also had our 6 month doctor appointment a little while ago. She weighed in at only 17 pounds. I was sure she was at least 25, but I guess not. She also is 27 inches tall! This means she has grown 3 inches since November 22. She is in the 50% percentile for weight and 90% for height. Tall and Skinny!
She is able to sit up on her own now (although wobbly at times) and loves to laugh/smile. She also has an obsession with anything small and fluffy.

I am acting particularly lazy when it comes to uploading pictures. But they are worth the wait, aren’t they?

Christmas is nearing. A few people have already asked me what kinds of things Lily would like or might need. In trying to come up with creative gift ideas, we decided to create the “Send Lily to College” fund. We opened a high interest savings account. The money will be used to support her when she decides to pursue college or other educational activities. We will make regular deposits throughout her life and we hope you do too!

Please visit the Send Lily to College page for more information on how you can donate online!

Merry Christmas and thank you for your support!

Around Halloween, the family went to Bates Nut Farm to pick out a pumpkin. Here are pictures of Lily June and her Pumpkin:

Lily is 18 pounds. I remember growing up we had one wall in our house reserved for measuring our height as we grew. My sisters and I would stand in front of it and mark the wall above our head. I remember making my body as straight and as tall as possible, just so I could get that line a little higher and a little closer to sister’s. I want to do that with Lily. I have a poster which serves the same purpose, that way we can take it with us wherever we move. I am going to start this week since the ruler starts at 2 feet high.

She is learning new things every day. The last couple days she has learned to whine. I think Shammy Shoe taught her because she sounds like a sad puppy. I don’t think she is even sad when she does it. She also makes this strange noise that makes me laugh and the more I laugh the more she makes the noise and smiles. It is really cute.

She doesn’t like it when other people hold her now and if I am not here to put her to bed, forget about sleeping. For example last night, Lily and I met Jen and Kim for dinner. Kim was trying to hold her but Lily would just start balling every time. As soon as I would take her back, she would stop. So after dinner we came back to the house. Stan was watching Lily while me, Jen and Kim went down to the spa (The first time I have taken a Lily break in quite a while, much needed). This was around Lily’s bed time and I am usually the one who puts her to sleep (I think I have only missed one night of that since she was born). She did not like the fact that I wasn’t there. She terrorized her Daddy until she couldn’t cry anymore and then passed out. I noticed this starting about a month ago. I secretly don’t mind…I feel sad when she isn’t around too. But I think if it goes on I will never be able to get a baby sitter or have a life outside of Lily. It is nice though to have some confirmation that she likes me back, at least a little.

It is interesting to see how other people handle her though. Especially Jen, who is actually more scared of babies than of ax murders. If you gave her the option of holding a baby or jumping off a 10 story building, I have no doubt she would at least consider the jump. I suppose I was the same way before Lily though. I remember when my sister’s son, Aidan, was just a baby. I think he must have been 4 months old. I tried to hold him and he just started balling. I was paralyzed and kind of held him out all awkwardly until she could come take him. So, there is hope for Jen. I think motherly instinct does exist but in some cases, like Jen and I, you are unable to tap into it until the moment is right.

Now, I do see a distinct difference between myself and my single/childless friends. For a while, I couldn’t really pin my finger on exactly what it was. After All, it wasn’t more than a year ago that I was exactly like them. I could travel on a moments notice, wear three inch heels (and love it) or even just make it to the gym. I have come to the realization that, for the rest of my twenties, I will not spend nights out on the town in very cute outfits, but rather most of my nights will be spent wiping snotty noses, changing diapers and snuggling the most love-able baby that ever lived…in pajamas. But that is OK with me. I love it. Given the choice, being with Lily is where I want to be. I guess that is just it then, I’ve joined the mommy club…

I have discovered two tiny teeth poking through Lily’s gums. They are the bottom two front teeth. Ah well, time for the frozen teething keys and a Little PIM french lesson. Good Day.

Lily June is learning so quickly. She also wants to grab everything she sees and stick it in her mouth. She is now in her fifth month of life. I am scheduling a doctor appointment next week to get her second set of shots. I can’t wait to find out how much she weighs and how tall she is. She loves to make noise. She hasn’t made out any specific words but she is getting close. She LOVES to smile. It is probably her favorite thing. She will smile at the dog, cat and anyone who walks by. She is getting better at using her jumparoo. We put a thin pillow underneath so her feet can touch and she is getting the hang of bouncing up and down in it. She is wearing 6-9 month old clothes now and has out grown most of her outfits. Another of her favorite things is the television, or anything that glows for that matter including cell phones, lights, etc.

I am working on the five month video and will have it posted later this week.