A Day in the Life of Lily

I thought I'd post some of the random goings-on of our day-to-day life here in the Ellis home. I don't post often so when I do it's usually about big events, but it's the every day things I want to cherish here.

I didn't see her actually doing this until she was done, 

but one minute I was doing dishes and the next I had

looked over and saw her carefully place the last balloon on 

the bottom step, then gently sit down in the small opening

she had clearly left for herself. I almost feel silly to write it, 

but I have to admit it was a proud Mommy moment.

Not only did she have to place them there so they would stay,

she put them in a row and even left a spot for herself.

That's my girl!

She has recently rediscovered her love for bananas, but she will

only eat one if she can carry it around. Don't even try

to put her in a high chair with a banana. I can't say I mind

as a banana is at least a healthy snack, the only problem is she

loves to sit on the couch (suede does not agree with bananas) 

and lay on our large, hairy and always shedding Sophie

while she eats it. This results in a lot of consumed dog

hair, but she finds so much joy in it, and I don't think

Sophie minds either. (And yes, that is a tattoo on her belly.

I put it on in one of those "I will do anything to get you to

stop whining right now" moments.)

 Winter is long and cold. I didn't realize how much 

we participated in outside activities during the summer 

until it became so cold, wet and rainy. 

In a moment of panicked boredom I 

found a website that has fun craft ideas for kids

Lily's age. The first one we decided to try was paint

because it was easiest and most accessible. She obviously 

loved it because it's colorful and messy (her two favorite things).

She wanted to do more, but I wanted to save some of the other

colors for later and that kind of paint was not cheap.

 Luckily I found a recipie for "edible" finger paint that 

we are going to try next. 

We have yet to try that, however, as soon after she got the flu and an

ear infection, but be looking out for more crafty pictures!

Night Night
Cheese

Lily has been trying on our shoes for quite a while now, but it wasn't until the other day she actually got both of her feet in and was able to walk around. She expirimented first in my shoes, then in Daddy's when he got home. I picked the top two pictures because her faces are so funny. The one on the left she is saying "night night" (her binkie and blankie and called night night's) and in the left one she is saying "cheese". She is silly. The one on the bottom in Daddy's shoes is her normal "cheese" face, though.

And last, but certainly not least, are the dance parties.

We like to clear the living room, turn up the music

and just let loose. We taught her how to "raise the roof"

which is depicted in this picture here. :)

Things that happened in December besides Christmas

While we all know most of December is filled with gift shopping, Christmas parties and baking, I was able to capture a few other moments on film as well. 

Even though Brynt's birthday is two days after Christmas we were still able to get a few people out of their post-Christmas exhaustion to come celebrate. We had a delicious dinner at the Pizza House, Harry Potter cookie cake from Mrs. Fields and homemade butter beer. Oh, and also awesome Gryffindor scarf. Anyone notice a theme?

Snow

Lily got to truly experience her very first snow. I'm not sure how kids usually feel about it, but she loves the stuff. Kicking it, rolling in it, and mostly eating it. I must admit, there aren't too many things that can take me back to my childhood like eating a big ball of snow does. I knew the snow would be too deep for her to walk in and we didn't have any sleds handy, but I was determined to find a substitute and managed to come up with this inflatable pool we had hidden away from this summer and alas, a sled is born! Well, it was good enough for Lily at least. She pretty much refused to get out until we offered to pull her around in her wagon instead. 

Silly Lily Moments

Here are just some other odds and ends moments.

I was making a tray for New Years Eve with olives and of course Lily had to try one. I was surprised when she ate it and actually asked for another. So I obviously had to teach her what every awesome kid does with whole olives; put them on her fingers. She then proceeded to put all four in her mouth at the same time, then spit them all over the carpet after being chewed to bits. 

Accessorizing

She wasn't a fan of me trying to eat my breakfast all by my lonesome, 

so she likes to sit by me and help me eat it now. 

Just a snippet of what our nap times have been like.

I won't even get into that.

I was so excited when she finally started eating her yogurt on her own.

It's amazing how much more I can get done when she feeds herself. 

She has recently, however, taken to using her hands to eat her yogurt. 

The spoon being a simple accessory in her hand. Needless to say,

that's been interesting. I will have to post a video of that next time. 

This is just too cute not to share. She loves her Pop Pop.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

What a whirl wind Christmas we had this year! I think the part I loved most was the focus we put on quality time instead of gifts. While it's always a joy watching someone opening presents you picked out especially for them, we really tried to focus on creating special Christmas moments with the people we love instead of material things. While it may not seem like it, this is a very brief recap of our Christmas (please note I skimmed through hundreds of pictures, so yes, this is brief!)  

Santa!!!!!

I would definitely not declare this years trip to see Santa a success! Santa was great, of course. He could sense Lily had been properly taught "stranger danger" and so very nicely (and a bit creepily) offered Brynt sit on his lap while holding Lily so she would be more comfortable. As seen in the second picture, this was not enough for her and she was thoroughly frightened when Brynt went to sit her on Santa's lap. Maybe next year, Santa. She recovered once she saw the horses outside (or as Lily calls them, "neigh"). I won't lie, it made me feel better too. 

 Zoo Lights

We were able to pick up the time honored tradition of going to the zoo lights at the Toledo Zoo with our boys, Seb and Xan and our new addition, Lily. Even though there was an 80% chance of rain and it was freezing cold, we all managed to have an excellent time. Lily loved seeing all of the lights and the creatures created from them. It's a tradition I can't wait to continue next year. 

Cookies

We have also continued the Christmas tradition of making cookies at Brynt's Mom's and my parent's as well. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when decorating at my parent's but here's the gist of Lily helping. She especially liked "rolling" the peanut butter cookies and making the marks in them with the fork. The cutest was when she wanted to help put sprinkles on all of the cookies. 

Festivities

We are so grateful to have been able to attend so many family celebrations this year. It allowed us to visit with a lot of family and friends I feel we don't see often enough. Unfortunately, my camera was not on hand for every event but I was able to capture a few precious moment in the chaos that is Christmas. 

With her new bff and cousin, Peter Aaron. (Yes, this is the handsome
little man I worked so diligently to bring into this world).

Schroeder's

It was a quiet Christmas at my parent's this year with my Grandpa and Uncle not being there and Emily and Kyle not arriving until later, but we found it to be relaxing and a nice way to catch up with one another during this very busy season. I am so thankful for my wonderful family for always being constant and reliable and all around amazing. These are the people I depend on for everything and without them I truly feel I would be nothing. There is no greater feeling than sharing a warm time like Christmas with people like this.

Ellis'

We spent Christmas day at Brynt's Mom's along with his brother's and Grandma Jackie. We were so glad she was able to join us this year as she somehow seems to make us all so happy. It was a nice relaxing day spent in our PJ's opening presents and watching movies. We couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our Christmas. 

 

Our Christmas

Our Christmas was a small one this year. As I had mentioned before, we focused on quality time instead of gifts. I made Lily a chalkboard/magnet board I found on Pinterest that she is still enjoying quite a bit. Brynt and I decided to just revel in the fact that we have so many wonderful people and things in our life; we couldn't have asked for more than that. It was simple and perfect. A Simply Perfect Christmas. 

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!