Holiday Happenings

Despite all of the snow we have gotten we still had a wonderful Christmas! We did not celebrate Christmas on Christmas, but does that really matter? Lily is too little to even know the difference. Jason and I both had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we did our celebrating a little earlier. We traveled up to Newcastle on Monday afternoon to spend time with Jason's mom and step dad. Lily had so much fun playing in the snow and hanging out with her Grandma and Grandpa that she doesn't get to see very often. Lily even helped build the biggest snowman I have ever seen (picture attached). Later that night Lily opened up her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Moran. She got so much stuff she (and her mom) doesn't know what to do with it all! Lily also helped Daddy and Grandma bake sugar cookies and homemade carmel corn. It is always so much fun going back to the farm. We get to do so many fun and different things. As usual, Lily was mooing at the cows and meowing at the kitties...she even tackled a cat this time. On Tuesday afternoon we left Newcastle and headed over to Sioux City to spend time with Jason's sister and her family. The kids were all out of school and officially on Winter Break! Lily opened up some more gifts and had so much fun playing with cousins Justin, Rachel and Mitchell and even Sara was there too! The kids have a gift exchange each year and this year Lily drew Rachel's name and Rachel drew Lily's name. Lily got some cool new books and a new pair of warm footie jammies! After hanging out for a while we headed over to one of the highschools in Sioux City to watch Rachel in a dress rehearsal for a dance solo that she will perform on January 23rd. She is truly talented and she looked so beautiful in her outfit. She is so pretty and she is tall and thin and just looked so graceful out there dancing away! It was getting dark out and time for us to call it a trip. We were off and back to Omaha! We wish we could have seen more family, but it is hard to cram everything into one day.

Wednesday was our day to celebrate with my family. We made a ham and had all of the fixins and my family came over that night to eat and open gifts. Once again, Lily is spoiled rotten and got so many things she doesn't know what to play with! Christmas Eve morning Lily slid down the stairs in her usual manner and what does she choose to run over and play with??? You guessed it...an empty cardboard box. Lily and I spent Christmas Eve cuddled up on the couch in our jammies reading, watching TV and enjoying the snow before I had to leave for work. So, while Jason and I both had to work the holidays we still got to spend time with family and cherish the moments of the season that really matter.

Wedding Bells

Daddy Dancing with Lily

Ma and Pa Mike

Mommy and Lily

Lily and her new friends

Trish, Lily and Mommy

Trish and her son P.J.

The Newlyweds

My little Kneifl family

Lily dancing the night away

On December 19th a good friend of mine got married. It was a beautiful wedding and she was a beautiful bride. The bride, Trish, and I have been friends for nearly 20 years and we played softball together since we were 10 years old. We have seen eachother go through many things both good and bad, and it was so nice to be able to be at her wedding with my family. I think this was the first time that I have ever seen Trish in a dress and it was probably the last time I will ever see her in one! My dad asked her if she was wearing her sliding shorts underneath!

My family was at the wedding, so I didn't have anyone to watch Lily during the ceremony. She actually didn't do too bad...she just likes to talk and be a kid sometimes which is expected and totally okay. I just stood with her out in the hallway which was fine because I could still see and hear the ceremony. Jason had to work all day but he was able to meet up with us at the reception. We had a table right by the dance floor and good thing we did! Lily was let loose and it was so much fun to see her dance and play with other little kids! She did tackle one little boy, but he didn't cry so all was well. I spent my night chasing her around, but I'm glad she had as much fun as she did. She was not shy and she was right up front by the DJ dancing away. I'm sad to say that she got her Momma's dance moves...the chicken arm...if any of my college friends are reading this you know exactly what I mean!

This entire weekend was so much fun because my friend from Texas was back in town. Heather and I have been friends since the 3rd grade and I miss her dearly. She was back in town to celebrate Christmas with her family and she and her family were at the wedding as well. Some old highschool/college friends got together on Friday night to hang out with Heather and to do some catching up. We had a good time, but I can sure tell I am not getting any younger and I had to turn in early (didn't help that I had been up since the day before)! I'm so bummed that I didn't get a single picture of us!

15 Months...a bit late.

This post is well overdue, but I guess its better late than never...right?! Lily turned 15 months old on December 12th...I know...I can't believe it either! She had her well baby check on December 10th and her numbers weren't really all that impressive as they have been in the past...well to her Momma anyways. Lily weighed in at 23 pounds and 10 ounces...this is only a 7 OUNCE weight gain from 12 months. Lily was so upset and kicking and screaming when they were trying to measure her that I am POSITIVE it is not accurate as they say she shrunk 1/2 inch from 12 months. Lily was 31 3/4 inces tall at 12 months and only 31 1/4 inches tall at 15 months. If any of you have seen my child she is not getting any shorter...she is shooting up taller and taller everyday. I told Dr. Russell that I was worried about her weight gain, or lack of, and her reply to me was "look at her Dad!" Yes, yes, my husband is TALL and SKINNY. At least Lily got something from her Daddy! Everyone says she looks like a mini me and Jason says she acts like me too! Uh oh! Lily is just lucky that she won't be short and stumpy like her Momma.

Lily's Current Happenings:

*Running (there is nothing slow going about her)

*she knows most of her body parts (eyes, ears, nose, teeth, tongue, hair, fingers, stinky feet, belly button, chubbers (cheeks), boogers (thanks to dad), and she gets her boom boom confused with her front parts (oops)

*her vocabulary consists of hi-ee, bye-ee, uh-oh, momma, dada, bubba, bompa, oh nuts, ho-ho-ho, nigh-night, thank you (dock you), water, bath, no, dadddeeeee, oh gosh, hot,and bite me....yes I did say bite me (she doesn't really say this, but she has actions that definitely mean this...she will look you in the eye and bite her finger.)

*bottles are gone, she usually drinks 2-3 cups of milk a day, a cup of water and an occasional cup of juice

*she knows what time out is and she visits it almost daily (usually at meal time for throwing her food all over the place)
*she doesn't not go down for a nap or bedtime as easily as she used to (it is quite the battle sometimes)

*she still takes 2 naps a day...one in the morning and one in the late afternoon

*she sleeps between 10-11 hours each night

*sometimes she eats really well and other times not so well at all

*her favorite toy is still Rosie the Tiger

*she wears 18 month clothing and some 24 month only because she is so tall

*she wears a size 5 shoe

*she LOVES to read...either by herself or with mom and dad

*she loves to take showers and gets in all by herself (she'll even take her diaper off on the way in)

*Favorite foods are strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, fruit roll ups, mac and cheese, soft tacos, chicken, and pizza

*she enjoys playing in the snow

*she wakes up and goes to bed asking for Bubba (her cousin)

*she says dock you (thank you) for everything...she was half asleep the other morning and I came home from work and picked her up out of her crib and she said "dock you"...it melted my heart.

A Visit to Santa

This was Lily's second visit to Santa and we weren't sure how it was going to go this year. She was only 3 months old last year when she sat on Santa's lap. This year I was afraid she would be scared and cry the whole time. Jason and I couldn't have picked a better day to take her. It was the middle of the week and in the morning. We were the only ones in line. I remember we took her on a weekend last year and had to wait forever to see Santa. It was also about time for her nap. Needless to say I shouldn't have been worried at all. Lily was so tired I don't think Santa phased her one bit. She may not have even realized where she was or what she was doing...she was sooooo tired!

My Little Snow Bunny

Playing with Dad

We have been wanting to get Lily out in the snow to play, but it had been too bitterly cold out. It warmed up a tiny bit last week so we let her loose! First, she had to unwrap her new snow boots and snow pants that her Daddy had bought her for Christmas. Jason had already wrapped them and placed them under the tree. Lily didn't mind unwrapping some presents a little early! We got her all bundled up and she looked so darn cute. I love seeing kids bundled up so much that they can't even move. I remember those days when I was little. I also remember the worst part was having to go pee and getting all undressed and redressed! I never wanted to come back inside after playing in the snow, and I don't think Lily did either.

Christmas Program 2009

Jahrran and Lily at the Christmas Program
So proud of him!

Jahrran...AKA...Bubba

Singing his little heart out.

Last Sunday night was the kid's Christmas program at church. This year's title was "The Best Christmas Present Ever." Of course, Lily was too little this year to be in it and Maddie was too old, but my nephew Jahrran did sing in it. I wasn't planning on going because it the same night as the Christmas party for the hospital, but since my babysitter's were all going to be at the Christmas program I did not have anyone to watch Lily, so Lily and I went to watch little Bubba boy sing. He did so good, and he actually knew the words this year! He was all dressed up and he looked so handsome. Lily loves Bubba so much. She runs around all day everyday saying, "BUBBA, BUBBA, BUBBA!" I think she even says BUBBA more than she says MAMA anymore.

Snow Day!

It is official...NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! I know this doesn't matter for me or my family, but it means no school for Maddie! Maddie got to spend the night tonight and Lily has had a blast playing with her. Lily has been smiling and laughing out loud all night! We even let her stay up until 10:30 to play. Tomorrow the kiddos will go sledding with Jason. Jason bought Lily snow pants and snow boots for Christmas and they are already wrapped and under the tree. He said "I guess will we have to open them early!" I love the snow. It makes it feel more like Christmas time, and I am even more excited this year to take Lily outside to play in it.

Bottles Be Gone

The time for bottles has come to an end...finally! I know that the pediatrician says to get rid of bottles by 12 months...well we didn't. I know that Lily will always finish a full bottle, and she will rarely finish a sippy cup of anything, so I continued to give her bottles. She has been capable of drinking from a sippy cup since she was around 7-8 months old, but I have been afraid of her not getting enough to "drink". I had been giving her a bottle in the morning and one at bedtime with sippy cups during the day. I finally said this is enough...no more bottles. It's amazing how she actually can finish a whole sippy cup when she wants too!

Village Pointe Lights

The "lit" Christmas Tree
Keeping warm with Daddy!

Pa Mike and his girls

On Daddy's shoulders trying to see Santa

My little family!

The day after Thanksgiving we ventured out in the cold to watch the lighting of the tree at Village Pointe. It was packed! There was a little concert, a Santa Parade and then the lighting of the big Christmas tree. Lily had a ball with her cousin Maddie and with her Grandma and Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, and Aunt Kylie. She saw Santa for the first time this year...we didn't get close though, and she saw the Grinch and lots of Santa's Elves running around. She did fantastic and braved the cold like a champ! We all did a little shopping afterwards and then grabbed a bite to eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise. This was a fun little outing for all of us...I love this time of year!

Thanksgiving 2009...a little late

Kneifl Family
Lily sliding at the park.

Ma, Pa Mike, Lily and Mommy

Maddie and Lily

Lily and her Great Grandma Paces

I am just a tad late with this post...oh well. I worked the night before Thanksgiving and on Thanksgiving night, but we were still able to enjoy a nice meal at my mom and dad's house. We usually have my mom's entire side of the family over, but this year it was just my immediate family. Thanksgiving dinner was served at 1:00pm, but I slept in until 2:00 and went to eat at 3:00 and hung out until I had to leave for work. We had lots of good food and the guys got to watch lots of good football. Jason and I took Lily down to the park for a little while after dinner, but it was pretty cold out so we came back inside. That pretty much sums it up!