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!

California 2009

Fake background at Rainforest Cafe
Lily didn't like the big monkey.

On the boat going to Alcatraz

At the Bay Aquarium watching the fishies with Daddy.

Help me Mommy!

Gary and Becky's pool.

At Lake Tahoe...so big!

At the Disney Store

Lake Tahoe

Lily with her Uncle Gary

Family pic at Lake Tahoe

Last Monday the three of us boarded an airplane and took off for California. We traveled to Roseville (near Sacramento) to visit Jason's brother, sister in law and their new baby boy. I was worried and nervous about flying with Lily this time because she is much older and much more "active" than the last time she flew. I myself do not like flying, so I wasn't really looking forward to that part at all. Lily was a bit fussy on the flight from Omaha to Denver, but then she thankfully slept from Denver to Sacramento. All in all, not too bad. The weather was beatiful the entire week we were there. It was usually upper 60's to lower 70's with bright shining sun. I'm so thankful for Gary and Becky for opening their home up to us and for taking us places and for letting us use their vehicle and car seat for Lily. It really saved us a lot of hassle and money! Lily met her new baby cousin, Brayden, for the first time. We could not take our eyes off of her when she was near him nor could we really ever let her freely roam the house like she does ours. She didn't understand that the "baby" was different from her "baby". I am happy that Lily got to experience so many different things while we were there. I know she won't remember what she got to do, but at least I have a lot of pictures for her to see when she gets older. We spent an afternoon at Lake Tahoe...one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Lily could have sat down by the water with her daddy throwing rocks in all day long...one of my most fondest memories of this trip. She loved it! Jason and I drove to San Fransisco with Lily and stayed over night. We spent the first day down on Pier 30 and Fisherman's Wharf. It was a little chilly down by the water, but very pretty. We walked up and down the Pier and then we took Lily to the Bay Aquarium. She got to pet a baby shark and bat ray...she loved the fishies! We stayed in Union Square, but did not do any shopping. The next morning we headed back down to the Wharf and did the Alcatraz tour. It was pretty neat. We took a boat over to the island and the whole time Lily was saying "wa wa, wa wa, wa wa." She couldn't get enough of it! After the Alcatraz tour we had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Overpriced, but neat atmosphere and just plain fun! We headed back to Roseville for one last night with Gary, Becky and Brayden and then we packed up and flew back home on Saturday just in time to watch the Huskers...what a game! GO BIG RED!

Lily is changing so much these days. She has so much more hair, she is stubborn as ever, ornery as ever, and just plain WILD! I love her dearly though, and I know this is payback because my mom said I was the same way. She is getting her second molar in right now and is hasn't really bothered her much at all. Anyway...I am just rambling now. Enjoy the pics...I took 322 of them while we were there so I can only post a few!

Halloween 2009

Tuckered out after a long night of trick or treating!
Trick or Treating with Daddy

Sneaking some candy.

Our little Lady Bug

Visiting Great Grandma Paces

What a perfect day/night for trick or treating! On Friday we dressed Lily up in her costume and took her to see her Great Grandma Paces. Grandma was so excited to see her! We visited for a while and then headed up North to Newcastle to visit Grandma and Grandpa on the farm. Saturday morning was opening day for pheasant hunting so of course Jason couldn't miss it! Lily had a nice time playing with Grandma and Grandpa, her Uncles Matt and Lonnie and her cousins Nathan and Evan. Lily loved playing outside on the farm! She got to help pick apples, chase the cats, and play with the cows...what a day! We made it back to Omaha around 4pm...just in time to get all dressed up again to go trick or treating with Lily's cousin Bubba (Jahrran). Ma and Pa Mike, Uncle Justin, Bubba, Brian, Aunt Kylie, Mommy and Daddy all went trick or treating with Little Lily the Lady Bug! She filled her Elmo bucket with all sorts of candy. I think more than anything she was just happy to be outside running around. After hitting up a few streets in the neighborhood we headed up to church for the Fall Festival. This was AMAZING! The church was all decorated and was full of games, prizes, food and candy! Lily had a blast! I got a little taste of what lies ahead on Saturday night. Lily was so wild and ornery I almost lost my mind...no joke! At the church we'd put her down and off she went. She was running around, going up to total strangers, taking other kids balloons, climbing up the slide all by herself..etc. She wanted to run free and she would not let us hold her for anything! She usually always looks back to make sure mom or dad are nearby, but she didn't care on Halloween! She just wanted to go, go, go! I think it was because there were so many people and kids around. Anyway...we all had a great time. We spent all day today getting packed up and ready for our trip to Sacramento, CA tomorrow. We are flying out in the morning and staying until Saturday. We are going to visit Jason's brother and our sister-in-law and new nephew....Brayden Ray Kneifl. Please pray for us and wish us luck as we will be traveling with a very ORNERY 13 month old!