Buds

We spent a lovely autumn afternoon at the Milligan soccer fields, playing with Lily's best buds, Elijah and Molly.

Picture for Lisa

Mama's Proudest Day

Autumn in East TN

PS - Check out my friend Jen's post on Autumn in East TN

Weekend Update

We had such a fun weekend! Our good friends Gina and Alison drove down from Louisville for Milligan's homecoming weekend (and to see us :). Jeremy watched Lily a lot (and worked on homework), so I was able to have some really good girl time!! Aunt Haley, Mimi, and Papaw came for the day Sat. to see us and to watch me play in the Alumni Soccer game! I had the BEST time, despite being horribly out of shape. Several of my teammates that I havent seen in years came back too!! It was so good to see these "sisters" - we went through so much together. I hadnt kicked a soccer ball since I graduated in 2002, and it was a really good reminder of how much I love the game! I DID twist my ankle (sniper) and every muscle on my body is still sore, but it was so fun.

Lily loves Gina ("ga-ga")...

and Alison ("Aa-eee")

Lily is doing this really cute thing when we put her on our shoulders - where she peeks around your head to look at your face....

All in all, a GREAT weekend!

6.5 Month Update

I think its time for a developmental update, since it has been awhile! Time is flying by, and I noticed recently that I dont count Lily's age in weeks anymore - just months.

Sleeping is going ok, but could be/has been much better. She has been eating rice cereal daily now for several weeks, and we started sweet potatoes two days ago! She seems to like them pretty well. Here is a video of her first few bites.

Jeremy and I are very amused by her "baby-bird" approach to eating.She is becoming very affectionate as well and gives hugs and kisses often!

She is sitting indefinitely now, and only falls over when she wants to roll over to get something. Sometimes she topples over hard, but it doesnt seem to phase her. I guess her head is already tough enough to head a punted soccer ball, who knows.

Frantic kicking is still a part of daily life - she loves being on a bed and just kicking for several minutes at a time while shrieking with joy. Its fun to watch. Sometimes it seems like Lily is kicking to a rhythm....or so I like to pretend.

One last thing: Lily has started TALKING! She started doing "ba-ba-bas" and "ma-ma-mas" while were out of town! And so, her first word is: MAMA.....MAMAMAMAMA. OK, so maybe she hasnt quite associated that sound with me necessarily. But, it is still a word and she said it!

And here is a quick update about those other people that live with Lily. Jeremy is staying busy with school and teaching guitar lessons and sunday school. He has had his first field experiences in high school English, and liked it a lot!

And lastly, I have a job! I am SO excited that my dream of having a "home daycare" is coming to be! My friend Audrey (of the Batemans), who recently moved to Johnson City, is going back to work for a couple days a week, and I am going to watch her son Elijah! He is two weeks older than Lily, so it will be interesting having two 6 month-old babies in the house, but I know I can do it. Audrey and I have also been walking several times a week now that the weather is warmer, so that has been fun too! We have twin strollers and everything...oh well :)

We Are REALLY Excited Today.

So, I have decided to never post again about Lily Mae's sleeping successes or failures. A few days ago, I wrote about how wonderfully things were going - she was sleeping 11 hrs at night and napping great! Bad idea. That very night everything changed. But like I said, I am not sharing details anymore....

Lets just say we have been TIRED.

Luckily, we are revived. This is the sunniest, warmest day! We have the windows cracked (and the heat on ;), and have been admiring the daffodils that are poking up in the woods. Jeremy, Lily, and I went on a walk and breathed the sharp, fresh air deeply, and are ready to take on the world again.

As you can see from the video below, the baby is thriving. Is that the right word? ;)

Glow from the rising sun this morning...

Almost Got the Idea....

The Time Has Come. (Introducing: Soccer)

Now that Lily Mae is mobile, I figure its time to start her training. Its never too early, I have heard. We warmed up with a couple of laps around the living room - some of us were rolling, and some of us were...sitting. Then, we practiced our "touch" on the ball. I think you can probably tell from the pictures and video that Lily already has an exceptional ability to control her movements and move the ball with precision and excellence. She was very focused and determined. I am looking forward to daily training sessions with such a willing and talented student of the game. KEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Tia Bit for the perfect soccer ball!