Lilly Uses A Spoon

Lilly used a cup from the day I handed her one when she was six months old. Lately she keeps grabbing the spoon from me so she can feed herself. I am so hesitant because, Lordy, does it make a mess! But she is getting better at it, and I really can't hold her back much longer.

Christopher finally pedals a tricycle. I have exposed him to a trike at least once a week for a year now, but he never made one revolution with the pedals. He usually whined then dismounted the bike. He just wasn't ready for it. Then last week he hopped on Sophia's trike and without hesitation, started pedaling away! He has learned so many skills these past weeks. I am truly amazed.

Water Lily

Last Sunday we had Lillian baptized. It was an intimate ceremony performed by Deacon Frank at St. Stephens. He had all the children get involved. Christopher went up to the alter to help bless the water. He was also able to come up and watch the water being poured over Lilly's head. Lilly was well behaved and seem to like having the water run through her dark hair. Kevin stood in for Jason as the Godfather and Kristi stood as Lilly's Godmother. Everyone returned to our house afterwards for some food and fellowship. We really enjoyed the day; it was very low key and sentimental for me. I was sad as the sweet oil scent grew fainter with each passing day. Something about that smell reminds me how pure and innocent Lilly is. She is God's greatest gift and I love her so much.

This is the only picture from my camera of the baptism. Lilly is wearing the Winterstein Family Christening gown made by Lulu. For more pictures check out Kevin and Sarah's blog at http://sarahandkevinmcclain.blogspot.com/ Sarah took some good ones. (Thanks Aunt Sarah!)

Jail Break!

We had it coming to us sooner or later. But it still surprised the heck out of us. We heard the startling thump in the middle of the night. Parents, you know the one I'm speaking of: the sound that lets you know that your days with a contained child are over. Christopher escaped his crib, opened his door, then entered our room saying "I want Daddy's pillow". We were so shocked we just let him lay in bed with us for a few minutes. He recited some of his books out loud in the dark until we had had enough then back to bed he went. He continued the escape routine several times the next night, to the point we decided it was time to just convert his crib to a toddler bed. We aren't interested in prolonging the crib. I look at this as another milestone; in fact something to be celebrated. After all, he is growing up and its time to do new big boy things. So no crib tent or gates for us. He will learn to stay in his bed all by himself. It is an interesting process, this sleep training. He goes down at 7:30 without objection or bed exits. Then sometime around 11pm the Jack-in-the-box routine starts. He gets out (or falls out), comes to find us, we lead him silently back to his bed where he will sleep, without protest, for a couple hours until the process repeats itself. It really isn't that bad and I think after a few nights he will get the hang of it. Until then, he is a bit more cranky than usual during the day, having had a broken up night's sleep. We'll survive.

Big Brother Christopher

I can not say enough how well Christopher gets along with Lilly. He has always been super interested in her, and very affectionate. He comes over while I'm nursing her, climbs up and mimics her panting breathing. Then he lays a smooch on her cheek. He does this several times a day. Lately Lilly has had more awake periods. Christopher is constantly trying to entertain her. He usually stands in front of her and says "Baby Lilly is looking at you (me)". Or "Baby Lilly is so cute" or "Baby Lilly has tiny little fingers". As of recent, he is teaching her how to play with the toys on her bouncy chair. He instructs "Lilly, reach and touch". Last week while I was making dinner in the kitchen I heard Christopher say "Baby Lilly says 'thanks for the red hat, Christopher'." When I came to investigate, I found Lilly buried under his fireman's hat, with just her legs sticking out. It was such a comical site, I laughed out loud. Christopher then said "that hat's too big for Lilly".

Today Lilly batted at her toys on the bouncy chair intently for the first time. I never tire of watching developmental milestones. Its like watching a flower blossom. She is very social lately, giving us plenty of smiles.

Christopher milestone: he now has his last bottom two molars.

Christopher shows Lilly how to play with her toys.

Lilly holds a ring, assisted by Lulu. Good work Lilly!

Sweet smiles.

"Reach and TOUCH!"

"Lilly has chubby cheeks" Christopher would say.