16 months!!

This month has been all about becoming a toddler. Lila loves to color. She loves music and to dance. And of course loves when mommy sings!!
Lila puts a lot of words together. Her record is six words. "color drop it. mommy get it.".
She also recalls the past. And will start telling me a story about something that has happened. Sometimes it takes me a minute to catch on but she is good at telling stories. Her favorites are about playing with her friend Henry in the pool. Also squirrels eating. Of course the birds at the beach trying to take our food and us yelling "outta here birds!"
She is growing so fast and doing so many new things every day.
Lila loves to be like mommy. She wants to do everything with me. We sweep together, color together, dance together, wash dishes together. Lila still takes two naps a day but it seems like lately she is changing to one. Everyday is different but there is a routine now more then ever. (well once we figure out what the new nap situation is)
We have art days, music days, nature days, museum day. Lila has loved going to the childrens art day this summer. Have I talked about it before? They have clowns and bubbles and balloons, musicians, balloon animals, a musical instrument "petting zoo"... Then a concert that includes a story, then a performance from a section of the symphony, then a guest star for the day. Lila really loved the bubbles, playing the instruments, the clowns, she got a balloon doggy a couple of times. I drank 10 cent lemonade and twice Blue Bell gave fruit pops to everyone. Lila loved the dance to all the music. After the concert they have tens sent up across the street with all sorts of crafts. The clowns are face painting as the symphony plays as well. Lila always got a rainbow on her arm (I think that was her favorite part) we also listened to the music and at the last one Lila wanted to stay the whole time (almost) so she even did a craft. I think that will w a Wednesday morning summer tradition for a long time!

Lilas vocabulary have really changed our days. She tells me what she wants to do (walk, play, eat, Lila paper (color) dance, sing) it is amazing seeing her communication come to life. She has been listening and learning since day one.

Some days at the end I am very tired, it's true. But every single day is amazing. What a lucky gift to be Lila's mommy. I love you Lila. The best days of my life.

A trip to the Kelly's

Pam and Cassidy are moving across the world very soon so we went to spend a couple days with them. Momal drove with us (daddy had to work) Momal read lots and lots of books to Lila! Because Lila doesn't really love the car.
We had a nice time in Richmond. Lila played with all of Cassidy's toys! And loved to ride around in the doll stroller. She played with "barbie" and the "heavy baby". She "pet" the "moose" and all the "deer" (dead ones on the wall). It rained a lot so we only went swimming once. Lila really loved going up and down the stairs! Up and down! The visit was too short and we will really miss them so much.

1000 pictures ago

I recently realized that "photostream" only hold 1000 pictures.
They are saved on this iCloud apple speaks of but I like to (almost) hold them in my hand. Anywho... I wanted to add some pictures to the blog before they left my phone. Hopefully I will remember to do this often.
All of these pictures were before Lila's birthday. I love this sweet soul so much. When I look back so recently I realize how incredibly fast she is growing up. I read that you have about 900 weekends before your kids turn 18. I want 900 million. I love you Lila.

Nature and science

Lila and I try to explore the world as much as we can each day. Since the world is so big I have created different themed days so we have a focus. But its always okay to get sidetracked.
Last Tuesday we had science day.
It started by getting an up close look at a Stacey park squirrel.
After Ll's nap we headed to the Austin Nature and Science center. Henry and his mommy had recommended it to us. When I saw the Dino pit I instantly remembered it from childhood. Lila had a great time exploring the center. We saw a bobcat (she called it kitty kitty and snapped her fingers at him) and a few ducks. We got to explore a little cave and some animal furs. They have a few owls. Lila loved the owls! We went to look at them a couple of times per her request. It was a bit hot out but we still had Dino bones to discover. We dug a bit in the Dino pit, had a snack break, and took one last look at the owls and bobcat before we headed home to cool off and take another nap.

4th of July...

We decided to catch a bus and walk to the firework show at auditorium shores. Our house is so close.
We had about an hour or so to wait so we got a concession dinner (one good one weird and not so great). We found a spot and put our blanket down.
We kept ourselves entertained NAND then dada when and got a snow cone which kept us entertained a little loner. It was dusty and crowded. Lila and I had been talking about fireworks all day. When the show started Lila said "wow" with us a few times... Then said no no and let out a cry. We quickly gathered our things and started walking back home. She did not like those fireworks.

Andrew!!

Lila loves unkie Andrew so much. Say his name and she lights up. Andrew spent a couple of days with us last week and Lila and I loved every second of it!

Fathers day 2012

Lila and I made a chalk message on the porch and steps in the morning. Lila gave dada a rock she painted. And then we surprised daddy with a grill.
We had lunch out and went to the pool. Then we headed to Round Rock to watch the Express play. We sat on the lawn and had a great time. Lila entertained the family behind us. (and a few beside is too!) We shared a huge hot dog and got some junk food too. Lila had a great time playing in the grass and watching the bugs. She clapped along with the crowd and danced to the music. They played Raffi "the more we get together" and she lit up! "again again" she signed and said. Sweet Lila. She also loved "everybody clap your hands" maybe she thought everyone was clapping for her, I bet some were! :)
Happy fathers day!