The Very Hungry Caterpillar felt board

This is the Lilli's 2012 Christmas gift from mom and dad. I saw this on a website, www.imagineourlife.com. This is one of the most creative sites I've seen and I want to give credit where credit is due. Her name is Stephanie and she is CRAZY creative! Check it out! I don't know that I would have been this creative on my own. Lilli loves it.

1 Month already!!!

Chalk boards are way easier than an index card and a sharpie to track the months. Babies don't need to hold it and when it comes time, they won't eat it! Brilliant. Thank you pinterest.

We have had a great month so far- we got to take Lilli to Sesame Street Live "Can't stop singing" at the Target center thanks to B and Papa. Lilli was singing "Please stop singing" all night long! Adorable. We heard a lot of 'I NUV IT'! 

Cute Lilli-ism: Lilli prays for our meals lately and they go something like this:
"Dear Jesus. Thank you 'day. food. ya-ya come orver. Mama/ Daddy house. B, Papa, uncle Adam, uncle Karl, uncle Craig, cookies, amen."

Miriam is starting to smile... she's a very serious little girl so it's been fun to see the sparkle in her eye. It's not that I don't like the inquisitive gaze she sports most of the time, but I'm just imagining her personality exploding from a simple set of reactions into a very complicated web of emotions... in a good way of course.

Cute Miri-ism: Miriam makes a really cute squeaking sound when she exhales when she's sleepy- not wheezy- squeaky. So we call her Squeaker or Squeaks. adorable.

Here are two more typical family pictures, family nap time and funny face iPad time.

Has it been two years already?!?

Bless you if you still check my blog or have me in your alerts. It's been over two years and I finally have something to say. Well, I've had plenty to say in two years but less  motivation to write and more to play with my wonderful sweetheart Lilli. Her vocabulary has exploded since last august bringing forth my favorite gems: "I NUV it!!!", "Oh Daddy, where are you?", "I do it self!" and "Mommy- watch dbd ('dvd' while nodding), one more 'fore rest." Yep. Adorable. She's empathetic and sweet and strong and lots of other things that give me joy. She's also a fantastic big sister- Miriam Nawal was born December 15th weighing 8lb 7oz. Lilli is so gentle and kind to her, I hear a lot of "it's okay Miriam" and "what's wrong Miriam?" Mommyhood is terrific. 

I have to be honest, all Christmas season, I was so focused on making Lilli and Miriam's Christmas presents (more on that later) that I forgot to ask around what it's like to have two children. WHAT?!? I usually do my research and being an only child I had a lot to ask, but I just got caught up in having a creative streak. When Miriam was born I was so nervous about all the things that 2nd children complain about when they're older, and so worried that I wouldn't know how to love 2 children... but I'm finding, it's no problem... and all I can do is love on them both, remember to devote love to my husband and pray for the best. What will be will be, no parent is perfect. I know what you're thinking... Came to that conclusion awfully early didn't we Kim? yes. Here's why- I have it on good authority that God is in charge and Ryan and I were put in charge of these specific children for a reason. We were made for them and they were made for us. As long as we all remember that we're on the same team, we can take life head on. So- here we go!

Here is a picture of our new little girl 

special thanks to DnK photography for the beautiful pictures!

The many faces of Lillia Grace

Lilli's first Halloween. She was a duck. She was not amused.

The Bear suit. Also not amused. But so stinking cute!

3 months old! She found her fingers and puts everything in her mouth.

"Hey- what's this? Can I eat this?"

Lilli's nap time. I don't think she knew she was supposed to sleep.

Love the bunny- eat the bunny!

Grandma B came to play!

Happy Baby

This is Lilli at 1 month, just starting to focus well and follow the sound of my voice.

This is Lilli one month later, following the my voice and laughing at my sounds. I just can't get enough of that smile...

In fact, here it is again.

What we've been up to...

PINE TREE APPLE ORCHARD

It's Honey Crisp season! We went to the orchard with Grandma Lynne, Nico and Aimee. There were Apple donuts, Cider, a Corn Maze and Lots of people!

FUNNY FACES

Every morning right after breakfast we play for a few hours and she explores our apartment. Every once in a while, instead of smiling like usual, she makes funny faces for me. (Then smiles really big like she's really proud that she made me laugh)

BATH TIME

Our Lilli LOVES bath time. If she's fussy and isn't hungry or wet, chances are she just wants a bath. Works every time. (I thought it was cute that Daddy and Lilli are making the same face)

TWINS GAME

Grandpa B, Daddy, Grandpa Denny and Baby Lilli at her very first baseball game at the new Twins stadium!

Thanks to DnKPhotography!