Sharing in Sharon

So you know those small towns you hear about with one stop light, doors stay unlocked, and everybody knows your name? Well, that's Sharon, SC and where David's family lives. His parents retired there after 30+ years in the busy life Tampa and his brother moved there when he got married. It's like Mayberry. Life is simple there. WalMart is a 40 minute drive. gasp. And being that I was at our WalMart yesterday, I wanted to run and hide back in Mayberry. There is nothing simple about WalMart during the holidays. (mack truck running me over)

So, a few weeks ago, we packed up our suitcases and took Lily's 2nd flight to Mayberry. She couldn't believe she was so close to airplanes which she recently became infatuated with and can hear them miles away like she's in the army and her job is to spot overhead interference. If we're outside and she sees one, she freezes, her face lights up and she points saying "pane", then watches it intently until it's out of sight. She'll wave and say "bye-bye" like the passengers were all waving back. So she was pretty happy to be this close to her panes. She sat up on these chairs like she was one of the passengers waiting to board.


When we got off the plane, it was late, she was tired, in that tired half-asleep/half-awake not wanting to miss anything, super snuggly as she just changed into her fleece jammies... as soon as she saw Duane, who she hasn't seen in over a year, she took one look at him and put out her tired arms for some cuddles and hellos. I was almost run over by a car when I passed out from the sweetness. Here's Duane and Lily during playtime the next day.



And talk about sweetness. How about seeing little 20 month old Lily with her 97 year old great grandma. Sweet Thelma was playing peek-a-boo with her, stared and smiled nonstop when she was in the room and was even seen rocking it out next to the fish jukebox that plays "don't worry, be happy" while the fish dances mouths the words at a touch of a button. Guess who pressed that button 4,000 times?


The first day, she had the stomach bug, throwing up, sleeping extra long, but once she was over that and passed it on to daddy a few days later (who passed it to Dottie, who passed it to almost everyone after we left), but once she was over that she wanted to play outside and their outside backyard is about as big as my 5 neighbors backyard...combined. They don't mess around in Sharon with their lot lines. As in you can't see your neighbor's house unless you use your binoculars.

Here she is yearning to go outside...

Rusty the dog wanted to go too, but wasn't allowed so when I said "no, Rusty, you stay inside" she backed me up by pointing and waving her hand doing sign language for "no-no"....thanks Lil for having my back :) These two were fast friends and got along great (unless he stole her food then the serious waterworks took effect)



but once we got outside she didn't know what do with herself once she has all this open land to explore...

Lily loves to overstuff her arms with things to hold and walk around. She denies my many offers to help her hold anything. The other day she had full hands wanting to bring everything outside and she wanted to bring a book too, but had no room so she put it in her mouth. She used her mouth as a holding option. Hilarious. Here she is, once again, double fisted while playing. One of David's favorite pictures he wanted as his computer wallpaper at work. awww




after playing ball, we decided to do what is normal in most neighborhoods. We went to visit the neighbor and feed their horses. What you don't have horses living next door to you? Running wild and free? What? They don't lean over your common fence and want some carrots? In Mayberry they do.





and boy did she love being around her sweet, doting cousins Allison and Anna who never let her out of their sight when they were around...


then she took a little break, sighed and sat down on the step like "phew, this mayberry is wiping me out, i need a little time to myself"



so we went inside for none other than another story...Grandma made a special trip to the library before our visit so these were all new books which she loved...thanks Gma :)



So Lily and I were reading on the couch when she abruptly left me mid-story and decided she wanted to set up camp alone with her baby. She kicked me to the curb. Even said "bye-bye" as she was getting down. At least she was polite about it. ha
I didn't know what she was doing at first, but she went to the other clear end of the couch, tried her darndest to get up on the almost-too-high couch, sat down, got situated, re-situated, organized the books in a tall pile like we do before a reading marathon, made sure baby could see properly and read away. Book after book. She's doing the ItsyBitsy Spider on the left and will do the hand motions anytime she sees a spider in any book. She even claps for herself when she's through. Glad she has good self esteem. All this reading made her stop for a drink for herself then shared it with her baby. I truly don't know what to do with myself when I see things like this happen before my eyes. Silly little moments like this make me happier than I've ever known possible.



Later we went to visit Santa, which she's not a fan of from afar, I can't imagine what she'll do when she is asked to sit in his lap. Santa arrived via fire truck with sirens galore so that might have something to do with the fear. That or the fact that he's a big man in a red suit with white beard, hearty and deep voice that she's supposed to love. Not so much. You have to win affection from Lily - she doesn't give it out to any man who throws a candy cane at her and any ole' "Ho-Ho-Ho" to her. ha
(Thanks Skye for letting us borrow your adorable cozy sweater:)


Lily has replaced her love for the swings with a love to go down the slide and bobs her head while pretending to count to 3 with us and says "do" when we get to two, smiling all the way.




I thought this picture was cute of Lily playing chase, but didn't realize until later David was in the picture because she's actually running from him in her favorite game of all time...chase. If only you could hear the belly laughs...
(are you kidding me with the cute polo sweatsuit from skye? omg.)




then back inside for what? you guessed it, more books with baby...



On our last day, Duane scored some serious football tickets to the Bucs-Panthers game. Like 40 rows up on the 50 yard line. Like $350 tickets. each. for free. I don't know how he did it, but we were sure thankful he did. The only problem is that we were rooting for the Bucs while Duane and Sandy rooted for the Panthers. I trash-talked like I knew what I was talking about. So instead, I took the tagline from Sam's license plate and took a pretty picture with my camera phone.




and Lily stayed back rooting from the warmth of the house in her bucs jersey (thanks Kelle) that she wears every Sunday win or lose. Mostly lose :(




wait until you hear about this chair. I've seen it 100 times, but never knew it was Grandma Lilley's (no, not a typo, that's how she spelled her name) chair as a child. Then Dottie used it as a child. Um, hello meaningful rocking chair. Umm, hello, hello? She was named after this Grandma and now she's rocking in it? Someone grab a tissue stat. And then find a UPS driver to get it to FL statter. yup, that's a word. (thanks Peyton for the warm and yummy polka dotted outfit)



This picture just makes me laugh. Can you believe Lily threw the bucket this far? She's a wild woman. (pause while you scroll down)

actually the bucket is stationary, sitting upside down atop a pole in the ground that didn't show up in the picture so it looks like Lily has quite the arm like her daddy. teehee (oh and thanks again Skye for the cutest vest I've ever seen on Lily - can you tell lil doesn't have many winter clothes-ha)

So all in all, it was a great trip where Lily was lapped up in love, didn't know where she was, but didn't care because she knew she was with important people who think she's pretty special too. I don't like to call David's family "David's family" because they truly feel like mine too, but we just met later in life; like we were reunited in my 20s. Thank you for being you. We always feel at home when we're together and this not so little person is the glue in all of this that ties it altogether. (looks like she's gonna take a bow)

life is good.

Gobble Gobble

Is it illegal to predate posts so they'll appear timely on the blog? If so, then I just committed a felony! Our Thanksgiving was great, but we hopped on a jet plane right afterwards for a 2nd holiday celebration, therefore I'm a little tardy. (turning in note from parents)

"Tardy for the Party" (shaking and dancing in my seat, holding hairbrush as microphone) as the Atlanta Housewives once sang offkey. That's a catchy song so now it's in my head. Everytime I sing it to Lily I get a deadpan face like this. Like I'm nuts. I think she's onto me already at a ripe young age of 20 months! (gulp, we're in the 20's people?)



But really our Turkey day was great. We all ate WAY too much and it seemed like only the kids were smart enough to run it off while we just all laid around like stuffed hippos in the game Hungry Hungry Hippo. God, I love that game. I mean, God I lovED that game as in past tense(trying to appear mature)


Well, Grandpa skipped his tryptophan induced nap (well, postponed it) just to play Lily's favorite game of chase. Now that's love.


Lily has a new obsession with washing dishes. She started doing at school while the teachers are changing diapers. She feels helpful washing dishes in the nearby sink while the teachers change the smelly diapers one after another. If I'm her, I'd rather be playing with dolls and read books, but that's my girl... loving to do chores just like her mommy. (nose growing profusely) If she's in a 30 foot radius of a sink, she'll say "wah-do" for water, pointing and pleading to wash dishes. Is it too early to be arrested for breaking child labor laws? If so, Grandma is going straight to the slammer.





I think Grandma has been sniffing some rubber cement because she finds herself acting like the crazy grandma engaging in all the kids' activities. She might go straight to the looney bin after this picture; isn't there an age limit on these toys? I think I see some patient kids waiting their turn in the background. (actually a sweet picture, just in a poking fun mood)





and Lily can't get enough of her cousins. She wants to be just like them and truly looks up to them. literally.


and she knows she's "Baby Lily" when she's around them. Yes, she knows how to feed herself and wouldn't let me feed her if I tried. Like-would-bat-my-hand-away-violently if I tried and say "mine". But, all the rules change when cousin Grace has the spoon.




I love seeing them together playing and laughing like they are brother and sister. (or sister and sister in this picture)



while the kids were snoozing, we didn't hit the snooze button and had some retail therapy on Black Friday - never gotten up that early to shop so I had to buy a $1 hat at target to cover up the bird's nest upon my head. My teeth still felt furry because I literally rolled out of bed straight into the car. Case in point. Just look. Don't ask.




So yea, some serious memories were made. I don't know how we got so lucky with our family. Hit the family lottery superball jackpot. We laughed, told stories, cried at Chili's, hung out, snuggled and held hands. a lot.




Feeling more thankful than ever.
Life is good!

Tapping Toes...

Updated: after my tens of readers complained about the music playing over Lily's voice, I disabled the music so you can hear the videos:)

She goes through picture after picture in this photo album searching for David's dad who she calls "Poppa"; little does she know she's going to see him and the rest of the clan who loves her from afar in a few short hours. I'm giddy with excitement for her. I wish I could tell her and she'd understand, but seeing her face light up when she sees everyone is almost better. She's going to come home with one full love cup and I can't think of anything in my life that makes me happier than seeing her happy.

This little voice of hers is too much for me to handle.

(I didn't realize she was saying outside is hot until I watched the video back...bad mommy, bad mommy. ha)

And boy does she love to laugh! Laughing is my all time , #1, hands down favorite thing to do so it might be genetic. Can this girl make a game out of anything or what? If she didn't do this 50 times, then she didn't do it at all. She laughed like it was the first time every. single. time. Gotta love it.

I love how her little hand is still peeking out when she closes the door. She said hi and byebye every time like I was surprised to see her. lol

Life is Good :)

October Milestones

While we were ttc, it seemed like life moved so slow and I was always waiting for something to happen. Like I was at a constant standstill. Like waiting for the next dr. appt, waiting for the next cycle, waiting for the next surgery, etc. It was hard not to fast forward and the movie Click really helped me with that concept, but it was still really hard to be patient.

Now that Lily is here, it seems like life is just flying by like a kite in tornado and I'm trying to soak in all the moments and slow everything down to a standstill. It's a crazy feeling to think back to that turtle-like pace life and not miss it one bit because it was so raw and heartbreaking, but that time also helps to put everything in perspective knowing nothing will ever be as hard as that time.

Nothing.

Because of that, I'm finding myself actually a little thankful for those 4 years of pain and heartache. Just a little.

She makes everything okay. 19 months later, I still can't believe she's here when there were times I lost faith and never knew we'd ever have a baby. I never fast forwarded to after the newborn phase (like walking, talking, playing, interacting) so this is all new dreams fulfilled, just gravy on the mashed potatoes. In her monthly picture, she's wearing new jammies from Grandma that reads "Dance. Smile. Dream." I think those are her 3 favorite things to do. Mine too. Thanks Grams!



and our little Lils is quite the talker lately and it's blowing my mind. Truly mind blowing. That's all I can say. Asking for what she wants and what she doesn't want. Actually showing her opinions about what she likes and dislikes. (big eyes) What? in? the? World? (tried to blow up this page, not sure if u can read milestones)
Translation if u can't read above:

--Said “owl” and “moon”. --Said “Brady” and “Help”. --Blows own nose. --Said “bus” and “Doctor”. --Pats own back while coughing. --Looks for moon all times of the day. --Covers mouth when coughing. --Taught friend sign language. --Said “What’s That?”. --Said “Bi-Fi” for “butterfly”. --Said “bye-bye”. --Said “mommy help”. --Falls to the ground tantrum. --Said “purple”. --“names 10 shapes”. --Said “mine”. --Said “diaper”. --Ate entire paper napkin. --Made up sign for “help”. --Asks to slow dance.

And our little Minnie Mouse has developed a borderline obsession with Grandpa. Ever since her Halloween fall, she's wanted him and only him when he's around. Follows him around with hands up in the air saying "up, up, up" or with a book as a lure for his lap. Be. still. my. heart. The other night, we were putting her to bed as he was at the door. I was walking upstairs with her half asleep on my shoulder, nuk in, heavy breathing and body in my arms as David answered the door and letting dad in. Well, once she got one look at him, you'd think we pinched her awake because she shot her head up, THREW the nuk clear across the room like she was disgusted with it, wanting nothing to do with it, and started crying with her arms outreached towards him. Ha.lare.ee.us! After some snuggles, she was ready for "nigh-nigh", but just had to get her Grandpa fix.





in other random news, Lily was intent on stacking these creamers by herself and got these 7 on top of each other without any help from mom or dad. She'd clap after each creamer was added. We always bring her "restaurant backpack" full of special toys, but who needs those when you have coffee creamers and jellies to stack? ha


and a random picture from her teacher showing us our favorite part of Lily: (think that's Leah in the background)




I can't tell if she looks scared, busted or shy here, but it's cute either way. (no, she's not in time out jan-ha)


She pinched her finger today in the dresser and came running to me, crying hard with arms up, saying "up" with her big blue tear-filled pleading eyes looking to me for kisses and comfort. I kissed her finger over and over, held her so tight, rocking her, telling her it'd be okay, how much I loved her and I could feel her sigh of relief as the pain disappeared and she laid on my shoulder longer than usual until she fell fast asleep in my arms like a newborn. She fell asleep out of nowhere in the middle of the day and it was heavenly. We laid together, as she slept heavily on my chest like a newborn and I knew I had made everything okay in her world. I had stopped the pain and made it disappear like a magician. I had hugged, loved, and kissed all her boo boos away and she was perfectly content.

Little did she know she has done the same thing for me. Time and time again.

An Overdue Thank You

This post is long overdue and has been in my drafts since 10/12 if that tells you anything. Sometimes words fail me so I put it off until they come. Well they never came, but I'm still posting.

It's a post to Allison and her family in thanks for GRACIOUSLY letting us hang at the Hyatt when they were there at their timeshare for a week and then let us use their enormous 2 bedroom, 2 bath plush condo at the Hyatt since their stay had to be cut short for business for their allocated time. (gasping for air, begging for oxygen mask)

It's no secret the Hyatt is my favorite place on earth, but to be given use of the amentities for days on end and then to actually stay there makes me wanna dial 911 for help!

So it's no surprise that we spent some amazing time together and wanted to...


even Calhan was in on the fun...sweetest little baby who just smiles for miles... I don't think he has a crying gene in his body...


and little Chase was all smiles too, always kind, loving and happy just to be alive no matter where he was...



and cute Liam who loves to play and had such a sweet heart, always making sure Lily felt included




a little game of shuffleboard between Allison's dad and grandson Chase. Allison's parents have always been the coolest, nicest, most involved parents who love their kids and grandkids with every fiber in their being...





Lily was trying to be one of the boys playing football...






we traded naps in the pack n play for naps swaying in the hammock. I think this is definitely the meaning of utopia...


then up and ready to play some more...





have i mentioned she's obsessed with bubbles? It was one of her first 2-syllable words and now we know why...top right picture makes me so smile out loud.


and lots of this for everyone...


Lily loves to run around a corner and surprise you like no one knows she's coming but her....it's her little secret and she comes bounding around the corner and laughs so hard every. single. time. Sometimes she holds her belly because she's laughing so hard. Like she can't contain herself.



until she realized she was busted and we surprised her...





then there were some midnight walks where Lily follows the moon like a stalker, pointing and saying moon over and over. If the moon is behind clouds, she looks around puzzled, then waves and say "moon-bye-bye" in the sweetest little voice ever. I've never heard a voice so high pitched. It's so little and cute.




and boy does this little person like to people watch! Sometimes I wanna say "Lils, take a picture it lasts longer". The other day, a man was walking with crutches and a cast and she pointed and said "boo-boo" pretty loud. I was half embarrassed and half stunned she put that altogether.

She saw a boo boo on my foot (which still hurts btw Wy) and she "mommy boo-boo" and kissed it. Should I pass out now or later?

Then we were eating outside and a gust of wind blew napkins everywhere and she simply said one little word I've never heard her say that I couldn't believe.

(insert lots of shocked enthusiasm) "Woah"

She said "woah". I don't know why it struck me as so funny, but laughed harder than I should have and realize everyday I'm peeling back the layers of who she is becoming right before my eyes and I just love the person she is. Feeling overwhelmed lately with the disbelief that God has trusted me enough to help raise this little soul into her own person and what an honor that is. I wanna do right by her. Of course I'm proud of her, but I want her to be proud of me too.



So thank you Zimmer Family for being so incredibly warm and loving , once again, allowing us to share in your family trips, whether it be to Club Med or the Hyatt we are forever grateful and feeling blessed I became friends with Allison when I was 12 years old and how lucky I felt when she wrote at the end of her dedicated page in my yearbook the usual "Stay sweet, don't ever change, Love your 1st BFF" knowing I'd done something right in this world.