And we've got a walker!

I knew this day would eventually come. In fact, we all thought it would happen sooner. Lissie has preferred to be in a standing position since she was nine months old. She has long since been a master "cruiser." Her pediatrician even said she wouldn't be surprised if she skipped crawling altogether.

But then, indeed, she started crawling. And climbing stairs. And she figured out how to do them FAST. So much so that it looked like she would never ever walk. Ever.

Over the course of the last month or so, though, she discovered how fun it was to walk with her mini shopping cart and baby stroller.

Oh, and, of course, her Disney Princess ride-on toy that her Lola got her for her birthday. Over the last month, we've spent virtually every day outside pushing that sucker around the neighborhood, only stopping to point out the leaves on the trees and the cars going by.

Last Thursday, quite unexpectedly, Lissie started pointing at something out on our balcony. She took three wobbly steps to get closer to the door, and I was soooo excited. But then she refused to do it again, and so no one believed me.

But over the course of the last week, Lissie became a pro at one-handed walking (either with her walking toys or having a very firm grip on my finger).

So I knew that the inevitable was going to be in our very, very near future.

Yesterday, we went to a party to celebrate a first birthday of one of Lissie's (and our) friends. Lissie was one of the only ones not walking. I didn't think she noticed or cared, but we think it must've motivated her somehow because when we got home....



She literally became a giggly, walking machine.

Go, Lissie, go!

A Brother or a Sister?!?

It's that time again! Our anatomy scan is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24th. Is Lissie going to have a brother or a sister?!? Take the poll at the top left of this page!

I think Lissie is going to have a brother. In fact, I refer to "him" as "her brother" all the time. Of course, I'll be thrilled if it's a girl, but I'm really feeling the boy vibe this time. Granted, I felt the same with Lissie, so I most definitely could be very wrong.

Justin is convinced it's a girl. I don't know if it's more because he's trying to brace himself for a house full of estrogen instead of getting his hopes up for someone to carry on the surname.

Either way, we're hoping to catch a glimpse of a healthy baby on April 24th. Regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl!

My Second Easter (by Lissie)

It's fun looking back at last Easter and comparing it to this one. I look so different! Almost everything about Easter was different this year!

On Saturday, I went on my first Easter egg hunt at the zoo. I had such a fabulous time hunting for eggs and hanging out with my friends!

On Easter, we went to Mass and took pictures in the courtyard like last year. I look so different! Last year I made funny faces and didn't even know it. This year, though, I barely wanted to look at the camera to take a good picture to show off the Easter dress mommy made for me.

Mass wasn't as interesting to me as it was last year, since I've already been to an Easter service before. I stayed in the cry room and played with some friends and got cranky when daddy had to leave to go to work.

Afterwards, Lolo and Lola took mommy and me to a lovely buffet brunch just like last year. But instead of sleeping through the meal, this time I ate my fill of all sorts of good Easter foods! I was still eating when everyone else was finished!

Since daddy had to work and missed brunch, mommy made a special Easter dinner of cornish hens and green bean casserole for him to enjoy. We also played with my new books and toddler crayons that I got in my Easter basket!

All in all, I had a great time celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Alleluia, alleluia! He is risen!

My First Birthday - A Recap (by Lissie)

So it's been a month since my first birthday (wow - I'm such a big 13-month-old now!), but I thought I'd write about all the fun I had on my special first birthday weekend.

My actual birthday was spent celebrating with my family. Mommy and daddy came in my nursery early and woke me up singing "Happy Birthday" to me. I was a little confused and scared because I didn't really know what that meant! But we started the day by going to Mass and saying "thank you" to Jesus for a blessed first year of life.

Afterwards, we enjoyed opening presents and going to a puppet show at the downtown library.

That night we celebrated with my Lolos and Lola with a birthday celebration dinner at Buca diBeppo and a smash cake at Lolo and Lola's house. Yum!

The next day we celebrated with my baby friends and family friends. Everyone had a blast! Special thanks to Elizabeth Clements for her awesome pictures of the day.

So I've decided I really like birthdays! I can't wait to celebrate many more!

Dear Lissie - One Year

Dear Lissie,

Oh, Liss. I've been both absolutely dreading and eagerly anticipating this day for a while now. I've been dreading it because I know it means that babydom is coming to an end. My sweet, tiny little seven pound, fourteen ounce baby is no more. Sigh. I wanted to cry when I placed your birthday cake order at the bakery the other day. In fact, I did manage a few tears when I picked up your birthday balloon and other decorations for your big weekend.

But, as a wise friend recently shared with me, this is a far cry from the end. Now the fun begins. You're becoming a CHILD, instead of a helpless baby. Soon, you'll be full-on walking, instead of needing some help from the nearest person or piece of furniture. You'll be running around at the park, playing with your friends. You'll be talking and using your words to make your point be known. You'll be asserting your independence. You'll be learning and observing and taking everything all in. You'll be a big sister. And it will all be fabulous.

But, boy, has it been quite the year! No matter how many times I was told that things will change so fast after having a baby, I didn't believe it. How in the world did you manage to go from a tiny little munchkin who woke up every three hours and didn't do much in your waking moments except stare and cry and eat and poop and then, in 366 days, transform yourself into a soon-to-be-toddler who sleeps through the night and eats pretty much anything in sight and has a blast being outside and playing with your toys and friends?

You have changed my life, sweet girl. Never would I have guessed that something so tiny would've totally done a number on my heart.

As much as I'm probably going to cry today as we celebrate as a family, and then tomorrow as we celebrate with your friends, I'm not sad. Not really. I'm just a bit nostalgic about how wonderful you are, and how I wouldn't change it all for anything else. And I am excited for more birthday celebrations to come.

I love you, Felicity. More than you'll ever know. Happy happy first birthday.

Love,

Mommy


You're as ready as ever to be one!

Clearly, you need practice being a big sister.

It's my birthday, and I'll cry if I want to at Buca di Beppo.

Want some frosting?

It's MMMMmmmmm good!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Spring has sprung...in February!

Lissie is, apparently, an outdoorsy gal like her mama. And, luckily, the weather has been BEAUTIFUL! So we've been spending lots of time at the park, hanging out on our balcony, and having picnics in the great outdoors.

Here are some pics of our good 'ole-fashioned outdoor fun:

Lissie's First Valentine's Day

Justin and I have never really done Valentine's Day. Sure, there was the one time that he surprised me by bringing Gnash, the Predators mascot, to my classroom (unfortunately, since it was a surprise I don't have the pictures to prove it!). And then there was last year, when we figured that it was our last V-day before kids, so we ought to celebrate it in style with a lovely dinner at Bonefish Grill.

This year, though, I wanted to at least do SOMETHING. If only for the memories of Lissie's first Valentine's Day.

So, we surprised daddy with Lissie's first attempt at some artwork: fingerpainting!

Too bad the novelty wore off after about five minutes, when Lissie discovered the paints weren't for eating. But we had fun while it lasted!