DISNEYLAND!

 Paedn and I recently celebrated our 4 Year Date Anniversary. He surprised me with a trip to Disneyland with our best friends. It was such a wonderful surprise. It was nice to have a little escape. I haven't had one in such a long time. I don't know how many of you have read the book, "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. ( I completely recommend it!!) I am still in the process of reading it but I have learned that my love language is quality time. I love to spend "quality" time with Paedn. This does not mean sitting next to each other watching a TV show. I have to be doing something active and engaging; anything from a real conversation, a simple walk, playing games, etc. The past year has been very difficult on our family. Paedn's "fiasco", a new baby and every other little thing that has happened- let's just say it has been a new experience. Because of all of this, Paedn and I have rarely been able to go on dates. So, this surprise trip was exactly what we needed! Paedn definitely hit it right on the nose when he took me to one of my favorite places.

Seeing Mickey!

Peter Pan!

We left Sunday at 3AM. We have done this every time when we have gone before. I thought it would be perfect, Lorelei would continue sleeping until we go to Disneyland at 8:30...WRONG! She slept for maybe 1.5 hours. Silly girl. I thought babies were supposed to sleep amazing in a moving car. She has never been on a road trip so this was completely new to hear. So, we had a very vocal baby for the beginning of the trip. We arrived at Disneyland around 8:30 and we were all already completely exhausted. When we arrived at the front gates, it was a little breezy and chilly so we wrapped Lorelei up like a burrito and had her in her stroller, just her little face was poking through. She was so interested in everything that was haper. She has always been so curious. When walked onto Main Street and who did we see right away? Mickey Mouse! Lorelei LOVES Mickey Mouse. He was down the street and there was a line to meet him so Paed n"oohing"! It was precious. Our first stop- Fantasyland. I was not sure how Lorelei was going to handle the rides. The first ride we went on was Peter Pan. I kept a close eye her to see how she would handle the loud music and all the strangers. She did great! She was so interested in all the commotion. She loved watching the ships whisk by. We sat down, Lorelei on Paedn's lap, lap bar in place, she grabbed the bar and we were off! She was oohing like crazy and waving at everything- she absolutely loved it!! I was beyond thrilled.

Next stop, the Tiki Room. I have to say- this was her absolute FAVORITE! She loved all the music and was dancing and singing along. I couldn't stop laughing at her. I tried to take video but the room was too dark.
Lorelei also was able to ride:
Pirates of the Caribbean (she feel alseep during the cannon fights!)

Dumbo (did not like flying up at the                                           highest hight, she tried to crawl onto Paedn's lap.)
 We explored Toon Town and Lorelei met Mickey Mouse! Her face was absolutely priceless. (If you don't know- Mickey is her absolute FAVORITE character.) We rode a few more rides and then had to leave so we can get back home at a reasonable hour. Paedn had to go into work the next day. (hehe!)

Disneyland was a very fun, very exhausting trip! Definitely worth it. We are going to go once more before Lorelei is 3. (that's when we will have to start paying for her.) I love my little family and glad we share so many fun experiences.

for some reason my pictures uploaded out of order...but you get the picture ;-)

                                                             

Goofy tried making her laugh-but she ended up crying instead! Not too sure about Goofy...

very sleepy girl!!

Dumbo!!

shoulder rides are her favorite!

my princess!

we made friends while eating lunch! we had fun sharing =-)

asleep after Pirates

during Peter Pan!

doesn't it look like she's posing? "And this is the Castle..."

8 Months!

Size: Diapers-size 3 She goes to her 9 month check up this month. It will be fun to see how much she has grown. She is wearing 9 month clothes and even some 12 month clothes. She is HUGE all of the sudden.

Eyes: Blue blue blue!

Hair: Oh my goodness- her hair is coming in all of the sudden. There is so much of it!! It is getting wavy and becoming more coarse. Can you say curly hair?!

CURLS!!!

Sleeping: She has been sick NONSTOP this past month. Poor girl. Her sleeping has been off and she puts up a pretty good fight. But, she is feeling better and is on a routine! I love it. She always wakes up happy.

Eating: She loves eating!! She loves eating dinner with us. She would rather eat off my fork than putting things in her mouth. I think she likes being a big kid. She has almost conquered using her forefinger and thumb to pick up food. She loves sharing food- If I am eating a cracker, I will help her take a bite and then she looks at me with cheesiest grin and is sooo proud of herself. Oh, and she eats EVERYTHING. We have had a couple instances where she has thrown up because she has tried to swallow a leaf or something. Gah. I will be happy when that stage is over.

Milestones:

• She is a little stinker! She understands the word "no" and I say it before I move her from touching something. Example: she loves to go under my vanity and play with all the cords. Once she starts crawling that way I will say, "Lorelei, no no. Don't go under there." She will stop, look at me, get this mischievous grin, and crawl as fast as she can to get under the vanity. 

• She loves walking with her walker she got for Christmas. Ever since the first try, she has been a pro. It's so cute to see how proud she gets when she is doing something new.
• Every time Paedn or I come home from work she always starts waving as soon as she sees us. She knows the noise the key makes in the lock as well and will look straight at the door waiting for us. 
• She is seriously the most busy baby I have ever seen. It is getting challenging because she is mobile. I am trying to figure out ways to entertain her- especially at church when we have to be still and quiet. 
• Says "da da" and FINALLY said "ma ma"...once. 

• She dances all.the.time. When she is standing she shakes her whole body. When she is crawling she will start bobbing. Even when she is laying on the ground she will pop her lil booty. Cracks me up. I think I have myself a dancer. (The video above is her dancing on her knees!)
• Is starting to stand by herself. I first noticed her standing along the couch and would let go for a moment and grab the couch before she would fall. Now, we are helping her by letting go of her hands and watching her balance. The longest she has stood is about 10 seconds!! She did so well at finding her balance. 
• She wants to walk so badly. 
• She is finally calming down and will come sit on my our laps and watch TV for a few minutes. She has actually fallen asleep on Paedn's lap while he scratches her tummy. It was adorable!
• She is now blowing raspberries while sticking her tongue out. 

Favorite toys/activities:

•  Lorelei loves music. We could dance all day
• Still loves animals. She giggles every time she sees a dog.
• Loves anything that makes noise.
• She loves to wrestle with Paedn.
• She loves to get into things she's not supposed to. 
• She is paying more attention to the TV...sometimes. But, she absolutely LOVES and will always watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She is already my Disney girl!!

Nicknames: Still all the usual's.
Funny moments:

• She loved Christmas! Her favorite part was unwrapping all the presents. Ripping paper is the best! Her second favorite part was definitely all her cousins she got to play with!!
• For Christmas, my parents bought us a bike trailer. I was so excited to use this. We took her riding around the block and I expected some sort of reaction- smile, crying, something. She did absolutely nothing. It didn't faze her! Then, we went and explored Paedn's new truck and I let her sit in a seat by me and she started clapping and squealing! Made me laugh so hard.
• (Not funny) We almost had an ER visit. It was close to 3AM and she had had the really bad cough the last few days. After every cough she would scream and cry and cough again and it kept going. 
• Lorelei has the cheesiest smile ever!! Whenever she is playing with Paedn, she will look at him, smile real big and crooked, and then run away. 
• When she first started dancing while laying on her belly- her little booty just pops in the air. I was dying!! It was so funny. I got a little hip hop dancer already!!!

Looking forward to: Walking! I am guessing she is going to do that within 2 months. Also, her first words.


Paedn got a truck!! It's a little Ford Ranger Extended Cab. It is perfect! We are so grateful to finally have a second car. It's been challenging to do everything with just one car. But hooray, that stage is over! He wants to get camo seat covers and floor mats for it. He loves waking up every morning to go to work because he gets to drive his truck! He is such a boy. ;-) Of course, we had to name the truck. We found out the previous owner had already given her a name- Christina! But, because my sister in law's name is Christina, we decided to rename it. Paedn doesn't like old lady names, my car's name is Shirley. So, I suggested Rosie. (Yes, totally after the VS model! Also known as the girl from the third Transformers. haha!) And that is how Rosie got her name!


Picture Overload: Our fun adventures the past month!

She adores her Daddy!

sick ladies =-(

First trip to the park!

She loves playing with bubbles

Yay!!

playing with Daddy

Our little Christmas tree

meeting Santa!

At the Hancock's for Christmas

At the Toone's

She loves her cousins so much!!

First carousel ride!

she really wants to help Daddy play the harmonica!

her new favorite toy- a big box!

"I am so big I can hold the ball!"

hehe she's adorable

blurry-but too cute to pass up

Video

Playing her box! (Yes, that is her new car seat!!)

A little HOORAY for Hilary!

Today has just been one of those days. It's been a crazy month with Lorelei and Paedn sick for the most part. It's been an even crazier week with almost having to go the the ER with Lorelei. It still does not feel like Christmas, which is more then depressing because its my all time favorite time of the year. Anyway, today, I was just burn out. I finally talked myself into going for my run with Lorelei but once we were dressed and ready to go, I found out I didn't have the stroller. So, we headed outside to wait for Daddy. She enjoyed her swing and I took to raking the yard. That helped get out some of the exhaustion! When daddy got home I went for my mile run and decided to just walk afterwards. 45minutes later, Lorelei and I were back home and feeling great! So funny how working out, or raking the yard, can make you feel like a different person. Then, Lorelei went to sleep with ease!! Yeeeees! That hasn't happened in a long time because of her being sick and teething. For some odd reason, I decided I wanted to jump on the scale and weigh myself. Why? I have no idea! Every time I think I look thinner I weigh myself and need up being The exact.same.weight. I've been stuck at 130lbs for months. But, she. I weighed myself I had to stare for a whole minute. Was I seeing this right?! 124lbs?!! Ahhhh!! Finally!! I was just amazed I had such a bad day and it turned out to have a great end. You're attitude really effects your whole day. :-)

42 pounds down, 7 more to go for my pre-pregnancy weight!!!
I am never gaining that much weight again.
Let's see how that goes next time I am pregnant :-)

Videos

Here are two videos I wanted to post of my lady!!

This first one is a video from the choir concert. The last song the alumni are invited to the stage to join the current choir. Paedn brought Lorelei up. He was nervous about how she was going to react, but she loved it. She just kept looking around and soaking it all in. So funny!! This is the first stage presence of many for this little lady!

Ok, remember how I told you Lorelei will always stop and stare anytime "The Office" theme song would come on? Here's your proof. HA! No matter if she's crying, screaming, playing, whatever, she always stops and gets big eyes and finds the TV. Too stinkin cute!!

Lorelei- 7 MONTHS!

I haven't been able to take her 7 month picture yet with the volleyball. I tried but she is too wiggly and quick for my poor, slow camera. I will attempt when Paedn is there to help! =-)

Size: Diapers-3 She is probably close to 16lbs.   Clothes-9 months

Eyes: I swear her eyes get more blue everyday. Maybe she's going to have eyes like her Grandpa Steve!
Hair: Her hair is getting so long all of the sudden and there is so much of it. It is very blond and has a little wave in it.
Sleeping: She wakes up around 3am to eat and then again around 7am. We have a pretty good nap schedule down, too.
Eating: Finishes almost 8 ounces every 3 hours. She LOVES food. She is my little birdie. Every time she sees me eating she goes, "Oh! Oh!" and crawls over to me. When she doesn't like something, she sticks out her tongue and does a full body shimmy, as if she's saying, "Ew, gross! Get this out of here!"
Milestones:

• Oh boy, can she crawl!! She crawls FAST! She loves when we chase her.

• can pull herself up and then can sit back down.
• starting to walk along the couch. Right now, she's just staying in the little corner of the couch and goes back and forth.
• mastered grabbing food and putting it in her mouth.
• very close to mastering the pincer grasp.
• tries to clap!! She just started this. I love it!
• Has EIGHT teeth- all four front and bottom ones.
• Clicks her tongue nonstop.
• Starting to mimic us. She has said "hi" and "key key" (kitty). She tries to say "mama"-she moves her mouth like she is saying it but no sound comes out.
• ATB- All Terrain Baby! She crawls over everything and everyone. She has a bouncer/walker thing and she loves to crawl under those.
• Laughs and smiles ALL THE TIME. (not a new milestone- but I love it!)
• When she is standing up and then falls, she doesn't cry. She looks at me like, "Am I okay?!" I clap my hands and yell "yay" and she starts smiling and kicking her legs and swinging her arms as if she is cheering.
• learning to drink out of the sippy cup. loves water!! (not giving her juice)

Favorite toys/activities:

•  Lorelei loves music.
• As I cook dinner I put her in her bouncer and put on my "Show Tunes" playlist and sing and dance. She finds this hilarious
• likes to sit at the piano and help Daddy play and she sings along

• loves animals...especially dogs because they stick around when she "pets" them.
• loves blankets, especially crochet ones. She has to have her blanket to fall asleep.
• is starting to enjoy sitting down and reading a book. She was always too busy before!
• entertains herself very well. She is pretty independent!
• rarely watches the TV- she'd rather be moving and playing.
• chases down the vacuum. ha! She loves it!

Nicknames: Lady, Lor, LoLo, I have called her Laura a few times. Then all the generals like sweetie, honey, etc.
Funny moments:

• When she is tired she will crawl over to me and sit on my lap. Not funny but seriously adorable.

• Every time we make eye contact she gets a huge grin. I love how happy she is!

• At church she was being a little too active for class so I took her out in the hall. I let her crawl around and then I would go hide behind a corner and she would look for me. I would pop my head around the corner will quick so she could see me and she would squeal and head over. I would go behind a different corner and the process continues.

Looking forward to: Her first Christmas!! (if you know me, you know how much I LOVE CHRISTMAS!) Waving, her first words, standing up by herself. AH! Everything is happening so quickly.


Paedn and Hilary Update:

 Paedn is doing well! He is getting veeery close to be working full time again. He is talking about taking some college classes next semester.Very proud! He is such a help. He always washes the dishes (I hate doing dishes). He always makes sure I have a clean house. He likes having projects to do but we are working on him relaxing as well.

I had my first 5k race and decided to challenge myself and do the Mud Run. My wonderful sister and her husband ran with me. It is so helpful having someone run with me and push me to do better. It was more of a mental race then an endurance one for me. I do not like heights and some of the obstacles you had to crawl up a wall and then go back down the other side, which is fine! But, it's the whole switching sides up top that freaks me out. But, I am proud I can say I did every obstacle! My forearms are completely bruised and all up my legs. Awesome! Working out puts me in a better mood. The fresh air is great for Lorelei and me. Plus, getting my blood pumping is refreshing!