Sunshine, Fresh Air and Family

The weather has been up and down the last few weeks but we have had some really nice weekends. We spent the days enjoying the outdoors and working in the yard. I can't believe how much my feelings towards our house have changed the over the past 3 months. Now that I am able to walk around and do things for myself it is great! Having coffee in the rocking chairs, swinging with Lily on the porch, watching the dogs greet everyone that walks by....it has given me a whole new perspective. I spend less time obsessing over the things that need to be done and more time envision all of the possibilities for the future. I can't wait to start a garden and while I enjoy our fire pit made of cement blocks I love the idea of the real deal one day! I have looked around for the perfect spot for a play set and this next one may never come true but...chickens! I would love to have our our eggs and goats too!!

Anyway, enough dreaming, back to reality. Lily is definitely our child, she loves the outdoors! A couple weekends ago was our first opportunity to really enjoy it!

Her first set of dirty nails!

And dirty socks! Oh and she drools just a little....wink, wink!

So cool in her shades

She loves when Daddy holds her up high and swings her around.

 I am obsessed with hats, bonnets in particular!!!

This last weekend we spent bittersweet time with family as we remembered Pat's Uncle Tracy. There was lots of story telling and laughter. One life passed on and many new ones are starting. Spending time with Lily's cousins is always fun, throw in a few second cousins and family we rarely see and any situation can be made enjoyable.

We wrapped things up with our own St. Patrick's Day celebration! 

Hello Again!

Wow, a lot has happened the past couple of weeks! We had more snow which is just crazy! Between our trip to PA and the polar vortex Lily has seen more snow in her three months of life than most southerns do in years! I'm not complaining though, all of that snow and ice meant that Pat was forced to stay home for a few days! Yay!!!

The style of our house along with the smell of wood burning in the fireplace made it feel like we were in the snow capped mountains (minus the mountains).

I have to add that it wasn't until I saw this picture

that I realized how big Molly is!

Valentines Day marked Lily's 12 week birthday! I'm not sure when you are supposed to start referring to their age in months rather than weeks but everyday brings changes so I am sticking with weeks for now. She is beginning to really enjoy her jumperoo and sitting in her walker. She is continuing to roll over, everything goes in her mouth and she's "talking" up a storm. I could listen to her sweet voice all day! Oh and I can't believe I almost forgot about her feet...she found them and loves them!

90% of the time she has a bewildered look on her face that I love! 

I think it makes her look so sweet!

 Photo shoots are getting more difficult. The days of sitting her in the chair are over! I tried it but most of the photos turned out like this...

 As the picture indicates, she has also learned how to show her anger. There is no questioning when she is mad. She will throw herself, push, pull and squeal...she is definitely a girl!!

This is her first Valentine for Daddy!

 Recently during one of Lily's baths Pat asked me if that was my favorite part of the day and I quickly replied, "YES!" Then I remembered how much I love getting her out of her crib in the morning; when her face is slightly swollen and she looks at me like, "Hey, there you are!" and the smiles never seem to stop. But watching her "talk" to her toys is so cute, maybe that's my favorite? No! It's in the evening when she falls asleep on my shoulder and I can kiss her 100 times to make up for the ones I missed during the day. Actually any part of my day spent with Lily is my favorite! Her smiles and giggles make my day...everyday!!

With that being said, after 7 months the day came for me to go back to work. It was soooo much easier than I thought it was going to be. I am fortunate enough to have my mom watch Lily but leaving the house was the worst part. The warm welcome from my coworkers really helped. I never thought I would say this (and I would much rather be home with her) but I am enjoying being back. I like what I do and I have missed that social interaction.

Now that I have caught you up on the first part of the month I can get into the current news. Last weekend we went to Charleston for a chili competition. Pat entered last year with Wes and won but he had to run the show solo this year. His busy work schedule didn't leave him much time to think about decorations but he came up with a great idea to distract the judges from his bare table....

A baby in a pepper costume! Who could resist that?! As soon as I put it on her people starting flocking to our table. Everyone wanted a picture but it wasn't enough to win over the judges. Boo!!

Lily and I were clearly upset with the results!

 Team 'Sweet Lily's Chili' may not have come out on top but it was a great excuse to hang out with our friends.

What's cuter than one baby in a chili costume?! 2 babies!!