Ryan David

Meet my newest cousin, Ryan David. I can honestly say I have been waiting for this cousin for 28 years (next Wednesday). He is my first and only cousin on my mom's side of the family....and an addition to my whopping 5 cousins on my dad's side. Needless to say, I cannot wait to spoil this little guy. I am also thrilled that Lilah FINALLY has a family playmate!

Here he is...all 7lbs 6oz of him...

I Lied Before...THIS is my Favorite Stage :)

Here we are, January 24 and since we have been couped up in the house for what seems like months, we are trying to get out as much as possible. We have been waiting to take Lilah sledding all winter, but it is always so cold on the weekends...that will have to be another post. This past weekend, we went to the Mall of America to watch Kara's cheer teams again. With a lot of down time, and 8 billion people standing in one spot waiting for me to run them over with the stroller, we decided to check out Build-a-Bear. With a child who DOES NOT SIT STILL and has the loudest scream squeal I have ever heard, I was a little nervous for this adventure. Turned out tat we had so much fun! Lilah is certainly a girl who knows what she wants. She picked out the puppy and did such a great job stuffing her new best friend. The only problem was that she was not a fan of waiting in line and there was some chasing going on!

 Runaway Bear Stuffer. Good thing Grandma was there to grab her!

 Her "I know I am sneaky" look...

 Kissing the heart...probably my favorite moment of the day. It is so much fun to see her actually hear something and then do it!

 Stuffing (with a little help from mom)

 Lilah and her new buddy, Twinkie

Hanging out with Grandma Karna at the mall. She LOVED the rollercoaster!

Lilah has really enjoyed watching the competitions. She sits so still and watches the teams and then tries to run out to the mat when they are done with the performance. She even crawled up on Kara's lap in the middle of a routine to get a front row view. She likes ACTION! And, I am thinking all of this cheerleading has taught her a new skill. Up until now she thought that jumping was stomping her feet. Now, she does this...

Showing off Lilah's Bow Wearing Skills...

This weekend Lilah and I went to cheer on Kara and her cheer teams. For Christmas, Lilah was given her own special uniform to wear for such events (much to daddy's dismay). I swear when I put it on her she looked 3 years older. Maybe that is the reason the same girls who were just kids when I coached them 2 years ago now look so grown up...or is that just me getting old??

 Lilah and Auntie Kara

 The competition hadn't started yet, but she knew who the star of the show was!

 I am thinking I will make sure her skirts are always this long!

I went searching through my photo archives and here is Lilah last year when we cheered on the teams at the Dells. I keep scrolling up and down comparing the pictures. I love watching her grow and learn new things, but man...where is my baby?!!!  

*This was all done purely for the cuteness factor. No babies were forced to do any cheerleading. :)

These Boot are Made For Walking!

On Saturday, I came out of our computer room to this...

Lilah was wearing my hat and had brought her rain boots into her little area. I proceeded to watch her and this is what I saw...

After a few (for lack of a better word) shrieks of frustration, I stepped in and helped. TADA!

Later the same day. My boots...and then on Sunday, a pair that Grandma Karna left here. I'd better start saving, I think we have a shoe lover on our hands! I have no idea where she gets that from?!!

Oh...and someone got a  new lens!! After consulting many fellow photo lovers, I decided on the Nikon NIKKOR 50mm. Although I am still learning. I LOVE it!

Good thing I have such cute subjects!!

Santa?!!...I Know Him!

We made a special visit to Santa today. We had to get a picture with Santa and his new suit that Steph made. (yep, that's right, I said that Stephanie - with some help from Ginger- made the Santa suit). I knew this would not be an easy task as Lilah's stranger anxiety is at an all time high. I only managed to get one shot of Lilah with Santa. One that I am sure she will appreciate in years to come. We all need a screaming Santa shot...right?!!

We even tried some pictures with other people holding her....nope, she was not having it!

Cookies did help a little, but this is as close as she let Santa get. (**please don't judge with the whole unwashed hair and no make-up situation. We are totally at the stage where there is no chance of a shower when only one parent is around, and I am flying solo this morning. Not my favorite part...but what can you do!) 

 

Better luck next year!

and a little blast from the past. Here is Lilah's picture from last year. What.a.Chunk!

Oh How I Love Etsy...

I think if I would have been the lucky one to win the Mega Millions last night, I would have spent most of my winnings on things I find on Etsy. I just can't get enough of that site. For people like me, who pretend to be crafty, it is fun to see the products of those who are truly talented. I keep telling Steph, the craftiest person I know, to sell her stuff on there...maybe if I stopped roping her in to do projects for me she would have time....hmmm now there is a thought! :)

So here are a few things I have purchased that you should check out too!! (since i am all about sharing!)

*Pretty much the cutest slippers ever! These are from somethingdianemade, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Oh...and not only does Diane make really cute things, she is SUPER sweet!

*This unique hanger for Kara's wedding. lilafrances hand makes these super cool hangers...they even come in baby sizes!!

*Digital art...who knew you could buy that?! TracyAnnDigitalArt has some really fun art to choose from. I used the owl theme for Lilah's birthday invites, thankyous and decroations at her party. Once you purchase and download your images, they are yours to keep forever. 

What?!! No pictures of Lilah on this post. Next time, I promise! :)

Sweet Little Declan!

Last week, my college roommate, Johanna, and her 7 month old cutie-pie, Declan, came over to play. I don't get to see these two nearly enough. Johanna (and Declan too:) ) lives in Arcata, CA and owns Blondies Food and Drink. If you are ever in the area, check it out!!

Here are a few pictures from the play-date!

 Declans first time in a high chair! What a big boy!

 Lilah still isn't quite sure what this 'sharing' thing is all about!



Little Monster! 

Group shot attempt-not so successful!

And...oh what a difference a few months make! These pictures are from back this past summer (pre-blog era for me), when Declan was just teeny and Lilah couldn't walk!

We love you guys!! Come back and visit us soon...or better yet, maybe we will see you in California!