Ain't she sweet...

Lillian at 4 Months

Lillian weighs 12 pounds 1 ounce - she's doubled her birthweight!  And she's grown almost 6 inches since birth, way to go kiddo!

Rockin' & Rollin'

Lillian rolled over today!  I laid her on her belly, turned to grab the video camera (just in case) and when I turned again she had rolled onto her back!  I called for Mike, laid her on her belly and she rolled over again (I still didn't have the camera on!).  Here is a video of the 3rd time....she was getting a little tired! 

Going, Going, Gone?

As Lillian wiggles more and more (and more!) the hair on the back of her head seems to suffer the brunt of it!  She still has more hair than I ever had as a baby, but it is noticeably rubbing off. 

Lillian at 10 weeks

Lillian at 13 weeks

Lillian at 16 weeks

Of course, we know, nobody reads our blog to look at pictures of the back of Lillians head!  So here are a couple recent pictures of our smiling, happy little girl.

I love my morning walks with mommy!



Making eyes at Daddy



Mmm....Eggs! They were all they're cracked up to be!

Freckles is a good little layer!  This morning Mike and I enjoyed a delicious poached egg breakfast with our four eggs we've collected the last four days.  They are noticeably better than store bought eggs.  We can't wait till Red and Chicky start laying...perhaps we'll have eggs to share soon! 

Eggs, Glorious Eggs!

I told Mike, weeks ago, that the chickens were waiting for me to go back to work before they laid any eggs.  I was just sure that they wanted to give me something to smile about this week.   I was out back hanging Lillian's diapers on the line Monday afternoon, when all of a sudden, the chicks went nuts. They were making such a commotion I went over to check on them but I was afraid to open their barn door because they were really clucking in there! So when Mike came home I made him go check (yes - I'm still a little afraid of those birds!!!).  And he found our first egg - it was broken - just like we read would happen. Their first eggs are usually pretty weak. But, Tuesday evening, Mike went out to check again and returned with a real bonafide egg!  Then this morning, we heard them clucking again, and....we found another egg! 

Of course, I'm not really psychic at all.  It just so happens that the chicks are 24 weeks old now, the age they are supposed to start laying, and it just happens to coincide with my maternity leave ending.  But I prefer to think of it as a higher power, smiling down on me, telling me, "Go back to work, Baby Girl will be fine".  As if all of god's creations preform as they should.  And this higher power is correct. Lillian is adjusting to daycare just fine.  Miss Christine sends me home with a "progress report" letting me know the highlights of Lillian's day.  Of course, at 3 months old, her highlights include when she ate, slept and had her diaper changed.  But Christine tells me what I already know, that Lillian smiles all day, at everything and everyone.  I love hearing that!  I rush out of work to pick her up and love the big smiles I get when she hears my voice and sees me.  I also love that Mike's been getting home from work early this week in order to get a little baby time too.  The 3 of us are a sight to see, hugging and kissing and cooing together.  It's as if we were separated for weeks not hours!  Tonight, Lillian actually giggled.  Look at that, she had a "first" and I didn't miss it....

Hi Ho, Hi Ho.....

                                                                                                         It's back to work I go!  I miss the "old people" so much, but tomorrow, when I'm sitting at my desk I'm going to miss Lillian even more!  We spent some time at the daycare today visiting the other babies and introducing Lillian to Miss Christine.  Christine has been a child care worker for 19 years and clearly loves her job.  She has Lillian's name on her board already.  It made me smile when I saw her name on the apple, then Christine pointed out the other board with her name and birth date on the owl and it reassured me that she's in good hands. 
   Our good friends, Amy & Bryan are sending their son Zander to Children Are the Future too.  He's 3 months older than Lillian, but they'll be in the same class for a while.  I'm so glad Lillian will have other babies to smile at, interact with and learn from. 

Lillian with Miss Christine

    I am so fortunate that I'm able to return 4 days a week to start.  I will work Wednesday - Saturday for the next 12 weeks.  Lillian will go to daycare Wednesday - Friday then she gets to spend Saturday with Daddy!  Mike is REALLY looking forward to having her all to himself one day a week.  He has big plans to take her places, including taking her to a few job projects (maybe she'll help land him some big jobs!!!).  His Daddy adventures start this weekend with a trip to the zoo with Zane and his two kids.  What a site that will be! 
    Here are a few pictures of Lily-Bird from last weekends camping trip....

Grandpa Kerschen, this one's for you!  Will she follow in your footsteps and be a bowhunter too? 

Hiking with Mama!

The rivers and streams have been so full this summer!

Relaxing after a long hike.



Laying by the river, so Mom and Dad can enjoy their breakfast together.






After camping all weekend, it feels really good to come home and take a bath!