To Grow or Not to Grow....

As you know, this time of year Mike and I are filled with daily discussions about what to plant in this years vegetable garden.  We're still eating the remnants of last years crop from the freezer and dreaming about this season.  When Mike suggested beets, I told him I wasn't sure if I've ever had them.  So, he bought a couple from Sunflower Market.  We loved them!  And so did Lillian....

Lillian at 11 Months

 Lillian is on the move!  She's crawling all over (really crawling now....no more wounded soldier).   She pulls up on everything and the other morning, we went in to find her standing in her crib.  She's not quite ready to take any steps though.  She pulls up to stand at the coffee table or one of her standing play toys, but so far won't move her feet. 

Lillian has really been enjoying the Easter egg shakers I made her.  I filled some plastic eggs with rice and they have produced hours of fun.  Her absolute favorite thing right now is visiting the chickens.  Those chickens can turn the grumpiest Lillian into a smiling, happy baby in no time!  If Lillian starts to fuss about anything, Mike will say "Let's go visit your chickens".  Before they get out the back door, Lillian starts saying "bok, bok, bok, bok" and pointing to their coop.  It is so cute.

Grandma Training Camp

This past weekend, Lillian was showered with the attention of 2 grandma's.  My mom and her very best girlfriend, Linda Smith came for a visit.  Linda has 4 boys and when we were growing up, Linda treated Casey & I like the daughters she never had.  Linda is eagerly awaiting grandkids of her own. (Keith, Brian, Trevor & Cody if you're reading this - I apologize for any additional "baby" pressure you're receiving after your mom's visit!)  So in the meantime she came to Denver to "train" with Holden, Everett and Lillian.

Lillian is finally big enough to play with her Denver Cousins.  She thinks she's "Big" like them!

Holden and Everett are so patient and gentle with Lillian, always sharing toys and trying to teach her things. 

Recently, Lillian has really gotten into stories, she points at the pictures and seems to follow right along.

Mike & I presented this "diploma" to Linda for her hours of service and free babysitting!  Mom and Linda were so great, letting Mike and I get out twice over the weekend (although if Lillian could talk, she'd tell me it wasn't such a sacrafice on their part!). 

Boy Oh Boy!

We have a little man cooking!  We found out Friday that Lillian will have a baby brother sometime around Labor Day.  Our exact due date is September 8th - but if I have anything to say about it he'll be born a day early on my birthday (which happens to be my Dad's birthday).  Wouldn't it be great to have 3 Generations born on September 7th! 

I have a confession to make!  Seven weeks ago on Valentine's Day, Mike and I took a home gender prediction test.  It predicted this baby was a boy.  We're still not sure if the results were accurate or perhaps we randomly purchased a kit that produced blue results.  We have a couple friends who tried the same test with accurate results, so who knows maybe it was worth the 30 bucks!  If you're interested, it's called Inteligender and we ordered it off the internet!

Lillian at 10 Months

Mike and I feel there have been very few surprises when it comes to parenting so far.  We have felt well prepared to take on any challenges that Lillian throws our way, but no one can prepare you for getting a 10 month old to pose for a picture!  Lillian wiggles constantly.  She has no fear, diving head first into the floor.  This picture is the only one we took that didn't have our hands holding her back. 
Lillian is still the most social baby I've ever seen.  Tonight at the grocery store she smiled and waved to every stranger that passed by, seriously, every single one!  A few nights ago at the park she did the same thing, grabbing the attention of even the most serious of runners.  Lillian has gone on jobs with Daddy and she has become his #1 marketing tool. 

Lillian has developed quite a fondness for Hope. And thankfully, Hope tolerates her pretty well too.

 She crawls right over to the dogs when they're eating dinner and reaches in to grab their food.  They are both so gentle with her!  Mostly she just likes to hear the bang that the dog bowls make when she beats them on the floor!

Indianapolis

Lillian and I just returned from a four day trip to Grandma and Opa Hanou's house.  We were hoping to see some of our Michigan family too, but Mother Nature had other plans!  Grandma Kerschen, Nana Nancy, Aunt Cathy, Johnny and Layla weren't able to make it but we can't wait to see them in May!  It's hard to leave Daddy behind, he sure misses his girls when we're gone.  But it was so nice to see Great-Grandpa, he is looking great!

Lillian rolled, scooted, dragged and army crawled her way around Grandma and Opa's house.

I have nicknamed Lillian "Lieutenant Dan", because she will not use her legs to crawl! 

But, make no mistake, she sure does get from A to B in a hurry!

Grandma Hanou tossed a ball back and forth with Lillian for 15 minutes one night!  We couldn't believe how long she stayed interested, we've got quite a ball player on our hands. 

We have a due date!

We had a great doctors appointment on Friday and learned that our next baby is due September 11th.  Of course, I'm hoping he or she comes early (my dad and I share a birthday - September 7th) or late (September 17th was my Oma's birthday).  Either way the baby is healthy and active.  We get to go back to the doctor in just 2 weeks for our first trimester screening....that will be a little early for gender prediction - but trust me - if they let us know, we'll let you know! 
Lillian is a busy little girl these days.  She still won't officially crawl but she sure does get around!  She "army crawls" and rolls all over.  Her poor knees are chapped from dragging her legs behind her all the time.  She continues to be a great eater and especially likes anything she can pick up and feed herself.  I want to share two of my favorite Lillian stories, mostly so I can recall them years from now and smile! 
1.  Lillian loves to pull off her socks.  We cannot keep them on.  Shoes are even harder.  The other day I sent her to school in tights.  She was so frustrated that she couldn't pull them off that she rolled over to the little boy next to her and pulled his socks off!
2.  Lillian has discovered moms freckles.  She tries so hard to pick them up, especially the big ones on my shoulders.  So sweet.....

Lillian loves hanging out in the kitchen while mommy cooks dinner.  Notice the socks have been pulled off her feet!

Lillian opening belated Christmas gifts from Aunt Candy!  As usual, she loved the paper (but the clothes are super cute Candy - thank you!) 

One of my new shirts from Aunt Candy, and a hair clip mommy made me.  Yes, I know she doesn't have any hair but it's still fun to try!