Baby brother!!

Justin and I took Lily to our 20 week ultrasound doctor's appointment. I have been looking forward to this opportunity for Lily to see the baby, so she knows there is actually something really in there making Mommy's belly grow!
She was such a hoot. She had to wear her necklaces, bracelets, and a ring to the doctor's office. Apparently, it was an occasion to dress up.
The sonographer, Diana, was the same one who scanned Lily at this stage of pregnancy so it was neat to have an opportunity to introduce them.
Diana is such a sweet woman- and so well-suited for her job. She was so great with Lily and explained everything she was doing, step-by-step. Lily's favorite part? The gel they put on my belly!
The baby was in the breach position, so it took a while to determine the gender, but Diana was able to maneuver well and....it's a BOY and measuring perfectly! We are all thrilled and excited to welcome Lily's baby brother to the family.
Justin took Lily back to school and per Ms. Ann, she could not stop talking about having a baby brother!! Ms. Ann said she almost did not take a nap because she was wanting to make some paintings for her brother's room.
We know Lily will be a great helper to us and such a loving big sister!
Enjoy some sonogram pictures:

My little helper

After returning home from a trip to WalMart, I was unpacking all of the bags and assigning Lily little things to put away. I am loving this age of helping...since she actually enjoys being of assistance :-)

I put all of the bathroom items together in one bag and asked Lily to carry the bag into the bathroom and put them on the counter.

About 20 minutes later, I needed something from that bag. I went into the bathroom and could not find the bag! I asked Lily where the bag was? "In the trash", Lily responded. Searching both local trash cans, I still did not find the items, so then I got frustrated. After asking a few different ways, I still got the same response.

Well...now Mommy was angry..."Lily, you can not be my helper if you put things in the wrong place and cannot tell me where they are!! (...more ranting under my breath)"

I then opened up the bathroom cabinet, and there were the Q-tips we just bought. I opened the drawers, and there was the deodrant we also bought!! I was in shock and awe that not only did she take the bag into the bathroom, but she put EVERYTHING AWAY!! And she threw away the plastic bag, hence the "in the trash" response she gave me earlier.

So...needless to say, I profusely apologized to my little one for my reaction and thanked her for being SUCH a great helper!! Honestly, I had no idea she knew where all of the stuff went, let alone would she be capable to put it all away at her age.

Mommy can get used to this!

Kindermusik party

Here are some candid shots of Lily's last Kindermusik class. A clown came to visit to deliver gifts to all the kids. She has had a great year in her Our Time class. Wonderful teacher, Ms. Liz, and fun friends!

Not sure how to carry her balloon, train whistle, and tshirt all at the same time!

With her friend, Lily. They went by "big Lily" and "little Lily" in class.

Avery. Such a cutie!

Abby & Ruthie

Princess Party

On Sunday, Lily was invited by a Preschool friend to her 4th birthday party. Her mom had let me know there would be a "live princess" at the party, so I knew this was not one to miss. I decided to bring my camera along, just in case. Glad I did. This was Lily's kind of party!

The preparation for the party was an event in of itself. Not wanting to overshadow the actual birthday girl, I would not let Lily wear a dress-up princess dress, her fancy tiara, and bring her princess wand. She was not too happy about my decision, but I thought it might be overdoing it. Looking back, I should have asked the birthday girl's mom, since it would have fit right in with the theme. Oh well. I'll remember next time.

Cinderella showed up and for the first 15 minutes of the party, the girls were asking question after question: "Where is your castle?", "Do you like the bow in my hair?", "I love your dress!", "Do you like my dress?", "Where is your car?", etc. I couldn't help but sit back and giggle at these little girls and their desire to be noticed by the princess.

Anything that came to mind, the girls blurted out. They just wanted to have something, anything, to say! So Lily had her turn. "My mommy says I have to wear special shorts (bloomers) under my dress so you don't see my panties!" Oh great! Cinderella quickly responded with "Yes, dear, you don't want anyone to see your panties! (giggle)"

The party proceeded with a game of popping bubbles with fairy wands, a treasure hunt, and makeovers for the girls/ face painting for the boys. Lily got to pick her favorite eye shadow color, was given blush, a little lip stick, and some glitter hair spray to go along with her jeweled crown. She came waltzing over to me when all was done and said "Mommy, I am a princess!!"

When it came time for Cinderella to leave, the girls were very disappointed. They took a few pictures, then said their goodbyes.

I overheard Lily talking to Cinderella saying "I'll see you at my party!"

We'll see about that! :-)

Egg-shakin' Lily!

Next week is Lily's last Kindermusik class of the year. Here's a shot of her shaking her eggs to the music! She has really enjoyed her weekly class with Ms. Liz and all of the fun friends she has made.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was extra special this year, because Lily came home with this as her gift for me:

She wrote her own card! I'm tearing up again just looking at it. My baby is growing up!

Prayers

I seem to document a lot about prayer related to Lily, but I think it's because it is one of the things that touches my heart the most.

Justin taught Lily a while back that each time we see or hear an ambulance/fire truck, we stop to pray for the emergency workers and those that are hurt.

Because we happen to live near a hospital, we hear ambulance drivers quite a bit. This has reinforced prayer throughout the day for Lily, not just for meals or bedtime.

I am so thankful that Justin has helped place the desire in Lily's heart to care for others, and to ask Jesus to take care of others...even those we do not know.

This morning on our way to school, Lily said "Mommy, can we say a little prayer for you and me?" I told her sure and asked what she wanted to pray for? She said "I want to pray that my nose will stop stuffing up, that my coughs will go away, and that your back will feel better." (I had some back pain after cleaning last Saturday, which apparently I had complained about in front of her.)

I hope she always knows that God hears our prayers and answers them, no matter how small they may seem.

California Cuteness

We received a package today after school from Grandma L. with an adorable skirt, tennis shoes, and a "lab coat" tie-dye t-shirt Aunt Sarah made for Lily at Jake's birthday party!!

Immediately Lily had to open the package and put everything on. Since Jake had a scientific birthday party, the kids made "lab coats" to go with the theme. Lily's says "Dr. Lily" on it. She saw that and ran to get her doctor kit. I had to get checked out, because the doctor was in the house.

Thank you Grandma L. and Aunt Sarah! Lily loves it all!