Time

I have mentioned it before, and I will mention it again. Time simply moves too quickly these days. My little girl just gets more and more wonderful, every day, just when i think its not possible that she does so. I keep waiting for the other foot to drop, and so far... nothing of the sort. I DO feel like I have so very many balls in the air between Lindy and James (#1), work (a very demanding #2) and our friends and famdamily (falling a distant #3 unfortunately). Some days I blink and its midnight, and I wonder what I did all day! I have NEVER, EVER seen time fly like this.

Lindy seems to be in the time machine too - she is growing every day. She is no longer walking, she's RUNNING!! She is so cute. Gosh, SO cute. She continues to amaze us with her vocabulary. Most exciting this week (she is 14 months old TODAY!):
- she say say "Pease" (please)
- she can "count" to six (if you count 1-5, she will say "siss")
- she learned to say "up" and "no" (that's a fun one)
- she can say hat, and bath, and tells EVERYONE "hiii" and "byyyyeee" in a very Southern twang
- she knows how to pray! so cool! before each meal we say "what do you do?" and she clasps her hands, ready for our recital: "thank you Lord for all this food and all our many blessings. Amen."
AND NOW FOR MY PERSONAL FAVORITE OF THE WEEK...
- she learned how to say "HAPPY" which just flat out, well, makes me happy. She says it like so .... "HAP-EEEEE"

P.S. on a Ginny note - I defended my first client in a criminal matter - really deserving fellow - we got the case dismissed. HOW THRILLING!

Have a MOO-tiful Halloween!!

What a day miss Lindy had! She LOVED her 2nd Halloween, 1st tricker treating experience. We went door to door and the little girl caught on quickly. She clutched her oh so cute moo-tastic tricker-treating bag and gladly reached into any candy bowl that came her way. To celebrate when she got home she walked clear across the room!! I guess you could say she's been "walking" for a while now, but I haven't really given it much attention. I was waiting for the real thing. I guess I can say we are there. Video of the girl on the go to come. For now, let me leave you with my MOO-tiful daughter! What a baby girl. Man, love her.

A few things about Linden at 1-Year-Old

1. Loves: her mama (major mama phase); her paci; Mother's Day Out; her chair; Praise Baby; her bath; FOOD; her cabbage patch doll, her kitchen, her LOVIES (in a big, big way), talking (she is a chatter box) 2. Tolerates: her stroller, tailgating (she is really good), having her hair done (it is so unruly, it is a must) 3. Dislikes: not much - scary halloween decorations, "slimy" veggies/fruit, having her diaper changed/getting dressed 4. Sleeping: EXCELLENT - 7:30 - 7 and still taking 2 naps a day (except on MDO days) .. how did we get so lucky? 5. Personality: BIG-SMART-SWEET-HAPPY-BUSY 6. Size Diapers: 4 7. Size Clothes: 18 - 24 months 8. Best part about her: Everything 9. Worst part about her: She is growing up too fast.

Linden's Milestones (Updated 1 year 3 weeks)

Linden's Milestones (Updated @ 10 months)
4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows
8 months - first two teeth (bottom two); eating finger foods and "real" meals
8.5 months - scooting; army crawling; pulling into sitting position; sitting up in crib
8.75 months - "da-da"; "ma-ma" [for the record she said da-da first. UGH.] proper crawling EVERYWHERE; playing "How Big is the Baby?" game
9 months - pulling up on furniture; can say (and point to) "eyes"
10 months - walking along and between furniture; switched from bottle to sippy cup and from 4 feedings to 3 feedings; started "regular" milk-based formula [Enfamil Gentlease]; standing up in crib
10.5 months - tried yogurt for the first time (Greek, she wasnt a huge fan); 4 overnights with LeLe and Big D while mom and dad cruised the Bahamas.
10.75 months - stood on own for 15 seconds
11 months - waving "bye bye"; words: "hi"; "ice"; "da-da"; "ma-ma"; started Mother's Day Out (twice a week, Covenant Presbyterian - she loves it - always gets a "played well" report from her teachers); first swim lessons (9/17)
11.5 months - tried milk for first time (not a huge fan, warm always); attended first Alabama football game
12 months - first animal noise ("quack quack"); taking 1-3 steps at a time, cruising along all furniture; first ear infection; second trip to Children's Hospital (to remove a splinter)
12.5 months - switched to 100% milk; second animal noise ("moo"); taking 5-6 steps; will say "hi" into phone; learned how to make the "Indian noise"

To know true, unconditional love that makes your heartache... have a child. Happy birthday Linden Brooke.

Happy 1st Birthday Lindy Loo!

Baby Steps

Quick post to report that Lindy took her first steps today, September 1, 2011!!!! She is 10 months and 3.5 weeks old. James and I aren't sure if this qualifies as walking but technically she stood on her own and took two steps to the ottoman in our living room. We are so proud of her, and she was so proud of herself! HUGE SMILES!

Goal for this week is to get some videos of this hilarious little girl posted. For now, I will leave you with these two precious pictures.

#1 --- our little wrecking ball having fun trashing her room... ;)
#2 --- Future career, farmer?

Growing up.

That's it. This child is growing up too fast and I can't take it! Baby, pleeeeaasseee stay a baby for a little bit longer. Puh-lease???? Linden got her third tooth today and I can see two more about to pop through. To add insult to injury she stood on her own for the first time yesterday. She did it twice for about 15 seconds. Oh times, they are a changin'.

Congrats to James for reaching the 5 year milestone at Ernst and Young. He works hard, and still finds time to be a stellar dad for that I am so thankful.

Lots of changes coming in the Willcox household. Labor day week is going to shuffle things up a bit. Mom puts on her big girl Tory Burches and starts her life as a lawyer and Linden puts on her big girl britches and starts Mother's Day Out. Pray for us. One or both of the aforementioned people does not handle change well!!!!

This picture was taken today. Is it just me or does that smile just light up like the Fourth of July sky???

Letters to Lindy: August 2011

Hi Little Girl,

Well, love, you are sick and I H.A.T.E. it. Not fair. It's funny, though, you have a runny tummy and a horrible diaper rash (as a result of the tummy) and you are running a fever but you aren't ACTING sick. That's so like you, love. Even when you are feeling down, you are still my happy girl. Lin, you continue to be a JOY. You are happy, and you are kind. You are patient, very slow to anger. I love that about you. A lot of babies your age are learning how to throw a temper tantrum. Not you. You are here to please, you cry, sure but you only cry for a reason. And thus, when you cried today because of your rash it broke my heart -- so much so that I had to call the doctor and get a special compounded prescription just for you! It isn't fair to make you suffer through over-the-counter meds. You only cry when somethings really wrong, you dont cry wolf, so whatever it takes mama is going to fix it. You can always depend on that.

So, you must be awfully cute. It's basically impossible for us to go out without people stopping to talk to you. I or dad will be strolling along and we will hear laughing behind us. You made someones day again. You smile at everyone, and in that way you bring such pleasure to people. I think you are going to grow up that way. I hope you'll warm hearts and be generous with your smiles. One smile from you, little girl, makes MY problems diappear. Mom and Dad are leaving for a cruise to the Bahamas tomorrow and though its only 4 nights that we will be away from you I can't imagine it!!!!! I will miss you so much, but I know you'll have fun with big D and LeLe. They take very good care of you, and your mom appreciates them more than they will ever know. Did you know how lucky you are to have grandparents that love you so?

We are all a little nervous for you to start Mother's Day Out in a few weeks. You will go from 9 - 1 twice a week. It will be good for you to be around other kids, I think you will thrive in such an environment. But, mom is not looking forward to all the nasty virus's you are sure to bring home.After your meningitis, you have been remarkably healthy... that is until you got sick a few days ago [which I am CONVINCED was a result of you going to the church nursery on Sunday.] Ugh. Guess we will see how it goes girlfriend. You have helped me with that, you know... "seeing how it goes." I have never been good at that, but you have forced me to be. I always, ALWAYS want the best for you but I have to realize, sometimes, that what is best for you [mothers day out?] isn't necessarily what's best for me...

Anyway, going to sign off now. I'll end with a few things you are loving at the moment: Little Bunny Foo Foo (you can even do the bunny motion yourself!); ICE; standing/walking along furniture; playing in your room (you entertain yourself for hours in there, just you and the books).

I love you little girl. I love you more than life itself. Literally. I would do anything for you, you are the love of your dad and my life.

Thank you for being you.

Mom

Linden's Milestones (Updated @ 10 months)

4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows
8 months - first two teeth (bottom two); eating finger foods and "real" meals
8.5 months - scooting; army crawling; pulling into sitting position; sitting up in crib
8.75 months - "da-da"; "ma-ma" [for the record she said da-da first. UGH.] proper crawling EVERYWHERE; playing "How Big is the Baby?" game
9 months - pulling up on furniture; can say (and point to) "eyes"
10 months - walking along and between furniture; switched from bottle to sippy cup and from 4 feedings to 3 feedings; started "regular" milk-based formula [Enfamil Gentlease]; standing up in crib
10.5 months - tried yogurt for the first time (Greek, she wasnt a huge fan); 4 overnights with LeLe and Big D while mom and dad cruised the Bahamas.
10.75 months - got third tooth, stood on own for 15 seconds.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo... How about You, You, You?

Lindy had a blast at her first zoo outing! She ooh'd at the monkeys, and ahh'd at the lions... but she really enjoyed the giraffes and the fish!



We were hoping for a bit more of a reaction when it came to the elephants (Roll Tide) but I'll settle for the belief that she was just in such awe of how awesome they were, she couldn't even speak!

I cannot express how precious this month is, August is Lindy and mom's month, before I start work, and we are making the most of it. I am simply enjoying my little girl to the fullest. I think, in many ways, this is going to make it harder for me to start work - talk about a change of pace! - but, I wouldn't trade this time with her for anything in the world. I know I will look back at this month - post-lawschool/bar exam pre-practice of law and always remember it. It's something I will truly cherish.

Bar Exam, Schmar Exam.

"Whatcha doin' mom?"


"Dude... I am SO cute. Wouldn't playing with me be much more fun?"


*I had to edit this to make a comment about that N.A.S.T.Y onesie she is wearing in this picture. No, we didnt trade the Tide in for a group of cheaters! It just so happened that one of my favorites, Emily F. Howard was visiting us that day - so THE Ohio State onesie was for her!

I am 9 months old!

I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up! I've mentioned this before, and I'll say it again, I wish time would stand still! But, alas, it won't and today LB is 9 months old. This means 2 things... 1. I get to start thinking about her first birthday!!! and 2. she had to go in for her 9 month wellness appointment.


"What's so scary about the doctors office peeps?"

Lindy had a great checkup. Dr. McCain said she couldn't be any healthier, which we are so thankful to hear. Let me go on and give you the stats:

Height 28" (70-90%)
Weight 23 lbs 11 oz (95th%!!!)
Head (75th%)

Here's my little chunky monkey in all her glory as she waited to see Dr. McCain....





We also had to go through a 10 month checklist, and mark the things Lindy was or was not doing. I am proud to say we marked every single milestone! So, basically, my child is a genius. I kid, but really it does look like shes right on track. The only other big news to report from the doctor is that we get to start trying her on some regular formula (not the milk free junk thats breaking the Willcox bank) and, if that goes well, start on cheese and yogurt next week. I am super excited about this because its been REALLY hard to make her food taste good with zero milk or cheese. Will let you know how it goes. Please pray she's over her allergy.

She's doing a few new things this week... 1. she can make a clicking noise with her tounge (mostly don't to imitate mom and dad) 2. shes started acting like she wants to walk. She scoots along furniture nicely and has started picking her feet up to take steps (which LiLi says is a sign walking isn't too far around the corner). Um, are we ready for that? I guess we'd better be!

Anyway, all to report today. 18 days away from the bar exam. Officially should be in fraekout mode, but I'm just not. I hope that's a good thing.

You're a grand ol' flag.....

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Mom FAIL!

Ugh. So I guess it was bound to happen. Lindy got her first boo-boo this morning. Tragic for her but certainly more tragic for her mama. Let me set the scene. I am running around like a crazy lady trying to get ready to leave for the day [I interject here to mention I am ONE short month out from the bar exam so when I leave "for the day" its for the entiiiirrreee day, so it takes a lot of coordination]... Annnyywwaayyy, I put Lindy our carpeted bedroom floor, with some toys, while I do my makeup in the attached bathroom. I am literally 3 feet from her people. She was pretty quiet, I assumed she was entertained. Boy was she. Lil miss had pulled out one of the dresser drawers and when she tried to pull up on it (to stand I assume) it scooted back in and she fell face forward onto the drawer [I assume she fell onto one of the corners because she has a weeny bruise next to her eye, but by the time I got to her she was laid out on her back so I dont really know]. Anyway, she was screaming - I was freaking. Good times.

Lindy hardly ever cries real tears, but today they were just rolling down her cheeks. BROKE MY HEART. I scooped her up and 5 minutes later with a Ritz cracker in hand, she in my lap with her "moose", and I reading "Bubbles Bubbles" had her calm again.

Boy, times were tough for a while there. I now understand what it means to want take the hurt/sickness/pain away from your child and put it upon yourself.... I know it wont be the last time it happens, but I can only pray that any additional "boo-boos" are as easily remedied by a Ritz as this one was!


Sweet baby with her first bruise :(

But still all smiles....

Linden's Milestones (Updated)

Linden's Milestones

4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows
8 months - first two teeth (bottom two); eating finger foods and "real" meals
8.5 months - scooting; army crawling; pulling herself up; pulling into sitting position; sitting up in crib
8.75 months - "da-da"; "ma-ma" [for the record she said da-da first. UGH.] proper crawling EVERYWHERE; playing "How Big is the Baby?" game


HOW BIG IS THE BABY??? SOOOOOOO BIG!!

Letters to Lindy: June 2011

My little Lindy girl,

It occurred to me the other day that you are growing up SO quickly! I realize that one day you will be able to R-E-A-D and I want you to be able to look back on your early years of life. I want you to be able to read about all the fun we all had with you, all the new things you accomplish, and all the joy you bring to my life each and every day. I guess I'll start off by reiterating that point - Linden Brooke you bring me joy EVERY.SINGLE.MOMENT. Whether I am with you and I get to experience that glorious smile, I am telling people about how sweet and GOOD you are, or in the quiet moments in my heart when it hurts I love you so much - you bring me joy. So, thank you.

You are almost 9 months old (July 5th) which is hard for mama to believe! Most of the time I wish time would stand still, I love you just the way you are now! I can't imagine a sweeter, more lovely little girl than you are in your 9 month self.

Let me tell you a little bit about what you've got going on. Just this week (June 19-4) you started saying "da-da" and (we think)"ma-ma" - you are VERY very articulate. You "talk" all the time and try to mimic what we say. I think you are pretty advanced in this area for your age. You also have GREAT hand-eye coordination and what is called the pincher grasp (you grab tiny things, like cherrios and its no problem for you). You use that great coordination to enjoy almost 100% "big people" food now (no purees) and your sippy cup. You love your sippy cup... and ICE. You are happy for hours playing with your ice (another example of how great your hand-eye coordination is). You have started crawling, and you are getting fast... you really started scooting at about 8 months and 1 week, you tolerate it. But I think you'd rather walk.

You have also learned two tricks... you know how to point to my (or lili's) nose.... and when asked "How BIG is the baby??" You throw your hands up like you are indicating a touchdown... very very very sweet. You love the water, love to swim. You swim every day at Lilis and you know how to "jump" in after we count 1, 2, 3... you also are not afraid to put your face in the water. Waterbug you are.

One of my favorite things about you (other than, oh EVERYTHING) is that you are a thinker. You like to try and understand things, how things work, what they mean. I know this is an early indication of how thoughtful you are going to be, and how strong-willed to support your convictions. This "thinker" mentality is best evidenced when it comes to books. Generally, you are a squiggle worm. You like to squirm all over mom and dad, all over the floor, all over everything. But when it comes to a good book, your attention is rapt. My favorite times are right before your nap when you are laying in my arms, and we are reading a book. I feel like you are really reading it... hanging on to every work, analyzing ever picture. Smart little girl you are.

Oh Lindy, I could go on and on. I say it all the time but honestly YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD BABY. Happy, sweet, intelligent, inquisitive, joyful, athletic, loving, even thoughtful... amazing all that in such a small package. Thank you bug. Thank you for being you!

Stunning girl, almost 9 months old

Its not easter, but you are still our little bunny....

Sweet bug.

The Big 3-0

Well, it is the night before my 30th birthday and as I say goodbye to my second decade I have to say, it has been an excellent one. I cannot believe all I accomplished in my 20s: graduated college, got married, got my masters degree, moved to DC, spent a month in Europe, moved home, started law school, had lovely Lindy, graduated law school.... WHEW! When I stop to wonder why time seems to fly, I guess I have my answer.

As I leave behind my 20s I am definitely sad, what a decade it was. But, I am happy too. As I get older every day I like more and more the person I am becoming. I appreciate more and more the people in my life. And I realize more and more how truly blessed and lucky I am. I find with age comes peace. Peace of mind, peace of self, peace for the future. Not to say I dont have a lot to work on, lordy. Namely, I want to focus more on living in the moment. I have been so focused on the future for so long, I often find I neglect the present. And you know what? The present is exactly where I want to be. So, deep breath, slow down. Live. That's the plan. "In my next 30 years, I'll have some fun, try to forget about all the crazy things I've done. I've conquered all my adolescent fears.... I'll do it better my next 30 years."...

Since who knows when Ill blog again gotta jot down some Lindy loo news. WELL, SHE IS AMAZING. I love that little pug (that is her dad and my nickname for her). She is just turning into the most lovely little girl. So smart so happy. Just a joy. Here are a few things shes done in May/June
- Feeding herself solids (egg yolk, chicken, turkey, beef, pancakes, crackers)
- Crawling - well at this point its more like scooting, but girl can MOVE!
- Sitting herself up, including IN THE CRIB at night. Last night she actually fell alseep sitting up, leaning against the bumper. QUITE precious I can assure you (but, even better, Ill post below so you can see).
- She know where the "nose" is and will point to it.
-Her dad swears she has said da-da but I am not quite convinced.
- She has two teeth - sooo sweet!!!!
- Baby is still sleeping like a dream. Honestly, I feel like we are SO lucky in this department. She takes 2 2 hour naps a day and sleeps 7:30 - 7:00 everu night. We literally have not had one set back. Glorious. She also goes down wide awake and puts herself to sleep. Again, glorious. She actually LIKES her crib, when she gets tired she will look longingly at it. Sweet.
- Finally, she is a finalist in a competition for a Parents Magazine cover... my georgous, georgous girl.

And then there were two (teeth, not babies, of course!)

L got her second tooth this week, she is suuuchhhh a cutie when she smiles so big and you can see the pearly whites peeping out at you. Problem is, having a hard time catching the toothy grin on camera.... In honor of her teeth we have introduced turkey, chicken and egg yolk this week. She even had some cous cous and mango with her chicken! She was a HUGE fan of the egg and turkey, not as much the chicken. Girl, dont you know you are from the South??! Finger licking chicken is a must (though if I can help it she wont be dining on that fried stuff!).

Lazy days of summer are here, and hours are spent swimming at the YMCA, swimming in LiLis pool, and swimming in the river pool - sensing a theme here? This babe is a water lover if Ive ever seen one. She even went under for the first time on June 2 - in LiLis pool. We HEARD (UGH! my mom did it without us!) she was a champ about it, looked stunned for just a second then just grinned and grinned.

Lord how I love this sweet child of mine. This was taken today -Lindy Loo 2 days before she turns 8 months....

Get ready Miss Toothfairy!

Well, it happened, my baby girl is growing up. Yesterday, May 22, 2011, LB got her first tooth! Her dad actually discovered it when she was knawing on his fingers - boy did he feel something sharp!! It's a bottom right tooth, and it's just a peaking on through. It already broke the surface. Honestly, I have heard such nighmares about teething I was expecting the world to end - but - no, my little trooper was pretty much herself :)

Pictures to come soon......

Look at me, I'm so fly with my new hairdo.....



Lindy's first haircut- May 20, 2011 - 6 mo 2 weeks.
Girl's got some hair!

These are a few of my favorite things

At exactly 7 months and one week here are some of Lindy B's favorites:

- "The Isty Bitsy Spider" - sung the siller the better
- The book "Bubbles Bubbles" - you can read it or just say it to her and she goes wild)
- The PBS show "Super Why" -when they sing the theme songs she gets so happy!
- Graham crackers
- Avocado
- Her bath and/or the pool

Linden's Milestones

4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows


MOMMY'S FAVORITE STAGE BY FAR 100% ABSOLUTELY HAS BEEN MONTHS 6-7. Lin got happy at about 5 months and has not stopped smiling since. She is, quite simply, lovely. I know a lot of parents think that about their children, but I can really say it because the first 4 months were soooo difficult. She is laid back, easy to please, plays by herself or with you, LOVES TO SMILE. Good lord I love this child.

Two posts in one week - In Honor of Little Miss Three Months

Sweet baby Lindy is 3 months old today! She weighed in this morning at 14 lbs 6 oz. By all standards still top of her "weight" class. I love my chunky monkey!

She is taking an unreal nap right now, been down since 3:00 (its 4:30 now) so I am taking this time to take in a cup of joe and blog a bit. Our day has been pretty standard. Here is how life sings along at the moment:

7:30 ALL AWAKEN to baby smiles! She generally gets up between 7 and 7:30 but we try and let her "play" in her crib until 7:30

8:00 Breakfast and play time

8:45 - 9:45 (if we are lucky, nap)

9:45 Play

10:30 Brunch and play time

11:45 Nap on the go. We usually run and errand or two then head to the YMCA where L enjoys some time with Miss Mary (so far she has always managed to sleep - they joke in the nursery that they will never see her awake)

1:30 Lunch and play time

3:00 Nap (if I am lucky, like today, she'll sleep till 4:30 but usually she is up and attem no later than 4:00. See the thing about Linden and naps, you dont really like them she is too busy checking out the world - this girl is so type A -- like her mama!)

4:30 7:15 Play time, walk around the block, play on her mats, allow a little snooze. This is the longest part of the day!!!! James gets home at 5:30 which helps but lil miss is a fuss pot. She is just tired from the day I think, but, still it can make the hours.... no, minutes... creep by.

7:15 Bathtime. She LOVES her bath, tolerates the water super well (like baby like parents right?) BUT the instant we take her from the back it is CHUCKY SCREAMFEST until.....

7:30 Dinner

7:45 out like a light for the night. She gets up about 1:00 and 4:30 to eat during the night. Does this bother me, do I want a full nights sleep? YES. But at the same time, I know every baby is different and she just needs it. I think in large part b/c she is exclusively breastfed - these babies typically take longer to STTN. Anyway, when she gets up there is no fuss and drama. Its snack time then right back to snoozing. She sleeps without her paci and unswaddled in the crib- which I think is pretty rare for her age. So we are no complaining.

So. Thats our day. Didnt mean for it to be a novel. But. Now you know.

Only other BIG thing this week.... Sunday January 2nd was Lindy's first SWIM. She took to it like a champ, appearing all the equvilant of Michael Phelps as she floated in the Shades Valley Y (where mom grew up swimming) pool. We are convinced she is going to be a butterflier - see picture below.

Love this girl!

Beat THAT 2011. Sincerely, 2010.

Well, it is the first day of the New Year 7:15 a.m. I am sitting in a quiet house, having a cup of joe and thinking about LIFE. And how amazing it is that as I type this sweet baby Linden Brooke is sleeping in her room, like an angel.

Yep! She arrived on 10-5-10 at 12:45 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 11 oz. She was 21 inches long. Today our little girl is almost 3 months old! She is a butterball! A joy! So sweet! So feisty!

Life has certainly changed, oh has it changed. And those first few weeks were HARD. But, now, the good overwhelms the bad and I'd do about anything to see her smile. Oh yes, she smiles... and not like an adult smile. Her whole face smiles :) It is lovely. Everyone says she looks like James. EVERYONE. You might think that would bother me, but I love it. So does he. He is SUCH a good dad. When Lindy was sick (with meningitis) he was my savior. People, don't underestimate finding a mate that is a GOOD PERSON. With the meningitis, well, that sucked. But we got past it and she is no worse for the wear today.

She is so inquisitive. She has to be held facing out, for the world to see. She hates the swing, bouncy seat, car seat.. anything that impedes her view of the world. She loves her activity mat and walking on moms hip. Just this week we started "big girl" toys and she is loving the exersaucer and the "facing out" baby Bjorn. She has a love hate relationship with the Bumbo seat. Baby loves the outdoors, loves animals. She can watch our dogs for hours.

She is F.E.I.S.T.Y and knows how to get what she wants. She has this shreek we are treated to when we try and do otherwise. Guess she looks like her dad, acts like her mom. OH well. I am sure of one thing - this child will not be a wildflower. Strong-willed to do the right thing. Yep. That is what she will be.

She is our angel, and our love. Such a joy. 3 months seems in so many ways like a lifetime, but at the same time it has gone so fast. And boy is she growing. I sense the time going by, and it makes me sad. But at the same time, each day brings something new, so I rationalize that way.

Time to go and see my shiny girl and get a big ol smile (the biggest grins are always first thing in the morning).