Christmas Eve Eve with SMACK MR T, LJ!

This tradition has been going since 2005. Oh the changes that have happened in a few short years! Each person gets a Secret Santa from the group and then we end the night with a white elephant exchange. The person who "wins" the White Elephant gift hosts the following year.




Jack and Lilija







The girls: Meg, Trish, Me and Meg-Meg








One of the gifts: Purple butterfly purse and a Barbra Streisand CD








Another fun gift the ever popular and 2nd place winner - Nunchuck

Christmas Eve with the Freemans

Christmas Eve - We started the day by going to the candlelight service at Meadow Creek. Lilija had many impromptu solos. I guess she missed the memo about Silent Night. After the service GG & Great Grandpa Molin, Gramma Mare & Grampa Wiskers, and Carl and I...and of course Lilija...headed to our house for dinner and presents.

Growing up Grandpa Molin dressed up as Santa and this year he was able to dress up as Santa for Lilija. What a special moment!

8 Months Old

Lilija was far more interested in grabbing the sign then sitting still for the picture. Oh well...

8 Month Accomplishments

• Saying Mama/Mom/Dada (We're not sure if she knows what she's saying yet but she clearly said the words!!)
• First tooth
• First time "crawling" forward
• Starting to stand with help from Mama or Daddy...or a couch :)
  

First Motion Forward

Lilija mastered the art of the commando backwards crawl a while ago but hadn't quite figured out how to go forward. I was sitting on the floor going through the newspaper and Lilija was extremely interested in looking through the ads. (I think we have a future deal finder on our hands!) She made a lunge forward at the ads so I moved them closer to me and she moved forward again! Way to go Baby Girl!

First tooth!

With how much this little girl drools I thought she was going to get her first tooth months ago but last Wednesday one finally broke through.

Christmas Concert at the Creek...future Alto!!

Stunning picture of Mama and Dad...what a great looking couple!







Family picture time!









Great Grandpa and GG's turn. Lilija wanted to jump the entire time and had NO interest in sitting still for a picture. :)







*awe*

33 Weeks

I love my family!

Family Picture

We found out that she LOVES balloons. We tried to make her let go of the string but she was NOT having it. Thus, the green line on her face. Oh well...

Lilija's First Kiss!!

November 30th we had a fun filled day over at David and Green's to celebrate Jeanna's 1st birthday. Gavin, Jenna's older brother, decided that Lilija needed a peck on the cheek!


"Stop! You're in my bubble!"








"What's going on??!!"








"I got a kiss! From a BOY!!"

Trip Up Nort'

2nd cousins...or at least I think that's what they are...

from left to right: Zeke, Lilija and Kale






Oh...we have a smile out of Kale (big surprise there...)








Kale is still smiling while Lilija and Zeke fight over the yellow toy...who will emerge victorious?







I think she has it...

31 Weeks

7 Months

7 Month Accomplishments

• Just when we thought we had heard her highest note she found another octave! I think we have a soprano on our hands!
• Scooting around the room and crawling backwards
• Discovery of different textures
• Sitting up on her own for long periods of time without falling over
  

Favorites

• Sweet potatoes, bananas, and pears
• Her song, "Mommy, Daddy, Lilija" song, and the hymn There's Just Something About His Name
• Pink Bear
• Nap time!
• Talking, cooing, and putting everything in her mouth
  

30 Weeks

She LOVES her pink bear!

29 Weeks - Mastering the art of sitting up!

28 Weeks

Lilija's 1st Halloween

I really wanted to dress her up as a lobster and carry her around in a roasting pan but it was vetoed. *sigh*

So...late in the game I found this adorable Eeyore suit. It even had a pink bow on the tail. :)

Play time!! (27 Weeks)

We figure that somehow Lilija learned some sort of yoga/pilates moves. She starts on her back, rolls over, puts her arms and legs up in the air and kicks, and then puts her legs down and props herself up on her arms. I've tried doing the "Lilija" and it was a great workout! I think she's onto something...

6 Months - Happy 1/2 Birthday!!

Happy 6 Month Birthday Baby Girl! I wonder if there will ever be another time in my life that has gone by so quickly or that has been so life changing and incredible all at the same time. It's amazing to think of all of the things that she has learned over the last 6 months...or for that matter what Carl and I have learned! Here's a sampling of the highlights from the last month:

- Sitting up on her own
- Eating "real" food
- Rolling completely over
- Starting to "scoot" around
- Learning new constants
- Time to move into her big girl car seat!

Love you all,
Carl "Chip", Kys, and Lilija

Sa-Weet

Lilija's first try with "real" food was HILARIOUS! She loves sweet potatoes. As in, if you don't put another scoop in my mouth I'm going to start pounding on the counter. She even tried licking her bib!

Lesson learned: Small bites = small mess. I guess I'll have to put that into practice tomorrow night.

Family Date Day

Last week Carl told me that he wanted to take Lilija and I on a date. (Seriously, how cute is that!!) Plus it was a surprise! I was either hoping for:

A) An apple orchard
B) Stillwater
C) Mall of America

Saturday morning he let me sleep in, made me breakfast, and then proceeded to tell me that we were going to a pumpkin patch and apple orchard near Stillwater. He also told me that this was going to be the beginning of a tradition...and I love traditions! So off we went. Here are some of pictures from our special day.




Mama and Lilija getting ready to find the perfect pumpkin








I think he found it!!









Is this pumpkin for sale?! I'll take it!!







Family portrait at the apple orchard






What a fun day and beginning of a new tradition! I LOVE MY FAMILY!!

25 Weeks

Rub-a-dub-dub! Lilija is in the tub...or kitchen sink. :)

24 Weeks

She just keeps getting cuter...or maybe that's me being partial. :)

23 Weeks

Happy girl!

Ooohhh...this looks interesting! I want to grab it!!

Awe! Where did that fluffy thing go?

22 Weeks ~ And trying food for the first time!!

Well...we discovered that Lilija would rather PLAY with the food rather then eat it! I can't blame her. Who would want to eat rice cereal mixed with formula for fun?!

Happy 5 Month!!

It has been so fun watching Lilija's personality start to shine. She is easily amused (wonder where she got that from?!) very easy going with the occasional high maintenance moments. I guess the world DOES revolve around her right now! In the last month she learned to roll over and likes to do that whenever you put her down...or try to change her. Carl and I are going to try feeding her "food" for the first time tonight. It should be very interesting...I wonder how much is going to go ON her and not IN her mouth!!