Lillian turns 5!

What a fun Birthday party! Lillian is so lucky to have a huge group of people who love her. 

Lillian is 3 Years Old!

I am so very proud of my amazing daughter. She's 3 years old, assertive, fierce, brave and fearless. Those traits sometimes make 3 not my favorite age for her (like when we don't quite see eye-to-eye), but they also make me so excited for the woman she is going to become. I am so excited to know her as she grows.

1. Lillian goes to Children's Creative Center, a day care on Belmont and Damon about a mile away. We drive there every morning/evening. 
2. Lillian is normally at day care from around 7:15am until 4:45pm. She is happy to see me when I pick her up so she can show me everything she has been doing. She is pretty good when I drop her off, so long as I give her the hugs and kisses she needs before I leave (any random amount, usually between 2 and 5). She hates to be held when I leave, she prefers to say goodbye on her own terms.
3. She hates the car seat, especially the first few months of having to get into the car every day. She often would run down the sidewalk and when I finally caught her and tried to get her in the car she would scream: DO NOT TOUCH ME. YOU ARE HURTING ME. and LEAVE ME ALONE. Afraid that DCFS would join us one afternoon, I started bribing her with tik-tacs to get into the car quickly and quietly. Though she doesn't run anymore, she does often try to avoid getting into the car seat so we still use the bribe daily.
4. She wakes up between 5:30am and 6:00am. Goes to sleep for the night around 6:30pm and naps from 'officially' 1-3 on week days. No naps at home. She sleeps through the night and only rarely wakes up. 
5. She will try just about anything you put in front of her (so long as she's not tired/super grouchy). She doesn't normally care for red-meat, but she'll eat a ton of chicken. She doesn't mind veggies, but prefers them raw to cooked. She'll eat salami and baloney until she bursts.
6. Her favorite veggie is Green Pepper. 
7. She loves salmon sashimi but doesn't eat the rice.
8. Her favorite meal is  French Toast (when asked, but she usually orders pancakes and scrambled eggs).
9. She adores her brother and will literally do anything to hang out with him. They often play Wild Kratts, tag, hide and seek, and legos together. They get along pretty well. 
10. If they fight, Lillian is quick to apologize and to forgive Simon. Her common request to the "Sorry, is there anything I can do to make it better" that Simon will grudgingly say is "A Kiss and a Hug." Everything is quickly forgiven. 
11. Lillian loves to draw still. 
12. She is pretty ambidextrous, but is writing at school with her right hand primarily. 
13. Lillian has been pretty obsessed with Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. She watches the movie as often as we let her. 
14. We sing Disney songs pretty regularly, her favorites are Part of Your World (Little Mermaid), Tale as Old as Time (Beauty and the Beast) and, as a distant third, A Whole New World (Aladdin). 
15. After a summer of trauma, bedtime routine has become rather calm and predictable. We have instituted a Potty Coin (required payment for a trip to the bathroom after lights are out for the night, one issued every evening). She gets a story (sometimes joint with Simon), songs, 'so safe' and then lights out.
16. We started saying 'so safe' after a few nights of crying about being scared. Adult says each sentence, she repeats: I'm so safe. I'm so loved. I'm so strong. I'm so brave. I'm so tough. I try so hard. Everything is okay.
17. Lillian still primarily scribbles as drawings, though she is working on tracing letters. She consistently can draw a circle and make a straight line if asked. 
18. She can identify most capital letters, has started to pair some letters with sounds. She can count to 3 (usually higher) and identify the numbers 1-3 with no issues. She knows all her colors easily.
19. Lillian usually eats with good table manners, clears her plate when she's done with her meal and will help sweep/dustbuster under the table as her chore.
20. Lillian is super sweet and if you're upset (or angry) she'll come over and tell you she loves you and give you a hug.
21. She likes her personal space and only likes to be touched on her own terms. She does not hesitate to tell me to stop touching her if I'm brushing her hair out of her eyes too much or patting her when she doesn't want me to. 
22. That said, especially when she is tired, she loves to be close to people and often will not leave any space between you when she's sitting next to you on the couch. 
23. She loves to read and has literally just begun reading the chapter books that Simon loved so much as a 3 year old - Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo. 
24. She doesn't like wearing clips in her hair and it's constantly getting in her eyes because it's not quite long enough to tuck behind her ear. 
25. She just started ballet because she LOVES to dance. She adores the classes (only had a few so far). 
26. She loves being in the water and we're going to start regular swimming classes soon. 
27. Favorite thing to do at the park is to run. 
28. Favorite TV show is Daniel Tiger, though if Simon's around she'll suggest Wild Kratts so he will be happy and watch with her.

Lillian's 3rd Birthday Party

Lillian had a great birthday party today. A few of her friends from day care and some of our friends kids came over and we also invited PRINCESS BELLE! It went wonderfully. She sang and danced with Lillian and generally it was wonderful!

Seeing Belle down the sidewalk.

Maude, Lindsey, Belle, Lillian, Simon, Alana and Maddie in the front.

Brushing Ariel's hair (doll was a birthday gift)

Lillian's Bad Dream

Lillian had her first bad dream where she woke up crying and yelling no no no. (Around midnight Friday night) Alan swooped in and calmed her down and she was quick to settle and fall back asleep. About 30 minutes later she pounded down the hall, yelling 'ahhhh' the whole way, with Baby clutched in one arm and Digit in the other.  She said she dreamed of falling rocks.

Pictures of Lillian - First week at CCC

Hi Emily and Alan,

Lillian has had such a great first week here at CCC and we are so thrilled to have her in our program. Here are some great pictures of her engaged in various activities this week. We had a great time moving our bodies and dancing during our movement class on Wednesday. We made guacamole for our cooking class on Friday and absolutely loved eating it! We painted suns for our bulletin and will put them up next week so our parents can see our wonderful work. We also had water play on Friday - that was so fun! Lillian had a great time making new friends throughout this week, playing outside and learning about our butterflies.

Enjoy!

Subhana Khaja

First day of day care for Lillian

Lillian started her first day of Day Care today. We had a bit of drama in the morning (she is still getting used to the toddler bed so was up at 2am and again at 5:30, moving things about, touching things she should not be and generally waking everyone up). However once she got calmed down a bit she was good to go and there were no tears during drop off. Honestly though, I don't know that she expected to be left as she's never really been dropped off anywhere before.

She's going to Children's Creative Center on Belmont and Damon. It's about a 5 minute drive in the morning to get there from our house (not counting the drama associated with getting into the car). Lillian will be going for the next 2 weeks by herself and then Simon will join her for the rest of the summer. The center is adjacent to a park that has a water feature, grass/trees and of course playground equipment so the kids will spend lots of time outside and having fun. It's a small group right now of about 6 kids in the class so she'll be getting lots of one-on-one time initially and as the group grows she'll be more comfortable with the routine. 

Is that a french fry or chapstick?

Lillian and Miss Jessica waving goodbye!

You can see Alan and Simon waving back in the reflection.

Jessie's last day

Jessie started with us when Lillian was just 10 months old in August of 2014. She and Lillian spent the winter together and last summer it was Simon, Lillian and Jessie playing (usually at the park) every day. This winter Jessie applied to art schools and got accepted to Pratt in New York City. 

Jessie is moving to NYC to start her new life as a masters student in art. And Lillian will be starting her new life at a Children's Creative Center day care. It's a bittersweet moment, but we are all looking forward to the new, great things that will happen as everyone continues to grow. 

August 2014

June 2016
(Notice Lillian's smile is the same as Simon's from 2014)

June 2016

June 2016

Climbing out of crib

Guess who climbed out of her crib today? We heard knocking from inside her bedroom door. Pretty creepy because I thought she was asleep.

Lillian says (2.5 years old)

Lillian has become so very fluent lately. She has always had an impressive vocabulary but sometime in the past couple months her conception has really progressed and she is tying together advanced concepts and making lots of mental leaps and connections - as a result she has been so delightful to talk with and be around. She randomly will just come out with something that is very true but so funny. (See example below about dog hands.)


Some things Lillian has said this week (that I remember):

• So, dogs don't have hands. They just have dog hands.
• I know all birds poop on cactus.
• It's just a fart. Just my body talking. (Mother's Day 2016)
• Who do you call? ... Go Mustard! (ghostbusters!)

Lillian says

January 21, 2016: 
Lillian says "take a smile" for "take a picture "

December 27, 2015: 
Simon popped on wall
Dad:you gonna poop in wall?
No! I don't pee in my diaper. Or the wall. Or the clock.
Dad: very good.
Or the bookshelf!!

11/20/2015: When she had tears in her eyes earlier this week: I have raindrops in my eyes.

11/23/2015: As daddy was changing her into a diaper from her big girl Cinderella princess underwear: I need my Silverware on! I need Cinderella on my legs!

Birthday Photo Reshoot

It was so busy during Lillian's birthday that I forgot to get a picture of her in her lei and grass skirt in front of her Happy Birthday Sign. I asked her very nicely on Tuesday to PLEASE put back on her outfit and stand still so I could take a picture. She considered, stood for 2 pictures, sat for two pictures and then ran away laughing hysterically while I took blurry pictures of her running. She did both what I asked and had so much fun too. So happy how she is growing. 

Notice Digit in her Lei too.

Notice Baby in her Lei

Blurry happy girl.

Dashing away!

Dashing away again!

Lillian's 2nd Birthday Photo Shoot

Note Digit and Baby are both wearing Leis as well.

Lillian is TWO YEARS OLD!

Our joyful, vivacious little girl is two years old. This past year in particular has been a really great one for Lillian. She went from saying only a couple words and toddling around a year ago to being a remarkably well spoken, thoughtful and speedy two year old. She pays attention to everything, answers questions and makes her opinions clearly known. She loves people, loves talking, loves singing and loves dolls (aka 'babies'). 

1. Lillian is a social, happy girl who loves talking to everyone. She may take a few minutes to warm up when she is put on the spot, but when she's left to herself she often walks right up to new people and talks with them about whatever she is currently interested in.
2. She narrates her life in an adorable way, which often frustrates Simon. Ex: "Simon is mad. He is punching. Simon is yelling." "I see lady. Lady is walking. Lady said good morning. Bye Lady!" "I am running. I run fast!"
3. She loves to sing. Right now her favorite songs are Baa Baa Black Sheep and You are my Sunshine. She will scream "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, YOU MAKE ME HAPPY, SKIES GRAY!" Very sweet and also very, very loud. 
4. She gets very excited about sirens and helicopters right now - screaming with joy when she sees one. All airplanes are helicopters in Lillian's world.
5. Usually plays very well with Simon and loves being around him. She is delighted every day that he comes home from school and she gets to see him. 
6. She draws often with Jessie and can draw a circle pretty well all on her own. 
7. She also plays avengers with Simon often. Her alone games revolve around caring for her 'baby' and running/pushing a cart or stroller. 
8. She often reads by herself and will back up across the room into your lap so you can read to her. Her favorite books are Go Dog Go, Inside Outside Upside down, Hop on Pop, and anything Simon might have recently held.
9. She no longer uses a pacifier (which she adorably called a Fire). She threw it away at the beginning of August. She asked for it casually a couple nights after it was tossed and she needed to be reminded it was thrown away but no tears and never really asked again.
10. She also switched from a high chair to a booster chair in August (at 21 months). She loves the booster! Sitting at the table with everyone and being a big kid like Simon. She climbs into it easily on her own and will buckle herself in.
11. She has recently started refusing a bib, but if you insist she'll wear it.
12. She will eat just about anything - and will try everything that you offer to her. 
13. She loves Simon but doesn't let him push her around - emotionally or figuratively. She will pinch him if he tries to push her. And she will also pinch him if he's ignoring her and she wants to play. She chases him about as often as he chases her. 
14. She has always been very verbal. She started telling stories at around 22 months - about things that happened in her day. She sings songs and plays make believe with her toys and with Simon.
15. She has started putting on and taking off her own clothes. She is still figuring it out, often two Lillian legs go into one pant leg hole, but she can get ankle socks on by herself.  
16. She is unfortunately really good at taking OFF her clothes, especially her diaper. Magically she can take off her diaper while her pants are still on.
17. She has started being interested in the potty, going by herself and watching other people go. We are going to potty train soon. (Maybe mid November?)
18. Unfortunately, she has picked up from Simon how to act when she is frustrated. When you go to change her diaper she yells at you and puts up her hand and says "Do not talk to me!" or "Go downstairs, Mama!" or "Go Away Daddy!" She will punch the air or make an exaggerated angry face just like Simon. It is really sad since I don't think she would naturally have expressed her anger that way. 
19. She goes to bed around 5:30pm or 6, wakes up around 6am. Naps from 12:30-3ish. She lays quietly in her crib when she wakes up from nap - hiding under her covers, so it's hard to see if she's actually awake. In the mornings she tends to sing when she wakes up. She almost never cries in her crib, only occasionally after we leave and she wants more songs. 
20. Lillian spends her days with Jessie, the nanny. She goes to zoo class on Thursdays. She doesn't really have a regular play date going with friends right now.
21. Lillian's 2 Year Old Stats: 
    Height: 33.75 inches (2.8 feet)  
    Weight: 24 Pounds 4 ounces 

Lillian after her shots and blood draw
at her 2 year well visit (Oct 23, 2015)

One year old Lillian.

Lillian's Second Year

Last year I made a time-lapse video of Lillian's first year to show how she grew from a newborn to a happy one year old.  It was really fun to watch her change like that, so I took pictures throughout this past year to create a new video for her second year.

The physical changes aren't quite as drastic as her first year (and it got MUCH tougher to take close up non-blurry pictures of her), but you can really see her intelligence and personality start to take shape.

Looking forward to Year Three.  Happy Birthday, Lillian!

Lillian's first haircut

Lillian got her first haircut!  We went to Rock Candy (on Lincoln) and she had Bailey (who used to cut Simon's hair) cut her hair for the first time. After requesting her own comb, which she clung to the entire haircut, she stared in awe in the mirror as Bailey cut her hair.  She was awesome the whole time. She has been really into helping me brush my hair since then.

She looks great and I'm looking forward to seeing how her hair grows now that we trimmed off some of the baby fuzz. 

Before picture.

This was her expression the entire hair cut. She didn't move the whole time.

Looking at the hair Bailey cut and then blowing it away.

Almost done and finally getting a bit antsy.

Finished back of her hair.

Trying to get a picture of her front, she was a bit uncertain.
 note that she allowed the comb to be swapped, but she still needed one.

At home with a book I got a side view.

And a front view of her new doo - all cleaned up on the sides.