BIG WEEKEND = BIG BLOG

Our weekend technically started Thursday night with the Daughtry/Bon Jovi Concert. As always, it was an amazing show! You definitely get your money's worth as Jon (like I know him personally) plays for over 2 hours straight. They literally go from one song to the next. I guess they have to to fit them all in. I was sad that he didn't sing Runaway or Bed of Roses, but have no fear...it was played in the car on the way home!

Friday night I attended a wedding with a group of girls, while Michael took Lila to watch his alma mater, ETSU, play Lipscomb in baseball. I wish I had a picture of that. He said she did great! Apparently so, because they did not get home until almost 10!! AAHH! This normally would not have been too big of a deal since it was on a Friday, but we had to wake her up for the marathon the next morning. I am glad they had fun though! However, Michael was bummed that he didn't get his hat. So, if by chance R.C. if you ever read this, PLEASE put the hat in the mail. :)

Saturday was an early morning. Michael turned the BIG 3-1!! 31 sounds so much older than just 30. Michael wanted to get up and go to the Pancake Pantry, but when it came down to it, sleep was a little more important. (please note: I did make a large breakfast with Pancakes for him on Sunday after church. Technically, it was still his birthday weekend.) I am so proud of all the people that ran the 1/2 and full marathon. We have really enjoyed going down the past 3 years to watch. I AM NOT a morning person, but once you are there you can't help but get in the spirit. We really like to try and make as many stops as we can to see people. However, this really only works if you are just watching one person and they run a steady pace. The first year we cheered on our girl Kris when she did the full marathon. We stopped 14 times to see her. It was so much fun! This year, we only watched the half and just made 2 stops so that we could see multiple friends running. I can't believe I am posting this for the whole world to see, but I am so there next year. Baby #2 in October, 1/2 marathon in April. There I said it, now you have to hold me to it. Even though Lila was exhausted, she had a great time. She was the best cheerleader!

Here is that face again: "What are you doing and will you please step away from me?"

RUN KRIS RUN! Even though Kris stopped to say hey for a minute, it didn't slow her down. She has now had a her best 1/2 time and best Full time in Nashville. She is the amazing marathon woman!

I will have to say that even though Lila was a great cheerleader I do believe she actually slowed some people down. It was amazing how many runners came over to see her or stopped to say hi to her. I do think she helped to brighten their spirits. How could she not? Just look at her!

Now I know for most people you don't understand why this picture is considered "blog worthy." Well, let me tell you. This girl is a sleep fighter. If there are people around or things to see, there is no going to sleep for her. She was fighting sleep the whole time we were out. FINALLY, right before we got to the car (when there weren't many people around) she finally gave in and conked out. I had to snap a picture because I am not sure this has happened before or if it will ever happen again!

Saturday night dinner at Cabana's for Michael's Birthday. Yummy Banana Pudding!

On Sunday afternoon (one more day of no napping) we attended a friends 1st birthday. Birthday girl got this Princess bat and ball. Michael and 1st birthday girls daddy played baseball together in High School. Anyway, Lila went straight for the bat. Daddy was so proud! Can't you hear him now saying, "Thata girl."

Shew...I am pooped. Not to mention that Michael was up at 4:30 am to catch a plane. Although I couldn't keep my eyes open, I somehow mananged to not be able to go back to sleep after he left. Figures! Happy Monday!

Daddy's Little Helper

I thought that we as humans only had 2 arms...NOT 8! I am sure all you experienced moms are laughing at this statement, but I never knew how fast a little bitty 18 1/2 pounder could get into so much in such a short amount of time. Lila is in the refrigerator with the top 3 shelves pulled out before I feel I even get it open. She also loves to get in the dishwasher. Here she is "Helping" daddy. (Actually it was more like pull everything out as daddy put it in.)

Birthdays Galore

Lila and I decided to venture on our own to Morristown a few weekends ago. We had a great trip and Lila was able to actually see ALL of her cousins...Carrie, Baylee, Rileigh, Laura, Elizabeth, Ella, Grace, and Jay! I took her to see Mamaw and Papaw (Michael's parents) on Saturday and they were keeping her cousin Rileigh, so they were able to play a little. April feels like Christmas at our house because of all the April Babies. I will not even bother listing all of the birthdays. I will just say that the weekend was one big birthday extravaganza. We sure missed Aunt Karen though! Below is 1 of the birthday boys...JAY! He had a great time at his 2nd birthday party. What a difference there is between boys and girls. :) This picture makes me laugh out loud because it is so typical of Lila. Look at that face. Jay loves her and she had a great time playing with them too, but she isn't quite sure what to think of all these people in her face. Funny funny!

Here are all the Rose cousins (Frahme, Harrison, and Harrell actually). As you can tell, multiple people were taking pictures so everyone is looking at a different camera. Aren't they adorable!?!

Lila had a great time with Carrie and Baylee. I don't think her bottom hit the ground. Those girls know how to carry a baby around!

I love to braid the girls hair and I think they enjoy it as well. They were so funny making Lila laugh. Lia loves them and even said Ella's name!

We had a wonderful time and wish that we all lived closer. After her night of "Duck" talking, Lila had a weekend full of words. Ella, Hello, Kitty Cat...she was a talking machine. She is a big jibber jabberer and doesn't stop dancing. She slept 20 minutes from Nashville to East TN. She sung and danced (with some screaming in there too) the WHOLE WAY. She knows how to get those hands in the air. We went to Grandmother's concert at church on Sunday night and Lila saw her in the choir and waved and waved. My little girl is growing so fast!

Playing Catch up...

I am trying to catch up from the past two weeks. I just hadn't taken the time to download pictures from my camera, but here they are.,
Below are just a few photos of my sweet little one! She is probably only smiling in this bath photo because I sat her up. I am sure she was pitching a fit 2 seconds before because she was lying back. She has always hated laying on her back, but now even diaper changing has become not only a challenge, but completely miserable. Please please Lord, let this be a phase. She fights me to turn over and quickly crawls away. Toys, noise, music, etc. use to distract her, but that doesn't work anymore. As hard as I need to press to restrain her, I am afraid that I will hurt her. That little girl is strong and fast. We have also enjoyed some nice warm days outside and just hope it doesn't get too miserably hot this summer...yeah right!

Here is a photo shoot after church a few weeks ago. Michael was about to mow the yard, so before he did I wanted to get some picture of her in our "meadow" of daffodils. I didn't remember at the time that this dress has a sunhat to go with it. That would have been super cute, but oh well, too late now. Sorry there are so many, but I had a hard time choosing. I played around with the pictures some and decided to soften up the color a little. The last one is actually in real color. I thought these others were sweet though.

A NEW WORD!

Now, I know this isn't quite so exciting for everyone, but it has been a big day in our house. We got Lila out of the bathtub tonight, but before she would budge to get out, she had to get her duck. Michael said something to her about wanting to get her duck and right out of her mouth clear as a beautiful day, Lila said, "DUCK!" She continued to say it a few more times while getting her in her pjs. Now, technically the day before in the bathtub, I had actually heard her say it, but I thought it was just a fluke. I was so glad to have Michael there last night to confirm her new word! Let's see...she says Momma, Dadda, ADog (Chloe), and now Duck. She sometimes waves hello and bye bye, but only when she chooses to. I have no idea if she is saying more or less words than the average 10 month old, but right now I don't even care. She is wonderful and that is all that matters. We are off to see the family this weekend for lots of birthday parties!

Look who made the front page!!!

So Michael and I were handed this bulletin as we walked into Sunday School this morning. I screamed out loud. I love this picture! She is so sweet. She looks as if she is reaching for Pastor Tom's bible. (We really know she is trying to get the piece of paper that is on top!)

What's that you say?

I know I say this every month, but I really cannot believe that Lila is 10 months old today. ITt is time to plan her 1 year birthday party!! SO much has changed in the past month. She went from sitting and reaching for toys to crawling down the hallway! She became very fast in just a weeks time. The other thing that has changed this month as been her sleeping habits. Now that she can pull herself up to a standing position and walk all the way around the crib beating on the top and dropping her paci over the edge, naptime and bedtime has changed dramatically. I have learned to just let her hang out in there until she sits (or plops I should say), herself back down and finally goes to sleep. She loves to bang on the the top of the rails of the crib and when you go in to lay her back down her face just lights up and she laughs and squeals. It is so hard not to get tickled at her.
Along with her 10 month day, we had another HUGE milestone for me! :) This little girl loves her daddy and has been saying his name for months. This has actually worked in my favor sometimes. I will say, "Lila, who do you want to change your diaper? Momma or dadda?" Dadda aways comes out. I had yet to hear "momma" that is until TODAY! I think that for the longest time I have actually been "nanna." She says this alot when looking at me, but I assumed it was just her fussing. Today, it was loud and clear. We got in the car after kindermusik(which she LOVES by the way), and she is just back in her car seat jiber jabering and what do I hear....MAMMA, not MOmma, but hey I will take it!! She said it over and over until we saw Michael for lunch that is, and then it was back to dadda. I am still grinning from ear to ear!