Happy Birthday!!

Today Lilian turned one year old.  She has been so much fun especially the past couple of months.  It made me think back on how much change has occurred in her year of life.  She has been to 8 states.  By the end of the year she will have lived in two countries, five cities and seven different houses.  What a wild ride, but it has been great.  Things that I miss the most from the first year: swaddling her at night, waking her up in the morning (opposed to her waking us up in the morning), and kicking her legs like she was swimming.  One thing that remains is she was born sucking her bottom lip and she still does it when she is tired.  I'm excited about the next year, but hope that it doesn't go as fast.

 Below are some pics of her growth.  

1 week

2-3 week

1 month

2 month

3 month

4 month

5 month

6 month

7 month

8 month

9 month

10 month

11 month

Major Discovery

Lilian finally discovered something that I have been trying to call her attention to for months. Hope you enjoy.

LSU Basketball

We went to LSU's campus to meet some friends and while we were there we decided to take some pictures of Lilian.  We will put those up soon, but this could not wait.  Garret Temple an LSU basketball player was sitting outside of one of the buildings.  We asked if we could take a picture with him and he was more than happy to take one.  I have heard that he was an outstanding guy and after talking with him for a minute, I would agree.  Temple, is the best defender in the NCAA and a great leader.  He is a 6'6" guard.  Allison is standing on a step in the picture.  Geaux Tiger Basketball!!

The Zoo

Lilian went to the zoo last weekend with her cousins.  She had a great time as you can see in the last picture.  

Welcome Home

We just got back home after Orientation on Thursday, and Lilian is having so much fun with family. She really missed her cousin, Laney.

And, her cousin Tyler is teaching her how to climb on and over things.

But, most of all, she's enjoying having a space of her own. Lilian's never had a house before, so she is enjoying every minute of it!

She's even letting her little cousin Caden in on the fun!

No need to crawl

Lilian is a walking machine. She decided last Sunday that she is not going to crawl anymore. Now that she can walk she wants to do all the stuff the big kids are doing. Like play on the playground. She can also blow a dandelion. 

Almost!

Lilian is almost walking.  She decided this afternoon that she was tired of crawling.  What you can't see in the video is that she spent the next fifteen minutes standing, taking a couple of steps, and falling.  She is very determined.  By the end of the week, she'll probably be running.    

French fries and shakers!

Lilian really likes french fries and she is getting into the Latin spirit. 

My special girl

Lilian has been so much fun.  Daddy daughter time has been really special lately.  She is also getting really brave, so we have to keep a close eye on her.  

Smelly feet!

Because Lilian would not say daddy, I made her smell my feet. 

Daddy

We are working with Lilian on trying to say daddy.  You can see how it's going.

Five, six, seven, and eight

Here at orientation we are required to exercise. Lilian is following orders and doing her pilates.  

Getting Better

Each day Lilian seems to make some progress towards walking.  She needs to get to it because mom and dad's backs are hurting from bending over and holding little fingers.  Just kidding it has been fun to walk with her.  Soon she won't need my fingers anymore.  

Walk and Fall

Lilian is in the first stages of walking.  Its pretty funny. 

Playing

Lilian has a lot of new friends.  Here she is playing with one of her quad mates.  

Random pics

Here are some pics of Lilian in the quad.

Peek-a-Boo

Lilian is staring to play peek-a-boo

Random Lilian Picks

Crush

I think Lilian has a crush. We were getting on the plane for New Orleans and sitting next to us was Erica and Elliot Ho (friends from seminary.) Elliot is ten months old. Lilian was talking to him the whole flight. She is such a flirt. The picture from left to right: Calvin, Elliot, and Erica Ho.

Pivot

Lilian went to the doctor today and was very healthy. The Doc said that she is in the 10-20% in weight, but is in the 98% in height. She may become the Argentine version of Lisa Leslie. (Pivot is the spanish word for the Center position in basketball.)

Cool temperatures

We are enjoying the cool weather in Wisconsin.  Lilian thinks the grass here tastes way better than that Louisiana grass.  

Defense

Lilian appears to like basketball.  Her defense is pretty good, but she needs some work on her jump shot.  

Baby Space

We finished our crate this week in New Orleans. There was actually a space big enough for Lilian to fit in. It seemed like a good idea, but then we thought that she will grow a lot in the almost two years before we get our crate and the space does not grow with her.

Growing to Fast

Lilian has pulled up a couple of times, but we were real surprised to turn the corner and see her standing up in her crib. We don't know how she did it, but I don't think we were ready for this.

Animal Crackers

Lilian had her first cookie while on the trip. Her Maw Maw gave her a camel animal cracker. She doesn't have teeth (like most people in Tenessee) so she kept it in her mouth until it desolved.

Packing and Laundry

Lilian helping us pack and helping with the Laundry

Cold River

Gatlinburg, TN

We spent a week with Allison's family in Gatlinburg last week. Here are some highlights of our trip:

The Dixie Stampede was great, but it wore Lilian out! Now we have to dance around and do horse tricks to get her to eat, though. So spoiled...

She loved the Smoky Mountain Trails, but these too wore her out...

We discovered that Lilian was a very talented rock climber...

She loved the stingrays at the aquarium...

And, Cade's Cove was fun...

Overall, it was a fantastic trip and a good time with family. We thank God for this time He has given us this summer to spend time with family.

Jail Bird

Lilian made a strange sound while napping. We walked in to find her peaking over the crib guards. Her face was smushed against the bars. She is so funny.

Laughing

Lilian is so funny. You can dance around, make noises it doesn't matter. She will just stare at you. But, look at her funny and she cracks up. I don't get it.

Working with Daddy

Lilian catches on so fast. Here I have her working on a powerpoint for me. Hopefully, she will pick up Spanish as fast as she picked up Microsoft Office.