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.

Beach Baby

This past week we went with Justin's family to the beach. Lilian had a great time. She liked playing in the sand, but the ocean scared her. She did enjoy the pool.

Lilian playing in the waterfall at the pool.











Lilian got very tired during family pictures and Allison had to comfort her.











The Rayburns enjoying the vacation.











Lilian playing with her cousins Laney and Tyler.











Allison took Lilian to the edge. What you can't see in this picture is that Lilian is very upset.

Crating

Lilian is helping stuff the boxes!

Paw Paw took a break to play with Lilian

Mommy and Lilian at Aunt D's award ceremony.

Poor teething baby

Lilian had a low grade fever on Sunday and Monday. She was just so pitiful. And, there were no symptoms... So, my guess is that she is teething. She soaked about 2-3 bibs a day with slober and bit down on everything that went in her mouth (yeah, ouch...). I tried Orajel, but that made her cry more and make spitting noises. The cold teething ring sort of worked, but I don't think she liked the cold sensation. So, my sweet, laid-back baby has been a whiny, crying little girl for 2 days. She's at daycare today, so I'll have to ask them how today went. Good news, though, is that the teething has not interrupted her sleep as of yet. She's still sleeping 10 hours a night. That's my girl!!

Little Girl in a Big World

Lilian is upset that we have to get rid of our bed spread. Which by the way no one has claimed.

Mmm...Squash

Well, I guess not Mmm...but we're working on it! I'm slowly mixing it with cereal, but if it gets too concentrated I get spitting and tears. Maybe she'll like carrots better.

Nice Posture

Look who's sitting up!!

I can't believe it! It seems too soon! But, it's true. Lilian is now able to sit up on her own. She does still take her spills, but she is getting better at it with each and every day. Next step: crawling. I hope she can wait until we move. Things are scattered everywhere right now--there is way too much she can get into!

Strawberry Queen

The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival was this past weekend. We all went and met Justin's family there. For those of you not from Louisiana, this is a festival where you can get some great cajun food, anything made with strawberries (and I mean anything from strawberry shortcakes to deep fried strawberries), and flats of the best strawberries in the entire world. You may think, "Ouuu, a Strawberry Festival in Small Town, Louisiana. I bet all 15 of you had a blast." But, let me tell you, thousands of people come out for this Festival. I would even go as far as to say that this event is a Big Deal. Along with the food, there are rides, arts & crafts, music, games, a parade, competitions, and probably tons of other things I don't even know about. As you can see, even our little blue-eyed girl was excited about it!

In fact, she had so much strawberry fun, she concked out on the walk back to the car.

After the festival, we went to Middendorf's in Manchac to eat a little more because that's the proper thing to do. This is Daddy and Lilian outside of the restaurant.

Laney and Lilian were so excited to spend some more time together!

So, all in all, it was a nice festival. The strawberries were not quite as sweet as years past, but the weather was great and the company was even better! It was nice "Louisiana fun."