Independence Day

September 15th was Independence Day here is Costa Rica. To celebrate, Daddy and Lilian went to a lantern parade the night before. Lilian had a ball carrying around her little lantern and watching all of the people. 

Here's Lilian with our friend, Rebeca.

Lilian was also able to walk in her own parade at her school. As you can tell, she was really excited to be marching.

But, we couldn't pass an Independence Day without celebrating it our gringo way as well!

Mommy's Lil Helper

Lilian's new favorite thing is to help wash the dishes. If she hears the water in the sink running or the sound of dishes and silverware, she runs to the table and starts pushing one of the chairs to the kitchen to help. She grabs her own little rag, she gets her soap, and she really scrubs things clean. She does such a good job, in fact, I sometimes don't have to go behind her and rewash stuff!

After the scrubbing comes her favorite part: the rinsing. I think she would stay here all day and play in the water if we let her.

I hope she continues to help in a few weeks when baby arrives! We may just make this her daily chore! 

Swing

We had a get together for the people that were leaving Costa Rica to go to there perspective fields.  The meeting was at a family's house that had this swing in the backyard.  Lilian loved it, as you can tell by the multiple wee wee wees.  I don't know if she saw someone do it before, but we never taught her to do this.  

Justin's Grerandparents

Justin's grandparents came for a visit in July.  Lilian took to them very well.  They were able to spend some time seeing the country and a couple days playing with Lilian.  Paw paw Wisconsin (Justin distinguishes his grand parents geographically) taught Lilian everything he knows about hunting and Lilian let Maw maw Wisconsin rock and sing her to sleep, which she doesn't usually let people do.   

No no no!!!

Lilian has been in the saying "no" stage.  She says it to dogs, cats, cars, people walking down the road it doesn't matter.  She shakes her finger and says "no."  There is a picture of her doing it to somebody outside.  The funny thing is that Friday night, while she was sleeping, I heard her say "No."  I asked Allison if she was still asleep and she said yes.  So, it has gotten so bad that she is telling things no in her sleep.  Hopefully, it won't last much longer.  

 

I just thought this picture was cute.

Hannah's B-Day

One of Lilian's best friends had her two year old birthday party.  Lilian had a great time running around with her friends and playing games.  

A normal day with Lilian

Mind Your Manners

We've been working on manners with Lilian. It's going a little slow, but she seems to be catching on. We finally got her saying "No, mam." She still doesn't quite know when to use it--she'll use it to mean "yes" and she'll say it to Daddy--but, sometimes she gets it right.

And, we're going to have to continue working on food etiquette...

Year and a half

It's hard to believe, but Lilian is already a year and a half! She has done a lot of growing in the past few months. Right now she is working on talking. Although most of what she says doesn't really make sense, she tells you with feeling and intensity. She is also imitating everything that we do (or at least trying!).  Here she is trying to make the same faces as me. 

Here are some random photos from the last few weeks. 

She loves to talk on the phone. (You'd think we do it all the time...).

The beaches.

She loves to label faces. One morning, she woke up really early and Justin put her in the bed with us. I couldn't go back to sleep because she kept poking me everywhere saying "eyes, nose, mouth..."

Volcano Trip

This past weekend we took a trip to the tallest volcano in Costa Rica, Irazú.  It was a lot of fun, but I think Lilian had more fun playing with mommies glasses and her friends.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Avery Mercer, had her first birthday party this past weekend.  Lilian had a blast.  I would dare say that Avery is one of the only girls that can challenge Lilian on cuteness.  As you look at the pictures, pray for the Mercers.  They are going to Mexico in August.   

I'm a big sister!

Lilian is gonna be a big sister! The new baby is due on October 14, so about 2 weeks before she turns 2. Lilian seems to be excited...ok, she doesn't really seem to care. She was very curious about this ultrasound, though. She may not have understood that the little moving peanut was a real baby!

The Dance: Energy of the Hands

Lilian has been doing this dance for a few days now. I promise I did not teach her. Either she learned it from school or she is a modern choreographing prodigy!

So cute!

This is just a cute picture of Lilian.  

Pretty pretty

Lilian's fashion senses are unmatched.  

Piñata Fun

Lilian went to a princess ballerina pajama party.  I said that right.  There was a piñata at the party.   Each child got a shot at it even Lilian.  

Talk it up!

Sorry for the lack of posting. We have had some trouble loading videos. We don't know where Lilian got this from. We don't really talk on the phone that much.

Silly Lilly

Lilian is getting sillier and sillier.  Here are some pictures at snack time and a video of her doing something outside.  I guess she was racing.

Lilian wanted to say thanks to Nana & Pawpaw and Papa Bear, Mawmaw, Aunt D, & Uncle Bear for the Christmas cards. She still enjoys dancing to them!

A Healthy Baby

In my child development classes that I (Allison) took in school, I remember learning that a healthy 14/15 month old is one who is into everything. Well, it's seems we have a healthy little girl. Here's a little video of the result of Lilian's fun in the bathroom.