Having a Great Summer

Lilly and I at the park.

Ryan & Lilly on the slide

Dancing to the music

Hi Doggie!

Gymnastics

I was doing pretty good updating our blog, but time has gotten away from me. Lilly and I have been filling our days with play dates, shopping, walks and bike rides. Lilly went to my parents beach with Preston. She enjoyed watching Preston and then followed what he did. They loved throwing the sand into the water! Preston also came over for a visit yesterday. They sure enjoy each others company... they also love the same toy, they're just like brother and sister. I love to watch them play. When it's time for one of them to go, they give each other kisses!
We had a family day at my sisters last weekend, Lilly loved showing off her "gymnastics". She's so cute! I have no idea what got her doing this, but whenever she does I make a big deal and tell her that she's doing gymnastics. She's so proud of herself. You can see it in the pictures. Lilly and I also went to visit Laurel and my girlfriend Jill. They played well together. Ryan and I have really enjoyed our time with Lilly lately. She's been really funny:) She tries to say everything we do and mimics us! It's pretty funny. Yesterday, we took her to South Lyons park. Not to much to do there, but she had fun! She likes to slide down the slide and swing on the swings. We also went to Downton Wixom one evening. They had music, rides, food and more. Lilly loved dancing to the music and loved to see the dogs that visit children in hospitals.
This weekend we will be celebrating Ryan's 35 th birthday. Happy Birthday to Ryan! We love you~

Water Works!

Getting so big!

Playing at the beach ( Ryan's 1st birthday party)

Lilly has been a water babe lately! Last week Lilly and I went to the spray park with a friend. She was a bit nervous. Her and her friend Ryan were both standing in front of a sprinkler (Kristy and I didn't know) and it turned on and got them both wet. They were not happy! There are sprinklers everywhere and they go off and on! Maybe next year Lilly will like it more.
We also went to my parents beach where Lilly and Ryan (her daddy) played in the water. It took her a little bit of time to get use to the water. By the time it was ready to go, she seemed to like it.
Yesterday, we went to her friends first birthday party. There was a beach there and she walked right up to the water and got her feet wet. She was an old pro! She loved playing in the sand and throwing the ball into the water. It looks like we need to make it more of a point to go to my parents beach because she really enjoys the sand and water!
Hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as we are:)

~Kelli

Summer Fun

Ryan, Lilly and I at the cottage

Lilly and Titi Stacy

Happy 4th of July!

I have to say, being off work for the summer doesn't take long to get use to. I love not getting up for work everyday and I especially love being able to spend my days with Lilly. We got lucky this past week because Ryan was off too. It was great having him home with us. We took Lilly to the zoo. She enjoyed looking at the birds and ducks the best ( I think because they would walk right in front of her). It was a lot of fun, all the animals were outside and pretty busy. The weather was perfect! Another day we did some shopping, played outside in the pool and took a bike ride. One day Ryan was able to get out golf and I did some visiting with friends and family.
For the weekend of the 4th we went out to the cottage. It's always nice to get away and there is definitely away!! Unfortunately, this visit to the cottage was a noisy one; we are going to have new neighbors soon. They were pulling up trees and clearing out a large lot, so all weekend we listened to the tractors digging and trees falling. We knew this would happen one day; it's sad to see things develop so close to us. We where there with my whole family. It was great to hang out together! We played corn hole, slid down the slip n slide, watched fireworks and had a bonfire. Thanks to my brother for the great fire work display!! Hope you had a great 4th of July too!
Kelli~

Froggy Pool

Lilly enjoyed swimming her her frog pool from Grandma Linda. She didn't like it as much when Ryan turned on the sprinkler, it scared her. So, after that she had fun watching Whitaker play in her pool. She also liked to play with her bubble machine and run around the yard throwing balls.

Some new words Lilly has learned: baby and bubbles. It seems like she does pretty well with words that begin with B. She has also found a love for her belly button. It's as if she didn't know it was ever there, she is always looking at it! When we are inside playing, Lilly loves to play with her crayons as well as take her blanket into Whitaker's cage to relax with him.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Kelli

She's Here!!

Malaina and I

Titi Stacie and Lilly (on Father's Day)

Malaina Ryan Duff has arrived!! Here are some pictures of our darling little niece. She is just a doll.

Home Bound

Lilly's new toy from our neighbor!

Loves to be silly when I have the camera out

I am getting so many teeth!

This has been a itchy week for me. Last Tuesday I found a small patch of poison ivy on my arm. Tonight, I have it all over my body. I am allergic but wow am I really allergic. I went to the dermatologist twice and it's still super uncomfortable. But, I am hoping the end is near! (I'm trying to be positive).
Lilly on the other hand has been sick since Monday. We've had to cancel play dates and visiting my new niece. Yes, that's right I have a new niece Malaina Ryan Duff. I did sneak up to the hospital to look at her, (I didn't hold her!) I am dying too though. She is doing great and so is her older brother Preston and momma and daddy! Lilly had a fever again today, but tonight it seemed to be getting better. So, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to leave the house. I have to say though, since I've been home bound these past few days, I have cleaned many drawers, painted and organized! Pretty productive.
Hope you are enjoing this hot weather we have all been waiting for!! I am excited to get outside and enjoy it!
Kelli~

A Great Week!

Lilly got the coin in! (I know this picture should have been last, but can't figure out how to move it)

Lilly concentrating on getting the coin into the piggy bank.

Almost in!

Lilly and Preston's 1 year Pictures

Lilly's one year picture

Lilly and I have had a great week. We've been outside playing, going for bike rides, visiting family and doing new things at home. The other day, Lilly mastered getting her coins into the piggy bank. It took her a few tries, but my determined little girl did it! She was so proud of herself and so was I. We couldn't wait to show Ryan when he got home! This past week Lilly has also learned the sound of a kitty and where her mouth is. Oh and today she fed herself. I put the food on the spoon and she put it to her mouth! Again, we were so proud!
We are all patiently waiting for our new little niece to arrive. I had Preston yesterday while Stacie whet to the Dr. We were hoping that she was going to be sent to the hospital... but Malaina isn't ready yet! Poor Stacie is ready! Lilly and Preston had so much fun playing with 100 balls in the familyroom as well as run around the house after Whitaker! They are so cute together!

Where's Your Clothes?

I just had to add this picture! She loves to run around without her clothes on.

Summer Break Here I Come

Lilly in her shades... I know she's dressed for Fall, but it was chilly this morning!

So fun!

I don't have to much to report today. This weekend we got Lilly a seat to my bike (Ryan is in the garage working on it right now), and a new ball house. We still need to get a few more balls for it; it only came with 6. Hmmm I think it should come with more. But, she did still enjoy playing in the pit with the 6 that it came with. Hope you are having a good weekend. My week is going to get really good come Wednesday afternoon, I am done for the summer! Yay!

High Fives For Everyone!

Lilly & Daddy at the cottage on the boat.

Whitaker resting

Lilly being silly

Lilly's new favorite thing to do is hold her hand out and offer everyone she knows and doesn't know a high five. She gave high fives to every women at the grocery store the other day! Each time it's like a new experience, she gets a big smile. Lilly continues to love Whitakers cage, just about everyday she sits inside it. Whitaker sits on the outside watching her. It's kinda funny! We are so lucky he's so good with her. This weekend I finally got Lilly's one year pictures taken. Preston came too. Everyone thought they were twins. They were too cute! Lilly also got to play in a ball pit and jump in a bounce house. Our friends had them at their house for the kids to play. Lilly loved the ball pit. We are definately getting her one. Hours of entertainment! We didn't have our camera to capture the moment, but soon we'll have our own to take pictures of. Hope all is well at your home.
Love- Kelli

Memorial Weekend and More...

Memorial weekend was wonderful! I had a 4 day weekend and Ryan was home too. We spent the weekend at the cottage with my parents. We did some shopping, relaxing, boat riding and visiting with my aunt Kerry and cousin Alex who visited on Saturday. It was a nice get a way. This weekend was also Prestons 1st birthday. He was adorable, just walking around checking out all the kids and toys. He was so happy. The party was a lot of fun... it's always nice to see family! The kids had fun playing too!
Some of Lilly's milestones: These past few weeks Lilly has been a mommas girl. When I am around, I am the only person she wants, but if I leave she is okay. She will stand at my feet and pull herself up on my legs for me to lift her up (with a little whine too).
Usually, Lilly is a good eater except she can be picky with her veggies. Everyday I try to give her some and everyday she throws them on the floor for Whitaker. He loves it!
Something fun I started with her in the morning... I give her a treat to give to Whitaker when we are leaving in the morning. It's so cute, she walks over to his cage and throw the biscuit in his cage. When we first started this she thought it was a treat for her, but now she has the hang of it, she'll do it anytime we leave.
You may find me posting more pictures very soon, because I have 9 more days of school! Yay, summer is just around the corner.

Our Monkey

Our Babies

Look at me

Okay, how do I get down?

I don't have to much to add today... I did want to post some of the pictures Ryan and I took the other evening. Lilly has learned how to climb up on everything she can get her little legs to reach. At my parents house she climbed up onto the ottoman (stood up) climbed over the arm on the couch and got into a sitting position. She has also figured out how to climb up our dog steps to our bed (yes I know ridiculous, but Whitaker would have a bad back by now) and she knows how to climb on and off her toy box. So, lets just say our Lilly is a little monkey!!

Mother's Day

Our happy girl.

Dancin Queen

I had a fantastic mother's day. It started with Ryan and I waking up to Lilly talking in her crib... so we grabbed her and brought her in bed with us. She loves to roll around and act silly with us. Then, we went downstairs and had breakfast and coffee. Lilly and Ryan brought me a present that had a gift certificate to Visions spa. Boy, what a great gift... I can't wait to go. I think I am going for the body massage.
In the afternoon, we met Grandma Linda, Aunt Rochelle and Jordan. We had a yummy lunch together. In the evening, we went to my parents house for a BBQ with my cousins, aunt, Grandma and siblings and of course Lilly's buddy, cousin Preston. (Poor thing was sick). We had fun laughing and being silly together.
Lilly is back to her happy self. We are very happy about this!!
Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. We have an exciting weekend ahead of us; the guys are all going out of town and us girls are doing "girlie" things! I can't wait!!

Lilly Marie

I'm such a big girl

This past week Lilly went to the park with Preston, my mom, and my sisters. Lilly and Preston had so much fun swinging on the swings and running around. Soon, I will be able to join the fun... summer is almost here!! That means no more work for me:)
Lilly has had a rough week. She got her 1 year shots on Thursday. She just hasn't been herself for a few days. Her smiles and giggles weren't around; we were worried. My mom took Lilly back to the doctor to make sure she wasn't coming down with something. Nope, so we think the shots really do a number on my poor baby. Finally, this afternoon she seemed to be herself again. No shots for a few months!!
In the pictures you'll be able to see that Lilly is getting a mouth full of teeth. Possibly that could be another reason why she's not happy! The challenges of being a parent; we want the best for our babies but can't figure out what's bothering them. It's so frustrating!
Some milestones this week are Lilly blowing kisses, saying "hi" (on the phone to grandma too), climbing on top of her toy box (this was a big accomplishment for her, she's been working at this for sometime now) and drinking milk. She is almost done with her bottles, we are down to her last one at night.
Hopefully you're able to get out and enjoy some of the sunshine!
Kelli
I'm having trouble getting pictures of the park on here, so if I can make it work they'll be up.

Lilly's First Birthday

Lunch at A Matter of Taste

Thank you Fox Family for my gift.

It's my day!

Lilly is one! We had a great day on Friday (her actual b-day). She spent the morning with my sister and my mom. Later that afternoon, we met for lunch. By that time Ryan was out of work, and my dad was able to meet up with us too. We went to Matter of Taste and sat outside. Lilly enjoyed looking at the water with Papa.
On Saturday we had her birthday party at our house. All week the weather man predicted a beautiful day, sunny and 80. Well just as her party was getting started it was dark skies and raining cats and dogs...perfect timing huh! Thank goodness it passed and the kids were able to play outside. We had a great day celebrating- Lilly was nervous with everyone at her house, but did warm up. She liked her frosting on her cake and never got to messy with it!! Everyone was extremely generous, she got everything and more! We ended up having a wonderful day! Happy Birthday to my Tinkers:)

We Love the Little Things

Lilly is enjoying the time we get outside (when it's not raining, snowing or hailing). She loves running around the back yard carrying balls along with trying to play soccer with the big kids next door. Luckily they are great with her and will stop the game until we get her out of the way. Lilly is a year in 2 days; I was just sitting at the kitchen table tearing up thinking about this time last year. Boy how our lives have changed.
Lilly is saying Titi (aunt in Spanish) if you ask her, she can show you where her nose is, gives high five and tries to repeat everything we say. No more bad language!! It was funny the other day I was saying "duh" to Ryan and she said it too. Girls rule in our house:)
This past weekend Lilly was sick so I took her to the doctor on Monday and she had a double ear infection again. Poor thing has my bad ears. She is getting better though. She knows that her big day is just around the corner.
I will be back in a few days to post some birthday pictures.

Happy Easter

Preston and Lilly

Lita and Lilly on Easter

Our little Tinkers loving her paci

This past week was so much fun for the 3 of us. We went all over town! We took several walks, did lots of shopping, got rid of old furniture (got new!), went to the petting farm, visited friends and family and had 2 Easter egg hunts. It was so nice to spend time together. Lilly doesn't usually get both of us home together for 7 days in a row.
Lilly is loving this nice weather. She loves to walk around the yard... and doesn't like to come back inside when her little hands are cold. She enjoys swinging on the neighbors swings, kicking the ball and just roaming all around. I like it better outside too, I don't have to worry about her running into things! She is also getting many teeth! Poor thing! Lilly is pretty much done with baby food. She prefers feeding herself. She's a great eater! Whatever you put on her tray, she'll eat! Hopefully this won't change.
Back to the grind tomorrow, but I'm not as sad about going back since I know that summer is just around the corner! Yay!!
Have a great week,
Kelli

Preston and Lilly

Lilly in her wagon!

What happened to Spring? Despite the snow on the ground, we still try to get out and take a walk. Just today we were able to go for a wagon ride. Lilly rides with a smile on her face the entire time. The other day, she rode with Preston. The two of them were enjoying themselves tremendously. We love the radio flyer! I hope the snow melts for the two Easter egg hunts we have planned for this weekend! Happy Easter to you all!

Our Baby is almost a Year!!

Lilly wants to help!

Playing Patty Cake with Daddy

So Big! (she has a skirt on, it's not a one piece strip outfit... a bit busy I know)

I have had every intention of getting on and updating our blog, but as you can see I have failed! Things have been pretty busy. We've been celebrating birthdays (Lita's and Saylors), shopping for house things, playing outside, visiting Grandma Linda, Rochelle and Jordan, and the one main reason is yes, you guessed it.... Lilly!
This girl is on a move, she is everywhere. It seems the only way to sit for a minute is if we "barricade" (Ryan's lingo) her into the great room. If not, she's on her way up the stairs, in the bathroom, in the cupboards, or letting herself into the laundry room making her way to Whitakers food. I'm not complaining, I am simply celebrating with you that my baby can walk. It's funny though, she doesn't look down to see what may be on the floor, Preston does the same thing! She has just about mastered how to hit a toy, catch her balance and keep going!
April is here and it brings me back to a year ago. I was praying every night to have the baby and now I wish that life would just slow down. I still can't believe that I am a mom, let a lone a mom of a one year old (in 24 days). Our Lilly is perfect! We laugh with her and sometimes cry because we are so lucky to have such an amazing little girl.
I hope that April brings lots of sun and more smiles for you all!
Love,
Kelli

On the Move

I find that the best evening for me to update our blog is Wednesday nights. Ryan is out playing basketball and after 7, Lilly is usually fast asleep.
So, Lilly has conquered walking! She is everywhere! Today for the first time I saw her stand from sitting position... she's still a bit wobbly (looks like a drunken Saylor... not her uncle ha). She gets so excited when she walks, most of the time her tongue is out! Ryan worries she's going to fall and bit it off or hurt herself. I would walk with my tongue out too if I just learned how to walk! What a new world for her.
This past weekend Lilly had her first finger painiting experience. Really, I was going to get her hands and feet but that didn't work so well so I let her play instead. She also had an evening with Preston, we had good ol' bowling. Only a few more times! Thank god.
Some of the new things Lilly is doing this week is waving hello and good bye, showing how old she's going to be and I am sure she says balloon and dog, but thats just the mom in me! Of course she's saying those things right!
Much Love to you all!
Kelli

Our Spring Flower

I think Spring is almost here! Today Ryan, Lilly, Whitaker and I took a walk. It was still a bit chilly, but it was nice to get some fresh air with the sun shining on us.
This past weekend was spent with our family. I celebrated my 31st birthday on Sunday. My Grandma cooked a delicious meal! My mom made a yummy cake and I got lots of great presents. We also went to Ryan's moms house on Monday and had another great dinner and her famous cookies along with 2 fabulous gift cards! I can't wait to go shopping. Lilly and Jordan entertained each other the entire time.
Lilly continues to explore new things. She found a love for balloons, she likes to climb the stairs (as fast as she can), open everything; doors, drawers and cupboards and LOVES to dance! When there is music on, she's a shakin'! Ryan is also finding a love for dancing!! I love to see the two of them dance together... it's soo cute!
I hope that you are able to get out more! I think when we spring ahead this weekend, we will really feel like nice weather is just around the corner.