Sunday, November 30, 2008

Happy 1st Birthday, Lilyann

Thankful. We all have a lot to be thankful for this year. Our Little Lilyann is now 1 yr old!! Today is her 1st birthday. I can't believe it has already been a year since Lilyann was born.

Lilyann--4D sono picture
holding daddy's finger--just after birth

It was November 29, 2007, when I was admitted. I had been for a checkup at the Dr's office that morning and the Dr said that Lily was high, she floating in all the extra fluids (I was on the verge of gestational diabetes during this pregnancy) So the Dr wanted me to check in Thursday evening to get everything ready for my Friday morning induction. At 6am on November 30, the Dr comes in to check me and see if I am all thinned out and dilated anymore...well, during this process, my water breaks. And all the fun begins. Around 6pm (i think), Lilyann Jade Smith was born...weighing in at 7 lbs 1 oz and measuring 21 inches long. It was one exciting day.

Lilyann with Great Great Aunt Gloria







On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008, we celebrated Lilyann's 1st birthday. We did a Blue's Clues theme party. Lily seemed to have a good time, even though she was sporting a Rudolph red nose from having a runny nose all week. It is surprising to see how quickly little ones change.

Happy Birthday, Lilyann. You are one special little lady. Mommy, Daddy, and Dakota love you very much.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Absence makes the Heart grow fonder

Dakota--he was in mid sing.

Lilyann with Dakota's Shamu we got at a yard sale


Lilyann and Dakota on the twisty slide

Action shot



Lilyann on her car that turns into a walker



Definitely true. I miss my husband so much. Jed has been gone since Sunday afternoon. He left to go to Houston for training for his new job. He will be working at Safety-Kleen. It will be a better job. He will still get the same pay but not have to work as many hours. He used to be a milkman (I'm going to miss my free chocolate milk...Dakota will probably miss it more than me, though.) and a usual day for him was from 4am to 4pm. If he finished early, it was great...if he didn't, not so great. He was paid salary. Now he gets paid by the hour. So it is definitely a better job.

Tonight, Jed comes home. He will get out of class at 4pm and then head home to his family. Dakota is ready to see Daddy. Lily had been saying, "dadadadada" the last few days. And I am ready to see my hubby. I am ready for someone to take care of me...lol

It has actually been a pretty smooth week for us--even without Jed being here. Jed's mom (Grandma) has helped out tremendously. Coming over in the evening time to help me put the kids to bed. I guess I took it all for granted...the small breaks that Jed would give me while he was here. The time to myself in the bathroom is a treasured break. Do you know how hard it is to do the paperwork when you have 2 children underfoot in the bathroom?? and if you close the door, they just stand at the door and cry/keep talking...fun times, I tell you!!

Another one of my lifesavers and safe havens this week has been Stomp Time at the Institute (the gym). We have become quite familiar faces at the gym this passed week. Dakota loves going to the daycare (stomp time, as he calls it) He doesn't even cry. He likes playing "with the guys". Lily enjoys it, too. Dakota and I started attending a Mom and Tots class..It is fun. I have met a few mommies there...and it gives Dakota and I a chance to have one-on-one time with Lily Lu. Dakota did okay the first class... the second class, he had a meltdown when the teacher picked up his green ball and put it in the bucket. But in the end, he told Miss Danielle "thank you" and helped her pick up all the blue mats when class was over. Not only attending the Mom and Tot class but also working out has kept me busy. I enjoy the time to walk the treadmill or ride the bike...with peace and quiet.
What a week it has been...it has been long, but it was fun. I learned a lot; and I now know not to take my husband for granted. I miss my nice long hot baths.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Another Day in the Life of the Smiths

Lilyann ~~ on the porch
Dakota riding on the tractor with Cash driving

Lilyann playing


Samantha and Lilyann



Another Day in the Smith household started early. We all got up (though Dakota wasn't happy about it) around 4 a.m. to take Jed to work. Lilyann had an appointment at the WIC office for her re certification. Since she will be a toddler on the 30Th of this month, she needed to be weighed, measured, and iron levels checked.
We make it to the WIC office around 8:35...a few minutes before a scheduled appointment 8:45. We waited almost an hour before they finally took us back. Lilyann was weighed...she is now 16 lbs 14 oz (a little under her last weigh in at her Dr's appt). She was measured...she is now 27 1/4 inches long. And her iron levels were checked~~via finger prick. After all this, we sit and wait some more (yay!! fun!!) and then we are called back to see the nutritionist. The nutritionist informs me that Lilyann is not on the chart for her weigh and she is really concerned about it. (as we are too...but given the circumstances, Lilyann is doing great!!) Now don't get me wrong, I'm concerned about Lilyann's weight (according to the nutritionist, Lily should weigh, at the least, 4 lbs more to be "on the chart" weight wise) but give us a break!! Lilyann eats anything we give her...and as much as we give her. She is like a food vacuum...consumes and picks up whatever is in her path. Maybe she just has a high metabolism...I don't know. After this, the nutritionist proceeds to tell me that Lilyann is anemic. Her iron levels are low. They are at 9 points and they should be, at the least, 11 points. So, hearing all this and dealing with 2 fussy children (we have been at the WIC office for 2 hours now) had me quite overwhelmed. It was a long morning. I talked with Jed and his mom and my mom about it. Jed and I came to the conclusion to wait and see what the pediatrician has to say about all of this. And see, if perhaps, Lily can have another iron test done at their office. I found some information on eating iron enriched foods and what to feed your toddlers and such...so I'm going to implement that into Lily's eating. If you have any ideas of ways to add more iron, Vitamin C, and protein to a child's diet...I'm all ears!!
Our day wasn't all about the WIC office. After the appointment, we went out to my sister's house, Marg. Dakota was excited to see Samantha and Cash. Lily and Kota both had a great time playing with their cousins. Samantha found out that she can pick up Lily...as you can see in the photo posted of Lilyann and Samantha. The kids had a great time playing in Marg's backyard...and the pretty leaves made for some great photos.
We ended our day with a trip to the gym. A nice work out to get rid of some of the frustrations of the day....and then topped it off with a trip to Grandma's house where Dakota watched his new favorite movie, Finding Nemo.
Thanks for listening about a day in the life of the Smiths....check back for more stories...coming soon to a blog near you.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Taste Test

Guess what happens when you turn your back to your children for a few seconds??? This:





Little Miss Lily Lu decided that she needed to taste her formula...and she didn't want it from her bottle. She wanted it as the powder. When I wasn't paying attention, she pulled her diaper bag off the table and found her formula container. She emptied it, tasted it, and tasted it some more...and then decided to crawl through the wonderful formula mess. She comes crawling to me somewhat proud of her accomplishment and taste test adventure.
As I've said before, there is never a dull moment here!

Monday, November 10, 2008

7x7

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
~2 Chronicles 7:14~

One thing for sure, I'm overjoyed that all the political advertisements are over. Though now it is a very crucial time for our nation. Some seem to find that bashing the new President-elect makes the fact that their candidate didn't get elected makes their bashing okay. The President-elect needs all the prayers that he can get. I'm so glad that I do not have to fill those shoes. Being a mommy and wife is hard enough for me.
Just adding this post to remind you all to pray for our President, President-elect, and the First families.




The above button was posted on a blog that enjoy reading: Bring the Rain, The Story of Audrey Caroline. Angie Smith is the blog author; she is the mother of Audrey Caroline, and wife of Todd Smith (a vocalist in the group, Selah). She posted this button for everyone to add to their blog to remember to pray for your children especially with all the changes that are happening and will continue to happy in our great United States of America. Here is a link to Angie's blog if you would like to check it out: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/


I urge you all to pray for your children daily...and to pray for our nation.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Halloween weekend

Dakota and Alexis
Dakota, Alexis, and Uncle D

Lily Lu



Smiling Dinosaur Dakota



Buzz Buzz Lily Lu


It was a quiet weekend. Dakota left on Thursday night with Grandma (Jed's mom) to go visit his cousin, Alexis, in Temple, TX. While in Temple, Dakota went to Boo at the Zoo (he wouldn't wear his costume, though) and he got to go to the park with Alexis and Aunt Brittiany (if you are reading this, Britt, he still talks about going on the trains...he had a blast!!)

Lily stayed home with mommy and daddy. This weekend, we went to Canton's Trade Days. It was fun...there were tons of people there. And when we weren't at home, we were at the Institute (the gym that our local hospital started). They offer daycare so that Jed and I can exercise without having to worry about what the kids are doing.

It was a nice relaxing weekend. Enjoy the pictures.