Happy New Year's Eve!

Lilly says, "Party like a rock star this New Year's Eve!"

Big Girl

Ella is starting to smile more often but it takes a lot of coaxing! Here's an I'll-give-you-half-a-grin-so-you'll-get-out-of-my-face smile.

I don't know why I love this picture... maybe it's the cheeks. I also love her new pajamas with her initials! Thank you Krissy!

Growing Up

I love comparing pictures! Here is Kate holding Lilly in March 2006.

Here she is with Ella in December 2008 - two and a half years later.

Elizabeth in her tap shoes holding Lilly!

All grown up with Ella.

Saturday Visitors

We had a great Saturday! We were blessed with a day full of visiting which was really nice. Sherry, Jeff, Kate, Elizabeth, and doggy Chester stopped by for several hours to meet Ella on their way to Jeff's parent's house in Philadelphia.

It was nice to see family and really great for Lilly to see her cousins!

It was very warm so they girls headed out before they left for a little time on the swing set.

Nice family shot!

Sherry and her family left around 4 p.m. and at 4:15 p.m. Krissy and her family came for a visit! Yay! I hate that Krissy and I live so far apart but it's so nice that she comes to NJ often and we get to visit and our girls get to play. Here the girls are playing with Lilly's new play kitchen.

Krissy with baby Ella. Krissy loves babies!

We had a great time together! Michael came also and he and Andy visited while me, Krissy, and the girls hung out. We had dinner together and shared some great conversations and time together. I already miss her so much but am glad they arrived home to Minnesota safely today. Savannah is a sweetheart. I wish our girls could spend more time together but I won't be greedy. I'm thankful for the time we do have.

I enjoyed a full day of visiting. We were wiped out by bedtime and while Ella did a great first stretch of sleeping she was then up every hour or so to eat (hungry from a long stretch at the start of the night) so I am very tired today. But now the day is over and I'm so very thankful for my family and friends and this wonderful holiday season. I am looking forward to what 2009 brings our way!

Naked Chef

Krissy bought Lilly an apron for Christmas. It is adorable with brown ribbon and pink polka dots with her name embroidered in pink. Perfect for her new kitchen. Tonight she was cooking in the buff...

I asked her to stand still for a picture but I should know better and should have asked her to run wild... then I may have had a shot at a still picture!

Dancing chef...

Taking a tie break...

Running from Mommy who's yelling sweetly calling, "Stand still for a picture!"

Friday

On Friday my friend Krissy (visiting from MN) called me to say she and her sister were headed to an indoor play facility. I suggested Kid Junction that has all sorts of imaginative play and is very clean. So I met up with Krissy and her daughter Savannah, Kerry (her sister) and her boys Riley and Liam, and Krissy's mom. It was GREAT seeing Krissy and Savannah! Krissy immediately took Ella and held her most of the time. What a nice break for me!

Lilly "rode" a roller coaster.

Savannah is so darn cute. I love her so much.

This picture says it all...

I love this picture of Savannah twirling.

Lilly did some serious shopping in the "grocery store" and had me play cashier.

The girls enjoyed a snack together.

Our two princesses dancing together on the stage.

We had a really great time and the place was empty so our kids were free to play on anything without a crowd. It's so cute to see the girls together. Now that they're older the age difference is insignificant and they play nicely! What a nice day-after-Christmas treat!

Christmas in Pictures

What a Christmas week we've had! It was wonderful. I really enjoyed my time spent with family and friends. Here is our Christmas in pictures! Ella did a lot of sleeping...

On Christmas Eve morning we were already excited so we had to open a present! Daddy surprised everyone by doing some shopping on his own. Lilly opened up Candy Land and we taught her how to play her very first board game! It will take some time to get the hang of it but she had fun.

Ella and I went grocery shopping while Andy and Lilly went shopping for my gift (how sweet is that?). Then we met at Panera Bread for lunch. When we got home from lunch I started to cook (yes, you read the correctly - I cooked!). I made sausage and ground beef lasagna (half and half) and Grandmother's beef soup. We also made gingerbread cookies, Santa cookies, chex mix, and a marshmallow (with corn flakes) wreath. By Christmas Eve (eve) we needed to open more presents!!! Ella gave Lilly a Tinkerbell bath wand, bath dye, lotion, and bubble bath before Lilly headed up to take her bath. We were surprised to find out Lilly didn't like the bath water to change colors... But then again it had been a day of sweets and junk food so she was likely wearing thin from that combined with the anticipation of Santa.

Ella was bored while we opened presents.

Lilly bought me red gloves and a scarf! The greatest part was when I asked Lilly what she bought me and she said, "Mittens and hot chocolate!" In the car she told me they were "green" mittens which in the land of Lilly means red (it also means green as well). She spilled the beans! I love them. It's my first scarf... ever.

Lilly picked out her presents for Daddy all by herself. She got him this nice "Naughty" sleep mask, Jack Daniels coffee, and a reversible belt. He loved his mask...

After Lilly bathed it was time to put some cookies out for Santa. Lilly helped herself to some (more) cookies as well.

When Lilly woke up on Christmas morning she had forgotten what a big day it was! She laid in bed and watched her usual TV. We asked her who came last night and she said, "Meemaw?" Then we told her Santa had come so she headed downstairs!! I tried for the traditional Brinser-family-top-of-the-stairs-Christmas-morning-photo but she was in a hurry. Who can blame her?

Santa brought Lilly exactly what she asked for: a pink kitchen!!! She was so very excited. She tore the paper off while I video'd and Andy snapped pictures. We were the Christmas morning paparrazi.

Ella hung out in her way-too-small Christmas outfit (forget the pajamas that match Lilly's - I bought them in preemie size since Lilly was a peanut newborn). Santa brought her a pink pig! Exactly what Lilly had asked Santa to bring her. Santa rocks!

After opening the kitchen, pots and pans, bakeware, and some other kitchen accessories Lilly needed a break. She set this up in front of the TV and requested Curious George.

After some gifts, "sticky bums" and hot chocolate we headed over to the DiNunzio's in our pajamas. Natalie bought Lilly a Cinderella doll that sings and lights up when you brush her hair. She also got an assortment of popcorn! Ella got some clothes.

We got to see what Santa had brought their family and visited until Lilly busted her lip open on the back of the couch and was bleeding all over... We cleaned her up and headed home.

When we got home Lilly opened a few more gifts and she gave Ella the gift she bought for her. Daddy said Lilly picked this out for Ella all on her own! So cute!

Lilly didn't realize she also had a stocking to open! Christmas is the greatest!!!

Santa also brought me and Andy gifts! I got some gift cards to my favorite clothing stores (after the weight comes off), a manicure and pedicure, fuzzy slippers, a movie theatre gift card, and bookstore gift card! I can't wait to shop! Andy got some clothes, a monogrammed dress shirt (initials on pocket), a book of photos of our family, and a Brooks Brothers gift card. It was a really nice Christmas. After lunch the girls took naps (I think we all took a nap actually) and then we headed over to our friends Ellen and John's house. This used to be our Christmas tradition each year before having kids (and Lilly's first 2 years). It was nice to see her family again. Before leaving we got a family shot - Lilly insisted on wearing matching outfits (with Ella). She had a cute red Christmas dress to wear but instead they matched which was also cute.

Loving her sister. I hadn't planned on Ella wearing this dress until springtime so she had to have bare legs...

After Ellen's house Andy dropped me and the girls off at home. I put a ham in the oven, green beans on the stove, and made a salad and biscuits while Andy went to pick up his mom for dinner. Lilly painted Babcia's nails while I cooked dinner. It was a nice meal. We made homemade butter cookies after dinner and called it a night.

Christmas is such a nice time to spend with family and friends. It's hard being so far away from my family this time each year but it was nice spending time with Andy and the girls. And in the end it's all about the birth of Christ and togetherness. We had a very nice ending to the year 2008. We couldn't ask for more in our lives. We know we are very blessed.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

It's been a long day and it's late so my mommy will post all about our Christmas tomorrow!

Tylenol

This day has been fantastic...

After a night of very little sleep I called the pediatrician to see if they could see Ella before Christmas since she's crying in pain and vomiting after every feeding. I am assuming she has reflux and want her checked out. I called at 8:40 a.m. She said, "Can you be here at 9:45?" and I said, "Sure, thanks!" I don't know what I was thinking. Ella was still sleeping, Lilly was watching TV in her pajamas and I didn't even have my teeth brushed!

I woke Ella up and fed her then took her to the bathroom with me while I showered. Lilly stayed downstairs watching her show on the couch.

When I finished showering and getting Ella dressed and ready I came downstairs to this...Lilly had created this contraption so that she could get this...I asked her, "Did you work on this the whole time Mommy was upstairs?" and she smiled and said, "Yes, don't mess it up Mommy!"

We finally got ready and headed to the pediatrician. When we got there they informed me Ella wasn't yet added to our insurance and we'd have to pay for the visit. I knew the paperwork was sent in and I would just need to make some phone calls but it was still a pain! As we were waiting in the room, Lilly was crawling behind Ella (up high on the bed-like thing that pediatrician's have) when her foot kicked Ella in the face. It was completely an accident but Ella was crying and then Lilly started crying and felt horrible and then the pediatrician walked in.

Ella is fine (we got some reflux meds) and she gained 1/2 lb in 5 days! Obviously the reflux is not effecting her eating/weight gain.

As we were leaving the exam room the doctor (very nice woman - Dr. Razzi) said to Lilly, "Happy Holidays sweetie!" and Lilly put her hands on her hips and said, "It not happy hollydays! It Merry Christmas!" The doctor laughed and said, "You're right honey, Merry Christmas!" Oh my... I smiled and just said "Gotta love my PC child!"

We headed from the doctor's office to CVS to fill the prescription. As I'm waiting in line to make sure Ella was on our plan (she was) I hear, "Does someone drive a white Odyssey?" I turned around to see an old man standing there with his hands on his hips and angry. I say, "I do, is there a problem?" He says, "Yeah, my problem is that you parked on the white line and now you can't leave until I pull out first!" He was so mad. There were about 15 people standing around waiting for prescriptions and a few pharmacists. Everyone was shocked. I said, "I pulled evenly between 2 cars" and he shouted, "You pulled on the white line!" Then he proceeded to tell me that he'd be in the photo area and I needed to get him before I left and he stomped away.

The pharmacist said to me, "I'm in shock" and I said, "I guess he doesn't realize I just had a baby and have crazy hormones swirling inside of me!" and we laughed. I was wondering why he bothered to park there in the first place. What a grouchy old man! And the kicker is... When I left I went to find the grouchy man and he wasn't there. When I got outside there was another car parked beside me and guess what? I was NOT on the line and there was room to walk between the cars. Hmph.

Came home and fed the girls and put them both to sleep. Now I need to rest. What a morning!

Weekend

Lilly has always been a daredevil - anyone who knows her knows this. The other day I heard, "Hey Mommy - can you help me?" It was muffled. I'm used to finding Lilly in crazy predicaments and this was no different...

She said she was helping me fold the clothes...

Last week I (finally) signed Lilly up for dance class. She's been begging us to take a "deencing class." She will start January 6 at Marcia Hyland School of Dance. She is SO EXCITED. She will be taking the class on her own (I will not be in the room) for an hour a week. They are required to wear a leotard, tights, and black ballet shoes. Saturday we went to Danskin to buy her what she needed. When we got home she was excited to put on the outfit. She danced for us on top of the coffee table (I know I know). I was trying to get a picture of her in her outfit but her back was to me. Andy was standing next to the table. I couldn't see her face but all of the sudden I saw her leap and Andy leap... Andy doesn't move that quickly often (he's very laid back). I snapped the shot and then asked Andy what happened.

Apparently she'd been standing on the edge of the table opening and closing her eyes (we now know she was judging distance). Then apparently she jumped with her eyes CLOSED; hence the fast moving on Andy's part.

I hope I survive Lillyhood! Here's the shot...

Sunday we stayed home all day since it was icy when we woke up. Lilly helped me make chex mix - yummy! We also watched the Redskins beat the Eagles!! Woo hoo! Lilly helped break the pretzles for the chex mix.

Here's what Ella did while we baked...