Punta Gorda Playtime

This past weekend we went up to our friends Tony and Jessica's property in Punta Gorda. Ryan installed some lights in the shop for them. They have a daughter named Gracie. She is 3 months younger than Lily(to the day). Their property is surrounded by citrus groves and woods. We spent most of our time outside socking up the fresh air. Lily was such a happy camper with so much for her to check out. Between the new scenery, horses, cow, donkey, goats, chickens, dogs ect...I hardly heard a peep from her.

Saturday - Lily is an early riser so after we gave her breakfast and were all dressed we thought we'd go for an early morning walk while everyone slept in. So Daddy,Zeke, Lily and I went for an hour and a half walk. Along the way Ryan picked oranges to eat for his breakfast. We saw 4 deer and at least 20 turkey. Lily quickly fell asleep but it was a nice way to start the day.

Sunday - We loaded up and headed home. Zeke was didn't move once we got home, he was so tired. Lily's nose decided to turn on like a faucet. I could hear the congestion getting worse through the day. By night time a cough started to really set in. We try propping up her mattress but it wasn't enough. Then we put her propped up on a pillow but she rolls off eventually. So I slept on the couch with her for the first half of the night and daddy took the second string. As much as I love to cuddle with her...I am glad she sleeps in her own bed on a regular basis. That child thrashes around like crazy!

Monday - Lily is at daycare and seems to be doing fine. No fever, just stuffiness. The dr. of course said it needs to run its course. So I will be buying "infant" vicks tonight along with one of the wall pug-in thingys....hopefully it will help break up the mucus.

Below are a few pictures from this weekend. (Last week I finally purchased a new digital camera with my Christmas money from Grandma Butler - THANK YOU! - I looooove it! )

Caught on Camera

I mentioned about a month or so ago Lily likes to watch Wheel of Fortune. So I did what my friend Nicole had suggested a while ago - video it. So I finally did! I uploaded 2 videos. Hopefully you can see what she is doing; she stops drinking her bedtime bottle to watch when she hears the music of the wheel or when the puzzles pop up on screen. Can't get enough of her....

Pink Eye Fun!

Over the weekend Lily's Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Ron came to visit for Ryan's birthday. We went to the Craft Fair on Saturday and did a little shopping on Sunday. Of course Valentines Day was shard by Daytona 500. We all know Daddy could not miss the big race.

On Saturday I noticed Lily's eye had a little more "sleep" than usual. I said to Ryan that I thought she may be getting pink eye. Sunday morning it was a little heavier but only in the morning. So I was prepared for Monday morning to see what I had already expected; her eye completely shut with "sleep crusties". Spite the funky eye...she felt and acted her normal self. So I called "out sick" to work and made an appointment to see the dr. The dr. gave us a script for eye ointment for the next 5 days and said she can not return to daycare till Wednesday. Fortunately, it was just pink eye and she wasn't really sick, so I enjoyed every minute of being home from work to take care of her. After the dr.'s office we went to see Great Aunt Kaka at the beautiful beach. There wasn't a cloud in the sky!!!

I believe Lily will be debuting a new tooth soon. She is drooling and chewing like crazy! So Great Aunt Kaka suggested "waffles". She had heard of it through a friend. The waffles are frozen and cold but as they are chewed they soften while absorbing the drool. It worked GREAT! Once she was done I just tossed it in the trash. I do need to watch her while she has one because she is able to pull off pieces. So I stood aside ready to intervene when necessary.

It is now Wednesday and unfortunately we are both back to the daily grind. ugh!! I could totally get use to being a stay at home mom! Its an unbelievable feeling to know you spend more time with your daughter than a daycare :( Maybe our future will change.....

OVER ALL UPDATE
Mastered sitting
Rolling everywhere
Starting to scoot- little by little
Eating like a horse
Sleeps like a champ
Oh and LOVES Sesame Street!! "Grove & Move with Grover!


Waffle Teether!

Yummmm


Sitting like a "Big Girl"

Playing with Grover!

Watching the Daytona 500 in Daddy's "Man Cave"

Snuggled up at the Craft Fair

Daddy Daycare

Daddy survived 4 days of parenting completely "solo". I had a training for work in in Gainesville, Monday through Wednesday. I missed Lily every minute I was gone.

I left Sunday afternoon. Its about a 4hr drive from our house. Ryan made out his "list" of things to remember and details. The rest of Sunday afternoon/evening went smoothly. First thing Monday morning I get a phone call. It was Ryan, his first words were "Good Morning" followed by "I'll never yell at you again!". Daddy got to experience what my mornings are like during a work week(he he). Let's just say its not that easy getting out the door in the morning with a baby when you are suppose to be at work by a certain time. The list of things to remember is quite long....let the dog out, my lunch box, Lily's lunch box, school diaper bag, car diaper bag, cell phone, keys, purse, lock-up and set the alarm, ect. Monday got off to a great start until it was time to get in the car. The cat didn't want to get out of the garage and Lily "filled" her britches right when it was time to get in her carseat. Once they finally loaded up and hit the road Daddy realized he left his work shoes"at home. So he had to turn around and go back. By the time they were headed in the right direction again it was past the "window" of missing the heavy traffic. Daddy was a little later to work than he planned for. After Monday morning it was smooth sailing - for the most part. Lily had been coughing on and off for about a week but Tuesday night it was slightly worse. So Daddy put her in bed with him; propped up on a pillow and snug as a bug in a rug.

This morning I took Lily to daycare and the ladies mentioned how impressed they were with Ryan. Lily's outfits matched every day even down to the socks and a color coordinating nuk (pacifier). Apparently the ladies find it quite amusing and can tell when the dad's are "on duty".

6 months & Shopping

Lily had her 6 month check-up this morning. We got a "thumbs up" from the Dr. He said everything is looking great and she is very strong. I was surprised with this next step.... we should should start introducing "table foods". Whatever we have at dinner, we just break up in to tiny pieces or mash it. That ought to be a lovely mess ;) I asked about the jarred meats and he doesn't recommend them. Apparently the nutrition in his opinion is quite poor. He took a notice to how much she likes to stand rather than sit. I have a feeling she may take after her daddy. Ryan skipped the crawling step and started walking at 8 months. YIKES!!

Weight - 16lbs 3 oz
Length - 26.5 in
Eating - Accomplished all "1st stage" fruits and veggies
Sleeping - 7pm to 6/7am
Latest Milestone - 2 teeth and sitting

Over the weekend Ryan was on the east coast to visit with some friends. So mommy and Lily ventured to the grocery store for a few items since Uncle Nick, Aunt Andria, and Aunt Sharon were coming to visit. We have been to the store(s) plenty of times but this trip was a little different. Now that she is sitting, Lily got to sit in the cart like a "big girl". All I needed to do was give her my "list". By the time I was at the end of the first isle, the paper was softer than a tissue from her crinkling it. It was like grocery shopping with a puppy. I can't tell you how many people stopped to say "Look at the lil red head". You would have thought she was a "new breed" of baby or that redheads were extinct! ha ha