Lily's 1st Thanksgiving in the USA

We are happy to report that we celebrated our first Thanksgiving with Lily at home! It was a wonderful time filled with lots of family. My aunt, uncle and cousin came. As did my father and stepmother. And of course all the usuals, Lisa, John, Jay, Brian, Jessica, Kodi and Aly.

Of course, in classic Lily style, she didn't eat a thing! It really amazes me how she can sustain herself!

A couple random thoughts that have made us laugh recently.

The day after Thanksgiving our neighbor had caught a deer and had it hanging from a tree while he was "cleaning" it. Lily saw it as we drove past and said "Pinata". Oh, the eyes of a two-year-old!

Also today we saw Santa and he had a big bag of wrapped toys. Lily exclaimed, "Muchas happy birthdays". So cute!

Saturday Night-Frederick

So do you ever wonder what parents of toddlers do on a Saturday night when their toddler needs to run off some energy?

Surprising...they all go to the mall!!!!

Last night we went to Barnes and Noble to "play" in the kids section...only to learn that half of Frederick's population also thought it was a great idea. Not that I am complaining. We met a ton of nice people, it was just an interesting sociological observance.

We also have decided that if we want Lily to experience a true blend of cultures and races then hanging out at the city park and the mall are the way to go. Those places are teaming with multi-multiculturalism which I simply adore and believe is good for children to be surrounded by. Plus where else can you hear multiple languages being spoken everywhere you turn!

Other random thoughts for the day...

Lily loves yogurt...it currently is her favorite food

This morning in bed for a brief moment she was cuddling us...she wrapped her arms around both of us and said "amigos" and gave us 1 big amigo hug. If I could only freeze that moment in time!

Love
Kim

Picture People Visit!

Today we went to picture people. Lily was great! Here are the results!

Typical Lily "Saltando" Jumping

Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)

La familia muy guapa (Very handsome family)

Que Linda (How Cute!)

Una familia feliz (A happy family)

Before the throne...I come....

Amanda, Olav, Lily, and Stian

Stian and Amanda

Where to begin...first this weekend was great! My sister and dad threw us a welcome home party...it was wonderful to celebrate Lily's homecoming with so many wonderful friends!

Then Stian came up with his new wife Amanda. It was so good to see them. I look forward to them returning around Christmas time for a longer visit. 25 hours was just not enough!

But the thing that has really got me bowled over is how???? How can we raise Lily to be cut from a different mold than today's young people?

We were on Stian and Amanda's My Space pages looking at pictures of their friends and they were plastered with young girls wearing provocative clothing and posing provocatively for the camera. It saddened my heart greatly. First, it appears as if these young girls have gotten the message that their only value is in their sexuality. And of course, my mind immediately went to Lily...how will we be able to raise her so that she is "different". How do you raise a child to love and fear God? It brings me to my knees.

I find myself even now praying for the friends she will have in school. That God would surround her with good friends who make wise decisions. That God would protect her from harm, even as she flexes her "muscles".

Parenting is a daunting task...I am very afraid! Jesus, I ask for your guidance, wisdom, and protection por favor:)

P.S. I took two pictures of everyone that I wanted to post, but in the first picture Lily turned her head and in the 2nd picture my stomach and red bra were showing through...so I thought after my rant about modesty...it might not be appropriate to post that one:)

Love,
Kim

Catching Up!

Wow, I guess it's been a while since I have posted. First Lily had a great Halloween. She dressed up like a cat!

In the historical world, on Nov 4th we elected our first African-American President of the United States....pretty cool I think.

Lily has been a bit of a pistol lately. She is strong-willed and when she is disciplined for not listening or following directions she retaliates with biting and hitting. Especially with her mamma. Last week we introduced eating soap because the time-outs were not working, I was getting angrier and angrier, and I needed another way to deter her from biting me. So far it has seemed to work. I only have to mention soap and she closes her little jaw. The hitting is still there along with the power struggles, but we are just trying to continue to be as non-emotional as possible (which sometimes is so hard) and consistent in discipline. In fact the other day she was behaving so rottenly, that I was going to kill her if I didn't walk away. So I buckled her in her car seat in the car and walked away! Please tell me she will outgrow this phase!

Today Lily went to the lab to have blood taken. I was super nervous...afraid she be screaming and I'd have to hold her down, but she was amazing. Muy Valiente! She did cry a little, but we sang songs, and that seemed to be enough for her. She really is an amazing little cookie! They even told me that I was one of their best moms as well. That was nice to hear because I felt like a train wreck inside...I was muddling the words of the songs! But I guess all those fertility treatments cured me of my fear of blood and needles!

Anyway, this week Stian is coming up from NC with his new wife Amanda and my sister is having an open house for us. I can't wait to see all our friends and family.

Love

Kim