On Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! So I made it. In so many more ways than one. I made it through the day. I made it through my very first Christmas season at church. I made it through the 12 days of Christmas and faithfully posted every single day. So what do you think will come next? Why a 12 page scrapbook of course! tee hee

Dear Lily,
Today was a wonderful day. You must have sensed the excitement in the air and woke up at 6:45 this morning-a full two hours before your normal wake-up time. But I think I was a bit excited as well as I was laying awake in bed long before that ;) Unfortunately you don't quite comprehend the sheer joy and excitement of opening presents, much to Daddy's dismay as he carefully wrapped each one, only for me to tear them all open-but you sure do know how to play with them all! And yup. This is what I look like in the morning...
Then it was off to Mor Mor's house. I love how excited you get when we pull into Mor Mor's driveway (or Grandma and Grandpa's too!) As soon as we got in the door, your Daddy graced us with his mad waffle making skills as you, Mor Mor and I played upstairs. After breakfast (your second breakfast-yep, you definately have those Willis genes in you!) the newlywedded Taylors' joined us and we got right down to opening presents. Despite some fussing at the end because of a desparate need for a nap, I think you had a wonderful time.

So back home we went for a much needed nap for you, and for your Mama and Daddy to spend a few hours building your new kitchen :) Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house. There the most exciting and amazing thing happened. You gave Mama her best present ever-YOU WALKED. First a few steps, but then across the room. Over and over. You are now a walker. YOU WALKED. I am a mother of a walker. Somehow you grew taller tonight. Somehow your Mama grew a lot older tonight ;) but sweetheart, that was just the best present ever. I know that you will not remember this Christmas, I know that Christmas will mean so much more to you next year, I know that there will be other memorable moments, exciting moments, but this is the one I will never forget. Thank you.
I love you,
Mama
p.s. Why the Golden Graham's on the chair you ask? Why it was actually a present from Bj with a very special toy suprise-my very first pair of diamond earrings!!! Seriously-he put a sign on the front that said "toy suprise inside!!!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Traditions. That is what I have been thinking of tonight. We have a lot of traditions in my family-many of them occuring on Christmas Eve. First, we must always go to Pizza Hut. Many, many years ago, my mom decided with all the cooking she had to do the following day, and the busy schedule of church, we would go to Pizza Hut for dinner on Christmas Eve. I have never missed a single time (until last year when Lily was sick...) I remembered the second big tradition while in the middle of church tonight. Leaving Santa cookies and Dr Pepper...not milk, Dr Pepper. I never "got" that when I was a child-we were told that Santa had just had enough milk and he wanted a change when he got to our house. Last is the reading of 'Twas the night before Christmas. This will be the first year in my entire life that my father will not read this to me. The first time ever. I am the only one of all the girls who has always been there for Christmas-not living in another state, I am always here. This truly was my absolute favorite tradition ever. I think I looked forward to this just as much as opening presents. And I still do. But as my own family grows I know that I must step aside and let my daughter sit on her Daddy's lap as I quietly move around the room taking pictures, just as my mother did for all those years. Thank you for all of those good memories and all of those wonderful traditions. So what can I say now?
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

On the 3rd day before Christmas

all is calm
all is bright

On the 4th day before Christmas

My handsome hubby in his brand new glasses :) I can't tell you how excited I am about these!


The Taylor trio had an absolutely wonderful dinner together tonight. Not because of the food, but we actually had real family time. We went to Friendly's and for the first time Lily drank from a straw AND colored!!! Of course she had to have a crayon in each hand, and it was just the cutest thing. Seriously. I will scan her masterpiece and post soon. This is how a crazy stage mothers are born. ;)

On the 5th day before Christmas

Lily sitting on Santa's lap by herself? Not so much this year...

So I really must say that I would be perfectly happy if they did not choose to add the snowman and the snow and trees at the bottom. Really. Perfectly happy.


Dear Lily,
Do you know what today is? It is your 16 month birthday today. Sixteen months old. That is just unbelievable to me. You are such a sweet, sweet little girl and the time has just flown by. So you still aren't walking, and while I know that it is still totally normal, I still worry and I still can't wait. The molar you are working on is almost completely out and you are now working on another top tooth in front (thank you Santa ;) Nothing about you is "normal" and I just love that. Not how you get your teeth in out of order, how you hate baby staples like bananas, and fun to eat food like peas. Or how you can love a food one day and pitch a fit if we give it to you another day.

My favorite is how you must have "two" of everything. If you have one ring in your hand, you have to find the other one for your other hand. It is the funniest thing to watch you try to crawl around with a ball in each hand (and they must be the same kind of ball), a remote in each hand, a phone in each hand. I have never seen another child do that before.

With all those quirky habits you is constantly making me laugh. I love watching you dance-stomping your feet, moving your shoulders up and down, and recently, doing this head banger kind of thing that had me almost crying I was laughing so hard. I also love your "hi" conversations where you just says "HI!" over and over and over again. I pretend that your great-grandmas Marie Lillian Watson and Claire Marie Back have come to visit you. I know they are watching over you. You knows how to sign eat, all done, hungry, dog, and we are working very hard on more, cat, and night-night (although I think you do understand them.) You also can pat your head, clap your hands, kick your feet and pat your belly on command. Although, we need to watch out if we ask you to pat your belly, as you much prefers to lift of the shirt of whomever asked you, and pat theirs instead.

You have the best giggle, the loudest laugh and you have the most powerful lung capacity that we started learning "inside voice" long before it was probably possible to comprehend the concept. We can really get you cackling during a game of peek-a-boo, crib chase (where you try to hide in your crib, pretend you are asleep and I come get you and tickle you ;) and of course, getting raspberries on your belly.

You have changed our lives in every single way possible, and I am thankful for every single day that I have spent with you.
I love you,
Mama

On the 6th day before Christmas

Here is my one REAL Nutcracker, direct from Germany. I used to obsessively collect these, but my interest has waned in the past few years. I will always have a special fondness for this one however :)

On the 7th day before Christmas

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How lovely are thy branches!



In other news, anyone have suggestions on stopping a jumping girl? Lily just LOVES to jump in her crib and today she split her lip-probably more tramatic for me than for her, but still, I have to figure out how to stop this!

On the 8th day before Christmas

Merry Christmas Dillow family...your presents will be on the way tomorrow :)

and lest we forget, I hate wrapping presents...

On the 9th day before Christmas

Dear Santa,
Hi. HI! HI! My Mama is typing this for me so you can understand, even though I said that you would know what I mean no matter what. This year for Christmas I want some more teeth. I know I just got my first molar, but how about some more in front? Also, walking is definitely going to be a plus so when could I expect that? My Daddy says that I should also have a new lullaby CD-he thinks Nora needs a rest. I also really like books and I love to put things together, and I love to put things in my mouth...unless it is chicken, or big girl veggies, or well anything but fruit and cheerios and kraft dinner. My Mama keeps insisting on feeding me those other yucky things but I know better...they belong on the floor. Anyway, Mama says that she is going to put this letter in this ornament she got me for the tree-she says that she is going to put one in every year. But if she puts it in there how will you know what it says? Ok. Bye-bye!
love,
Lily

On the 10th day before Christmas

Lily just loves her Mor Mor...

In other news, did anyone catch It's a Wonderful Life on tv tonight? I haven't seen it for years so I decided to settle down with a project and watch it. How is it that I practically have every line of this movie memorized yet it still makes me cry? At the end of it I leaned over and rang my Grandma Watson's bell ornament...just in case :)
So can I add one more picture? It is just too cute. Unfortunately Lily is learning how to throw a ball (and say ball too :) She did not want to give this non shatter resistant ornament up...

On the 11th day before Christmas

Once again, we did NOT play Bunco at Bunco babes, but we did have fun-scrapping :)
mmmmmhhhhhh...crab dip :)
drat! missed it by three minutes-had to charge my camera battery!

On the 12th day before Christmas...

This little girl decided she wasn't a baby anymore. This is Lily sitting in a chair, all by herself, watching Sesame Street. Such a big girl...oh and I had to get my tree in the picture as that was my planned photo today :)


And because I was tagged...
A - Available or single: Married
B - Best friend: Bj
C - Cake or pie: pie (apple)
D - Drink of choice: dr pepper
E - Essential item you use everyday: my computer...or um Bj's computer because mine is so slow...
F - Favorite color: green
G- Gummy bears or worms: worms
H - Hometown: stow, ohio
I- Indulgence: dr pepper
J - January or February: february because it is a short winter month
K - Kids & names: Lily
L- Life is incomplete without? relationships
M- Marriage date: 7.29.2000
N- Number of siblings: 2
O- Oranges or apples: oranges
P- Phobias or fears: people who whistle in public places-especially hallways.
Q- Fave quote: "I didn't know until I knew."
R - Reasons to smile: Lily saying "hi" ALL the time
S - Season: Fall
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: CHARISSA, Missy, Mary Jo
U - Unknown fact about me: one of my most prized possessions is my grandmother's wedding ring which I wear every day.
V- Vegetable you don't like: Brussel Sprouts
W - Worst habit: procrastination
X - Xrays: knees, wrist, fingers. I was a rough kid
Y - Your fave food: scalloped potatoes and mac and cheese :)
Z- Zodiac sign: Leo

**don't forget it is also Gracie's birthday! see below :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE!!!

I can't believe you are two already. How the time has flown. I am very sad that I don't get to see you much because I don't really feel like I "know" you very well. But, I promise that I will always be here for you and you may come to Aunt Marie's house anytime your Mama is being mean ;)

Two is going to open up a whole new world to you. You will start talking more. You won't be too little to do big kid stuff. You will become a big sister. And more, you will become a middle child. I know your Mama and Daddy don't know what that is like, but your Aunt Marie sure does.

It means just as you look up to Maddie, this new baby will someday look up to you. That is quite a responsibility. You will understand what it is like to wish so much to do things Maddie can do that you can't, and you will understand that you can do things that your younger sibling can't. This will make you a compassionate, loving and empathetic person because you have the rare opportunity to live in two different shoes at the same time. I miss you Gracie and can't wait to see you again. I hope you have a wonderful day :)



**Don't forget 12 days of Christmas starts today!
(my picture will come later-I have it all planned out and it must be dark...)

12 days of Christmas

So. My dear sister pointed out that the twelve days of Christmas should start on December 25 blah blah blah it won't be as pretty and most of my decorations will be down and i am crazy and want to add one more thing to my list of things to do before Christmas so instead we are starting on
THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 so we can end on Christmas day.
hope you can join :)

Twelve on Tuesday

Christmas Edition
1. I have a new Christmas banner for those of you who read through bloglines ;)
2. Want to join me and Missy for a 12 days of Christmas photo-a-day? I swear it will only last 12 days ;)
3. Day two of officially no nap in the morning. Today we went Christmas shopping with some friends and Lily did exceptionally well. I was so proud of her...although it is now 4:25 and she is JUST waking up from her nap...
4. I am frantically trying to finish my mom's Christmas cards, my Christmas cards, and a long list of Christmas presents. Anyone have a time machine?
5. Lily has been very good with our Christmas tree this year. I just have one ornament within reach-a bell which she just loves to ring. One because it reminds me of my Grandma's tree and two because "every time you ring a bell and angel gets its wings..."
6. We have yet to take our Christmas photo!
7. I know Katherine already mentioned it, but Over the Rhine's Christmas album is just WONDERFUL. Seriously. Go buy it.
8. It just doesn't feel like Christmas when it is 60 degrees outside...
9. I am in our Christmas pagent at church and am having a HORRIBle time memorizing my lines. I just seem to have lost my ability to hold things in my head. Wonder why...
10. I have a hankering for some Christmas cookies right now.
11. Due to a wonderful discussion of Christmas traditions I have decided to have Lily open a pair of Christmas pj's and a 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Book on Christmas Eve every year. Thank you ladies for the ideas.
12. One of my favorite Christmas memories from my childhood is the year we girls all got the same bear that would play a medley of Christmas carols. We used to sit them all next to each other and attempt to push their paws at the same time so they would all play in unison. It just used to drive my dad crazy as they would always be slightly off (and slightly out of tune ;) One day those bears just didn't come back out. I wonder why...

Flashback Friday (you are safe for today Cassie J ;)

Today we are doing a special birthday flashback, just for the birthday boy Bj. These are Bj's first glasses. He got them for his birthday in what I must say is about the best "regift" ever. (He got a gift card from his mom to get new glasses...he really needs new glasses :) Enjoy-I know I did

oh and if you are wondering, yes, one of the lenses is missing...

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY BJ!!!!!

My dearest husband
I hope you have a wonderful day and take time to enjoy this birthday. I know that it is a hard one for you, but many have gone before you and I will follow in a few l o n g months from now ;)
Thank you for everything you do for this family, and everything you do for me especially.
I love you,
will


p.s. he actually has posted- a lot so go comment!!

Mmmhhhh

seriously. mmmmhhhhh.
this is the man who roto tilled his yard...twice, but didn't actually DO anything to it after all that work.
yesterday he was painting his trim on his house...while it was raining
today he is also painting his trim...up on a ladder.
I discovered him up there when I opened the blinds to see if our house was going to be blown down.
*taken from wkyc.com
A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 P.M. TONIGHT. EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS FROM 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 60 MPH. DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWER LINES IS POSSIBLE. RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW AS TEMPERATURES PLUNGE INTO THE 30S THIS AFTERNOON. 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE BY THIS EVENING.

December 1

It's here. And I am not ready. For the past two months I have been preparing my choir at church for a very important event. Our Madrigal Dinner. This is huge. SO much work has gone into it-and I am talking an unbelievable amount with the costumes and the banners and the sound and lights and decorating and music preparation and drama preparation and food preparation. This is huge. I know that probably to the outside observer everthing will wonderful and entertaining, but I know there will be problems that I will know about, things I could have done better, things that I just didn't think to do. Bj really put this into perspective for me the other day. He said to really think about how long I have been doing this, (directing a choir) which is actually not that long. In months only seventeen months. Seriously? Only seventeen months. I have been a choir director for only seventeen months. Not my whole life? Nope. It only feels that way because I have worked so hard for so many years to do this. I have spent so much time singing in choirs doing madrigal dinners, singing around the world, singing around my home. I have only done this for seventeen months (more if you count my student teaching...) not even two years. So here is some perspective for me. I know that I will go home tonight examining every flub, every gesture that could have been clearer, and that part that I should have gone over but missed. I know that I will do this because I am still learning, and I hope in twenty, thirty years I will be doing the exact same thing.