It Takes Two

This week Lily was lucky enough to have both of her grandparents on the Mavros side come to babysit her. Grandma Judy is always up for the trip, provided her work meetings don't conflict. However, even Grandpa Nick put away the computer (well, sort of) to be with his granddaughter this past Friday. Despite the fact that all of the attorneys in Elgin must effectively close the office when Grandpa Nick leaves town (and we all know how busy Elgin keeps attorneys), he opted to pack up the car and drive down early Friday morning to share the diaper duties with Grandma. Luckily, Lily was a great little girl for her sitters, and she received her second "A for Angel" grade in two days (Grandma Susan initiated the grading scale on Thursday, and we thought it was kind of cute). Besides reading and singing with Grandma, Lily talked with Grandpa and played with her aquarium play mat. She is just now starting to grab at toys and objects that are dangled within reach. Below are just a few pictures of Lilian's time with Grandma and Grandpa. As you can see, a good time was had by all!

Easter Lily

Lily got to spend her first Easter with both sides of the family this past weekend. On Saturday, she went to Grandpa and Grandma O'Rourke's house, where she was able to visit with her great grandma Dorkie and wear her special smocked dress from Aunt Molly. She also tried on some floppy ears. On Sunday Lily made her first trip to Elgin, and, as you can see from the pictures, she was quite a hit. She slept the whole way there and back in the car. While in Elgin, she greeted her family with plenty of smiles and cooing. Her Uncle Mike and Grandpa Nick had not seen Lily for a while, so it was nice that she gave them such a warm reception. We're looking forward to egg hunts in the years to come, and Grandma Susan already has plans for a kite flying next year!

Mom and Me Mondays

Hi, evreyone. This iz Lily. I am riting this 2 say that my payrents must be reely board. All they due is put me on my blankat and take picters of me. So, if yore not to tired of theez yet, hear are even more fotos of me...smyling, kooing, and laffing. And my mommie is in these becase we play tugether on Mondays when mom werks from hoam.

Bath Time Fun

Following a nice walk to downtown Normal for some breakfast at The Coffeehouse this morning, Lily got a much needed bath. As always, she sprawled out in the tub, hanging her legs over the edges and reaching a near-comatose state (we had pictures of this, but in an effort to keep the blog family-friendly, we couldn't post them). For mom and dad, this bath-induced tranquility is greatly appreciated. We decided to take some pictures of bath time today because Lily's behavior in the tub always cracks us up.

In addition, for all of you who have commented on the fact that only Jeff shows up in pictures with the baby, Katie made a conscious effort to share the photographing duties this week!

Lilibuster

Buster and Lily are the best of friends these days...at least Buster thinks they are (he's protecting her in this first shot, you'll see). Don't worry, despite how it looks, we don't let either one lick the other's face. They like to play on Lily's patchwork quilt from her Great Aunt Margaret. And yes, we do have rechargable batteries for this camera. We'll keep the pictures coming!

Out for a Stroll

Daddy's Girl

GO KANSAS! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS!





Lily and her dad are now best of buds as they have spent some quality time together now that mom has gone back to work. As you can see from the pictures they both have enjoyed watching some Kansas basketball and playing games on the floor. Lily loves to smile and talk to him. If he comes home and she is asleep she will smile in her sleep when she hears his voice. Jeff seems to have taken a liking to her as well. No doubt she already has him wrapped around her little chubby finger.

Back to Work

This past week was my first week back at the office and leaving my little one. Over the weekend I was very sad that I would not be seeing and holding Lily all day. Luckily, both our moms have volunteered to watch her on the days that I work in the office, which made it a little easier to go back. Monday morning I dropped Lily at my mom's house and I was in such a rush I didn't really have time to be sad. Yes, I was in a rush because getting yourself and a little one packed up takes more time than you can really plan for. Especially, when you are behind on sleep and decide that since the baby went back to sleep at 6:30 a.m. you would as well. So getting up at 8:00 and getting out the door by 8:30 doesn't really happen. I did make it to my mom's by 8:45 and to the office by 9:00. Not bad for the first try. Especially when Lily loves to either spit up, poop, or decide she is hungry just as we get her strapped in and ready to go. I went to my mom's house over lunch and fed and played with Lily. She was doing great and having a lot of fun with her Grandma O'Rourke. Tuesday she was asleep over lunch, so I just watched her and visited with mom and then went back to work. When I got her home and out of the carseat, I held her and realized at that moment how much I had missed her! She is such a little snuggler. I really missed getting my fix of the snuggles over lunch that day. Jeff's mom came down on Thursday night to be here to babysit on Friday. It was so nice to have dinner with her and for her to get to see Lily smiling and talking. On Friday Lily was a very good girl, and Grandma Mavros said that she would continue to come back as long as she stays on her best behavior. We are so happy that she is getting a chance to know both sides of her family so well. She is a pretty spoiled pup!

Daddy got to spend plenty of quality time with Lily this weekend as Mommy got out of the house for a little work and play. On Saturday night I went out with Beni and a few other friends for some drinks (2) and girl time. It was so much fun to get out of the house and even better that we were in smoke-free bars! Then on Sunday I worked my first hockey game back. It went really well and it was fun to see all the regular patrons and part-time staff again. While I was out Jeff and Lily made out fine. They enjoyed watching some tournament basketball and playing with the dogs. Dad reports that she was a perfect angel. Sunday evening we went for our first walk in the stroller. It went alright. Lily was not too happy about it, and it was difficult to take her and the dogs all at once. The trip was made more difficult by the fact that Jay's leash was broken and we had to keep it locked the whole time and Buster wanted to go every direction possible all at once...getting the dogs, stroller, and humans all tangled up! Hopefully, our next adventure won't be quite so wild.

Well that is all we have for now. Lily is smiling and cooing like crazy these days. It is so much fun! She is also sleeping great throughout the night, which makes mom and dad very happy campers.