Never want to forget

This post is really just for me and Anton. I never want to forget some of the funny and adorable things Lilly does...

1. She gets these purple rings under her eyes when she gets tired.
2. Instead of crying for us to come and get her out of her bed, she just starts talking and playing.
3. She has to be in one of the top corners of her bed to fall asleep. She will not go to bed in the middle of her bed.
4. She has the stinkiest feet. It cracks me up!
5. When I am getting her dressed she wiggles and wiggles, until I get that shirt on her head...then she sits really still because she knows "Peekey-Boo" is coming.
6. Her laugh is really deep.
7. She has to double fist her stars. The more she can get in her hands, the better. She loves those.
8. She thinks is the the funniest thing when I dance for her. She flaps her arms and legs, and smiles so big.
9. When she gets mad, she points her toes.
10. It makes me laugh when she toots...she has such a sweet face, and out comes this monster toot.
11. When I push her in the stroller, she loves to put her feet up on the bar in front of her.
12. She loves to go on walks...especially when I take one of the dogs with me. She loves to watch what the are doing.
13. When I give her her blanket, she rubs her little face in it.
14. She would rather put the books in her mouth than have me read them to her.
15. She loves the bath. She squeals and splashes the whole time.
16. One of her favorite things is to get on her daddy's shoulders and he tickles her with his hair.
17. She shakes when I go get her oatmeal ready. She loves oatmeal, and knows what I am doing when I get the bowl out of the cupboard.
18. I think one of her absolute very favorite things is when I get her undressed for the bath. She loves to be naked. She holds her head up high and looks around like she is so cool.
19. I love when she is sitting in her swing, and she has both her feet in her hands.
20. When she sees Mickey Mouse come on the TV screen she flaps her arms and smiles.

And, this is just the beginning. I am so lucky to be her mom. I love every single, teeny tiny thing about her.

Spring fever

I don't know about you, but I have really been itching for Spring to get here. I went to breakfast with my gramps this morning, and when I went out to my car, my doors were frozen shut. Now that's what I call fun!!

I am really looking forward to seeing some of these...

I can't wait to take this little munchkin on walks again...

My dogs, particularly Cooper, are going insane sitting inside. No one is more excited for Spring than Cooper. Poor guy.

We go to Costa Rica in not too long...I can't wait! I know I am going to miss Lilly, but I am in need of vacation, and some time with my hubby.

Even though I tire of winter by this time of the year, I really like February...my birthday, valentines, anniversary, and spring is near. So, to sum it all up...I can't wait for Spring!

Recipes

I made both of these this week. The soup was so easy, and so delicious. It is healthy too! And, the Chocolate Snack Cake is a recipe from my Granny Jensen. I made it last night for dinner club, and it turned out really yummy. Try these recipes...they are really good!

*Broccoli Leek Soup*
2 Tbs Olive Oil
2 Leeks, including tender green parts, finely chopped
1 1/2 lb. broccoli, trimmed, florets & stalks cut into 1 inch pieces
4 cups of chicken stock
salt & pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp chives

In a large saucepan, warm the oil. Add the leeks & saute until softened, 3-5 min. Add broccoli & continue to saute, stirring frequently until softened. Add the stock & bring to a simmer. Cover partially & cook until veggies are tender. In a blender, blend the soup in batches until smooth & return soup to the pan. Add sour cream and salt & pepper. Serve with warm, fresh bread.

*Double Chocolate Snack Cake* ~ Ginger Jensen's recipe
1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour square pan (8x8x2 inches). In mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Yummy!!

Happenings

* Anton and I went out on a date on Saturday night. Lilly stayed with her first 'real' babysitter...and when I say 'real', I mean not with a member of our family. From what they told us, she did really well! We went to go see the new movie Defiance. Excellent. I absolutely loved it. It was moving, and hard to believe that what we were watching really did happen. It was so fun to go out on a date with my cute husband!

*Today was an exciting day. We were over-run with Zombies at church. Yes, I said Zombies. No joke, a kid walked in with fake blood all over his face, and he was wearing clothes that were all torn up. Those were also covered in fake blood. Wow.

*As I have mentioned in previous posts, I was rather spoiled this Christmas. I got a video camera from Anton, so I have been filming Lilly like crazy. The other day I was cleaning up her room and she started doing this....

Jabber Mouth

Lilly is a little Jabber Mouth lately. I filmed this just the other day. She has definitely mastered the word "Dada". I love her little voice.

Dreadful Season

It is that dreadful time of year...RSV season. Poor Lilly has come down with RSV and is miserable. She started getting a cold the beginning of last week, then on Friday she sounded worse than she ever had. My gut instinct was to have the doctor see her, but I didn't want to make something out of nothing. So, I called my mom to get her opinion, and she told me I needed to call the doctor and have her seen that day. I am so glad I listened to her. Poor little thing is having a heck of a time breathing, and doesn't have much of an appetite. She has been such a trooper through her little sickness. I hope she gets feeling better soon. It breaks our hearts to see her so sick.On a good note, I made my first cake with fondant. It was so fun!! It turned out better than I thought it would, but I still need lots of practice, especially with the food coloring. I made the cake and cupcakes for my nieces birthday. I was glad I could do it. I love making these cakes!

A Favorite

I came across this website today while I was looking for cake idea. It might be my new favorite site...being that I love to bake. Honestly, look how adorable these are....

Speaking of favorites...my cute husband gave me a Kitchenaid Mixer. I love it...it's my new favorite thing.

Pope Joan

I just finished this book last night. Historical novels are my favorite, and this was a good one. It has made me wonder if there really was a Pope Joan, or if she was fictitious. That's what I love about books like these....it makes me curious about the time it took place, how the people lived etc. So, it causes me to research, and I learn a lot about history. Anyway, this was a good book. I recommend it.

8 Months

Lilly bug turned 8 months! I don't remember a time where I have been this happy...

I love her so much. I love watching her sleep...she always looks so sweet.

Christmas & New Years

I can't believe the holidays are over. They were so fun! Christmas morning with the three of us was so much fun. Lilly loved everything about it! Anton spoiled me this year with some of the most exciting gifts. He is so good to me. And, Lilly got some fun toys and clothes. We were supposed to head down to St. George for Christmas this year, but the bad weather kept us in town, so it ended up being a really mellow holiday which was nice. Our first Christmas together, my parents were still on their mission and Antons parents were in St. George, so we decided to start our own tradition of staying home on Christmas Eve and making a delicious dinner and watching a Christmas movie. It has become one of my favorite traditions. So, this year we made a ham, took a plate over to Fred & Phyllis, and then watched Christmas Vacation (my favorite Christmas movie). I love Christmas, and I am sad it is over, but I am looking forward to 2009!

Anton's family came into town for a family Christmas party, and they stayed with us for a couple of nights. It was so fun to have them here, and spend time with Lilly. We always love having them come into town.

For New Years, we went over to our good friends house to play cards, eat yummy food, and hang out. It was really fun to be with all of our friends and their cute kids. When 12:00 struck, we went out and lit a bunch of fireworks, and I can honestly say it was one of the most adorable things to watch Lilly look at the fireworks. She went NUTS! She loved them...she was laughing, smiling, squealing....It was so funny! 2008 was a big year for us so I am really looking forward to 2009! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and I hope you have a Happy New Year!