Still here, I swear!

How is it that I feel busier when I'm not working full time that when I am???  I have not updated in a long time, so here are a few favorites from this summer so far.

We spent the 4th of July with Morgan, Marc, and Isabella, per usual. We always have a great time with them,strolling the paths along the lake in Vernon Hills, listening to the band play, and taking in the fireworks. This year was no exception, and they helped to make LiLi's first Independence day a great one!

All dolled up and ready!

Two of the sweetest girls I know. Leah looks even more white every time she is next to half Colombian Isabella!  :)

The Little ladies and daddys!

Mommies and girls

Our BFFs- We heart the Spitz clan!

Love this family

Our little firecracker

Isabella loves her Uncle Paul!

Nerdy, but come on- CUTE!

Almost time for fireworks!

The girls in deep conversation....

Isabella liked the fireworks ever more than last year

LiLi actually watched them the whole time. She was mesmerized!

Last year on July 4, I was newly pregnant and we were so nervous, hoping and praying that by the next Fourth, we would have a baby in our arms. This year, it was wonderful to see that dream come to fruition. The fireworks have never been more spectacular, and I have never been more thankful.

Summer lovin

So far, this summer has been busy, but wonderful. Paul is only teaching one semester of summer school, so we have had the great luxury of having weeks off together as a family. We thought about it long and hard, and decided that we only get our first summer as a family once in a lifetime, so we should take advantage and both be off. We sure made the right choice, cause it has been great.
I have been taking more grad classes, so I have had many full days of being away from the two of them, but we have been spoiled and have shared a lot of quality family time so far- and we still have about 7 weeks of summer left!  Being married to a fellow teacher has never been better- we have had so much time to enjoy our glorious little redhead. In the morning, we bring her in bed and snuggle, then we have most of the days to play. It is heavenly.

With that being said, having a baby has not slowed us down much (ok, wait, our nightlife is far from as exciting as it used to bed) and we still get out just about every day. So far this summer, we have had a few kid's birthday parties, a family wedding, lots of playdates, walking trips, visits to family and friends, playing with the neighbors, trips to the zoo and Morton Arboretum, and lots more fun things, and there is so much more fun to come this summer!

Leah got to meet Elmo at Isabella's second birthday party. The kids were so cute!

This is one of Leah's little friends, Violet. Isn't she just a beauty? We love her so!

Practicing her sitting up skills one morning. She's getting there!

This was at the park with one of her BFF's Isabella! We will have a ton of fun this summer with Isabella and her mommy, aka my best friend Morgan.

Glamma got LiLi a super cute book about birdies in Galena. She LOVES it and is totally into books right now. 

These two have been playing together whenever we can. Makayla loves to kiss and hug LiLi!

Anthony was not sure what to think about his first birthday cake, but he sure had a great birthday party!

Going for her first dip in the kiddie pool a few weeks ago. She loves it for about 5 minutes, then she is totally over it. This was nearing the end...

.... and this was right when we took her out. We were joking about how your shouldn't swim for 30 minutes after you eat cause it makes you throw up. LiLi proved the theory correct. Ew.... but cute anyway. 

She has had lots of fun with Nonnie and Papo so far this summer, too. They love snuggling and playing!

The girls at the Arboretum. Paul wants to start her early on the plant-loving thing! 

Loving her car ride! 

One of MANY sunhats for the whitest baby around. :)

Cheers to summertime... the most wonderful time of the year!

Celebrating Leah's baptism... better late than never!

After Leah's baptism, we had a great big bash at our house to celebrate. Almost 60 people were there to join in on the fun... so thank God we had a nice day and we could enjoy the yard!

My biggest hope and prayer for my daughter is that she feels loved and gets to give love back all her life. I think she is off to a great start with all of these amazing people who love and guide her already. We are truly blessed!

Leah loves her Daddy, and the feeling is quite mutual...

We spent Paul's first Father's day at home, just like he wanted. We have been running around like maniacs with plans, and he just wanted to have a nice quiet day with his girls. I granted his wish, and we stayed home, snuggled, played, and made his favorite dinner. It was a wonderful day spent with my two favorite people.

For those of you who don't know, Paul is an avid gardener. I could not resist this darling garden set for Leah as part of his Father's Day gift! We, of course, had to have a photo shoot of the two of them "gardening". Ah, how I adore watching these two together!!! 

I hope all you Dad's our there had a great day, too!!!

4 Months!

Leah, at four months old, you...

- Officially survived being looked after by Papo when I went back to work. He misses you so much now!

- Have taken to sucking on two of your fingers, although sometimes you just shove that whole fist in your mouth. It is hilarious.

- Giggle when we snuggle into your next and sometimes when we blow on your belly. Sometimes you giggle for no reason at all! It is the sweetest sound ever.

-  Are rapidly becoming a Mommy's girl. From when I hear form people who watch you when I am away, your mood shifts sometimes when I leave. Although I love that you know I am your Mommy, I hate the guilt that comes with it, because, let's face it, I can't be with you every second.

-  Have had a sleepover at Nonnie and Papo's house already! You did great, and they loved having you stay over. You will be staying at Glamma and Grandpa's this weekend, too, while we go to a family wedding and stay over for our anniversary.

-  Take bottles like a champ, although you much prefer when i feed you from the real deal. I am having a hard time keeping up with you and making enough milk to help you grow, but it's going well and it is worth it all!

- Squeal in delight when you look at a happy face. You are so interactive now and you love people. I am happy to see you love to chat. The apple does not fall far from the tree. 

-  You are a teeny peanut! At a few days shy of four months, you weighed 12 pounds and were almost 24 inches. You are in the 25th percentile for both height and weight. The doctor thinks you might just be a little girl and take after your Daddy.  Works for me!

-  Although you are not a huge baby, you have chunky thighs and still have gorgeous, smoochable cheeks fit for a squirrel to hide nuts.

-  Still sleep like a champ! Now that I am home from work and not waking you at 5:30, you sleep til about 7:30 each morning. That adds up to about 12 hours straight. You are crazy!  You still wake up happy and squealing when Daddy and I go see you each morning. It is the highlight of our days.

- Love to observe people doing everyday things. You like to sit in your bouncy seat and listen while I talk to you and cook, and you love being walked around the yard to see all the plants your Dad works so hard on.

-  Are losing lots of that pretty red mane. You have lost a lot of hair in the back, which is probably from all your sleeping, and it is starting to go from the sides, too. I think you may be rocking a faux-hawk soon!

- No longer sleep swaddled. When we went to your crib a couple of weeks ago, we found you with three of your four limbs busted out of the swaddler, with a big gummy smile on your face. That was the end of swaddling, and, miraculously, you have still slept all night long.

-  Still have lots of nicknames- LiLi, Smushie, Little Bird, Schamatza, Schmoop.... the list goes on!

-  Enjoy bath time much more now that you can splash around a bit. I can't wait til we can play!

- Roll over really well now! You still get a little startled, but it is so cute!

-  Sop your shirt with drool in about 5 minutes now. It has actually been mistaken for sweat a few times... but, alas, it is just the drool!

- Make "choking" sounds sometimes from your acid reflux. You are still on Zantac to help with your spit-up issues, and it seems to be helping. Yet another way you take after your father.

- Got baptized a few weeks ago. I am so thrilled that you are officially a part of God's church, and I am looking forward to teaching you about your religion and nurturing your faith.

-  Have had tons of play dates, and have already been to three kid's birthday parties. Now that Daddy and I are off for the summer, we have quite a lot of fun booked for just about every day! You have the social calendar of a teenager. :)

-  You love a few toys and have really become talented at grasping for things. You adore being read to and flail your arms and legs with delight. You love music, being held so you can see out, taking walks, putting anything in your mouth, being talked to, your Lovey, your bouncy seat, and especially standing up. Those legs are getting stronger by the day!

- You are a very happy, content baby almost all of the time. You seem to be very laid back and easy to please. I think you are going to grow up to be a wonderful person, although I might be a little biased.

- Remain the light of our lives. Thank you for showing your Daddy and I the meaning of true love. You are, and forever will be, a blessing beyond words, and we can't wait to see who you become!

Blessed Baptism

Our sweet girl was baptized at our church on Sunday, June 5. She wore my baptismal gown, and her Uncle Jim and Aunt Cait accepted the challenge and honor of being her Godparents. It was a wonderful celebration of faith, family, friends, and of the blessing we have been given.

These are some of our favorites from the ceremony. More to come from the celebration after!

Nonnie's Description is right on

 My wonderful mother has bestowed a lovely description on her grand daughter- "she is such an oral baby". Duh, Mom! All babies are oral, but seriously, this kid is ALL ABOUT her mouth. She either has her Gene Simmons-esque tongue out, or her fat little fist or fingers in there at all times. In fact, at least half of all the hundreds of photos of Leah as of late involve her noshing on anything she can get in there. Here are a few of our faves.

This is how we found the little stinker in her crib the other morning. That was the LAST time she got swaddled at night.

"Thanks for the puppy, Auntie Morg! I love snacking on it!"

She likes to test the water in the tub.  :)

Down for the count. Who needs a pacifier when a girl's got her hands?

Between this and her new penchant for rolling over, we are having to keep a close watch on this little one thesedays. Good thing we love to watch her anyway!