Don't Blink!

It's funny to think, the person I was just 5 years ago is not who I am today. That girl was young and free. I know what you're thinking, "you're young and free now"! Let me explain. 

The summer before my 18th birthday I would spend my days speeding around on country roads, blasting music with the windows down. I would text my friends 24/7 even sleeping with my fist clinched around my phone in case it vibrated. I didn't want to miss out on a thing. I would go out every night, and all day on weekends. I felt prisoner by the curfew my parents gave me and rolled my eyes when they warned me not to walk out of the movie theatre alone. Everything made me giggle and blush. I wanted to be "cool". The kind of cool my friends were. They wore skinny jeans, listened to rock music, went to concerts. Oh, and I loved horror movies. I tried so hard to be someone I wasn't. I wanted to make everyone happy, no matter what it took! I made silly decisions by deciding what I thought I should be, instead of what I was. 

As I drove to a clients home today, A song came on from that summer, Summertime by Kenny Chesney. It reminded me of the nights I lay awake texting boys with the brightness on my phone turned off so my parents wouldn't notice.  I never thought of the future, or even what may happen next. I was focused on me.

Fast forward 5 years years. As my 23rd birthday approaches (yikes, time flies!) I think of how things have changed. Though I still enjoy riding on country roads, I mostly just take the highway. I drive the speed limit and notice when a kid is strapped in their car seat wrong. I cringe when I see people texting and driving and when I watch horror movies. I am overly aware of the terrible things that could happen and I do all I can to prevent them. I would still do just about anything to make others happy, but I am more focused on my family and what I enjoy. I have found something I am passionate about, something that makes me feel like this world will be a beautiful place one day.  And yes, I happily wear flared jeans and tennis shoes without any desire to become like the cool kids. The truth is, my experiences and memories make me who I am today. I wonder who I will be in another five years. 

(On another note, today my parents were telling me about their weekend. It seems like once the kids leave home it's time to party again!!)

When did you notice you were a "grown up"?

What do you miss (or not) about the so called fun years?

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Dear Lily: 1 Year

Dear Lily,

     From the beginning Mama and Daddy wanted you so much! We kept trying and trying but every month we found out the same thing, you weren't here yet. Finally on one cold January morning we found out the wonderful news, we were having a baby. As the months went by Mama researched the best of everything and Daddy went to work on making your room PERFECT. We were so anxious to meet you! The first time we saw your face we new we were in love. You were so beautiful and spirited. That night you cried most of the night. We were exhausted but loved you so much it didn't matter. Every moment we spent with you made us love you a little more! You were such a sweet newborn. You didn't cry much, you loved to cuddle and smiled all the time. From the moment you took your first breath, you had a fan club. Your grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends all loved you!

     Now as each day passes, we realize how cherished those memories are. You will never be a newborn again, but you will always be our baby. Each and every day you amaze us. Nothing could exemplify Jehovah's wonderful creation more than you. We love you more than anything in this world and can't wait to see you grow each and every moment.

Love,
Mama and Daddy
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Captain Crabby Pants

My father is a crabber. He is a waterman at heart and loves to share his love with his family. We all got to experience a little piece of his heaven, and Lily LOVED it.

Getting her sea legs

Starting to feel adventurous, one handed hold.

"The wind in my hair, sun on my face, I like this mama!"

Getting it done!

My loves :)

Team work!

A very happy grandma with a very happy Lily!

Looking over the edge!

She sat down, fell forward and fell asleep within seconds!

How she spent the rest of her morning.

That's one beautiful family!!

Getting curious

Going for a Daddy, Daughter swim at Public Landing

Mama joined in too :)

After we got home we had a super crab feast with some friends! A bushel and a half of fresh steamed crabs, corn on the cob, fried chicken and brownies! MmmMmm good :)

Lily loved spending time with Grandma and Poppop and had the time of her life on Poppop's boat. Pin It Now!

Beauty and/or Beast

me: Do you want to get down?
her: flap flap flap flap.

I haven't posted a proper photo update in awhile. Lily is now 10 months old and HUGE! She is so active it's hard to keep up with her. She pulls herself up to stand on just about everything and her favorite toy is the treadmill. She climbs up there and plays for awhile then sits on the side and waits until one of us gets her down. She is standing, furniture walking, eating everything in sight, playing with toys (instead of eating them) well maybe a little eating of the toys too, and babbles all the time. She communicates well through her own signs and actions. Her yes is now a flailing of both arms, like a flightless bird. She shares wonderfully and is getting so independent. She is getting three more teeth, all at once (that makes a total of four!) She wants to do everything herself, without a diaper. Yes. She hates diapers. She hasn't figured out yet how to take snaps off *WHEW*.

Without further ado... my daughter. (P.S. Sorry for the blurry pictures, she is SO active now)

LILY MONSTER!! (Her new favorite game)

Playing peek a boo!

Who knew she loved the cob so much!

She went crazy with it!!

This one was just her size :)

The aftermath (that's asparagus and mushroom in her mouth)

Please let me in mama, I promise I wont drink the vinegar!

Dumping/Eating her cheerios.

Here is my little beast child who BROKE into our bedroom. Yes, she opened the door and tore it apart! That is my pump (and all the pieces), toilet paper ripped to shreds, pajamas, my contact stuff and some papers all over the floor. (There are those flailing arms after we asked her if she did it.)

My little lady with her purse. (Excuse the mess, a little lady tore her treasure box apart.)

In closing here is a video of Lily eating cor and asserting her independence. Crazy Beast.

There you have it. Our tenth month old beauty and/or beast. :)

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7 Month Growth Update

Not only has Lily gotten huge physically, she has grown up so much in the last few weeks! She has been crawling everywhere, sitting up on her own and letting us know exactly what she wants, when she wants it. On that note, here is a letter to Lily.

Dear Lily,
         Since the moment you were born, daddy and I have experienced love we never thought was possible. Your life started dramatically and continued quietly. You've been such a good baby, sleeping peacefully through the night since a month old and keeping the screams low always. We are blessed to have you. But recently, something has changed. My easy, quiet baby has turned into a talkative and incredibly mobile baby. I put you down in the hallway and you end up under our bed. At the hall you want to babble constantly. In bed you crawl over and latch on all night. (Just a little note from now on, Mama's milk factory closes from 12a-6a capiche?)
         Sometimes I miss my sweet little newborn, the one that only wanted me. The little girl who would cuddle up in my arms and look at me with those big blue eyes and give me a big smile. Now my big booger butt, you have entered in to the fun stage. You want to play, crawl, do everything for yourself. Your big belly laugh puts a smile on my face, not to mention those cute little rolls. You've changed so much in such a short period of time, all I can do is remember that every day with you is magical. Mama and daddy can't wait to teach you all about this wonderful world. But in the meantime, you must keep teaching us all about the little miracles we would other wise miss.
        We love you Lily, even when you pinch us or refuse to sleep. Even when we wake up to your curious nose in our faces.

Love,
Mama and Daddy

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Williamsburg, VA

 For my parents 28th anniversary (Happy Anniversary!) we went to Williamsburg and Jamestown. We have been going to Williamsburg for as long as I can remember. My mom has always loved the gardens, my dad the history, and my sister and I the pool! I hope to pass long these memories and make some new ones with our little family. Here are a few new memories we've made this weekend!

Poppop puts me to sleep so well!

A Jamestown Trail

Ride the Poppop!

Fall asleep on the Poppop!

Then sleep a little more...

Going for a car ride!

Driving a pink Cadillac with Poppop

Kisses from Poppop

In one of the gardens

The Campbell Clan (and a Lily)

Watching the horses ride past with Grandma

Playing with Poppop and the Teddy!

I realllllllly like this Teddy!

He's as big as me!!!

Drinking some water, just like daddy ;)

A chair just my size.

Spending some time with Aunt Olivia

Lily had a ton of firsts this weekend. First Williamsburg trip, first trip to the Jamestown Battle field, first time (and second) she saw a cannon fire, first trip to a toy store and first time swimming! She was serenaded at Christiana Campbells and slapped her legs a long with the music. She did wonderful the entire time, enjoying her surroundings. On to our next adventure!! Pin It Now!