What Does Daddy Do?

Embarassing for Daddy....funny to everyone else. :)

Sign Language: "More"

All Bundled Up

It was nice enough today that we went on a short stroll around the neighborhood.  Lily loves going on walks and I am eager for spring to arrive so we can get out a lot more!

Sweet Potato Nose

Fun in the Snow....Or Not

I bought this adorable snowsuit at a garage sale last summer but Lily hadn't even worn it once yet so a few days ago when it was finally temps that don't freeze your face off, we bundled up Little Miss and headed outside!

Lily's first impression of the snow

The best we could get was her at least tolerating it.  And looking so so cute. :)

One quick shot with my babies before heading in!

Daddy's Back

Justin went out of town this past weekend to go deer hunting.  He got home just as Lily was about to head upstairs for bedtime.  She was so happy to see him!

Lily @ 10 months

Weight - 16 lb. 5 oz. (at 9 mths) and 16 lb. 12 oz. (at 10 mth follow-up weigh-in....see why below)
Height - 26 in. (25th percentile)
Head Circumference -17.5 in. (60th percentile)

Since we missed updating after Lily's 9 month appointment, her stats are a little outdated but everything else in this post will get you accurately up to speed on Little Miss's latest fun facts.  We were caught off guard to find out that Lily dropped from the 25th percentile for weight down to the 10th percentile.  We've been making it a top priority to present her with plenty of healthy food options (in addition to nursing or taking a bottle 5 times a day) in order for her to pack on a few more pounds.  Our pediatrician was not concerned in the least bit but we're just hoping to see the scales go up a little for her 1 year visit....which by the way, I CANNOT believe is almost here.  Oh my word.  Anyway, Lily is now enjoying a wide variety of table foods and Justin and I adore her little pincer grasp.  She's so meticulous in getting each little bite into her mouth, I love to watch her!  Her favorites right now are ground beef, chicken, green beans and peaches.  Oh, and puffs.  She simply cannot get enough of those things.  In addition to eating like a big kid, here are some other things that Lily's doing right now:

• Taking 3 naps a day; on the verge of transitioning to 2.
• Sleeps 10-11 hours a night
• Has 2 teeth on the bottom and three on top
• Still pulling up but no interest in standing alone or taking steps yet
• Dances (both spontaneously to music or when we ask her to)
• Waves
• Claps
• Does "so big"
• Plays tug-of-war with Jax and his toys.  She giggles up a storm at this!
• Shakes head no
• Gives kisses to Mommy, Daddy and "Aunt" Kristen
• "Indian sound" and "motorboat sound"
• Goes "MMMM" when she's eating
• Does a slightly modified version of blowing raspberries.  Instead of sticking her tongue out, she purses her lips together to mimic the sound of loud passing gas.  *Be warned - she has been known to mimic her Daddy as well as other babies that have let one go in her presence.  It's quite hilarious.
• "Pterodactyl sound".  This was one of her first sounds, which she stopped doing a few months ago and now it's suddenly back!
• Can say Mama, Dada and Ja (Jax)

Beef. It's What's For Dinner.

Success at the Jones dinner table tonight!  Lily finally fed herself her first full meal!  She had ground beef, green beans, carrots and apples.  I must say I was a little shocked that she ate everything on her tray.  We're makin' progress, people!

Independent Eater

Lily has been on a food strike for about a week now.  For the past 3 months, she would eat just about anything we gave her.  Then all of a sudden, she wanted nothing to do with any of her baby food, including bananas which are her favorite, which you might remember from this post.  She's still not showing any interest in table food, though we've been offering it to her for awhile now.  Sooooo...I was at a loss for what to do.  Finally, last night, I just sat the bowl in front of her with the baby food and gave her the spoon.  Sure enough, she was pleased as pie to get to spoon-feed herself.  I was impressed when she actually ate almost the whole bowl of sweet potatoes this way!  Not too bad for coordination on the first try!  I'm not sure if she'll grow out of this phase and eventually let me feed her again but in the meantime, I think I'll just have to be okay with a lot more messes! :)

Here she is eating like a big girl......

10 Months Old

Discipline

As with each new stage of your baby's life, there are joys and challenges!  We've recently entered new territory - Defiance.  It's so interesting to see that at the tender young age of 10 months, our child is now realizing that she can assert her independence.  Lately we've been encountering the beginnings of temper tantrums and mealtime battles.  As Lily's parents, we're unified in our decision to discipline her, leading her to a life of obedience not only to us but ultimately to Jesus Christ.  This has given me lots of reasons to think about my own relationship with God.
How often do I stomp my feet and refuse to see what He wants me to see?  How often do I want to fill my time with meaningless activities instead of with the things that God knows are best for me?  How often do I try to take control of a situation instead of waiting on the Lord with patience?  If I really answered truthfully, I would have to say...too often.  If my desire is for Lily to grow up with a heart that longs to please and obey the authorities in her life, then I must live the same.  As her mother, I want desperately for her to understand that when we discipline and instruct her, it is because of our vast love for her.  And that out of her obedience, can only come good things.
I remember a few months ago, while changing Lily's diaper, she was fighting and resisting the whole time.  I thought to myself, "Why don't you just give up the fight and let me take care of you?  It takes so much longer when you resist."  Immediately, it dawned on me that God must feel the same way with me many times.  Much like my very own daughter, I can become so focused on what I dislike about a particular circumstance.  As a result, I miss out on joy.  I miss out on opportunities to spend treasured moments with the One who gave me life.  How cool it is that God can use my role as a parent to help me better understand where He's coming from as my Father.  Though there are sure to be frustrating times ahead as we discipline our daughter, I am uplifted to know that God can use ALL things for good and clearly teaches me while revealing more of Himself in the process.

Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.