30!

Waaay back on the 3rd of this month, I turned the big 3-0.  My husband gave me every reason to love the beginning of this new decade.  On the night before my birthday, he arranged for a dinner with friends at one of our favorite places, Trostel's Dish.

All I knew about the next day was that I was supposed to be ready by 8:00 am.  The whole day was arranged for me by Justin but I had no clue what I'd be doing so it was really fun to just be escorted around and find out what was next on the agenda! So, ready I was.  About 5 minutes after 8:00, my sweet friend Kristen showed up at the door to take me out for breakfast at La Mie.  It's a special treat that I don't get to enjoy often!

My mocha totally hit the spot!

Next was onto Lily Nails for pedicures....

Can you ever have enough foot massages as a pregnant woman?
I think not.

The finished result.  I think while I'm in labor, I'll appreciate that I can look down and see these pretty toes.  It's the little things. :)

Then, Kristen took me back home and as we walked through the door, we both commented on how good the house smelled.  Next thing I know, Lily is getting forks out of the silverware drawer so I asked her what she was doing.  She replied "for the chocolate cake!".  Justin tried to play dumb - "What chocolate cake?"  Lily responded "The one in the microwave."  Well that was one surprise she was not willing to hold onto until later. :)

It sounds like it was quite the fiasco making this, but I thought it was great.  Definitely made with love!

Shortly after arriving back home, my dear friend Whitney showed up.  I was SO SURPRISED to see her!  She drove 2 hours from our hometown to spend the afternoon with me.  These girls are the best!

Next up was lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's.  Whitney and I used to eat there all.the.time. in Cedar Falls while in college.  I think we ended up staying there an hour after they brought us our check, chatting away and catching up!  After that, we went to the mall and the lady at Clinique offered to do my eye makeup for me as I was picking up some mascara.  Sure, why not?  A little extra pampering never hurt.  We met up for a short while with Whitney's brother and his wife.  J.R. and I share the same birthday so it was fun to hang with my birthday buddy a little bit.

By then, it was time for my last destination.  Whitney dropped me off back in Ankeny to have dinner with my 2 favorite people.

Not much room on my lap these days but this sweet girl doesn't mind.

My "Birthday Queen" crown pretty much says it all.  I did feel like royalty for the day!  Justin did a great job planning the whole thing.  So, so blessed I am.

And this post wouldn't be complete if you weren't able to hear Lily singing her own rendition of Happy Birthday....

My sweet pea serenading me!

Something on my face?

Yogurt facial

Cheeeeeeese!

Expressions

 Mad 

 Scared

Surprised

Sad (although Lily doesn't look like it)

Tongue out

Hunter Hero

Lily has taken to Justin's phone, in particular playing Big Buck Hunter.  She is able to turn his phone on, type the password, and then scroll through the Iphone to locate the game.  When Justin comes home one of the first things she asks  is "Can I shoot deer on your phone, please?"

"I shot a doe!"

Trick or Treating!

That's how Lily and her pal Easton greeted the folks handing out candy at each house we visited.  "Trick or treating!"  It was too cute.  We first went to some houses on our street and Lily was her typical shy self and would barely squeak out "trick or treat" and "thank you".  But then once she was with her friends, she was very vocal and wanted to be the one to knock on every door.  We've noticed that being with peers gives Lily extra confidence and courage and then we get to see her quirky, spunky side.  It's pretty interesting.  It was mild weather this year and our little giraffe had lots of fun!

 Lily leading the pack

Aren't these two the cutest?!

Annual Grandma Trip

A few years ago, my grandma started the tradition of taking everyone on a weekend trip somewhere in the midwest during autumn as her Christmas gift to us.  This year we went to Fun City over in Burlington.  It has a hotel, indoor waterpark, bowling alley, arcade, go kart races and a casino.  The little cousins had a lot of fun!  Lily enjoyed the waterpark and playing some of the games in the arcade geared towards little ones.  Then she was able to pick out several prizes since her parents and grandparents were generous enough to let her have all of the points they'd racked up on their cards!

 

Mr. Competitive showing off his bowling skills

 All smiles in the water

 The two youngest cousins

 snuggled up on great grandma's lap

 She always enjoys her time with "GaGa"

with cousin Gracie

the whole fam!

Big Girl Bed

Two major transitions in 2 weeks - some would say I'm crazy!  But thankfully, Lily has done great with both potty training and moving from her crib to a twin bed.  Praise God for answering my prayers!  Putting her bed together was a joint effort - thanks to our friends the Drews for the boxspring and our friend Phillip for providing his tools and his fellowship with Justin while he made the side rails.  Once it was all done, Justin put  her bed up and her bedding on while I was at water aerobics.  I got a little emotional on the way home when he told me that it was all set up and I wasn't there to be a part of it....I'm grateful I have a husband who is considerate of my pregnancy hormones and decided to take the bedding off so I could put it back on when I got home and participate in this big milestone in my daughter's life. :)  The bedtime and naptime routine have been taking alot longer and she definitely tries to drag things out more but nothing major.  The first thing she said when I opened her door that first morning was "Mommy, I didn't get out!"

 Testing out how well she can jump on her new bed!

Getting comfy right before bedtime.