Fabulous boots!

Bring on the rain!

More tea parties!

For Christams Lillian got a new raincoat so of course we needed to find some rainboots to go with her new coat.  After searching at Kohl’s and Target, I found some really cute ones on Amazon.  The mailman delivered them yesterday. Lillian was very excited about her new rainboots and as soon as we took them out of the box we wanted to put them on immediately.   She talked at length about how the mailman brought them to her..I think she believed that he bought them for her.  Low and behold it rained today so she was able to wear her entire rain outfit. 

On the dissertation note I did  hear from the CAO on Monday who had several notes of revision.  So, I fixed those and have sent it back through the committee.  Now it is back to the waiting game. 

I think she is excited about turning 3

Lillian tripped and fell into a wall at school..ouch!

Waving hi!!

The little one is checking in right on schedule 20 weeks, 3 days

Yeah!! We are ready for the party!

The hostess and her invited tea party guests

In the hall with what else…books!

Lillian has been enjoying her new toys and her play area.  She has many tea parties and always loves reading books.  I had my Level II ultrasound yesterday.  Although I was tempted, I told the doctor I did not want to find out the gender.  As always, Chris stood fast and keep to his guns about waiting.  He and Lillian had some fun while I was gone.  He wore her out so much she was asleep before I got home for lunch.  According to the doc, all looks good.  He did offer an amniocintisis, which I declinned.   As I told him, although I appreicate the opportunity to have a needle in my gut, I would pass. 

A couple of other exciting bits of news.  I have moved  on to the next step of approval with my dissertation – only two more to go!  I also got approved to teach at Park University on Base.  I meet with the scheduling director next week for more information.  The classes are scheduled at night so we can do the kiddo swap without having to have a babysitter.

Reading with Aunt Liz

A new lamp “WOW!!”

Reading her new book

Putting on her butterfly necklace

Grandma and grandpa with the kiddos

New hair accessories from Aunt Liz

Resting with grandpa

Enjoying a jelly donut from the Donut Bank

Getting a ride from Jaxson

Today we got home from having Christmas with the Lovett side of the family.  We had a great time (as always) and ate too much (as always).  It is really nice living so close and getting to see each other more often.  We exchanged gifts on Sunday.  Lillian enjoyed handing gifts out and of course, openning presents but her favorite moment seemed to be when we were given the Lovett leg lamp (see picture).  It has been handed around the family at Christmas and apparently it was our turn.  Lillian loved touching the stockings on the lamp and kept saying ‘wow’, ‘wow’.  Too funny!  Jaxson is such a sweet little guy and Jake and Zach are really tremendous young men. We feel so extremely blessed to have such wonderful family (on both sides). We really hope to take advantage of seeing each other a lot before our time here is finished. 

On a very exciting note..I passed my oral defense on Friday. More than anything, I am so relieved to have it over. I still have 3 more steps of approval before I am ‘official’ but this was a bit step of completion.

The winter scence from our back door

Painted hands project (she went for the bonus hand print)

Ready to slide

Our little climber

Her new way to swing

Ready for some birdies!

Today it finally feels like winter.  We woke up to snow on the ground and very cold temps.  The roads were a bit challenging as there were several accidents and lots of people sliding around.  Someone even took out the street sign heading out of our neighborhood…knocked down the stop sign too.  Just a couple of days ago (Tuesday) Lillian was playing outside with her friends from school and playing in our backyard swingset.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a bit colder, with a chance of more snow on Saturday but the temps will go back up into the 40′s. 

We started back at music class this week with the Bells Collection.  It has some fun songs.  Lillian is not afraid to express her opinion and often says “I don’t like this one” from the backseat.  Tuesday we went back to school (playgroup) and made bird feeders from pine cones, Crisco, and bird seed.  We hung it on the tree when we got home but didn’t have an takers yet. Luckily we have a weather guy at home who suggested it come down as the rain was going to come that night.  Hopefully we can hang it back up when the temps go back up. 

We went  to the library yesterday (almost a weekly event at our house).  Lillian has some favs these days – Maisy, Biscuit and the Berenstein Bears.  She still likes her Clifford books but definitely is expanding her reading horizons.

I am very excited/anxious/nervous about the oral defense tomorrow.  I am not so concerned about my presentation portion of it but not sure what they are going to ask me.  I sure hope I know the answers…we shall see!

Driving the car and dragging her passengers in the cart

Manuevering the cart and the car

So many vehicles, so little time

Smiley

What’s in the mailbox?

Enjoying all of her playing room

It’s been a very busy week. We have been settling back into our routine and just enjoying our relatively mild temperatures.  We finally got our Christmas decorations down and have made the front room (the one with no furniture) into Lillian’s play area.  This gives her a lot of room to play and have her tea parties.  She has been asserting her independence (translation – being 2!) lately, loving the word ‘no’, and refusing to follow directions at times.  God mades these little ones so amazing as she makes us laugh and smile every day and expressing herself with words instead of cries more often than not.  One night, while we were eating dinner, she scolded Layla (the cat) who was just innoncently walking by meowing.  Lillian said “don’t meow, we are eating dinner’.  We don’t encourage her to scold the kitties but it was so out of the blue and we really tried not to laugh.  Swim and tumbling started last week and we start our music classes again tomorrow and school playgroup starts again on Tuesday. 

I have been very busy getting ready for my oral defense.  I just can’t wait for it to be over.

Wow!!!

Checking out her new table

This table is perfect for openning presents

Let’s see what is in the box

Giving her new panda bear a smooch

Ready for tea

This morning Lillian woke up to her gift from Santa - a kids size table with 4 chairs. She was so excited to see it and after we openned a few gifts, she immediately got out her tea set for a tea party with a few ‘friends’.

Walking in the airport with her new Dora suitcase/backpack

The family Christmas 2011

Fun fun!

The boys decided to skip the cookie decorating

Looks good and is delicious too!

Decorating sugar cookies

Cookie fun

My little run-in with the house..sorry

Puzzle fun

Ribbon bracelet

In the wrapping paper trash bag

Openning presents

Merry Christmas Larry

Reading with Aunt Val and Uncle GregStocking stuffers

Watching a movie with Crystal

Playing cards with grandpa

Grandpa got in on the fun

Waiting for grandpa

Making the big climb

Trying to hit the ball..with the wrong end of the bat

Crystal and Jolene at Jumping Jungle

One of her favorite noisemakers

Ready to ride

Trying out grandpa’s Harley

Feeding ducks in the backyard

I meant to post this while we were gone but just didn’t have time.  We were so busy with family and hanging out that I didn’t want to spend time on the computer.

We had a rough start to our trip as we were delayed for two hours in the St Louis airport with mechanical issues on the plane.  We ended up getting $100 vouchers for each of our tickets which will be nice for our next Southwest flight. Luckily our flight from Phoenix to Boise was also delayed but by the time we got on the flight from St Louis to Phoenix, a headlight had popped on the plane – another delay.  By the time we landed, we had to sprint to our next flight.  Luckily they knew we were coming and there was a lovely man with a cart to drive us to our gate. The plane was completely full – except for the guy who ran behind us to catch the same plane so the flight attendants moved some folks around so we could sit together.  Of course this was the time that Lillian decided to poop. Luckily they mechanics were working on this plane (they had to exchange the black box) and I had time to change her in the very small bathroom and leave the very stinky diaper in Phoenix.   We finally arrived in Boise at 6:00 pm (only 1.5 hours delayed from our original time). Our family was waiting for us when we arrived and we got to my parents’ house to see my brother, his wife, her two girls, our family friend, Larry,  my aunt and uncle and their two dogs.  Already a housefull.  My aunt and uncle were flying out the next day to Washington DC to spend time with her brother and his family so we visited for awhile before they had to leave to catch an early morning flight.

Each day we had some fun hanging out together.  We went to the local rec center, Jumping Jungle, made cookies, readbooks, fed ducks, played games, watched Christmas movies, and ate, ate, and ate more.  Lillian really loved unwrapping presents on Christmas morning (and helping everyone else too) but her favorite part seemed to be getting in the trash bag of throw away wrapping paper.

I did  get very exciting news on Wed (the 21st) that my dissertation had been approved by my committee.  It was then sent to Form and Style and they returned it with some notes of feedback that need to be worked.  I also scheduled my final oral defense for Jan 13th…things are moving along nicely!

My appointment went well. Heartbeat is strong and all of the other stats are good.  My next appointment is on the 18 of Jan at the hospital in St Louis for a Level II ultrasound and a penta screen blood screening.  We can also find out gender at that time as well. 

Lillian is very excited to fly on an airplane tomorrow and go to Idaho.  I think she tells just about everyone she meets. We are super excited to see our family.

Practicing the unwrapping

My box of yummy truffles

The final outcome

Cookie fun

Cookie decorating with L and M

Ready to play!

Another play date with the kitty

We have had a very busy week..a little shopping, running around, and jus lots to do before we get ready to head up north.  Friday we had some friends over for cookie decorating and then Friday night Chris and I went to his squadron Christmas party.  I won a box of chocolate truffles (they will be sent with Chris to work on Monday) and a 1 hour massage at a local massage spa.  This afternoon we are headed to Chris’ former boss’ house for another Christmas party.

Tomorrow I have another doctor’s appointment – a bit nervous about the weigh-in as these parties, cookies, and other treats are expanding my waistline as much as the baby . 

I am waiting for my committee to give me the final thumbs up with my dissertation.  I should hear something in the next day or two.  If it is approved, I can schedule my final oral defense.  The semester ends Feb 26 so I am hoping I won’t have to pay tuition again.