In other news, Lucy’s little sister has not yet made her appearance.  She is starting to tease us – I’m dilated quite a bit, and was told not to wait very long before we went into the hospital when I started having contractions.  So… yesterday morning, after having pretty mild contractions for about five hours, we went in just to get checked.  The nurse took one look at me, and told me I “looked too good” and likely would not be admitted.  Sure enough, we were sent on our merry way, and told to do some walking to get things moving.  We walked, and walked, and walked, to no avail.  Our little one clearly will arrive when she’s good and ready, and in the meantime, we are back at home, relaxing, and enjoying our remaining time as a family of three!

About a month ago my family had a professional photographer come and take some pictures of all of us.  Here are a few of my favorites of Lucy:

Lucy and her cousin, Emma

Your mommy has been a bit overwhelmed the last few months, and has woefully neglected this little blog of ours!!!  But the time has come to get it rolling again, and I have promised myself that I will try, as best as I can, to post at least once a week.  We shall see, but I’m going to try!

You, little one, are definitely part of the reason that I haven’t posted over the last few months– whenever you see your daddy or me sitting down at the computer, you run over to us and say “puter! ‘puter! ‘puter!!!” over and over again, begging to be placed on our laps, or, even better, to be given the “big girl chair” to sit on all on your own.  When we give in, you love to bang away on the keys (“typing!!” you happily exclaim), and absolutely refuse to let us do whatever it is that we were attempting to do before you came along.

You see, my little love, since I last updated this blog you have truly transformed from being a baby, to being a talkative, hilarious, independent, and very loving toddler.  Your daddy and I laugh and shake our heads every day at the new phrases you are learning, and at the truly fun little girl you have become.  I can no longer count the number of words you know (it was about a month ago, I think, that I realized this), and you have officially moved on to 2,3 and even 4 word phrases.  Some of your favorites include “Lucy do it!”, “Mommy help”, “I got it!” “No Like it” (or “Like it”)  and “No, I don’t!” (which you use when you are asked to do something you don’t want to do, or don’t want to try).  When saying goodbye, you frequently say “Bye, See ya! Adios” all in a row.  You love to announce when it’s time to eat (“Breakfast time!” Lunch time!”) and you definitely give your opinions as to what you want to eat.

Speaking of food, your palate has expanded to include fruits (which you previously hated) such as grapes, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, honeydew and apples.  You continue to love some green vegetables, like broccoli, asparagus and edamame.  Your face lights up in the cutest way, and you give the most impish grin when you hear the word “treat” mentioned.  I’m afraid, like me, you have quite the sweet tooth!  You are also mastering the use of your fork and spoon, and lately have really loved to be given your own bowl (“Own bowl!  Lucy OWN bowl!” you loudly demand) at breakfast, with a big girl spoon and cereal with milk.  I think you love imitating your daddy and me, and feeling like a big girl.

As for playtime, you and I love to go to storytime at our local bookstore every Tuesday and Thursday.  You love to sing along to the songs, and will occasionally even listen to the books that are read (but most of the time you’re more interested in other little kids!).  Music is definitely your “thing”- you beg to be sung to at naptime and at nighttime, and you are so sweet as you sing along to the lullabies.  You also love to dance to music, and just generally seem to really, really enjoy all of the fun little toddler songs we teach you!

Adorably, you have also “given” certain songs to the people you love in your life.  For instance, every time we sing “I’ve been Working on the Railroad” you say “Daddy!!! Daddy!!!” over and over again, until I acknowledge that yes, daddy loves to sing that song with you.  The same is true for “She’ll be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain” (“Grandma Ruth! Grandma Ruth”), and many others.  When we sing “Hokey Pokey” you demand that we get to the part where you put your  whole self in (“whole self in!!!”), and then you laugh and say “Tanya!  Tanya” over and over again– your Aunt Tanya does the funniest little shake during that part of the song, and every time we sing it, it is as if you wish she was there doing it all over again for you.

Your daddy and I are simply constantly amazed at how fun you are at this age, and how much we just truly enjoy watching you grow, and being your parents.  I feel especially lucky to be able to spend my days with you.  You and I have such a fun bond- my heart hurts with happiness when you give me one of your hugs out of the blue, or when you kiss me and tell me you love me.  When you stumble and fall, it is me you come to immediately for a hug, a kiss, and a pat on the back, reassuring you that you’re okay.  When you’re tired, you often say “Mommy snuggle”- if you’re sitting down I offer you my hand and my arm, and you grab them, and lay your head down on my arm.  It is such an honor knowing that my mere presence, or a simple touch from me, brings you such comfort and happiness.

You also have a very strong and loving bond with your daddy.  When he gets home at the end of the day, you can’t wait to play with him.  I love watching the two of you together– you beg him to give you airplane rides, and he always obliges, picking you up and zooming you around the yard as you laugh with delight.  When he gets tired and puts you down, and you beg, over and over again “More airplane!!! More airplane!!!”  until he, of course, gives in, zooming you around the yard until his arms simply can’t pick you up any more.  Daddy often gets up early on the weekends with you (more on the reason for that later), and even though he’s tired from his long week at work, I know how much he adores spending that quiet time with his little girl.  I often emerge from our bedroom to the sounds of you quietly reading a book together, or playing with your dollies (your favorite toys at the moment).  Lately you have also begged to have your daddy rock you to sleep for your naps on the weekend.  You usually go to sleep much quicker in his arms than mine, but there are times the two of you get into trouble together– you’ll look up at him and giggle, and he can’t help but laugh with you.  You are quite the pair!

Besides becoming such a big wonderful little girl over the last few months, our little family has had quite the number of changes, as well.  First, this past December we found out that you were going to be a big sister!  I am due to deliver your baby sister in just over two weeks, and I think your daddy and I are still in denial that our little family will be expanding.  Your prior pediatrician recommended that we didn’t build up the new baby “thing” too much with you, as you are simply too young to really grasp what is going on, but we have done our best to try to prepare you at least a little.  We read books to you about being a big sister, and about having a sister, and we talk about the baby growing in mommy’s tummy.  We also took you on a family hospital tour where your baby sister will be born, and you were simply fascinated.  The tour was designed for families with children, and the guide did a wonderful job talking to you and the other siblings about the hospital, and what was going to happen when mommy was at the hospital.  Your favorite part was when they had a (very realistic-looking!) baby in a hospital bassinet, and you were given a chance to hold her.  When we left the hospital, you seemed very upset, and kept saying over and over again “Hopital!!!  Baby Born!!”  We eventually reached the conclusion that you were really sad not to be bringing a baby home with us.  We had to keep reassuring you that someday soon we would bring home a baby!  You are indeed absolutely fascinated by babies.  We can only hope your fascination and the joy you seem to show around little babies continues when your little sister is born!

Just a couple months after we found out about your baby sister, your daddy was offered a new job in Madison, Wisconsin.  After much thought, we decided it was time to move back closer to family, and out of the city.  At the end of March we (with much help from your Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Emmet) packed up our apartment, and made the big move back “home”.  We knew we would miss our friends and family in Chicago, but we were also sure that this was the best possible move for us- and luckily, so far, we have definitely been proven right.  After living in a temporary apartment for four months, we purchased our first real home on the west side of Middleton.  Just over a week ago we moved in (again, with MUCH help from Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Emmet, as well as a ton of help from Grandma Sandy, Grandpa Bruce, your Uncle Joe and your Aunt Kim), and we finally, finally, FINALLY feel like we have set down roots somewhere for you and your sister.  We couldn’t be happier with the house we have purchased, and think it will be perfect for our family.  We looked only in places where we knew the schools were exceptional, and where we hoped you and your sister would feel comfortable and safe.  We hope this house will make you as happy as purchasing it has made us.

And now it is time for me to turn my attention to your baby sister, who, as I type this, is kicking away inside of me, demanding I give her her fair share of attention!  My wee little one, your daddy and I, while definitely in denial that you are arriving any day, are nevertheless SO excited to meet you.  We were thrilled when we found out we were expecting you, and even more excited when we found out that you are a little girl.  Your daddy and I have always believed that, based on our own experiences, siblings are an amazing and wonderful blessing.  We can only hope that you and Lucy will find that to be true, as well.  I didn’t grow up with a sister, but I have always been envious of the wonderful bond my own mother shares with her sisters.  Just recently, your Great Grandma Essie and I also spoke of the bond that she shared with her sister, Bea.  I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your Great Great Aunt Bea, but  from what I understand, she and Essie could not have been any closer.  Your Great Grandma told me that it is her biggest hope that you will share a similar bond with your sister Lucy, as she shared with Bea.  We can only hope that you would be such wonderful companions to each other through life!  .

I have to apologize to you, wee one, that I haven’t written on this blog as much as I did when I was pregnant with your sister.  Please know that I delighted in being pregnant with you, just as much as I did her.  There is a certain freedom in being pregnant with your second child that I have discovered– I am more confident that I know what is going on with my body, and for the most part I  am able to simply enjoy things without the worry that was there the first time around.  Mind you, I still worry about you- I pray all of the time that you will join us, safe and sound in a couple weeks (or sooner!).  I pray that I will be a good mother to you, as I struggle to balance your needs with those of your very active sister.  And I pray that you know how much we love you, despite all of the craziness of the last few months!

Many people have asked us if we know your name, and the truth is, yes, indeed we do.  We are keeping it a secret for right now (we haven’t dared to say it in front of your sister, for fear that she would spill the beans), but we hope you like it as much as we do.  Just as with your sister’s name, your name has special meaning to us, and one that we will share here after you are born.

With that, I think I have caught up on our news.  I promise to post lots of pictures soon (I have a bunch of professional ones waiting to go!), but I wanted to be sure to record all of the above first.  I hope both of my girls will someday look back on the words I wrote, and know how much they meant to us, and how greatly we cherished this time with them.

Developmentally, she walked that one day a few weeks ago and then, for some reason, decided she just wasn’t quite ready for the walking thing yet. For the last few weeks she has held VERY tightly to our hands as she walked, and would get really upset if we dared to try to let go.  She has become really really good at standing on her own, and it was clear to us that she had the ability to walk- she just needed a bit more time to feel comfortable.  In just the last couple days, however, she finally started getting a bit more courageous, and last night was it- she was off!  Unlike the last time when she didn’t seem to really “get” what she was doing, this time she absolutely delighted in her newfound independence, and really enjoyed hearing our praise for her new feats.  This morning it took a little bit of encouragement to get her to walk on the hardwood floor (last night was all on carpeting), but she eventually got the hang of it!  Here’s video proof:

She also is definitely understanding us more and more. We’re constantly surprised by how much she is picking up, and how quickly she seems to be developing in that area.  Here is a video of her from last night:

Other than that, Lucy suffered through the painful experience of getting her first molar last week.  It definitely bothered her much more than any of her other teeth, but other than a couple nights when Scott had to go in and give her a dose of Motrin at 4 a.m., she did pretty well.

Finally, I wanted to post just a few pictures from a couple weeks ago- Scott’s parents were here for Halloween, and we went to our neighborhood park where they were having a Halloween celebration.  Here are some shots from the day:

Grandpa Bruce swinging with Lucy:

Grandma Sandy and Lucy:

So precious- Lucy just snuggled in and soaked up the love!  :)

Next, Lucy and I went to the Shedd Aquarium with Carrie, a very good friend of mine from college, her husband, and their two sons.   It was so much fun seeing them.  We especially loved when the kids all played in the Polar Playground- a special area right by the penguin exhibit, where kids can dress up as penguins, and then climb and slide on a little play area.  Trying to get all of the kids to look at one camera proved too big of a feat, but here are our attempts!

Lucy the penguin:

Carrie and Lucy:

Lucy and I sliding:

Next, Lucy is dressing up as a lamb for Halloween– here she is right before we went to her party for her playgroup:

Scott stopped home after her playgroup, and I snapped a few pictures of the two of them:

Finally, if you would like to see all of the professional pictures we had taken last month, here is the link to the full album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/dorothypaler/Gallery?feat=directlink

We are absolutely in love with the pictures!!!

Speaking of the birthday party, I thought I would post some amazing pictures that Lucy’s Aunt Tanya and Cousin Laurie posted on Facebook, just in case there are those of you checking this blog who don’t have Facebook!

Here they are:

The birthday girl, showing off her pink tutu.  :)

So far our little girl does not have a sweet tooth.  She was not into her birthday cupcake and had to be encouraged to take a bite!!!

Those are just a few of the pictures.  It was SUCH a wonderful party, and we were so excited to have so many of our friends and family there to celebrate Lucy’s first year of life.

On Lucy’s birthday itself, we tried to do some of her favorite things.  My mom was in town, which was wonderful as well.  We took Lucy downtown to have lunch with her daddy, and then let her play in the fountain at Millenium Park- definitely a favorite spot for her!

And now for some pictures from our celebration of Rosh Hashanah with Scott’s family a few weeks ago:

Lucy insisted on crawling into her second cousin Ben’s lap:

Great Grandpa Irv always is the one taking pictures, instead of being in them!  Luckily, this time I was able to get one of him– here he is tickling Lucy:

At one point, everyone watched the slideshow I put up of Lucy’s first year– Lucy decided to climb on the couch and watch, too- she thoroughly enjoyed it!  :)

The next pictures are from just a few days ago- Lucy and I went to the Shedd Aquarium (we have an annual pass), and it just amazes me, with each visit, how much more aware Lucy is each time of the animals, and how much more she loves our visits.  This time, we spent all of our time in the Oceanarium.  Lucy loved pointing at the dolphins in the underwater viewing area, and she LOVED visiting the penguins.  I took these pictures with my iPhone so they aren’t the best, but still fun!

“Look mommy, a dolphin!”

Standing at the penguin enclosure:

There’s a penguin swimming by in the next one- the white tube is because they were cleaning the tank when we were there:

Finally, an update on Lucy’s walking– last night, to our total amazement, she walked all the way across a small room (probably 9-10 steps).  For the rest of my life I don’t think I’ll ever forget what it felt like- I gave her a little nudge, Scott gently called out to her, and off she went, toddling her way toward independence.  We don’t think she really understood what she had just done, she just did it.  Of course, as soon as we pulled out the video camera she stopped!  We’ll keep trying to catch it on camera, but in the meantime, here she is showing off her mad stair climbing skills!  Note that because she never crawled, she really doesn’t use her knees very much- she steps up on the steps, instead of really crawling up them.  Too funny!

We absolutely love the pictures, and can’t wait to see the rest!!!

The song on the first portion of the video is “Evermore” by Allison Krause.  I ran across it in iTunes and ever since it has been one of my favorite lullabies to sing to Lucy.

The second half has two songs- “Daughters” by John Mayer, and “In my Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride.  The second song, “In my Daughter’s Eyes” is one I heard when I was 8 months pregnant with Lucy.  I am normally not a country music fan, but I absolutely fell in love with the song the first time I heard it, and every time I heard it this year it became more and more meaningful to me.  Here’s the video:

And here are the lyrics:

In my daughter’s eyes I am a hero,
I am strong and wise and I know no fear.
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be
In my daughter’s eyes.

In my daughter’s eyes everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace.
This miracle God gave to me, gives me
strength when I am weak,
I find reason to believe
In my daughter’s eyes.

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger,
Oh it puts a smile in my heart.
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,

It’s hangin’ on when your heart
has had enough,
It’s giving more when you feel like giving up,
I’ve seen the light
It’s in my daughter’s eyes.

In my daughter’s eyes I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be.
Though she’ll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When I’m gone I hope you see how happy
she made me.
For I’ll be there,
In my daughter’s eyes.