Christmas with the Lyles

Opening stockings on Christmas morning

Hannah got a hat that was attached to some gloves and we put them all on her head.  She wore this for awhile, which is ironic because she normally doesn't wear hats very long.

Cousin Claire opening a gift.

Hannah stands by herself for the first time.  She also wonders why everyone is so excited!

Claire helps Hannah out with a new toy from Gigi and Poppy.

Our favorite Christmas gift.

Mmmmm... cake

At first she wasn't so sure about the cake but as soon as I helped her have a taste she went to town on it.  

Finally Birthday Pictures...

We had a birthday party with family the Sunday before Hannah's first birthday.  Here are some pics of her opening presents in her cute birthday hat (the hat she did not love:)

Oh, the things you can think....

Hannah's 1st Birthday was yesterday and I am working on getting the pictures uploaded from the little party we had for her on Sunday with family.  Until then, here's a list of just a few things that I have learned over the past year.

1.  Sleep is overrated.... unless you are young enough that people still say your age in months.  If so, sleep is very important and appreciated by everyone that lives with you.  For those of us who are described in years, sleep is the least important part of the day/night... apparently.

2.  You can never wear enough pink when you are a baby girl.  Same for blue if you are a baby boy.  I dress Hannah in lots of pink because one day she will be able to dress herself and she may not like pink so I am taking advantage of the power I have now to dress her.  This includes lace, bows and cute shoes that are in no way practical.

3.  Dog toys are more fun then baby toys.  Especially when said dog is attached to the other end of the toy.  Unfortunately the dog is still learning that the baby is not trying to play tug of war with the toy when she picks it up.

4.  Speaking of toys, toy cell phones are the best invention ever.  I think every parent should invest in at least 5 of them.  One for the car, one for the house, one for the diaper bag, one for the stroller and one to keep just in case the others are lost.   Even better if it is pink:)

5.  Things I can no longer do when my little "helper" is awake:
-unload the dishwasher
-vacuum
-shower
-clean in general (or at least that's what I tell Todd:))
-decorate, touch or even look at the Christmas tree (this will remind her that it is in the living room thus motivating her to try to climb on it)
-read
-take the dog out (poor Lily)
-cook (again, that's what I tell Todd)
Oh, the list could go on, but I won't bore you.

6.  Husbands don't quite have the same tolerance for crying that wives do.  I don't think I let Hannah cry a lot and I generally go to her when she is upset, but Todd can't stand to hear her even wimper before he goes rushing to her side.  I'm pretty sure this is about 60% due to the fact that she has him wrapped around her finger, and about 40% due to him being really annoyed by crying.

7.  The Diaper Genie is only magical for about the first 5 months.  After that, the "aroma" doesn't disappear like it once did.  Even after it is bleached out and left outside for several days.

8.  There is no better way to wake up in the morning (at a reasonable hour) then by the sound of Hannah "talking" in her crib.  This usually includes her shouting "dah?" and banging on her crib.  The best part is opening the door to her room and hearing her excitement to see that you are awake and ready to start the day.  It's so cute that Todd often asks if he can be the one to go in and get her.

9.  No matter how long I'm away from her, I kind of always miss Hannah.  When I'm done with my hour long class at the gym I can't wait to go get her from the nursery.  Or if I have to go run an errand I'm always looking forward to coming back so I can see her get excited to see me.  It would be really great if Todd would also flap his arms and start to pant in elation when I return from somewhere.

10.  Parenthood is the best job on earth.  Sounds so cliche but this past year has been tough but wonderful at the same time.  I can't wait for many more years to see this beautiful child grow up to be a beautiful girl and woman.   (PS.  I'm still not at the point where I can think about having another anytime soon... so don't even ask)

Stuck.

I just happened to have the camera nearby when Hannah got stuck

climbing around on our bar stools the other day.

 Don't worry, I helped her (right after I took some pictures).

Think we are related?

So I found a picture from when I was about 18 months old and even though I was a little older than Hannah is now, I think you can still tell we are related.

Sleeping Beauty

Since I plan to use this blog to look back on Hannah's babyhood from time to time I had to get a few pictures of her sleeping.  She sleeps on her tummy with her feet crossed underneath her.  It's about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Slacking again!

I'm so embarrassed that it has been a whole month since I last posted.  Can you tell that the holiday season craziness has hit the Lyle house:)  Here are some recent pics of our almost 1-year-old.  I can't believe she'll be ONE next week!

Her hair has gotten a little long in the front so I'm having to put it up in a little pony tail in front now.  We call her Cindy Lou Who:)

This is a pair of overalls my mom made her.  They have the helicopter that Todd flies on them.  Very cute!  Plus, mom made her several other pairs with different fabrics so she is set for the next few months!

Moooo....

As you can see, Hannah wasn't in the best mood partly due to the fact that we didn't get a chance to dress her up until it was almost bedtime last night.  But, she put up with it long enough to get some pics.    Cousin Claire joined in the fun too.

Cast your vote!

Bill, Todd and I had a pumpkin carving contest tonight and we need your help figuring out who did the best!  Please leave a comment with your vote.  Pumpkin A is the first one on the left, Pumpkin B is the little one in the middle and Pumpkin C is the one all the way to the right.

Thanks!

To: Mom From: Hannah

Dear Mom,

So we've gotten to know each other pretty well over the past 10 months and I've got to say... overall, you're like the best mom I've ever had.  However, I feel as though there are several changes that need to be made in order for us to grow closer.  So instead of waiting another 10 months for you to figure them out... I've made a short list (Dad taught me how to make lists).

1.  I have pretty much mastered napping now.  At 10am and 2pm everyday you'll find me in my crib.   So, give me some credit when occasionally I decide not to nap.  Maybe I'm just not in the mood to take a snoozer every once in awhile.  During these times, why don't you think back to all of the times that I have napped and just be content with that.

2.  You've started to notice that I am not in the best mood from 4pm-5pm.  This has come to be known as the "witching hour."  At this time, here are the things that will make me happy:  Feed me or take me for a walk.  Nothing else will work... not playing peek-a-boo, not changing my diaper, not reading a book, not even tickling.  So just get over it and stop trying.

3.  I love the bath.  I will stay in the bathtub until I've turned into a giant prune (which are quite tasty by the way).  I really appreciate you playing with me until my heart's content... but, quit dumping water over my head.  This I do not like.  I don't care that you need to get the soap out of my hair, find another way to do it.

4.  Speaking of soap... I HATE IT WHEN YOU WIPE MY FACE.  As you can see from the pictures below, I am just fine with food (especially blueberry) all over my face.  This includes my nose.  I know that it has been extremely snotty the past few days, but I'm ok with crusty boogies.

5.  Please let me climb the stairs whenever I'd like.  I can get up them on my own without your supervision.  And quit trying to teach me how to get down them.  I have no need for that talent just yet.  I just want to get up them so I can "squawk" from the top and here it echo throughout the stairwell.

Ok mom, I know this sounds harsh, but I tell you these things because I love you!  You're my best friend.  Ok, I lied, Lily is really my best friend, but your like my second best.  Tied with Dad:)

Love,
Hannah

Play day.... & Peek-a-boo

Hannah face...

Hold on.... I'm coming.

So in case you haven't noticed.. I'm having a hard time posting pictures on the blog lately.  I'm trying to figure out what is going on and I'll get some up soon.  And for those of you who would rather have a really witty post instead... I'm working on that too.  Not that I think that I am witty, I'm just quoting a few readers who have told me they think I am.  Ok, now I'm rambling.  More later!

Finally some Labor Day Pics

She's on the move!

So I am having a lot of trouble posting pics to the blog lately. Those will come some. Until then, here are a couple of things I am learning now that Hannah is crawling.

1. My mind is now constantly thinking of ways to contain her while still allowing her to be free to roam. For example, would it be cruel to set up one of those zipline things in the house and just attach her to it? That way, she could still crawl around but could only go on the path that I set up for her. I'm going to invent something and put it up on Ebay and see what I can get for it. Any takers?

2. The dishwasher is no longer a household appliance... it is now a climbing apparatus. Forget all of the toys and tupperware lying around the kitchen floor. It is much more fun to climb in/on and around the dishwasher. Especially if it is full of dirty dishes! And some how, every time she gets into the silverware part of it she grabs a knife. Don't worry... I'm always right there to get it from her.

3. The dog food bowl is a baby magnet. And so is the dog these days. But seriously... I am constantly moving the dog's food bowl to different places and she always finds it. She's like the Sherlock Holmes of dog food. Unfortunately, the dog does not possess the same skill and most of the time it's not until I hear her stomach growling that I realize she has no idea where her food is. However, I have also realize that baby barf is a dog magnet.

4. Other things that are amazing to a nine month old who now crawls: Stairs (she has learned to climb up them... now we need to figure out how she'll get down), fireplaces, baby gates, her reflection in the shiny oven door, and cords of any kind. Yes, I realize pretty much all of these things are dangerous.

5. Walking is soon to come! I don't think I'm ready for this at all. Neither is the house, dog or husband. She's growing up way too fast!! Next she'll be running around, riding a bike, driving and all of those other things you do once you know how to walk.

Bath Time!

Nap time??

So the other day I heard a banging noise coming from the nursery when Hannah was supposed to be napping. I grabbed the camera and this is what I found when I entered.

Catching up on posting pics

Lily has been doing really well and will pretty much let Hannah crawl all over her. Hannah loves her collar and often tries to pull it and Lily just lets her. I had to take a few pics to prove it. Don't worry, we always supervise when the two of them are in the same room.