Veterans Day the Air Force way

So, here we are in lovely Washington D.C. We have limitless amounts of patriotic activities around the area, so deciding something to do is rather easy. Plus, being in the military, you get all the perks of Veterans Day like all the promotions at restaurants and food chains. Not to mention free facials. :)

Lily enjoyed ringing the freedom bell while we waited in line.

This little beauty is 5 weeks old!

Daniel really wanted to go to Arlington National Cemetery. He decided instead of working more on his cadaver, he wanted to get all dressed up in his blues and go to our nation's shrine. Away we went...we left two hours before it was suppose to start (it only takes 30 mins to get there), waited in line to get on a shuttle bus for an hour (met some cool people though--thankfully, Lena was asleep in the ring sling the entire time), and boarded a bus. Sadly, as we were about to leave, the President's motorcade was approaching so they had to close the road so the buses could no longer take people to the memorial service. I mean, we were seconds from leaving...we were that close! There were so many angry people. It was an interesting experience. We were, of course, disappointed that we couldn't go, but it wasn't the end of the world. I'm sure many people had very special reasons why they were upset, but the way some people acted toward the messengers was unnecessary. This was a day of remembrance and honor, and it should remain that way even if unintended events arise. It showed me that I need to remember what matters most and not let the unexpected get me down. Our day was filled with crazyness...it always is, but we had a good day. We got free food and Daniel got a facial. We got dressed nice, drove to D.C., ate dinner with friends...it was a lovely memorial day.

Small and Simple things

Since the last post was mostly about my mom's visit and it was also loaded with awesome pictures, I thought I would post again. This time, I wanted to include some of the things that are happening around here that are small and simple, yet are significant to the growth of our family.

Lily: She is almost two years old. Man, how the time flies by. She really is a little adult and she walks around wearing the pants in this family a lot. She must get that from me. ;) Lily has a very strong will and firey attitude, but boy is she polite and compassionate. She may not show the compassion around her mom and dad all the time, but she is always concerned about Lena and she will try to give her things or go check on her. Her line for when Lena cries, "Oh no, Lena! I'll go." She has this thing now where some one will cough and she will say, "Mommy OK?" She will say, "bless you," and she will randomly say, "Love you, Mommy/Daddy." Oh, I love her kindness. She also likes to say, "Silly, Lena." I'm not sure if she says that because we've always called her, "Silly, Lily," or what, but it's cute. Lily is a quick learner and she will repeat the words you teach her like they are a question. It's hard to write it down, but if I say, "that's called a fire truck." She'll repeat the word and with added inflection at the end of the word. She has an extensive vocabulary. She knows lots of crazy words and then some....like gas (bodily function), but I don't know where she discovered that. She likes to laugh when she points out that someone has gas. "Oh, Daddy gas!" :) Lily is also becoming more and more social and independent. Just for Halloween, she was begging my mom and me to get the people to come to the door to get more candy. "People, please come! Please come." I think the other motive was to get a piece for herself (that was our rule). She loves to be around other kids and she loves attention. She also loves dance and music. That girl can move. Now, I know she got that from her dad, cause this mamma ain't got no dance skill. ;) I feel like when I'm around her, I'm around my best friend. I love it when she sits up on the top of the couch and plays with my hair. I love how she buries her face into me when she gives hugs. I love how she wants to hold hands while we're in the car (of course, not when I'm driving), and I love how much she loves animals! She can distinguish a killer whale from a humpback whale. That's my girl. :)

Lena: Having a second child has been a unique experience for me. I would say that I instantly connected with Lena as soon as she was growing inside of me. But, to be honest, I didn't have time to bond. We were graduating, traveling to Alaska, then moving to Maryland, and then trying to survive without my husband for 5 weeks as I attempt to settle in to a new home with my anxious toddler. It was not a smooth pregnancy as far as that goes. But, I was relatively healthy and so was Lena. That was what really made me the happiest; I knew she was ok. I wasn't able to read or sing to her; I read and sang to Lily and Lena just had to listen. I feel a similar way now. I feel like I have to break my time up so I can be with Lily and I can also be with Lena. I want to give her those moments with just me. Fortunately, she is a nursing pro and we get our cuddles in with nursing. She has also been sleeping in the bed (mostly on mine or Daniel's chest) since she was born. Sadly, we are beginning to transition her to her bassinet. You can tell I'm torn on this because I love to snuggle with her. It's also nice to sleep in my own bed with my husband, so I know that it is ok to begin the transition. We didn't do this with Lily till she was 4 months, but things are different now. Daniel has to wake up at 5:00am and Lily wakes up at 6:30...oh, family. But, I'm glad we still get to spend that time together. Lena loves to be held and she will get pretty cranky if she is not being held when she's awake. She does fine sometimes on her back or in her swing/bouncer, but if she wants it, she wants it now! Lily would do the same thing. Lena is going through the same bout of colic that Lily went through. Fortunately, when we finally get her to stop crying she will sleep for a good 4-5 hours at night (that's if she with us or in her swing). She doesn't like to sleep on her back, but we are trying to remedy that slowly. Her personality hasn't really come out yet in full force, but I do know that she wants to be around people and the action. If she is alone in a room and she's awake, she will cry until someone comes back...even if it's just Lily, and then she'll stop. She also is very touchy. She will reach out with her hands and touch everything that she can with her limited amount of control. Just like Lily, she has awesome neck/head control. Partly because of the position I nurse her in and because Daniel likes to give her time to exercise those muscles. Oh, the doctor he is.

These things may be small but they really do matter and our individual personalities and qualities are really going to strengthen our family in the future.
Oh, I would include more about what's happening with Daniel and med school and what's going on with me, but I'm getting tired. Needless to say, Daniel is passing all his tests, enjoying dressing up in uniform, taking the metro, and not having enough time in the day to study. He's a great father and husband. Me, I'm good. I need to get back on the exercise and me time wagon.

Mi Mi's Visit!

My mom has dubbed herself, "Mi Mi," instead of "Grandma," for the kiddos. She did this back in Alabama when we visited for Lily's birthday and Christmas last year. It's a great name, but now Lily is mistakenly calling me "Mi Mi," because it sounds an awful lot like "Mommy." It's rather funny, though.

This really has been a great visit. Mom has been here for 3 weeks and I have to say I have been able to survive the first few weeks of newborn-hood because of her help. She has taken Lena late at night and has dealt with Lily early in the morning for breakfast. She has played her heart out with Lily during the day and has given Lily oodles of stickers. There are stickers everywhere! On the floor, on the wall, on pictures, in hair, clothes, food, you name it! But, it's great, and I am so thankful for her stay with us.

Lena has been getting lots of Mi Mi time too. Mom has insisted that Daniel and I enjoy this time while we can and go out, just the two of us. We have indeed! I surprised Daniel to a jazz club, we have gone to the temple, and have just been out talking and spending time together. Mom has not only gotten to cuddle a lot with Lena, but Lily even had a sleep-over with her the other night! Lily was in heaven that she got to sleep with Mi Mi downstairs!

There have been so many things that have happened throughout these last 3 weeks that they'll be better explained through pictures. Suffice it to say, Daniel, Lily, Lena and I have been blessed with wonderful help from friends and family!

Just so you know, there are 33 pictures.... :)

Mi Mi's arrival. The cold rain didn't stop these two from getting out.

Enjoying the lazy time. Lily was just plain bored.

fist pump! She does this a lot. :)

Ha, ha, I think this captures them so well.

She is such a sweet, loving little  girl. Bless her strong personality, but she gives the best cuddles.

Lena is becoming just as good of a cuddler...it's hard to put her down sometimes. Sometimes, all she wants is to be picked up.

This was taken right when Daniel walked in the door after being gone for 6 days at FTX!

National Zoo fun day! Lily was torn between elephants and Panda. I think here she is pointing toward the Panda.

This was our second family outing!

Lily made a new friend.

These teenagers were laughing and cutting up a lot at the gorilla exhibit and Lily wanted to be a part of the fun so much. She didn't want to leave, but this place reeked of pee.

Father/daughter nap time!

Baking Halloween cupcakes with MiMi

Look at that pro!

I surprised Daniel to a date at a Jazz club. It was fun to see him in his element.

We took Lily to the Air and Space Museum as a little date for her.

She really loved the planes. But, surprisingly, all she really wanted to see was the helicopters...random.

That's one dedicated father if you ask me. ;)

Mom and I attempted to do a little photo shoot with Lena.

Didn't turn out as well as we'd hoped.

another cupcake day!

coloring pumpkins with MiMi. Lily has had her coloring privileges revoked because she colors EVERYWHERE!

Daniel says she can't have crayons till she's fifteen. Lily doesn't seem phased. I think it's because she has some stashed in a secret spot, that sly little lady!

She wanted to touch the bear but then realized she was actually scared of it.

Halloween eve bath fun with glow sticks.

A couple of her little buddies at the Student Spouses Club Halloween party for the kids.

These two are so cute around each other.

She was Snow White for Halloween.

Lena wanted to be a penguin.

Lily and MiMi at a fall festival. Mom took Lily with some friends since I had just given birth to Lena a few days before.

Lily really enjoyed Mom's makeup.

right before church.

Our attempt at a photo shoot with Lily!