Milestone Update!

I watched Lillian take steps today.  Let me clarify... I watched Lillian pull up on her Little Tikes easle, and as it slipped from underneath her she took steps so she wouldn't fall.  She ended up using it as a "walker" and took at least 4 steps forward pushing it in a controlled manor.

This might not sound like a big deal to a lot of people, especially considering she's 13 months and 3 weeks old, but this is the FIRST time I've ever seen her shift her weight from one foot to the other in a stepping motion without someone facilitating the movement.  That's HUGE for her. She gets it. She really gets it!  She understands that one foot goes in front of the other, and her body actually cooperated!  Knowing how she is, it's something that we should expect from now on.  She has amazing muscle memory, and once she does something by herself she seems to pick up the speed quickly (well, "slowly but determined" is a better description). 

I'm so incredibly excited to see her take steps with a real push toy now.  I know she's going to fall on her face several times while getting the hang of it, but she's a big girl.  She'll brush it off and get back up. The real test is to see if I can get it on video!


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New Additions

I've finally posted some pictures of the newest Christmas/winter clips over at Lily & Rose.  I also managed to find some ribbon that matches this dress (Lillian's Christmas dress) and need to knock out a few of those bows this week.

Have you already picked out holiday outfits?  Or am I just super prepared this year?

Also, did you notice I have a blog button?!!? (After 2 years it's about time, right?)  I also jumped on the "Top Mommy Blogs" bandwagon and listed the blog under "special needs".  Even though I don't constantly talk about Lillian's special needs, I think it's important to spread awareness. It's also important for people to see that LIFE GOES ON even when it drastically changes, and happiness continues and even grows.  You can "vote" any time by clicking the Top Mommy Blogs button, once a day.

Today I'm heading over to Michaels to buy one of these 4 ft Christmas trees. They are pre-lit and only $19.99!  We're going to put it on a table in the corner of the living room so Lillian can't pull it over on top of herself.  Also because I'm just feeling lazy this year and want a big tree without dragging one into the house (or out of a box) and decorating it.  Since it'll be on the table it should still stand about 8ft tall... perfect!



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Playing Catch Up

The past week or so has been so busy.  We had a few Halloween parties, Running for Lillian was last Sunday, Lillian has been a HORRIBLE napper this week, she had a had a sleep study that was traumatizing, trying to build inventory for Lily & Rose, etc. 

So blogging took a back seat.

First the sleep study - It was awful as usual.  Every time she has a sleep study it takes about 10 years off my life. They put leads all over her head, wrap her up like a mummy, shove a bunch of crap in her nose to monitor her breathing, and expect her to sleep.  It's the dumbest thing I've ever seen, but necessary for her to stay on growth hormone injections, so we do it.

Halloween - can you guess who we are?

Running for Lillian - What can I say?  This probably deserves a whole post in itself.  I love the girls so much for doing something so thoughtful for Lillian and the others with PWS. It warms my heart to know that Lillian has touched so many people.  We wanted so badly to be there to cheer them on!  I wish it would have been a possibility, but traveling by myself with Lillian or leaving her at home without me just wasn't an option.

Maybe we'll do it again next year?!  I hope so.


And lastly - I've started making ladies headbands!  They haven't been posted to the facebook page because I'm trying to build inventory for the next 2 shows this month, and I've already got orders placed from others.

Here are some pictures of the latest creations

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I ate a whole pint of Ben and Jerry's....

Everything but The... highly recommend it.

But now I feel fat and disgusting.

Not sure what's going on with me lately.  I ate a huge breakfast, a decent lunch, B&J after lunch, and a big dinner.  Last night I had a package of coconut M&Ms while making dinner.  I'm not pregnant or pmsing, but can NOT stop stuffing my face with horrible food. 

Maybe it's time to restart weight watchers?  I'm not over weight, and I cook healthy meals, it's just the snacking I can't seem to control.

Anyone out there in the blog world have advice?





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Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for my friends.  Because of them we've reached our goal for Running for Lillian!  In fact, last I checked we were over the $5,000 goal.  It's all because of them.  Whether it was through donation, spreading the word, posting our RFL link and picture on their blog, putting it in their Facebook status, encouraging us to do it in the first place, they showed us so much support and it makes my heart swell. 

If it's taught me one thing, other than kindness, compassion, and love, it's taught me to pay it forward.  There are so many ways to help out when someone needs it and every little bit helps.  It truly helps.  It's the small things that make a big impact and turn into big things. Don't ever think just because what you can offer is small it's not worth it.  Even a pat on the back, a hug, a short message, a letter of encouragement can change a person's day and possibly change a life.

I'm so thankful for my amazing family.  Even though we have our moments, we ALWAYS forgive each other.  We don't hold grudges, and we are there for each other no matter what.  I love that about my family.  I'm not saying I forget when someone has hurt me, but we talk about it, deal with it, and move on.

My family doesn't know about this blog (at least I don't think they do) because I like to leave the option open to speak freely without being shy or worry them with my thoughts.  But if they do stumble upon this blog, or happen to read it without my knowledge, here's a little shout out of love to them :).  And just because I love you doesn't mean I don't sometimes think you're all a little crazy.  But I'm even thankful for your crazy.

(After writing this post I realized that 1 year ago today I received the most devastating news of my life.  You were there for me through all of that and showed me what it was like to love unconditionally.  Thank you for teaching me to step and take life as it comes)



This picture is probably 6 years old. (In order: My aunt, sister, me, grandma, mom)


I'm thankful for the fall and for apples.  Because Lillian's love of apples and the inability to actually eat one keeps her busy for hours.  And it's just so darn cute.



I'm thankful I have time to write this post.  We've been busy this week with the usual therapy/nap/eat/play schedule.  But this week has been really peaceful.  I'm starting to think about PWS less (at least in some forms) and more about how normal my child really is. Usually the term normal makes me cringe in disgust for the word, but that's how I'm feeling.  Normal.  And it feels good. 

Lillian has started throwing little fits when we take something from her.  She's developing independence that keeps me on my toes.  She's getting into E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G and she's mimicking some things we do, like laugh (she loves to get a room full of people laughing) and bang on things.  No words yet, but I'm not stressing it.  She wants to pull up on things and desperately tries to.  It's just a matter of weeks... she's close!

What are you thankful for?  If you have a Thankful Thursday blog post, feel free to leave a link to your blog in my comments section.

PS. The 30 Day Blog Challenge is open until the end of the year.  Check it out and link up if you want to join.








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