We have put so much emphasis on little Leo lately that I wanted to write all about my Lilly. She did a lot of growing up while I was growing Leo. It's sad to look back and know that I missed out on 7 months of her life. But I hope she can look back and only remember the good. She was able to spend so much time with her grandma's. Not many other kids get that opportunity. I love that she is getting older but it also makes me sad that she is not my baby anymore.
Lilly has such a strong energetic personality. At times this can be VERY difficult. I just have to keep reminding myself that someday it will work to her advantage. As she has gotten older it has been getting more and more difficult to channel all that energy she has. I find myself struggling everyday on trying to keep my composure. This girl can make me want to scream and pull my hair out one minute, and then laugh until I cry another minute. There is definitely not a dull moment when she is around.
I have been researching "High Energy Children" in hopes that I can find some help. I found this:
"High energy children are the type of children that typically have short attentions spans, can not hold still for lengthy periods, talk in very loud voices, are running every where they go and don't do a whole lot in 'slow' mode. They also typically are very verbal with communication skills, so independent they won't listen to anyone as they definitely have a 'mind' of their own and act before thinking of consequences".
I thought, "Wow, do you know my child personally? Because this is my Lilly." But then I found this:
"High energy children can be so fun to have around, given you use stimulating and exciting paths for them to explore. But let them get bored and everyone around them wants to pull their hair out. They need us to guide them by encouraging all this wonderful energy into creative outlets that stimulate them, allowing them to express their individuality to it's fullest, and helping their free spirits to blossom to their full potential."
I think I might laminate it and put it on the fridge. I needed to hear that.
With all that enthusiasm for life, she often says the funniest things I've ever heard. Here are all the ones I actually wrote down over the past year. I wish I could have captured more.
Lilly didn't get enough sleep one night. She came into the family room and laid down on the floor and said, "Ugh, I feel like an old lady".
Lilly was watching Snow White for the first time. During all the scary parts she would cover the eyes on her baby dolls. At the end of the movie, where the wicked queen falls off the cliff, Lilly announced, "Now that was a great ending!"
During family prayer Lilly prayed, "Please bless that mommy can get 2 lines". This was when I was trying to get pregnant with Leo.
After swimming lessons we would walk by an aerobics class full of old ladies. When we got home Lilly liked impersonating them:
Lilly heard them say something about "President Obama" on the news. She quickly said, "Hey, I know that guy. I've been to his White House!"
Before Lilly turned 5 she started getting nostalgic about being 4. She kept saying things like, "Four years old has been a good age for me. I have really like being 4. I think I am going to really miss it. I'm not sure that I am ready to be 5."
My dad picked my mom and Lilly up from the airport in Salt Lake City. When they got in the car, my dad leaned over and gave my mom a kiss. Lilly said," Aww, I could just cry!"
Whenever anyone asks Lilly how old she is, she responds, "I'm 4, but I'm tall for my age".
My mom told Lilly that her favorite book when she was little was called "Jenny Lynn." So she decided to name me that. Lilly said, "Well then, we should probably name Leo, Harry Potter."
In Primary they called on a little boy in Lilly's class to help with Sharing Time. As he was walking up to the front she said in a very loud and dreamy voice, "Oh, isn't he handsome."
Lilly came up to Gus and said in a very serious voice, "Dad, I really need a pet. So you can either buy me a dog or a dolphin."
While at the hospital Lilly tried to take my food tray out to the nurses. It was too heavy and she was going to drop it. So my mom took it from her and said she would take it. Lilly was a little upset and said, "Fine you can carry it, but I will do all the talking."
Whenever I tell Lilly how proud I am of her for being brave she always says, " I know! I just keeping coming out of my little shell!"
One night while I was in the hospital, Lilly said, "Mom. promise me you will never get pregnant again."
Lilly felt Leo kick in my belly and said, "Wow, he just kicked me! I know I have said that I felt him kick before, but I really hadn't. This is the first time. I lied."
We were in the car and Lilly said, "Daddy your my best friend." Gus said, "Your mine too Lills." So I said, "Well what does that make me then?" Lilly said, "A monkey's uncle."
It was really cold outside and Lilly said, "Wow, it is shivering out here!"
Gus was taking a really long nap and Lilly said, "Dad is like a firefly. He is just sleeping all day."
We found out that we had a mouse in the basement. So we set some traps and every morning Lilly would go and check them. Well one morning Lilly ran downstairs and came right back up screaming and shaking. She kept saying over and over, "It snapped his little neck! I can't believe it!" It was so funny because Lilly is not scared of anything! It really freaked her out.
Lilly met her Aunt MJ's friend David at a basketball game and was immediately smitten. She came home and wrote him this card: (Cover - "L" and "D" for Lilly and David; Inside - "David, Lilly really wants to have a play date.")
One morning Lilly woke up, went outside, and took off her training wheels with Gus' tools. When we woke up she said, "Quick, come outside, I have something to show you guys." She then showed us this:
Lilly watched Kung Fu Panda 2 and acted like this for about two weeks.
During December, Lilly was a little obsessed with Christmas caroling. Because we never made it out ourselves she decided to serenade the neighbors. She sang for over an hour until we forced her inside. Then she serenaded me and Gus.
One afternoon we all went to the grocery store, and I crept up behind Lilly and scared her. She jumped, quickly turned around, and said, "Oh! I thought you were a stranger and were going to stick a cigarette in my mouth!"
Although Lilly is a very high maintenance child we love being her parents. She definitely keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh so much. We are so grateful she is part of our family!
