lily's fifth month

16lb .4oz . 25in

wearing 3+mo clothes, size 2 diapers

loves:  "playing" with sister, rolling around on her play gym, christmas lights, tummy tickles

hates:  the carseat, nosedrops, stuffy noses, giving in to sleep

       Her fifth month was probably my favorite. Violet did pass along a nasty cold to the whole family, but that was really the only the only kink in our December plans. The stuffy nose messed with her sleep, so we got loads of late night cuddles. I'm trying really hard to enjoy those sweet moments instead of dreading them, because I know this cuddly season might expire. I miss it with V, so very much. 

       At the beginning of the month, we woke up to the most magical Christmas surprise - SNOW! After Violet has prayed "please God, snow" for well over a month, it finally snowed here in hot-as-Hades Houston. It was magical. Even though she was sick, we let her sneak outside and build a snowman with Daddy. The snow melted down by day's end, but Stan-the-Snowman hung around for a couple days. She was thrilled. Then we drove to Florida to spend our holiday season with family. We spent two weeks in the sunshine state and a few days in Georgia. I'm not sure who had the better time, the girls or all the cheek-pinchers. I love watching Violet call people by name and seeing their faces light up. We are very intentional about talking about family members so that she "knows" the people who love her, even if they are far away.

       I made the very best bread pudding (the award winning Killen's croissant pudding with my own killer white chocolate bourbon sauce), and decided to share a taste with L. No wonder she's not interested in other solids yet, she started with best and its all down-hill from there! Violet's first laugh was the day after Christmas, so we had been listening carefully for any hints of laughter from L so that we could catch a clip of it. And then, after a gnarly blow out on December 23, she let out the most glorious little laugh when Bobby blew on her belly. It was such a sweet moment (and its on my Instagram if you want to check it out!).

       This whole Christmas season was full of magic. From Violet visiting Santa and wanting to chat about his outfit, to her chasing sheep and hugging baby donkeys at the live nativity, to Lily kissing the moose at McGuire's 104 weeks after Violet in the very same outfit. I love watching the wonder in Violet's eyes as she experiences all these new joys, and I love watching our girls develop such a love for each other.

       P.S. I though making a letterboard would be faster than a hand-lettered sign, but they take about the same length of time. So I may go back and forth, let me know which you like better! I love the sentiment of the framed facts I keep in her room, but the letterboard photographs so well.