Watch the Lilly's Grow

2009-07-16T18:45:00.007-04:00

Typical--need I say more?

Again, what else is there to say?

I'm a very special princess with a lot of high maintenance needs!!

Dana, you should be proud. You know my opinion of pictures of my large pregnant self :-)
Addison was very disturbed about being made to stand on a stool so she could reach my belly. The only thing that made it tolerable was that she could then look for my belly button easier. She loves searching for everyone's belly buttons--it's the simple things!!

Again, all for Dana!!

Is that smug or what--who knows what she's thinking.

This is probably the best pictoral demonstration of the personalities. Lexi in the clouds and Addison very determined to win!!

One of the rare genuine smiles that we got from Miss Priss.

Loving Life!!

Miss Priss at her best!!

Only four for a few more weeks!!

Lincoln doesn't know what he's in for!!

Always ready to jump up and make a run for it.

What is she thinking?

Plenty of attitude here!!

FINALLY!!

2009-07-16T18:27:00.002-04:00

All right Judith, this is just for you. What can I say, I'm not exactly punctual or regular in my blogging posts, but I do make at least a very futile effort. So here, FINALLY, is the long awaited update. Overall, life has been fairly uneventful for us. Just normal life with a 3 year old, 17 month old, and pregnant mom. Busy but normal. I did start having some very regular preterm contractions around 32 week, and have had to make several hospital visits for monitoring, antibiotics, and Brethine injections. The contractions continue but are slowed to at least a tolerable level with Brethine by mouth. Hopefully, we can make it to at least 37 weeks, and then I'm very ready for induction if MD's will agree :-) We'll have to see about that though.
Lexi and Addison are growing and changing every day. Lexi is getting more prissy by the day, and we have regular debates about her daily wardrobe because she has very strong but different opinions on what matches and looks the best. She's very concerned with what other people will be wearing at whatever event we are getting ready for. Addison marches to the beat of her own drum. She is very strong willed and already wins at least half of the fights with Lexi, if not the majority. What can I say, she takes as much after her mother as Lexi takes after her Aunt DeeDee (Dana). She loves to dance and already has more rhythm than the rest of her family put together. I'm not sure where she learned that, but she will approach anyone, friend or stranger, and dance a little jig for them if she hears a music on the radio or sometimes just for no apparent reason. She is hilarious and keeps us all laughing, and that's with a very limited vocabulary. Who knows what we'll do when she can actually tell us what she's trying to say. They both are big Daddy fans, and run to meet him every day when he gets home. Addison can say Daddy much clearer than Mommy, but that's just my luck!! Addi is walking all over the place and gets into everything--she can figure out how any button, switch, or electronic device works in very short order, and she's especially proficient at writing on floors, walls, furniture, and any other available surface with permanent markers that Lexi leaves out for her writing enjoyment. Such is life with two toddlers. Here are a few pictures from our recent photo session, and I guess that's about it until we have new baby news. Also, the name for baby boy is Lincoln Marshall Lilly. You're welcome to share your feedback, but I don't really care because I love it :-) and can't wait for him to get here.
Much love,
Danelle

New Addition

2009-02-02T09:22:00.002-05:00

Hey everbody, I think most are aware by now, but we're expecting our 3rd Lilly baby in August 2009. No other real updates to give because I sleep most of my spare time away when I'm pregnant--I've been sleeping every spare moment for about 6-8 weeks now :-). Hopefully, that'll improve soon, but for now--I require a tremendous amount of sleep.
Much love,
Danelle

2009-01-22T12:22:00.027-05:00

Not my kid, but THIS is cute!!

I love picture time, it makes me so happy

Am I DeeDee, oh no, I just act like her :-)

"Where's my daddy?"--I hear this at least 500 times/day

This is how most photo shoots go--all dressed up and then... GREAT girls, just GREAT

Chatting by the fire, all we need is coffee or cigars
Aunt Pokey is our favorite for outside, but she can't hold a candle to DeeDee and Mula on "girlie' activities

I love to pose, could you tell--am I related to Aunt DeeDee?

Family photo in front of the ice on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Baldness--is this hereditary?

Addi enjoying the great outdoors

Baba and Lexi celebrating the new year--these glasses still get a lot of use, Pok and Mere

Lexi working at her new desk she received for Christmas--she organizes and reorganizes this desk daily

Taylor now outweighs Addi by 1/2 pound. Hilarious--David you better start designing a diet and exercise plan.

Is this Downing or what?

She already rides almost better than her very "girly" older sister. This girl can handle whatever comes her way :-) Not to minimize the worth of "girliness"--is that a word?

Picture Updates

2009-01-22T12:12:00.003-05:00

Hey everybody, I'll give you a minute to recover from the shock of a new post from me. Now that you're recovered, just wanted to post a quick picture update. Also, note the link update over to the right side of my site. If you're not aware or updated on the "Freedom of Choice Act", and what it entails for the American people and culture, please take a minute and review this link. I strongly encourage you to sign the petition and preserve our rights as citizens to decide, with Christian values and moral integrity, to not stand for this change to American legislation. This site gives a brief insight into what this piece of legislation contains, and provides a very quick and easy means to involve yourself in petition signing in opposition to the legislation. If we, as Christians, don't take a stand for our beliefs and Christian morals, we may lose the right to in future days.
Enjoy the pictures of my girls, who were human beings from the moment of conception and not the moment that America deemed them humans and worthy of life.
Much love,
Danelle

Updated photos

2008-08-15T10:43:00.004-04:00

Addison enjoying the "wittle wing" at Aunt Deb's--much to the chagrin of Brayden and Lexi who also wanted the "wittle wing"
Lexi swimming with Aunt "Bow-Tee" (that's P0key for anyone else
Pokey, Dana, and I had a girls weekend in NYC--I missed the girls, but it was really fun to have a little bit of free time for the first time in 3 years

2008-08-15T10:29:00.002-04:00

Jamie gave me the Brillant Blogger Award! So now I have to tell you stuff about me and pick 7 other people to give this award to.

A. Attached or single? Attached
B. Best friend? Tom
C. Cake or pie? Cake
D. Day of choice? Thursday right now b/c I have it off work, but that's changing soon
E. Essential item? Cell phone and chapstick
F. Favorite color? hard to pick--I just like lots of color
G. Gummy bears or worms? Bears
H. Hometown? Lexington, NC for 24 years, but born in Muncie, IN
I. Indulgence? minivan--I wanted a new minivan so bad and got one a couple of years ago
J. January or July? July--I like the long summer days
K. Kids? 2--Lexi and Addison
L. Life isn’t complete without? God and my family.
M. Marriage date? 5/29/2004
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 2 sister: Dana and Pokey, one brother: Bumpy, and brother/siser in law: David/Emily
O. Oranges or apples? Oranges
P. Phobias? caterpillars
Q. Quotes? "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei
R. Reasons to smile? My family
S. Season of choice? Spring after the time change; Fall before the time change
T. Tag seven peeps! Deb, Lasha, Dixie, (I think everyone else has already been tagged)
U. Unknown fact about me? I want to live in lots of different locations
V. Vegetable? asparagus
W. Worst habits? eating when I'm not hungry
X. X-ray or ultrasound? ultrasound--two good experiences finding out about my babies :-)
Y. Your favorite food? Mexican
Z. Zodiac sign? Aquarius

2008-07-16T11:47:00.002-04:00

TAGGED AGAIN
Things I am passionate about:
1) God
2) Family
3) Church Involvement
4) Music
5) Keeping my kids clean :-) I can't stand them to not have a bath every day
6) Vacation--I need them regularly ;-)

Things I want to do before dying:
1) Visit every state in the US and as many other countries as I can
2) Stay at home mom--focusing all my time on raising my kids
3) See my kids become adults with a strong, unwaivering faith in God
4) Lose weight and keep it off
5) Spend lots of time with Tom doing things that we mutually love and enjoy

Things I often say:
1) "Do you hear the words that are coming out of my mouth"
2) "Back to me"--when it's time to return all attention to me and my opinions :-)
3) "Stop whining"--this is my top most often repeated phrase currently obviously directed toward Lexi
4) "What do you say?" --this is to remind Lexi to say please and thankyou
5) "The most important thing is to keep the most important thing, the most important thing"
6) "If you're outgo exceeds you income, then your upkeep will be your downfall"--I borrowed this one from my dad
7) "I need a vacation"
8) "I just want to be blessing"--generally said sarcastically when I'm frustrated with a situation and decide that it's not worth being upset about

Books I've read lately:
1) Oswald Chambers "My utmost for His Highest
2) Bible
3) James McDonald "Downpour"
4) Gwen Shamblin's "The Weigh Down Diet"
5)Marketing training manual
I'm getting ready to add several more to this list because I'm going to the beach today

.Movies I have watched 8 times or more:
1) Sister Act
2) Sound of Music--this probably holds my record
3) Pollyana
4) Parent Trap
5)Chicken Little--this actually holds the record now--thanks to Lexi--she asks me every day "Little Mommy, Little"

People I am tagging:
1) Deb
2) Dixie
3) Lasha
4) Valerie
I think everyone else has already been tagged for these questions

2008-05-21T17:08:00.002-04:00

Isn't Baby Taylor adorable. It looks like the fat "Lilly" cheeks are present even in a 4 pound baby :-)

The cousins enjoying Aunt Deb's swing--I think Addison was a little confused about the swinging process.

More Lilly's

2008-05-21T16:54:00.002-04:00

Hey guys,
I know it's always forever between my blogs, but what can I say--I'm a busy person. I just wanted to announce to the world that I'm a new aunt. Dana had her baby, Taylor Jordan Lilly, on 5/6/08 (Tom's birthday). She was 33 weeks gestation, so Taylor has been in NICU since birth, but hopefully she will be able to come home before too much longer. She's put in a rough couple of weeks, diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis and a blood infection, but hopefully in on the mend. She was able to start eating from a bottle again last night, but only very small amounts at a time. Lexi talks about "Talow" all the time and draws lots of colored pictures for her. Addison doesn't really care much about anything but her eating schedule at this time, but I'm sure she'll come to appreciate Talow as much as her older sibling in a few years. Addison is growing every day--I would estimate her weight at about 14 pounds, and she's affectionately called "the snuffling pig" or "snuffler" by those who know her best. She has a little sinus congestion that lead to her nickname :-)
Just a quick update, and please keep Taylor and her parents in your prayers--pray that she will progress well with her feeds and be able to come home soon.
Much love,
Danelle

Prayer Request

2008-03-13T14:18:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone,
Just wanted to have any and all viewing my blog to keep a very special request in your prayers. My childhood friend, Amy (Miller) Winslow, and her husband Robert had their baby on Tuesday, 3/4/08. She was 24 weeks pregnant and not expecting little Reagan Olivia to arrive until late June. Reagan is a fighter and doing well, but continues to need much prayer for continued healthy growth. Please pray for this situation--Reagan, her parents Amy and Robert, and her grandparents Dave, Connie, Ed, and Caroline. Feel free to check out daily updates on Reagan's status at her blog link from my site.
Also, just a quick update, (especially for Judith): I'm adjusting to having two babies without too much trouble, and it's definitely getting more fun everyday. Lexi's not really jealous, she just requires a little extra attention. She loves Addison, but definitely needs her own mommy and daddy and grandma and grandpa time or she frequently experiences unexplained meltdowns. I definitely have a drama queen, but so far, Addison is completely different. She's much more laid back and actually sleep as opposed to my oldest daughter :-)
Much love, and I'll get more pictures posted hopefully before too long.

Out of the loop

2008-02-25T22:58:00.008-05:00

Hey guys,

I've been seriously out of the cyberspace loop for quite some time as evidenced by my lack of updated blogging. I guess that's what happens when you have a baby. It's all I can do to keep up with laundry and 2 baby baths/day instead of 1. I know we'll get adjusted very soon, but until we do--you'll have to excuse my delayed updates. Here are just a few pictures of our newest addition--Addison. She was born on 1/29/08 --also the date of my birth 26 years before.

Much love,

Danelle

Happy Birthday Grandmommy

2007-10-31T09:51:00.000-04:00

Several of our family made a trip a couple of weeks ago to Ohio to visit our mother/grandmother/great grandmommy for her 90th birthday. It was great to see everyone that was able to make it, but we sure missed the family that couldn't make it. Lexi seemed to really enjoy playing with her cousins, and she was greatly interested by the happenings at Aunt Deb's daycare. She's never really around other kids except for short periods of time at church every week, so learning to share time, attention and toys is going to be very interesting here in a few months. I'm sure she'll adjust and be much better for the learning process, but it may be very interesting for Mommy and Daddy for a little while. She did really have fun playing with the other kids; however she did decide at lunch that she would eat her favorite item (hotdogs) off of everyone's plate, and leave the carrots and pretzels for the rest of the kids to eat--so we had to do a little instruction there :-)

She also figured out on this trip that if she said she had to go to the potty every 5 minutes then she would get out of her carseat--so she had to learn to hold it a little while--which was an adjustment. She's doing very well with potty training, but we're still using diapers sometimes at night because we haven't quite figured that out yet :-)

Anyhow, that's just for a little update, and hopefully, if I get in gear with picture downloads--we'll have Halloween pics after tonight. I had to include one picture of Baby Bean--Lexi's newest cousin--I realized after we got home that we didn't get any pictures of them together and I'm not very happy about that--so here's the cutest Bean you've ever seen (great nickname too).

Much love,

Danelle

I forgot to tag anyone new

2007-10-17T09:38:00.000-04:00

I'm informed that I'm to tag 7 new people who now much share 7 of their own random facts, but most of my family have already been tagged or tagged me :-)
So I guess Judith and Jamie--you're it now--let's hear some random facts :-)

TAGGED

2007-10-17T09:25:00.000-04:00

I was tagged by Aunt Deb, so I guess I have to share 7 random facts about myself. As much as I love to talk, I don't think there are a lot of facts that most of my friends and family don't already know--but we'll give it a try :-)
1.) I want at least 4 kids, but hate being pregnant--so consider it only a means to a desired and very good end :-)
2.) I am currently memorizing Romans 12, and working to practice it's words every day in my life--it's encouraging and convicting at the same time, and I encourage any and all to join me in achieving this goal.
3.) I hate doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, and pretty well any other housework--so Tom has a great life :-)
4.) My favorite activities usually involve other people (thus the distaste for lonely housework)
5.) Sundays are my favorite day of the week because they are focused on my God, while also allowing a lot of time for family and friends
6.) I hope to teach one day
7.) My vision is so bad that I can't recognize someone standing a few feet away without aid of corrective lenses--but my MD says I have healthy eyes--I'm not sure how that works

2007-09-25T14:01:00.000-04:00

Hey guys,

Sorry I've been so slack in the blog world. I have no excuses other than I've been very busy at work, and haven't even had time to catch up on everyone else's--let alone my own. Really not an excuse, because I do have days off work!!

Anyhow,

Here are a few pictures of the last month. Tom, Lexi, and I went to the beach with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bob, and Aunt Deb--and she greatly enjoyed herself. She loved the lazy river--and didn't want anyone bothering her while she was in there. You would think she could swim or something :-) She enjoyed playing in the sand with Grandpa, looking for tiny seashells with Grandma, and watching cartoons or the ball game with Daddy. She loved playing in the pool showers, and would stand there all day until she was shivering from the cold water.

She's finally starting to talk a little bit, but it's still mostly hand gestures (really why should you talk if all surrounding adults are sitting around just waiting to see you point at something so they can jump up and get whatever it is your heart desires :-)

Needless to say, she needs another baby around to share all the attention with. We found out we're having another baby GIRL--so Tom should be surrounded in a house full of estrogen. Lexi is very intrigued by all the talk of a baby in mommy's tummy, and she likes to listen to the baby's heartbeat through the ear phones. You can see her doing that in the picture. She did get very upset at the ultrasound because mommy was getting to show her belly button to everyone, but she couldn't get her onesie up to proudly display her's. Daddy had to help her get her shirt up to show and talk about her belly button. Anyhow, this is just a quick update of the last month with Lexi :-)

We're working on a name for the new girl, so any suggestions are most welcome. We're leaning toward Addison (but no final decisions, and no middle name is selected yet).

Much love,

Danelle

Skating

2007-08-22T14:39:00.001-04:00

Lexi went roller skating for the first time Monday evening at the "Back to School" party for the Junior church kids. She seemed to have a good time, and really liked it when mommy and daddy would hold her feet straight and push her really fast. She also starred in the limbo game, although she didn't place as a finalist--too bad. Apparently, we're going to have to watch her because she already holding hands with boys in the skating rink--this can't be good :-)

Much love,

Danelle

Time with Grandma and Grandpa

2007-08-17T15:50:00.000-04:00

Here are a few pictures of Lexi hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, and no she did not get to actually ride in the front seat with Grandma (although she gets to do about everything else she wants). Needless to say, she seemed to have a very good time on her little outdoor drama excursion, and they said she wasn't even scared with all the gun fire during the presentation. Grandpa also reported that she liked to get up and dance whenever the singing and music started. She doesn't have much rhythm, but we all have a good time watching her.

Much love,

Danelle

relaxing weekend

2007-08-15T09:17:00.000-04:00

We've been busy continuing to work on the landscaping and renovations around the house, but we did decide to take time for a relaxing weekend in Pigeon Forge. This was the first time that Tom and I left Lexi for a few days with Grandma and Grandpa--so we were really missing her by the time we returned. It was nice to relax and do nothing for a few days though. Lexi took a trip to see an outdoor drama with Grandma and Grandpa and then spent Saturday night with Uncle David and Aunt Dana. She seemed to have a very good time, and wasn't very cooperative when Daddy and Mommy tried to talk with her via phone. She doesn't have much patience for phone hellos at this stage of the game :-)
Anyhow, I'll get some pictures posted of Lexi's weekend away from Mommy and Daddy as soon as I get them loaded on the computer. Hope everyone is doing well, and I really am enjoying keeping up with everyone's pictures and blog posts.

Lexi's first haircut

2007-07-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, I don't have much in the way of family updates, but I had these pics I thought you all might enjoy. I gave Lexi her first haircut (which was much overdue)--she seemed very interested by the tickling hair falling down into her face, and she's looks even more like a boy then she previously did. The family pictures were some that I had from Jamaica, but I just got them onto the computer to post--Lexi enjoyed the water, but didn't care much for the heat, bugs, and sun--so she never spent too much time outside at once unless she was in the water.

Much love,

Danelle

Jamaica update

2007-07-18T13:19:00.001-04:00

We were in Negril, Jamaica the last week of May for vacation and then Bumpy and Emily's wedding on June 2nd. We had a great time, hobe sailing, soaking up the sand and surf, and enjoying spending time with family and friends. This was Lexi's first time out of the country and she had a great time b/c Grandma was there to provide her with all of her needs and wants for a solid week--needless to say she had to recover somewhat when she returned home to reality with mommy.

Lilly picture updates

2007-07-18T12:51:00.000-04:00

Most of you probably know what's been going on in our lives, but for those of you who don't:

Lexi turned one on April 25th and had about 3 birthday parties before it was all over (Lilly, Downing, Downing prebirthday party, etc). I guess I got what I deserved after making fun of all of the one year old birthday parties that I've attended that were more for the parents than the one year olds who wouldn't remember the party anyway. Anyhow, Lexi received a shopping cart that she proceeded to pull over on top of herself numerous times, and as you can see she was very happy about that.

Dana, Pokey and I all graduated from UNCG together in early May--it will be quite a change for none of us to be scrambling to finish homework deadlines, finish clinical hours, or complete thesis composition and defense. I guess we'll have to find other reasons to pull all nighters. Anyhow, just a quick update, with hopefully more to come.

See you for now,

Danelle

2007-07-18T11:44:00.000-04:00

I'm just trying to figure out how the picture posts work--ignore this post

Lilly News

2007-07-18T11:27:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody,
I'm going to give this blog thing a shot because I enjoy monitoring my friend's blogs and keeping up with my out of town family and friends so much through their blogs. I will probably not be the most faithful in updating my posts, but I figured it would be a fun way to keep you guys updated on the GROWING LILLY'S :-)
For those of you who don't already know--we are expecting a new baby to arrive sometime around the first week of February--so not only will you get to watch Lexi grow, but also you get to watch me grow again. I'm 11 weeks right now so almost through my first trimester and looking foward to when the nausea, fatigue, and other fun symptoms resolve--who knows when that will happen.
I would love any and all to post their comments so I can keep in touch with you all too.
Much love,
Tom, Danelle, and Lexi