Lilly Lately

I can say with confidence that we're nearing the other side of the terrible twos with Lilly. Last year was crazy. Not only was she going through her two-phase while TJ was deployed, but I also had to singlehandedly diffuse her tantrums so as not to upset her autistic big brother who's very sensitive to sounds {ahem Lilly likes to scream}.

A large part of breaking out of the twos has to do with TJ being home. She is in love with him! And it's so nice to finally be a team again. We've been more strict with giving her time-outs, we've cut out her binkies {WHAT} and...wait for it...we're potty training! I swear she's been using her words so much more since we've started, and as nervous as I was to jump into that {it took Caleb two years} I'm so proud with how good she's doing. 

I've also been doing a lot of praying. Praying that The Lord would strengthen our bond. That I would be more patient with her. And that our time together in these early years would be special. God has been so faithful in this time of growth with her. I'm so thankful. 

There are so many super spunky sassy sweet things I love about her. 

She'll hold any bug for any amount of time. She carried around her first sand crab, and while she lived to tell about it, the little sand crab did not {RIP little buddy}. She just loves crawly things.

She knows how to sweet talk her daddy into a new Merida doll and subsequently knows how to sweet talk her mama into letting her bring said Merida doll to the beach at sunset.

She can be found wearing a cape all day long. During crafts, during potty time, during dinner.

Not to be outdone by the capes are her numerous princess outfits like this one from Halloween. She wore it with muddy toes from finding worms in the garden while she ran back inside to see the few appearances of Glinda in The Wizard of Oz.

She's incredibly lucky to have her daddy throw her around at the request of "outer space, dad?" It's an evening occurrence.

How many rolly pollies will we find while big brother does OT this week? There are never enough.

She loves her reflection in the car. Wish we all had her perspective.

She's a bed jumper.

She can make any beanie work with any outfit {and for $2 who wouldn't #californiawinters}. 

When she fights a nap, she sleeps in the car on the way to pick up daddy from work.

She lets me live out my motherhood dreams like giving her rag curls {for the twenty minutes they lasted in her hair}.

She mini golfs with a purple ball.

Always purple. Always.

And we've newly discovered she's scared of earthquakes, or rumblings as she calls them. 

I'm so loved by her and so excited to be seeing more of her personality, her charm, humor, and excitement of life. 

Love you, my darling sweet pea.