Vacation Part 2: Houston

The second week that Micah and I were in Texas was spent in Houston. Boy is that place muggy! It was so much fun though. This week consisted mainly of eating (Yum! Shipley Donuts) and relaxing. The first full day that we were there, Micah's parents were very generous and told us they would watch Lila so we could take a day together. We decided to go and see a couple of movies that we were wanting to see, but never got around to it. I think since Lila has been born Micah and I have seen one movie in the actual theatre so this was a real treat.
We went and saw The Hunger Games and The Avengers. First, we went to The Hunger Games and then literally three minutes after the movie ended The Avengers was starting so we went straight in for that. I've never seen two movies right in a row before, but it was kind of fun to do it that way. They were both really good movies, so I think that helped.
After, we decided to go to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch/dinner. It was quite an adventure getting there... Can I just say that rainstorms in Houston are crazy? They seem to come out of nowhere. Micah and I had brought an umbrella to the movies with us because there were a few grey clouds in the sky. When we walked out of the theatre there were a few drops here in there, but it seemed like we had just missed the storm. Then, we noticed the drops were coming down a little bit more after about 15 seconds, so we decided to open up our umbrella. Lucky for us a gust of wind came up right when we opened our umbrella and turned it inside out! It was really funny, but we felt bad as it was Micah's parents' umbrella. Then the rain really started to pour and we still had to walk across the mall parking lot to get to the Cheesecake Factory. By the time we reached the doors we were dripping wet, like movie rain dripping wet. The hostess of the restaurant asked if we wanted extra napkins to help us dry off. :) It was funny. Micah has a picture of me under the mangled umbrella, but it's on his phone so I'll have to get it another time.
The next day, we decided to go to the Houston temple and once again Micah's mother was very kind and watched Lila. It's such a beautiful temple and it was great to feel the spirit so strongly. I love that it's the same in whichever temple you go in. The promises that we make and blessings we are promised are so beautiful and I'm so grateful that I have this knowledge!

The next few days were spent eating at Yia Yia Mary's for Micah's dad's birthday and Happy Lamp, Micah's favorite Chinese restaurant. I love both restaurants, but Yia Yia Mary's is my favorite in Houston! It has such amazing greek food. The lamb chop appetizer was of course excellent, my salmon was perfect, and the baklava cheesecake amazing! Micah also had some really delicious shrimp and he was kind enough to give me a piece. Lila loved every bit of the meal as well. It was fun to watch her experience new things and grow so much in the short two weeks we were there. I was glad that Micah's parents were able to spend some more time with her. She was such a sweetheart the entire time! Until next time, these memories and photos will have to do. Thanks for letting us stay Mom and Dad Pratt!

**On an unrelated, yet equally important note, today is Micah's 26th birthday! I love you sweetheart and I'm so blessed to have you in my life. I hope you have a wonderful day, love!

Vacation Part 1: Surfside Beach

For the past two weeks Micah and I have been in Texas vacationing it up! It started with us taking two separate flights down to Houston, which meant that I was going to be flying down and back with Lila by myself. It was her first time flying and so I wasn't sure how she would do. It was 4 flights in all which made me nervous, but our baby was AMAZING! She only fussed on one of the flights for about 10 minutes because she had been sleeping when the pilot's voice woke her up. People commented on how good she was, which I was relieved to hear because I did not want to bother others, even though I knew Lila couldn't help it. Really though, I could not have asked for a better trip with the little angel. She was so great.

Anyway, after a very long day of travel we stayed the night at Micah's parents house and then headed down to Surfside Beach to the beach house we would be staying in with all of his family. It was huge! Which was great because we had quite the group at the house. This was Lila's first trip to Texas and her first trip to the beach. She had a lot of firsts on this trip. She was hesitant in the water at first, but by the end she enjoyed it, although I don't think I can say that she loved it. It was also amazing how close we were to the beach. It was nice to just be able to head out and swim any time we wanted. The sand was nice and soft, the weather was perfect the entire time we were there, and the company was great.

I've decided I'm too lazy to write about each picture so instead I'm just going to post pictures from it. It's hilarious to see how pale I was in our little family picture. :) So here are a FEW pictures from our beach adventure.

*A couple notes about the pictures:
The sunglasses Lila is wearing were mine when I was a little girl. :)
The tiny fish in the orange net are the first fish I have ever caught! It was also my first time "fishing".
Micah once again won the adult Monopoly game! Two times in a row... great job babe.

1 Year Stats

At 12 months and 2 days old Lila weighs just under 20 lbs. putting her in the 52nd percentile. She didn't even gain a pound over the last three months, but she looks chubby because of her height. :) I love it! Her height is 28 1/4 inches putting her in the 18th percentile. She grew 2 inches from her 9 month appointment and moved from the 8th percentile. So, even though she is very much a shorty, she is getting a little bigger. Finally, her head circumference is 18 inches putting her around the 73rd percentile. Her head size has kind of been all over the place, but never much bigger than this. Her motor skills are all above average and her communication skills are average. We have a little cruiser on our hands. Even though Lila doesn't say too much, she babbles ALL the time and does say "dada" for daddy and "mama" for mommy and food. It's actually pretty funny. Finally, her other big thing she did today was try cow's milk. She didn't reject it, but I can't yet say that she loves it. She definitely still prefers breastmilk, but I'm sure she'll get used to it in no time. Love this little girl!

ONE

Dear Lila,

  I am not a person that uses fancy words or knows exactly how to write things down to make it perfect, but I wanted to write this letter to you. Today you are turning ONE!

  The past year has been the most amazing of my life. The day you joined our family was a little bit crazy, the pain was hard, the surgery was not what I had planned on, but the moment I saw you I was in love. I didn't get to hold you at first with my shaking body, but I still knew that you were everything I imagined in my perfect baby.  Your dark brown hair and nearly black eyes looked so innocent and so unsure of what was around and I knew that you were mine to protect, love, care for, and be someone from whom I could learn. When I finally got to hold you I felt complete. My heart grew 10 times bigger and has continued to grow.
   The next day, when I saw your smile, I began to imagine all the beautiful memories we would make together. Friends and family came to visit and see the new angel that came to Earth. You were so fresh from Heaven and the spirit that came with you was so strong. I knew that you had been sent from a loving Heavenly Father. I know it's something that you don't yet understand, but you strengthened my testimony that day. You reminded me of the beautiful blessings that come with this life. You taught me that God is good!
   After a few days we brought you to our little home in Pleasant Grove. I will admit, I was nervous about your first night away from the hospital, I was nervous about your first bath, I was nervous that you wouldn't want me to be the one to feed you, and I was nervous that I would fail as a mother. I made it through the first night, the first bath, the hard times of breastfeeding, and I'm still working on being a good mother to you.
   In no time you were one month old, then two, and then I had to return to work. The first day was the hardest! I couldn't stop thinking about you, but I knew you were in the best hands with your daddy. He sent me pictures of you to help me stay calm. You looked so sweet and at peace at home. It never became completely easy to leave you, but you grew in strength, personality, and love and I was at peace.
   Halloween was celebrated and you were a cute little witch. We went to Nebraska for Thanksgiving and you still had a smile on your face after a 15 hour drive. Christmas time came around and you slept through most of your first Christmas day. I didn't care though because it was our first Christmas as a little family and you still made it perfect. You loved the tree, the presents, and your pajamas when you were awake to enjoy them. Through all of the holidays over your first year, you were a star.

   On Sunday we celebrated your first birthday with our family around. I made you a giant cupcake and you didn't know what to do at first. I pushed your hand in it and you cried (I'm sorry), but in no time you were enjoying that cake. The mess, the smiles, the presents, the bath, the pictures all made it a perfect day.
   My sweetest Lila, the amount you have learned and grown this year is incredible. You've learned to hold up your head, to sit up, to roll over, to crawl, to stand, to walk, to laugh, to smile, to clap your hands, to talk, to eat real food, to love, to bring joy to others, and to show us the amazing little girl you are and will continue to be. I love you with all of my heart. You were the scariest and best decision of my life. Just like your daddy, you are "my everything".

                                                                     Forever yours,
                                                                            Mom

9 months up, 12 months down

This morning I weighed in at my pre-pregnancy weight! Yay! It took me a little longer than most to get rid of the 35lbs., but I'm just glad I did it at all. :) Now on to my final goal weight...