Life & Love at the Meadsters

Monday, April 16, 2012

7th Heaven...

Happy Spring everyone!

We are 1/2 way through Lil' Lia's 7th month and she is simply thriving, thank the good Lord!

She is growing and changing so quickly and every day is full of new little firsts and fun surprises. A lot has happened since her 6th month update...most notably her brand new two front teeth she wears so proudly - and that coincidentally popped up on Mommy's birthday - what a sweet little gift. Awwww! (....but now we also have to keep our own fingers as far away from her little mouth as possible since pretty much everything is getting chomped these days, ha!)

I think the most fun has been watching her little personality continue to develop. She is Little Miss Curiosity and has got to "check everything out". Some of the things that catch her attention the most: the microwave, the Keurig coffee maker, the vacuum and - of course - she's still loving all things water (baths especially).

She may also have a little performance bug in her since she loves to sing, hum, squeal, kick, jump and LOL - all the time! Interestingly enough, Lia now also has a signature "growl" so she has lovingly been dubbed our Little Monster....she definitely keeps us entertained, that's for sure.

She absolutely *loves* books and has even figured out which buttons to push on the ones with sound - so cool to watch her work it all out! The things that must be going on in that little head of hers...my goodness.

Easter morning was super special since I caught Lia feeding herself her own little Cheerio! I couldn't believe it. She just put her little fingers together and picked up a tiny cheerio and chomp, chomp, chomp...and then just a few days ago we heard what sounded like 'Da-da'. Daddy was so proud!

Some more milestones and memorable moments are below via snapshots...

Enjoy & Be Blessed.
XOXO.

I'm 7 months old - March 31, 2012!

I'm a little fighter!

I had my 6-month shots at the doctor's

office, but I'm already monkeying around. No big deal!

Celebrating Mommy's birthday at a place called Bonefish Grill...

Mommy and Daddy seemed to really like it. I wanted some of

those desserts, but all I got was a bottle and some cheerios! Maybe next year!

I love eating frozen fruits and holding

this meshy thingy. Feels good on my little

teeth & gums!

I gave mommy 2 little presents for her birthday.

Can you see them?

Darth Vader Who?

That's My Father. He did a great job at

Caleb's 5th birthday party! I missed

most of the character fun since I had to

catch up on my beauty rest....zzzzzz.

Mommy was all giggles....hmmmm.

Daddy and Mommy take me to visit the Easter Bunny!

I liked him much better than Santa...sorry, Santa! The Easter Bunny was super soft

and reminded me of my little stuffed animals.

Lia's new BFF -

Mr. Easter Bunny!

Things Big Girls do....

1. Sit in high chairs, check

2. Eat cheerios, check

3. Sit up in their stroller, check

Lia's 1st Easter!

Baby Bunny Boo!

I love you.

Pretty soon I'll be able to read these words myself!

I love books!

Please read to me! Yay!

Toys that talk to me are so much fun.

Thanks, Mommy.

I love my Daddy.

He's the best and always gives me

hugs & kisses. XOXO.

Mommy & Me.

Who needs Easter shoes?

I'd rather go barefoot so I can show off

my cutie pie toesies.

Yep, even the Binky is purple!

A girl's gotta coordinate all her accessories!

Right!?!

There's this funny looking machine in Mommy and Daddy's room.

Mommy stands on it once in a while and looks like she's in pain.

I hope she's not hurting herself...

Corporate 5K

Downtown Orlando, 4.11.2012

Daddy did awesome! 29:01

Mommy.....ummmm, not so much.

Happy Girl!

Thanks for visiting!
See you again real soon!
.XOXO.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sweet 6!

Kissable.
Huggable.
Loveable.
Unbelievable!

We're 1/2 way through Little Lia's 1st year, already!

We have another doc visit in a few days for her 6-month check - up and shots. Boo!
Hoping it's a quick, uneventful experience for our Little Angel.

Looking forward to sharing more of Lia's progress with you in the weeks ahead.
Until then, blessings, love, joy and peace. XOXO.

I'm 6 months old - February 29, 2012!

I love Monkey. He's my friend!

Big bear hug for Monkey!


What are these shiny things on my feet?

See you real soon...

High 5!

Omg!
I simply cannot keep up, but I sure am trying!

So, Lia's 5-month update is way overdue. She is actually 6-months old today! <sigh>
No matter how much everyone tells me this time will all but fly by, I still sit here completely amazed by just how true it really is. Her changes and breakthroughs are fast and furious now making it all feel like an enormous blur. Thank God for photography and videography (though we're not doing nearly as much video-ing as we really should).

Everyone asks if Lia is a good baby and the answer is most definitely, YES!
- (Knock on wood) she continues to sleep 9-10 hours a night
- She LOL's all the time (best little laugh ever!, especially when she's cracking up)
- She can sit in her swing, bouncy seat or play on the floor for nice little stretches -without requiring too much attention- and keep herself entertained and busy
- She has definitely found that little voice of hers and has become quite the Chatterbox (maybe even borderline sassy with some of her loud, attention-grabbing screeches). Mommy and Lia carry on a conversation every morning on the way to Abuela's (Grandma's). Pretty sure all the other drivers think it's a crazy lady behind, beside or in front of them - they just don't know Little Lia is talking right back with...haha
- She gets along great with her big cousin Noah and is super-good for Abuela, every day!
- She is a good little eater (more on this in Milestones...below...)

The other night I was rocking her as she fell asleep (my absolute most favorit-ist time of the day) and I couldn't help how overwhelmed I was with the realization of just how big she had gotten and how much she was changing. I'm telling you, I think I could sit in that rocker forever with her in my arms. I literally have to make myself move to put her down and try to get other things done. I know this time won't last forever so I think I am trying to do exactly what I've been told: cherish every minute, every second.

OK...so here are some of the Milestones during Lia's 5th-month, followed by just a few of the hundreds of pictures we take on a regular basis.

- Lia celebrated her 1st Valentine's Day with Daddy and Mommy. Definitely a love-filled, sweet and special time as a family.
- rolling over while sleeping. She starts on her back, but quickly ends up on her tummy, which she seems to like best!
- started eating baby food (first cereal and now baby veggies, baby fruit and the gamut) - so far so good, fingers crossed as we explore with more food options. Mommy and Daddy got the biggest kick out of taking turns feeding her. So fun to watch her reactions to "the new stuff".
- trying to stand up straight and plant her feet when she's held up (those little legs just keep getting stronger and stronger).
- sitting up and supporting herself more frequently - I had no idea what people meant when they asked if she was doing the "tripod", but now I do and yes she is - she's figured out how to put her little hands in front of her between her legs or by her side to support herself while she sits. She still flops over from time to time, which is the cutest and funniest thing to watch.
- sitting in her high chair little bits at a time (thanks for letting me know, Cari!)
- more reaching, grabbing - she will now pull off her socks and try to eat them or pull her little toes to her mouth.
- throwing things to get a reaction-? (She will throw some toys to the floor if she's playing in her swing or bouncy. Before, it was more like she was dropping things accidentally but now we'll pick them up and 2 seconds later she's throwing them back on the floor. Of course she thinks its funny...hehe....and Yes, Mommy and Daddy are playing along!)
- and so much more...

* Apologies for any unanswered emails...will do my best to catch up soon.

Your support, well-wishes and love make us smile every day! XOXO.
Thanks so much!

I'm 5 months old today - January 31, 2012!

Look Ma, I can fly! Wheeeee!

I'm Daddy's special Valentine!

Mommy loves Me! XOXO!

My Mommy dresses me up like a little Princess

all the time and since I love her so much, I let her!

Valentine's Day breakfast treat! Yum.

Valentine's dinner at Casa Mead!

So much better than fighting the restaurant crowds.

What is all the fuss about? Didn't we just do Christmas?

Lia's 1st rose, courtesy of Daddy! XOXO.

I'm a big girl and can sit up with very little help!

I can do this!

I'm leaning, leaning, trying not to topple over.

So, you've been holding out on me, huh?

I think I like these sweet peas!

More, please.

This is a mighty big chair,

but I like how this tray feels on my gums and mouth!

See you next time...

Monday, January 30, 2012

Fast 4-ward!

Lia and Daddy celebrate their fabulous "4's"!

As predicted and expected Christmas, New Year's and everything since is simply a blur...but when I do slow down and think back to our first Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's as a family all I can do is smile, smile, smile. :) What a sweet, special time and a great way to begin 2012!

Lia's 4th month has flown by but has also been jammed full of phenomenal firsts:

- rolling over all the time (back to front & front to back) while Mommy and Daddy actually watch on - hooray!
- holding her own bottle, which she is really good at - when she feels like it...hmmmm.
- graduated to partial swaddling; Since Lia discovered the art of escaping the swaddle, she is now "hands free" but the rest of her little body is still swaddled and she is sleeping great (about 9-10 hour stretches at night!)
- tons more giggles (she actually cracks up, which is so amusing and entertaining to Daddy and Mommy).
- sitting up and gaining core body strength (she sits in a bumpo booster seat for a few minutes each day and looks like such a big girl!)
- grabbing everything: her toes, her toys, her Binky, mommy's hair and jewelry, daddy's neck, anything/everything in sight (and she's holding on, really getting a tight little grip on things).
- shoving anything/everything into her mouth - we're convinced a little tooth or two are not too far off now, especially with all the bubbles and baby drool she's got going on
- talking & singing: she is discovering her little voice and has regular little "talking" patterns throughout the day, she also makes little melodic sounds like she's carrying a little tune - too sweet!
- still loving the water...she's our little water baby. She's instantly drawn to the sound of water and absolutely loves bath time.
- Lia battled through her 4-month doc appointment and hung in there for those yucky/ouchie shots. She really did great and we're so proud of her! Ugh! When do these shots end? Boo! :(
- and so much more!

Daddy also had a memorable month, as we celebrated his BIG 4-0!
You've still got it, babe! XOXO

To pay tribute to Todd on his 40th birthday, we honored his favorite decade - the 80's- with a small but special flashback to the 80's party. Check out some of the birthday pics below and YES - go for it - LAUGH ON. We were all pretty ridiculous, but had the best time!

Without further ado...enjoy the last month (plus) worth of snapshots!