Life & Love at the Meadsters: July 2012

Here we are again as the days, weeks and months continue to zoom, zoom, zoom.
But all is beautiful and well as we marvel at how truly blessed we are!

So very much is going on now with our Lil' Lia....it's hard to know where to begin! First, she's actually 11 months old as of tomorrow....so that means the much-anticipated 1st Birthday Celebration Countdown is definitely underway! <<tears just thinking about this looming, incredible milestone!>>

Since the last update we have had so much fun celebrating special moments like Father's Day, Lia's Baby Dedication and our Parent Commitment Ceremony at Church and our first family 4th of July holiday. She's flourishing and becoming quite the little lady right before our eyes.

Milestones and Highlights of the past few months include:

- cabinets have been "baby proofed" - good thing too since she has figured out how to open them and investigate the contents within - Curious George has nothing on this Little Explorer...hehe
- Lia's crib has been dropped since she is now standing and trying to find a crafty way out
- lots and lots of chatter: words include Mama, Dada, Hi/Hello and at times maybe even 'Lia'...?
- continuation of food exploration including more and more self-feeding (gotta love the food in the hair, on the clothes and allover the floor), so far she's digging fruits like pineapple, bananas, blueberries, and apples as well as veggies like avocado, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. She's also done great with grilled chicken and scrambled eggs! Whoo hoo!
- drinking juice and water from a sippy cup (yay!)
- Lia's quest for independence is most definitely starting to show as she transitions from dependence/attachment to us to being her own little person (yes, this includes some minimal but nonetheless present "moments of self-expression", a.k.a. mini-fits or tantrums ... Omg! What? ha ha - hopefully they won't last - fingers crossed)
- crawling up a storm and wow! is she fast
- pulling herself up, walking around furniture
- taking baby steps and walking with assistance
- zooming throughout the house in her walker
- helping brush her own hair
- helping to apply lotion after bath time
- sharing her toys and cheerios - sweetest thing ever!
- and of course...so much more!

Thank God for family and good friends like you who always care and want to keep up with all things Lia, it really means so much and provides the perfect outlet to gush, gush and gush some more.

Hoping all is well for you and yours!

Enjoy watching Lia grow through these recent pics...

.XOXO.

I'm 10 months old - June 30, 2012

Can you see my new top toothers!?

It's so much easier to chew my cheerios

and all the new foods I'm trying! Yummy!

Happy Father's Day, Da-Da!

Hi Daddy. I love you.

You're the best daddy in the world!

My Grandpa Mead makes me laugh!

He's the best!

Daddy's Girl

Helping my Daddy open his Father's Day card.

I helped pick out some of Daddy's favorite

pictures of just the two of us for his desk at work!

Daddy and Mommy's Night Out

At a friend's beautiful and sweet wedding.

So nice to get out and have some grown up fun.

Acting goofy with all the props for the

photography booth at the reception.

Can you tell we haven't been out much!? Ha!

Lia's Baby Dedication/Parent Commitment Ceremony

Sunday, June 24, 2012
First Baptist Church, Orlando

Lia's Life Verse:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

It is our hope and prayer Lia will develop a gentle and kind spirit and love the Lord with all of her heart!

Lia's special shoes and dress to match her very special day.

I am God's precious and perfect creation.

Introducing Lia to our pastor and church family.

So much going on. I need a nap!

My family is so great!
L to R: Auntie Neli w/ Cousin Noah & Cousin Alex
Abuela & Abuelo Acosta
Mommy, Daddy & Me with Pastor Uth
Grandpa & Grandma Mead