Lillian stood all by her self tonight. I was lying down on the living room floor at the in-law’s house. Lillian crawled over to me, puller herself up by grabbing my hips, let go. She stood for about half a second, then plopped down on her baby bottom.

I got excited, and maybe I got a little too loud, because I think I scared her. She had a worried look on her face and just sat there staring at me. I guess an 8 month old can’t tell the difference between a happy loud voice and an angry loud voice.

I don’t know when different language skills are supposed to develop, but I”m constantly amazed by my son. Lately he’s been using similes.

» He bit the front leg off an animal cracker and said, “It’s like a drill.”
» I blew a raspberry on his belly and he said, “It’s like a lawnmower.”
» He crumpled his napkin and said, “It’s like a shovel.”

Okay, I don’t know what that last one meant, but 2 out of 3 is pretty good for a 25 month old.

Lillian has started waving and clapping. She says something like “Hi Da Da.” Which sounds a lot like “Bye Da Da.” So that’s what she does every time I leave the house and every time I come home.

She’s also finally over her “I only love mommy” phase, so I get to play with her a lot more now.

I was away on a retreat this weekend, and when I got home, I discovered I missed two very important milestones in my children’s lives.

1) Lillian learned how to crawl.

2) Isaac learned that it’s funny to spray people with the water hose.

Within the last week Lillian has started “talking.” She’s been cooing and squealing for months, but all of a sudden she’s showing off her verbal dexterity. She’s using “B’s” “D’s” and “G’s.”

Her and Isaac are getting along fabulously. Her cooing makes Isaac laugh which makes Lillian laugh, and the whole scene makes me laugh. . .being a dad is great.

Lillian rolled over last night!

I am constantly amazed by how much love God allows us to feel.

Lillian is sitting up by herself, and she likes to suck her bottom lip which just makes her even more adorable. She doesn’t really laugh, instead, she squeals; It’s cute, but it hurts my ears.