Sunday

James and I have not been able to sit together in church for a full service in a year. I'll just say Lila has some matters of preference regarding the order of worship. Her "preferences" usually end in one of us making a mad dash to get out of the sanctuary before someone decides we should be asked not to return.

But, today, my friends, things were different. Well, sort of...

Guess who went to the church nursery for the first time!!


The service started as usual. Happy baby until the opening song began, and then the screaming started. This time it was because her sister was looking at her.

I quickly passed her to James (because he had a lapse in judgment and ended up sitting on the end of the pew). He received the hand-off and ran out of the sanctuary like a trained professional athlete in a sprint relay.

This time instead of spending the morning in the "Training Room" with all of the other screaming children, we decided to take the leap and put our baby in the care of professionals.

We dropped her off in the nursery together and proudly walked back to our seats. As soon as we sat down, I jumped right back up and headed straight for the nursery.

So, I still didn't hear a sermon, but at least I didn't have the embarrassment of running through church with a yelling kid...

Truth-be-told, I was humiliated for an entirely different reason. The kind of humiliation that could only be felt if you were busted sprawled out on the foyer floor with your face pressed against the nursery window watching your baby and crying uncontrollably.

I think we might skip the nursery next week.

Just another day embarrassing the family & Being Billingsley...

Swim Lessons 2010

Last week, Abbie started this summer's swim lessons. She is a really confident swimmer, and let's face it, she's freakin' adorable.


Abbie has spent one week in the pool so far this summer sporting 70 spf, and she is already looking like our Coppertone baby. She definitely got her normal skin with actual color in it from her father. Her sister? Well that's a different story.


This was Lila's first trip to the swimming pool. She partied with her Gigi and her Pops while Abbie was hard at work training to be the next Olympic swimmer.

Lila's complexion is definitely courtesy of her transparent mother. Unfortunately for her, summers at the pool will be spent rockin' an over sized t-shirt on top of a really cute swimsuit.

Despite her 70 spf, hat, AND floatie with canopy, she managed to get a pink back and shoulders.

Oooops... pretty sure that gut she's sportin' is also one of those traits from her mother.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Why, Boston... Why!!!!!?

I hate this guy.
Just another day Being Billingsley...

10 Months Old!!

You amazing little thing! I can't believe you are already 10 months old. Weighing in at a healthy 18 lbs, you are in the 50th percentile for weight. Your height and head circumference are also in the 50th percentile. You are still rockin' a size 3 diaper and have moved into 12-18 month clothes.


You are fun-loving, HILARIOUS, and mean! You've got a flair for the dramatic, and you like to pick fights with others. You are definitely your mother's child. There's nothing I love more than to watch you hold your own against your big sister. You are going to be a DOOZIE in elementary school. I can just imagine those parent teacher conferences.... I plan to blame your Dad.


This month you learned some of life's most important lessons...

• Operating the remote control: You've learned to change the channel. You mostly like to do it during Mommy's Tuesday night line-up... usually changing the channel while Mommy has Deadliest Catch paused. Don't worry, I'll get you back.
• Carbohydrates are good: We started you on solid foods, and you've begun what will be a life-long love of carbs. You definitely share my confusion about why people insist on serving vegetables. You can fish a piece of bread out of a pile of veggies, fruit, and meat with greater precision than a neurosurgeon must have.
  

• Let's chat: Your language skills really took off this month. You've added, "Ite" (light), "Dank-doo" (Thank you), "Buh bye," and "Dada" is now "Daddy." You love to chat and don't let the fact that you only know a few words get in the way of a nice conversation. We talk a lot about the various "ites" in the house. You point them out and we discuss their lightness. I love it!
• Dogs are noisy: You like to mimic the sound of a dog barking. When you hear it, you stop what you are doing and make a "wuf wuf" sound. Then, you're pretty proud of yourself.
• Stand up for yourself: You started to pull up. Now, when you get really upset (mostly because you are spoiled), you make a point of getting on your feet before you really let the screaming loose.

Lila, I cannot believe it has already been 10 months since I first met you. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were going to be something really special, and I have had such a great time watching you grow. You are amazing you gorgeous little girl.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Bring Your "A" Game People

Help me!! I'm trying to convince my favorite Aunt and Uncle in Nebraska to take the leap and move down here.

So, here goes...

Reason #1:

This is a picture of the weather they woke up to on Wednesday morning.


Here is a picture of the weather to which I awoke.

Reason #2:

This place...


Which serves up this delicious flavor...

Reason #3:

Well, of course there's these folks... they're kind of a big deal.



In the interest of full disclosure, I feel I must admit to the following objectionable features...

Governor Rick "The Idiot" Perry

Leslie Cochran... putting Austin on the map for homeless cross-dressers.

So, there you have it. Even with those two teeny-tiny-itsy-bitsy drawbacks, they should clearly move down here. (Having said that, I realize I will be to blame when/if they ever have to see Leslie wearing one of his thongs.)

Help me out. I know there are LOTS more reasons for them to make the move. Leave your thoughts in a comment.

Just another day trying to share this great state of ours and Being Billingsley...

Is it just me, or is this kid REALLY cute?

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Did you say banana?

Lila recently had her 9 month check-up, and she did great!

We learned that her language skills are great because she already has several "dedicated words." Meaning, she uses words to identify things and uses them in their correct context.

Her list includes, "Uh oh," "Mama," "Dada," "Nana," "Light," "Yay," "Pop pop" and as of yesterday evening, "Thank you." It's ridiculous. She's so darn cute.

Lila's doc also said it was time for her to start eating table foods. So, we've started to introduce her to diced fruits and veggies first. I think these pics tell a good story regarding her thoughts about bananas.

Curious...



Incredulous and overcome...


Disgusted and betrayed...

Pretty sure she's thinking of a few new words to use "in context" for the person who made her eat that nasty banana.

Just another day probably learning how to swear and Being Billingsley...