11 Months Old...

11 months, really? Oh, where oh where is the pause/stop/hault/no more growing button on babies. If our firstborn had one I would push it...but then when I think that I remember that in 1 month we will be doing this stage of newborn to now again soon (I have been awful at blogging about this sweetie #2 coming. More to come below on her!)

We have been on the road, hence the lack of blogging, to Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, and now Little Rock and Memphis for a quick 4 days. We have been able to see my folks which is always so good as we don't see them super often. They have been our "home base" as we travel to save us some road time back to Branson for only 1 or 2 days. Lulu has been such a trooper and although she LOVES the routine of home and is a happy little girl when we are home, she has been a good little flexer too. I know a balance is good here...little bit of flex is good for her (and probably for mom!).

We are super close to November 22, 2010 which is when sweet girl #2 is arriving or somewhere around that day. I am ready to have her here and so is Shay. We both here lately have been even more in awe of the blessing of getting another little precious one and praying they will just be the best of friends! I have had my anxious, what in the world, fearful moments but Shay has been the anchor in my life to comfort, reassure, and support his hormonal, overwhelmed at times wife. So thankful the Lord created him (and probably most husbands I would think) to be the anchor, solid, non-rollercoaster in the family.

So baby girl #2 is growing...she is pushing, turning, doing backflips in my belly. She is a mover and things just feel more full with this little girl. We have a name, well at least 90% sure we have a name, but we do not commit till she arrives just in case we hear another name we love more...but I don't think we will. I am about to start weekly checks with the doctor and praying that all is well and this little girl would turn and be ready to come anytime after mid-November. We still need to get a 2nd crib mattress, 2nd car seat to bump Lucy-Lu up to, a double stroller (I am leaning towards the Baby Trend Sit 'n Stand? Thoughts?), and I'm sure some other things but we'll get to that soon. We need to pack hospital bags which again we will probably do last minute and then not take them like we did with Lulu. Otherwise, this pregnancy has been textbook and my doctor says my body was made to be pregnant...not sure I agree at 4 in the morning when I am up, tossing (more like flopping) back and forth...but I'm thankful for this season with Lulu but so excited for these sisters to live life together. I have no sisters so I'll be learning as I go...Lord, help us!

Lulu, you are 11 months old. We are already planning for 1st birthday with family and can't wait to watch you go to town on the smash cake. Here are you highlights of the month:

* You are growing a mullet. But it's an oh-so-cute mullet. Your hair just is pretty minimal on top but growing on the sides and back. Hysterically cute!

* You are eating, well, funky. You are beginning to not want formula at all. I think you will love switching to whole milk when you turn 1 and you might be ready now. I am calling our awesome pediatrician tomorrow to ask because you just are not wanting formula from bottle, sippy cup, or cup. But you aren't starving...

* You are loving food that you get to feed yourself. I am leaving things in bits instead of blending them down. You are messy but you are quite an independent eater.

* You love ORANGE veggies. Green ones, not so much! Squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots = Yummy! The green ones to you = Yucky!

* You are on the move. Daddy has child-proofed our main room. So we close all the hall doors to our room, your room, and the guest/craft room and you have full reign to explore. You love it. You still are pulling up on everything you can and standing on your own for like 3 seconds before you fall to your bottom. I am sure when sweet girl #2 is born you will be off like a flash on 2 feet! You are already pretty quick on all 4's.

* You are "babbling" but still no solid words. It's so cute to listen to you in your car seat or room during the end of a nap. It sounds like you are singing, talking to your imagination, and just having a real conversation.

* You "give" kisses to mommy and daddy. By "give" I really just mean you lean into our face. But it works for us and we love it!

* You may or may not know where your nose is. I asked you one day in the car "Where's Lulu's nose?" and you moved your hand and pointed to your nose. It was amazing. Now, you haven't done it since but that's okay!

* Lulu, you are just amazing. We are in awe of you each day as you are a blessing from the

Lord. We pray each day again that you would know of your Heavenly Father's love each day and how much we love you. It absolutely blows our mind to think of how much Jesus loves you sweet girl b/c our hearts are so full for you! We pray as we begin to navigate the road of discipline (just a bit b/c you are soo good!) with food, dangers, etc that you would always know we love you and are always wanting to protect you. We pray for joy, contentment, and humility to continue to be deep qualities in you as you grow.

We love you our little ones! You two are loved so very much!

The Robbins' Nest

Picture from my folks' house. She is pretty funny in grass. She doesn't want to touch it so she just sits right where we put her which makes for great pictures!

Nana and Lulu! Lulu, you have amazing grandparents...all 4 of them adore you!

This was when you had just woken up from a nap. Your dad looks about like you as you both wake up in a bit of a hole. You just need some cuddle, wakey time. I love her little eyes and nose in this picture.

This was just hysterical and might make Shay and I bad parents. We had to keep taking leaves from Lulu as she was trying to eat them. As you can see she did not appreciate that.

Flying pictures are my new favorite. I WILL frame one of these as it's such a great picture of the Lord with us too...laughter, security that He always catches us, and total trust. Lulu, you can always trust in your daddy...both Heavenly and earthly!

We stayed in Dallas with our dear friends! We treasure them so much! I had great time with the mom and they have just had their 1st little girl! So Shay held both of them for practice and Lulu just sort of watched her. It was precious!