Happy Halloween!

When you live in a college town, trick-or-treating gets moved around to accommodate football. So the Auburn/Opelika area enjoyed their Halloween festivities on Thursday night. The Baker's invited us on a hayride around their neighborhood, and we had a really good time. It was a great way for Lila to enjoy Halloween. She watched all the kids and played in the hay. She even went up to one house with daddy!
Best family shot we could get -- this stinker has learned to outwit the camera!

Our Little Pumpkin!
Before we headed out to trick-or-treat, we had to make a visit to the doctor for Lila's 9 month well-baby check. She weighed 21.4 lbs and was 29 inches long. We got the go-ahead for her to eat table food, and to move her up to a big-girl carseat. Baby girl is getting big!

Pickin' Out a Pumpkin

So, we decided to forego the big pumpkin patch this year ... she'll be able to enjoy it more next year, right?! Right. :) Instead, I loaded Lila, Anna Claire and Chloe up when I picked Lila up from daycare and we headed to the Farmer's Market to pick out some pumpkins. Lila wasn't sure about the pumpkins at first, but once she saw the big girls enjoying them, she did too. We took our time picking out the perfect ones, and had a good time! Thanks for the company, Lovely Ladies!

The girls hanging out by the pumpkins: Chloe, Lila and Anna Claire

Each of the girls with their pumpkins ... They were all nearly as big as the pumpkin they picked out!

Lee-Scott Football

Last night we headed over to Lee-Scott to watch some football. Josh was part of the 1994 Lee-Scott Championship team and they had a 15-year anniversary/recognition of the team. We really enjoyed the evening -- good food and fellowship! Lila loved the game -- she would dance to the band and was entranced by the cheerleaders doing their thing!

The was the best family shot we could get -- Lila would not look at the camera .. too many distractions!

Josh and his teammates out on the field.

Hangin' out with Cousin Karlee
I think Lila was saying hi :)

1st Steps

Finally some proof that she can stand on her own!!

Sidenote: Ha, I'm looking back at these pictures -- can you tell that the top one is first thing in the morning?? She's very bright eyed and put-together. The second one was when we got home yesterday --- she plays hard!!

ANYWAY, most importantly, yesterday Lila took her first steps!!! She's standing for longer intervals of time, and she's starting to stand herself up. Yesterday when I got to Melinda's to pick her up, she took a step or two in my direction! Brought tears to my eyes! So at 9 months and one week, Lila Cook took her first steps! She's not "walking" by any means ... but she's getting there!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Melinda, aka Sissy, made all of her daycare kiddos matching pumpkin shirts ... they were too cute wearing them to school today! She tried so hard (bless her!) to get a group photo. Apparantly this is what Lila thought of the photoshoot!!

because she'd much rather be off doing something else ... she wouldn't sit still!

Sissy would try and set her back down with everyone else, and she'd do this! Notice all the other kids just looking at her ... sigh!

Finally got a decent shot inside ... cutie patooties!!

Madison in Pictures

This weekend,

Lila took her picture with our neighbor's blow-up Halloween decorations,

opened a Halloween present from Grammy and Papa,
played on a little toy that belonged to her mama,
hung out with Rudy-roo
wrestled with cousin Will,

SAFELY (Aunt Cat!) had our 9 month photo shoot ... Grammy was very near her in this picture!,

danced with an old Barney tape,

tried to go watch Aunt Casey's race ... but it was too rainy and cold,

got dressed up for church and made eyes at Papa,

hung out with Grammy,

and had lots of fun!

We look forward to the next visit!!

New Things

Lila has learned to...

walk behind her push toy,

play pat-a-cake,
and stand on her own.

I know it doesn't look like it, but I promise she's not holding onto that toy!! She's standing for longer intervals. I plan on trying to get a better picture very soon!

9 Months Old

Can't believe it! 9 months old!! Really?! Time really does go by way too quickly... She changes so much everyday, and is becoming quite a little person. She is so incredibly sweet and fun to have around our home everyday. What a blessing she is to us!

Some new things this month:

1. She cut her two teeth on either side of her middle two this month, so that makes five teeth in all. She only has one of her middle teeth up top though, and that makes her look a little like a hick. :)

2. She is still all over the place! She definitely keeps us on our toes! Not only is she crawling EVERYWHERE, she has started walking behind her little stand-up push toy. That makes her look like such a big girl.

3. She pat-a-cakes when you start singing the song.

4. She waves "hi" and "bye-bye" on cue!

5. She's a little talker. She's also taken to grunting...

6. She started eating little snacks, and she's starting to get the hang of her sippy cup.

7. She doesn't like to pose for pictures anymore...she's way too busy for that. Half my pictures are of her coming towards me. She knows the camera-sound, and would much rather PLAY with the camera than have her picture taken. Our photo-shoot this morning was quite a challenge.

8. She has been known to throw a temper tantrum or two here lately ... but they're very sweet temper tantrums. ;-)

We're in Madison for a little self-made fall break...Have a good weekend!

Lila's new trick...

is climbing through our coffee table. Caught her in action today!

P.S. All this pictures with Lila in no pants -- lemme explain. I do dress my gal in a complete outfit ... which means she did have on some cute pink pants to go with her little top. Once daddy gets to changing the diaper a time or two though, he just decides no pants is better than fighting with her to get them back on.

Aunt Kitty-Kat

My best-friend-since-we-were-two gave us a surprise visit this afternoon! Lila had a very good time playing with Aunt Kitty today ... thanks for the visit! We'll see you next weekend!

Saying Hi

The other night Lila showed us that she knew to wave when we asked her to say hi. It has taken an act of congress to get this video on here, and it's a little darker than I thought it would be ... but here is Lila saying hi :). Excuse my corny, mommy voice ... you tend to sound like a fool to get a reaction out of your child.

100th Post!

100 Posts!! Ooo-wee!
We made an impromptu visit to Madison this weekend, and while it was very quick, I enjoyed it a lot! No matter how old you are, sometimes you just need to go home! We were able to get out and do a few things ... Madison's Street Festival was going on, so we ventured to that, and of course, we got in a little shopping.
Mama got down this little rocker for Lila. My grandparents gave this to me when I was a tad bit older than Lila, and now it belongs to her! Very special :)
She was super cute rocking in it this morning in her Sunday best!

Sips 'n Strokes

My lovely 2nd grade ladies and I went to Sips 'n Strokes on Friday. It was so much fun, and my landscape turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. It was very relaxing and laid back, and lemme be the first to say, that you don't have to be able to paint to do this! It's completely guided, and the teachers are helpful. I can't wait to go back and do it again!!