in between

I don't know how it happened, I only know it DID.

Lilli is ONE.

We have had our hands full w/what all of you have had your hands full with: life. & I was going to have this birthday-only post, but there are too many other things to document, so Lilli will have to share the spotlight.

& you will have to gear up for a big post, but no one's forcing you, you know.

Lilli, who is still walking, has added eating solid food to her blossoming list of mad skillz-- she LOVES a lot of things we only wish big brother would eat. 

Among the most bizarre foods she will pound: cottage cheese. By the fistful. 

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Here we are raking leaves-- Emmett had a blast!

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This is our second time to try out the pumpkin patch. The first year we went to this very one on Halloween (novices!!) & I kid you not there were NO PUMPKINS. This year we went early, but we didn't dress cute AND I look so insanely old in the pics w/me in them (you will see them over my dead body) that next year I may swing by Glamour Shots before we go just so I'm truly prepared to be photographed. We brought an umbrella stroller (idiots!) & left pumpkinless. Next year we're going to really do it right. But we did have so much fun-- 

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Lilli has recently inherited the rocking chair my sister & I used to fight over-- I love seeing it around again & I love these pics of her enjoying it. We have had to quarantine it b/c she just wants to stand in it & we all know that is not safe ;) "All" meaning, not Lilli.

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& finally, the birthday-- we had a small family affair & it was so fun & sweet & unbelievable to be finished with this lap around the sun so quickly. My last baby is no longer a baby baby, if you know what I mean. Does this give me baby baby fever? NO. But there is something a little sad about kids growing up, isn't there? It is bittersweet. Mostly sweet. But still. 

I will leave you with a cliffhanger :)

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I am having surgery tomorrow-- goodbye, hernia. Hello, "tummy tuck" (I wish!!). I am bidding my conical belly adieu. Not a sad farewell, but perhaps (who am I kidding?!?) an apprehensive one. I know God is bigger than my little mortal fears & I have been thinking all night, "His divine power has given us everything we need..."2 Peter 1:3. I know He is in control. I am scared, OF COURSE, after my past few years-- but I look with hope to what could just be my LAST surgery. & if it isn't, He's still good & He's still given me everything, EVERYTHING, I need.

 I made Dave take before photos tonight-- you know I love to TMI you.