A trip home to honor an amazing Grandfather!

The world lost a great man on July 20th. He taught us about integrity, humor, sensitivity and love. I am saddened to say we did not make it home in time for Lillian to meet him but I know she loved her great grandpa. We are sad to have him gone but know he is in a much better place now. We miss you grandpa and we hope you know how special you are to us. (Above he is pictured with his fiance Vivian- also a wonderful woman.)

The women of the Nye family on our old stompin' grounds of Michigan State University gardens. (left to right Kalie, Megan, Julie, Lily, and Mary)

Dad (grandpa now) and Lillian

Colin's family were sweet enough to come down for the funeral and to see the new addition (left to right Julie, Colin, Lily, Big Brother Dave, Carrie, Sheila and Chuck).

Play time on our favorite quilt made by Liz - thanks Liz (yes there is a giraffe on it just for me)!

Play Time with Mr. Spider

This girl is too funny! She loves playing with this guy every day and I'm pretty sure they have conversations to each other. She makes these hilarious faces at it, and we're fairly certain the spider is making the same faces back at her.

2 months old and still smaller than The Chev

Lillian had her 2 month check-up. She is officially still smaller than Chevy at 11# 14 oz - so yes Kalie she weighs less than Chev and is smaller than Chev. She is now 23 inches long. She was so brave when she received her vaccines and so was I. The next day was the most sad because those stupid vaccines made her feel so yucky she even let out cries in her sleep while being held by Colin or I. Again, likely harder for Colin and I than it really was for her. But as many have said....what is sadder than a sick baby?

Many of you have heard my endless complaining of our sleep issues.......sometimes up every hour at night and only sleeping in Colin or my arms during the day and most of the time needing to be held until midnight. Well this picture here marks the day I wanted to stand atop any mountain and scream 'Hallelujah......a miracle has just occurred!'....I wanted to tell anyone and everyone that would listen about the most amazing thing that has happened (other than of course the miracle of Lily and a few other large miracles that have recently occurred in our life).......this picture. This was the very first nap in her crib, where I was able to put her AWAKE in her crib and she fell asleep on her own and slept for longer than 5 minutes. Following this nap she took another nap that day and has slept in her crib ON HER OWN since. She wakes every 3 hours instead of every 1-2. I can lie her in her crib awake and she falls to sleep, without crying, on her own. For Colin and I it was/is pure liberation. We no longer spend every second of every night consoling this little one. I have 2 hands that I can use for whatever at least 2 times a day. The answer for us was Secretes of The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg. I am sure it is not the answer for every baby but for ours....it worked and as promised in as little as 3 days. Yes I know it is not forever as I am going back to work in 2 weeks and she will be teething soon and then crawling and her sleep will once again be disturbed BUT for now we breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Lillian and her friend Quinn hanging out listening to music in the park. Quinn lives right around the corner and is 5 weeks older than Lily.

3 very happy generations!

4th of July and beyond

Harper and Lily hanging out at a BBQ. They actually sat together in this Boppy for a long time. Katie (Harper's mom) actually has a picture of Harper licking Lily's head and Lily making an "oh gross don't do that" face.....and the boy torture begins.

"Why are you lying on me?"

More grandparent visits! Lillian loved having grandma and grandpa.

Lillian and dad got the 4th of July wardrobe prizes. Lily clearly took 1st place thanks to Colleen and Uncle Kevin she was able to sport the red, white and blue dress with a USA hat. It was very funny.

We went to a local festival for the 4th - Art in the Vineyard. Obviously there were Storm Troopers there (after all this is Eugene) and from the second this guy walked in to the festival Colin knew he needed a picture with him. Everyone else just stood next to the Storm Trooper- Colin had to be taken down by the guy instead.

Smiling and talking to dad!

Seriously.....

How can any little girl get any cuter? Bath time continues to be one of her favorite times along with.......

watching the trees (yes that is a very full inner tube belly) and.......

hanging out with dad in her very 70's outfit from Uncle Dave. Again I ask....seriously?

BBQ with friends and 3 very fussy infants after all it was 6:30. Dad's were in charge while moms cooked. (Left to right Colin and Lily, Geoff and Harper and Brandon and Quinn -Beck in the background)