Lila Grace

Classic Duck-Loving Lila

 This girl has been filling my heart with love these days.  I can't get enough of her.  For the first many years of her life she was my exercise in patience!  Times have changed.  There are so many things to celebrate when it comes to Lila and so many parts of her I don't want to forget.

First, this girl is the most loving child you will ever meet.  Every night she wonders down the hall to our bedroom and spends half the night sleeping in our bed.  She is our early riser so when we wake up she is ready to get up to.  Every morning I hear, "I love you Mommy, you are the best Mommy," as I struggle to pull myself out of bed.  Lila has figured out how to get some one on one Mommy and Daddy time by hanging out with us in our bathroom each morning while her sisters sleep.  I love it.  I love waking up to her sweet face (not that other sweet faces don't often make it into our bed too!).

Lila has grown up so much over the past year.  She is turning into a strong and independent girl.  I just enrolled her in dance class and the difference between last year and now is amazing.  Sometimes she is the only one who can answer the teacher's question!  She also took her first piano lesson this week.  She was so proud of herself and so composed during the lesson.  Upon leaving, Lila wouldn't let me hold her piano books, she wanted to keep them on her lap the entire ride home. 

Miss Lila has taken off with swimming. She doesn't like it but sucks it up and goes each week. A year ago it would have been a crying battle each week but now she knows she has to go and just does it. She is very scared of heights and diving boards but has overcome her fears and dives off the block. The video clearly demonstrates her trepidation when it comes to heights.


Another area where she has blossomed is school.  This year she just gets it.  I remember when Savannah would disappear and then return with a book that she had written.  Now that is Lila.  I think she has written two books this week all on her own.  I love that she is using her skills to her own enjoyment.  She never fights us on going to school and is well behaved when there.  I couldn't ask for more.

Just recently Lila did something that I wanted to document.  My dress wearing girl picked out jeans for the first time.  Alex and I were shocked.  She looked so tall and grown up in them.  She is definitely a dress girl at heart but this was a nice change of pace.  Typically, it is the fancier the better when it comes to Miss Grace.

I can't wait to watch Lila grow into the role of big sister.  I think she is going to be amazing to the new baby.  I can't put into words how helpful and caring this girl is.  Just while writing this post, Lila sat down and made me these two surprises and brought me a snack on a plate (her own idea, not mine.)

  

This girl is always good for a snuggle and never misses the mark when it comes to making me feel loved.  Each night she falls asleep (in her record less than 5 minute time frame) in my lap or Alex's arms.   She is my first smile of the day and one of my last snuggles.  I am so lucky to be her Mom.  I wish I could freeze her!!  Six is such a good age.

 A "not so uncommon" scene around bedtime!