Chompers

Liliana is sprouting new teeth like crazy. She's just had her two center teeth on the bottom since July, but few weeks ago I noticed something white flash when I was pushing her in the swing at the park. I stopped the swing and checked out her mouth and, sure enough, the corner of her tooth was poking through on the top. However, it wasn't one of her center teeth - it was the next one over on the side. I've never seen a baby get side teeth in before their center teeth. It looked pretty funny for a few days until the center tooth next to it pushed through the skin. Now the other center tooth and the incisor next to it are on the verge of breaking through and will probably make their appearance in the next day or so. Liliana will have gone from two teeth to six teeth in a matter of a few weeks. I am already getting nostalgic over her loss of the "gummy grin". She is looking less like a baby and more like a toddler every day and I can't believe how fast it is happening.

I'm enjoying my Achievement Day Leader calling at church. I get to work with the eight to eleven year old girls on different activities that help them complete the requirements for the Faith in God award. For a bit of insight into what we do, you can check out our ADG (Achievement Day Girls) website.

David is applying for graduation for next quarter and will only have one more class to take to complete his degree! It will be nice to not have both of us in school come March - and I'll only have one quarter left at that point. The goal line is near!

Random wandering thought: I love the Fall in Washington. The deciduous leaves are turning yellow, orange, red, and brown. Yet we maintain a lot of greenery from the abundant evergreen trees. The air has a crispness to it and carries the wonderful smell of fallen leaves. Thanksgiving is fast upon us (which just happens to be my favorite holiday - family, focus on blessings, great food, kick off the holiday season). God truly has made a magnificently beautiful world for us to behold, care for, and inhabit.

Goodbye Grandpa

Where do I start? A couple of months ago my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It hit with a vengeance and Grandpa Thompson passed away last Tuesday. I have been so blessed to have had all four of my grandparents throughout my childhood and into my adult life. I guess I took it for granted that they were always around because I have learned so much about him in the last week since his passing that I just never knew before. For example, while I was aware that he was an extremely talented musician, I didn't know that he played his violin in the San Francisco World's Fair when he was nine years old. Also, I did not know that his work for Boeing as an engineer included helping with the lunar lander and assisting with the engineering that fixed the oxygen problem in the Apollo 13 mission. I also learned this week that the violin my mom plays was originally my grandfather's and that he gave it to her when she was big enough to play an adult sized violin, rather than the child-sized one on which she had learned. I knew my grandfather was an avid family history buff, but didn't know that he had a chair in his back room that was covered in a sheet that came over on the Mayflower. I knew my grandfather loved the outdoors and had been involved with the Boy Scouts for most of his life, but I was not aware of the extensive reach his scouting activities and projects had. I am so grateful for a grandfather who accepted the gospel and grasped the iron rod firmly with one hand, while clinging to his family with the other. He was a pioneer in the gospel and I thank him for the testimony he instilled in my mother so that she could in turn instill it in me.

I am glad I had the opportunity to get some pictures of my grandfather with Liliana with my grandfather at her blessing back in March, while he was still healthy. I will always remember how much Grandpa Thompson loved babies and let us all know that they were the real reason he attended all the family functions (though we knew he loved seeing us too). Though Liliana won't remember him, I know his life has laid a great foundation for her and the generations that will follow.

I am sooooooo thankful for the Plan of Salvation and for my knowledge of it. It has made this temporary separation from my grandfather bearable for my family because we know that we will all be reunited on the other side. Grandpa has simply gone on ahead and will continue in the Lord's service on the other side. I love you, Grandpa, and told you so many times. And even though you weren't the type to openly show affection or emotions, I know you love me too.

Change of Plans

Well, my practicum placement at the preschool has fallen through, so now I'm just taking one class this quarter and we only meet once a week for three hours. To be honest, I'm actually quite relieved. I get to be with my baby and don't have to stress about not spending enough time with her. Things started falling apart a couple of weeks ago when my first placement fell through and then my back-up placement just didn't get cleared fast enough - which worked out for the better since part of my child-care situation fell through at the last minute as well. David's Dad was going to be watching Liliana in the mornings until he had to leave for work a little before 3pm and then a good friend of mine was going to watch Liliana in the afternoons until I got home. My friend had some problems arise at the last minute and wasn't going to be able to watch Liliana in the afternoon and I didn't want to leave her with just anyone. When everything hit the fan Tuesday evening, I just started stressing out and crying. I asked David to give me a blessing. We had a really good conversation and prayed together before the blessing and I knew before he even gave me the blessing that it was the right thing to do for me to pare back and just take the one class this quarter so I could be with my baby. I felt so relieved and everything worked out fine with getting withdrawn from the practicum, even though I was passed the official withdrawal date (since I was without a placement in which to get my practicum hours, there was no way to complete the class, so the school was willing to refund my tuition - for which I am soooo grateful).

This morning David was holding Liliana and she turned, looked at me, and said, "Mama". She has been making the "mamama ma ma" noises for awhile, but I never really felt like she was necessarily calling to me until today. After she said it, she leaned my direction, as if she was expecting me to come pick her up. She was hungry and ready to feed, and since I'm the "food lady", she probably figured she better get my attention!

Later this morning, while I was getting David's lunch together, Liliana was crawling around the kitchen. I realized that things were quiet and looked around to see what she was up to. She had climbed into her bumbo seat (a little foamy baby seat that sits on the floor) all by herself! I took a picture and we'll get that posted on our family website.

Oh, I am sooooo relieved to be staying with my baby. This actually works out so well, because if I am able to get my placement in the preschool/childcare center near my home next quarter, once Liliana turns a year (2 weeks into the quarter), I can just take her to the center with me and pay 50% tuition since I'll be an employee. I had originally been planning to take her with me to the center this quarter, but was informed that the employee discount only applies to babies over 1 and that full-priced tuition was about $340 a week - ouch! Since I'll have completed this other class, my coursework will be a bit lighter next quarter as well. We'll see what happens. Whether or not I'm able to graduate in June now, I know I'm exactly where I need to be and that Heavenly Father will guide me in what is best for me and my family - as long as I'm willing to let Him.

Shake Your Booty

Yesterday Liliana randomly started "dancing" (kind of shaking and wiggling back and forth) when I was singing to her. It was so cute! I started clapping, which made her stop dancing and clap too. Later in the day she was playing with a toy that makes music and she would do her quick little wiggle-dance to the music. It's so fun to see her learn and do new things. I am going to have such a hard time being away from her while I'm at school or at the preschool for my practicum. I just have to remind myself that it is just a ten week quarter for the Practicum and then one last ten week quarter for my student teaching. Come March, I'll be done. I've got to keep my eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel and not get all flustered by the stress and sadness at being in school and away from my baby. I'm so close I can almost taste it. I really want to set the example for my children by completing my four year degree (even though I'll have actually taken about 6 years worth of college classes by the time I'm finished). I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.....

Stand Up, Sit Down, Wiggle All Around

Liliana is now 8 months old! She has been officially crawling for over a month now and is very fast. She can also pull herself up on just about anything: tables, chairs, people's legs, walls, large toys, etc). I've had to move everything up a shelf or two. Liliana has also figured out how to open drawers and cabinets, so we've had to latch the cabinets that we really don't want her to get into, and I just have to keep her from taking everything out of the other ones.

David and I just returned home last night from a trip to Spokane, WA and Post Falls, ID. David was attending a business conference in Spokane on Thursday and Friday and we stayed at a beautiful hotel called Davenport Tower. The original Davenport Hotel (opened in 1914, I think) is kitty-corner across the street from the Tower and that is where the conference was held. The Davenport has been beautifully restored and it is full of amazing pictures of dinners, balls, and other events that have taken place there over the past century. I took a little self-guided tour through the hotel with Liliana, though I think she was not able to appreciate the hand-carved moldings and beautiful detail work throughout the hotel. Liliana and I also took nice long walks around the Spokane Riverfront Park and I helped her get wet in the park fountain on Friday, when we were experiencing 87 plus degrees outside. Liliana was a little freaked out the first time she stuck her hand in the spray of the fountain because the water ricocheted off her hand and splashed her in the face, but she started laughing after I helped her get used to it. I took Liliana to a couple of the conference "receptions" and walked her around some of the exhibits/booths. Everyone seemed excited to talk to her and offer her all the little handouts (beach balls, a boomerang, foamy ball, light-up pens, etc.) that they were handing out. Liliana also attended the final conference dinner with David and I and made loud noises at all the quietest moments. People seemed to think it was funny and no one seemed to mind, but it was still a little embarrassing to have her calling out right when everyone had quieted in order to hear a presenter.

After the conference we went to visit David's parents and stayed with them Friday and Saturday night. Liliana was the star of the show all weekend long. One of my mission companions, previously known as Sister Zehnter, lives in the same ward as David's parents and she came over with her two little ones to visit on Saturday. It was fun to see her and watch out kiddos interact. It's strange to think how much time and life experience has gone by since we were teamed up in McAllen, TX.

I'm still working out the details with my ECE practicum. There have been a few wrinkles that have arisen (such as the center I was supposed to work at has had a hiring freeze placed on them - which includes my previously arranged position - and they didn't tell me until I went in to fill out paperwork for my class last week), and class is officially starting on Wednesday. I'm hoping and praying that things will work out because I really don't want to put this off another quarter. Keep us in your prayers that things will work out so we can get our schooling all done!

Anyway, David has updated our baby photo page on our website, so have a peek if you want to see how big Liliana is getting now (http://hotelhernandez.googlepages.com/babypictures). I'll see what I can do about getting some of our million videos on there as well. Love to you all!

Babies Galore!

The past few weeks have been fun and full of excitement. My older sister, Renee, came up to visit from Utah with her family. Her husband, Larry, had to head home after a week, but Renee and the boys (Kaden - 3 yrs and Daxton - 4.5 mos) were able to stay for about 3 weeks! It was such a blast to have all the baby cousins together. David and I hadn't been able to meet Daxton until their visit, so we were exceptionally excited to have them come. My other sister (Sylvie) brought her son (Mason - 6 mos) over as well and we just let all the babies check each other out, lick each others' heads, and steal toys from one another. It was so fun to watch them interact.

We had some pictures done with all four of the cousins together and they came out really cute. I'll get them scanned in and posted so you can check them out from our family website.

Liliana is over six and a half months old now. Can you believe it? Her second tooth started coming in about two or three weeks ago and has caught up to the first one, so she's got a cute little chipmunk thing going on now. She's also eating some solid foods - although I don't know if eating is the correct term. What I mean is that even though she does eat some of the solids I giver her, she also enjoys blowing raspberries while her mouth is full and splattering herself, the kitchen, and me with sticky food. I think I'm going to have to go buy myself a rain poncho to use during feedings.

Liliana still isn't officially crawling, but she can get all over the house with her push-up/scoot thingy that she does. I guess she figures that since this is working to get her around, she shouldn't bother changing her methods.

I am preparing to go back to school in September to finish my Early Childhood Education Practicum and my Elementary Ed. Student Teaching. While I'm not looking forward to being away from my baby for 8+ hours a day for the next two quarters, I am excited about the prospect of completing my degree. I am also aware that if I don't complete my degree now, it is only going to get harder to do as Liliana gets older and wants more mommy-time and as David and I have more children (God willing). So, with help from David's dad and some good friends who have offered to watch Liliana while I'm at school and David's at work, I should be able to finish my degree/certification by March. Please keep me in your prayers that I'll be able to balance all the homework and family responsibilities without going crazy or neglecting my baby.

I sure love being a mom and am enjoying the excitement of watching Liliana grow and progress day by day. It is amazing to think how much she has learned and developed in such a short time. It is true that "time moves on wings of lightning" and I just hope I am able to make the most of the time I have been allotted to care for, love, and raise my baby.

On the Move

Liliana is really moving now! She isn't quite crawling - but just about. She has been moving herself along the floor for a few weeks now by getting on her hands and toes (like a push-up) and pushing herself forward. Just this past week she has begun to get up on her knees more and more. Once on her knees, Liliana rocks forward and backward and then eventually goes back to the toe-push deal. I think she just hasn't quite figured out how to slide one leg forward at a time yet. Friday, June 27th Liliana scooted clear across the living room floor in pursuit of a ball that kept rolling away from her whenever she reached out to grab it.

From Saturday, June 28th until Sunday, July 6th, we were down in Seaside, Oregon for our fourth of July family vacation. Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, my mom, David's parents, my sister Sylvie and her husband and son, and my uncle Steven and his family were all there. Liliana got to dip her feet in the ocean for the first time and wiggled her toes in the sand. She seemed to really enjoy the beach. On the fourth, we watched fireworks from the hotel room where David's parents were staying right down on the beach. Liliana was very fascinated by the lights and kept cooing, jabbering, and blowing raspberries as she watched.

Wednesday, July 2nd, I noticed something white just barely poking up through Liliana's lower gums and I suspected that she might have a tooth coming in. However, it was dark in our tent and Liliana wasn't cooperating to let me get a good look so David and I weren't able to confirm that she was cutting a tooth until the morning. I can't believe she's already teething! I thought I still had another month or two, at least. She has already bitten me twice while feeding now and David once when he stuck his finger in her mouth.

We had a wonderful time on our little trip and were glad to be able to enjoy good weather for the majority of our trip (though it did rain our last day there). I'll get our vacation pictures posted right away so you can check out Liliana's first real beach trip.