Roll over. I'm crowded. So they all rolled over. . .

She did it!

AnnahLilly rolled over for her first time yesterday. She rolled from her back to her tummy. Then she did it again and again and again. Apparently rolling over is great fun and its so cute to see her look of pride and smiles every time we clap for her.

And, as if that wasn't enough, today she rolled from her tummy to her back. Watch out world, AnnahLilly's mobile and she has places to go even if those places aren't very far yet.

Fun at Disney

Four months. Three trips to Disney.

AnnahLilly sure has had her fill of Disney World in her early life. A sign of things to come? Absolutely. It's the happiest place on earth and we'll relish all the trips we can take.

As for the three we've taken already, we went to Hollywood Studios on July 6 with Jackie, Michael and Xander Whitley; Epcot with Drew, Heather and Olivia Conklin on July 27; and Magic Kingdom on Sept. 20 with just us.

Some of her Disney World firsts:

* Resort stay: Pop Century

* Park: Hollywood Studios

* Attraction: Playhouse Disney, Hollywood Studios

* Ride: Spaceship Earth, Epcot

* Restaurant: Hollywood and Vine, Hollywood Studios

* Character photo: Jojo

* Country visited at Epcot: Mexico

But easily one of the highlights was a meeting with Minnie Mouse at Epcot. She was enraptured by those cute ears and nose. We mean AnnahLilly was enraptured by Minnie, although the mouse sure seemed fond of our wee one, too!

Flying

Our Labor Day weekend trip to New Jersey was AnnahLilly's first flights.

How'd she do? Fantastic. She was easily better than some of the grumpy folks around us, that's for sure.

She had a few minor blips. The changing table in the bathroom -- um, not good. We're thinking it had something to do with the vibration.

On takeoff and landing for both flights? Perfect.

So with an expected trip to Italy in the spring, we're thinking she'll be just fine.

Grandmas

When Jen went back to work in August, we were fortunate to have both grandmas stay for extended periods of time.

Brent's mom was first to visit. She came for a week. When she's old enough to talk, AnnahLilly will call her Baba, the Ukrainian term for grandmother.

Jen's mom came a few days after that and was able to stay about two weeks. AnnahLilly will call her Halmoni, the Korean word for grandmother. It's pronounced just like harmony.

It was so special for both grandmothers to get to spend quality time with AnnahLilly at such an early age, and we look forward to the many more visits to come in the future.

Baek-il

Today is AnnahLilly's Baek-il, her 100th day, a much celebrated day in Korea and so, of course, a much celebrated day in our household.

Baek-Il is a Korean tradition celebrating that the infant has survived to this important milestone. Traditionally, the purpose is to give thanks and pray for the child to have many blessings. It also marks the child's first year of life, nine months of pregnancy plus 100 days is about a year. So, in Korea, AnnahLilly would be 1 year old. And at her next birthday she would be 2. And so on.

The day should be celebrated with family and friends and with a bountiful table of auspicious foods. AnnahLilly's Halmoni (grandmother) was here to share the day with us and made us a feast of long noodles (to signify a long life). AnnahLilly's Baek-il table was full of sweet rice cakes (for the sweetness of life), an American cake as well as the traditional bounty of fruits.

Traditionally, 100 white rice cakes are supposed to be sent out and shared with friends. We Americanized this by sending the white cake to work with Brent after the celebration. We think that will do just fine.

The day is also marked by the baby wearing her first Hanbok, a Korean dress. According to tradition, before the 100th day the baby traditionally wears white clothes that were easy to sterilize and keep clean from infection. Baek-il is also the first time people outside of the immediate family are allowed to enter the home and see the baby. Sort of the way we say a baby should stay home for the first six weeks of life to minimize the chance of infection.

We took the traditional Baek-il photos and we also couldn't resist the urge to take a few photos of AnnahLilly in the beautiful white dress that her Halmoni made for her. It's very similar to the one she'll be wearing for her baptism in November.

Good mornings

I've NEVER EVER been a morning person. I flatly enjoy sleep too much. But AnnahLilly sure is changing me.

There's nothing like seeing her wiggling around in her crib early in the morning -- by early, I mean around 8-ish -- with those eyes WIDE open.

Lately, she's been turning on the charm, giving me some precious good morning smiles. As if to say, "I know you're not a morning guy, Dad, but come on, I'm cute."

No worries, Sweetpea, I'd gladly give up some sleep to see you for even just a few minutes more.


This photo was taken before she went to sleep last night:

The sweetest moments

The ceiling fans, picture frames, mommy and daddy. These are a few of AnnahLilly's favorite things.

Nothing makes my heart melt more than watching AnnahLilly smile and gurgle at a ceiling fan. Every time she sees it, it's like she's found a long lost friend.

Our little wonder has turned into quite the charmer. I often pass an hour just watching her giggle and coo. I laugh when she laughs. Smile when she smiles. Coo when she coos. It's the most rewarding achievement of my life.

Graduated from the Executive Leadership Program. Check.

Attended Harvard. Check.

Promoted into management in my 20s. Check.

Bringing AnnahLilly into this world surpasses all of those in bringing me a sense of true accomplishment. She is the greatest thing I've ever done, and I can't wait to watch her surpass all of my achievements.

Our little girl is going to charm and conquer.

And I can't wait to watch every moment.