Road Trip!

Tomorrow morning we leave on our first family car trip EVER. By the time we return home, I will have pictures of my new nephew to share! Don't worry Lucy, you are coming with and so is red blanket. It is going to be a happy Christmas for all. Merry Christmas! Megan

Happy Half Birthday Lydia!

Today Lydia is exactly six months old! Half Birthdays were always big in my family growing up. I'll try to spoil Lydia rotten today with lots of airplane time, hugs and kisses, and silly dances.

Just to document what Lydia has accomplished in her first six months of life--She is now smiling, laughing, squealing, teething, rolling (front to back), sitting up, pushing up when on belly, cooing, babbling, sleeping through the night without needing a bottle (most of the time), grabbing, exploring touch, and making her parents swell with pride. Megan

A Wish for Lydia

I know it is not good to project your desires upon your children but if there was just one thing I could wish for Lydia (other than her health, happiness and well-being of course) it would be for her to play soccer. She doesn't have to be a super star, just a member of a team at some point in her young life. I dream of loading up the van with water jugs and shin guards, leaving the field at the end of the day slightly pink and hoarse, and stopping at Fazolis on the way home. Is that so much to ask for? Megan

Growing Pains

Lydia is getting her first tooth. It is not easy seeing her in pain but we are working through it with ice chips, pain medicine, chewy toys and walks. Megan

Making Baby Food

I am by no means a Martha Stewart-type but I am going to give baby food making a go. Less preservatives for Lydia and cheaper for us. So far, Lydia has tried bananas, green beans, sweet potatoes and now pear puree. She seems to like it all, the pears being her favorite. Megan

Lydia Meets Santa

If there is one person in this world who is hardened to the sounds of a baby crying, it is Santa. It didn't phase him a bit. Megan

Sorry Lydia

There is something so sweet about a naked baby. For the past few days Lydia has been attempting to get her feet into her mouth with sadly no success. Unfortunately, she may have inherited my inflexibility. Megan

Oh Man

Everyone says babies are messy. However, up until now, Lydia seemed quite tidy. No diaper blow-outs and very little spit-up. Yesterday, my view of her changed. This photo shows her attempting to eat sweet potatoes while simultaneously blowing raspberries. What a multi-tasker we have. Megan

Prize?

Did the sleep training work? Well...nothing is ever black and white, especially when it comes to Lydia. She is sleeping MUCH better since our "training." Gotta be honest though, I have given her a bottle several times when it is clear that she is hungry, usually after three in the morning. Am I sending mixed messages to Lydia? Yep. Do I know what to do? Nope. Megan

A Walk on the Beach

Yesterday Lydia and I took a walk on the beach. I thought a lot about my transition into motherhood. Lydia is coming up on six months old and I just now see myself becoming the mom I hoped I would be. I'm trying to not worry so much, let go of the things I cannot control, stop comparing myself to others and enjoy the simple moments with Lydia. Megan

Bob Arrives

I used to make fun of Moms who made such a fuss over prissy jogging strollers. Our Bob stroller arrived yesterday. John came home early from work to welcome him into our home. As Bob came out of the box, I got nervous. This is a serious stroller for people who are serious about working out. Is that me??? We took Bob for his maiden voyage. He is half stroller and half bicycle, turns on a dime and oh-so-smooth. Megan

Christmas Traditions

Before we start our engine for the big family car trip to the Midwest, the next few weeks should be quiet. I'm hoping to spend some time introducing Lydia to the Christmas season. Though she is young this Christmas, it doesn't seem too early to start some family traditions. John and I brainstormed holiday activities we would like to do together every year and this is what we came up with:

Decorate the tree as a family

Drive around and look at Christmas lights

Watch Emit Otter's Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas and Christmas Story

Fill stockings with little gifts in the days leading up to Christmas

Make peanut butter and Hershey kiss cookies (John's specific request)

Megan

Tears

We had a wonderful time Friday night at a Christmas party but returned home to a not-so-wonderful report from Lydia's babysitter. About five minutes after saying good-bye to us Lydia broke down into tears. Her crying did not stop until she fell asleep an hour later. Both John and I did not sleep well that night, feeling slightly guilty about having put Lydia through such anxiety. We all woke up bright and early on Saturday morning to one of the most gorgeous sunrises we have ever seen, happy to be together again. Will we be scheduling another date night? Probably not anytime soon. Megan

A Friendly Ghost

I am convinced that a ghost lives in our master bathroom. Luckily, it is a nice ghost who keeps Lydia entertained, dancing and laughing. To see Lydia , click on the link below. Megan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx9PLH1HcPU&feature=youtu.be

TV Junkie

Lydia loves watching TV. Almost every night before tubbie time, she gets to watch her favorite show Baby Einstein Old McDonald Had a Farm. We try to limit her TV watching to just the one show but it is not always easy. Her newest interest is the remote. I have a feeling she is looking for that power button. Megan

Warm, Soft Bread

Here in the South donut bakeries abound but it is difficult to find a place that sells good bread. Last night, the aroma of fresh baked bread filled our condo as I used my bread machine for the first time. It turned out pretty darn good! I look forward to making more homemade bread for my family. Megan

So You're the One!

Lydia and Garrett have spent much time together as Garrett's Mom is my stroller buddy. Yesterday was the first time they actually laid eyes on one another. Cuteness ensued. Megan

I Like Being 32!

I had a wonderful Birthday! Lots of kind wishes and gifts from family and friends. Babysitter success with complete peace of mind. A BBQ dinner date filled with great conversation. Icing on the Birthday cake, Lydia slept through the night with only one pacifier put back. Megan

My Birthday

Today I turn 32! Don't get me wrong, 31 was an amazing year but I'm older now. How do I know? When I buy alcohol at the grocery store, I no longer get carded though this sticker is staring right at me. I know I feel 32 and I must look it too. Yes, we have plans to celebrate! John and I have hired our first sitter (dum dum dummm) for a dinner out. Megan

Jumping

For the past six weeks Lydia's Jumperoo could have been renamed "Standeroo." Today, Lydia put the pieces together and realized she could jump in it. Here is a clip of her enjoying some exercise. Gotta strengthen those legs for soccer kicks! Megan http://youtu.be/dZIKUYBPL6A

First Family Photo

This is our first family photo, taken two days after Lydia was born. It is now framed and sits on our bedside table. When I show it to Lydia, she lights up, all smiles and squeals. Megan

This Holiday Season's Hottest Fashion Trend

What is the hottest trend this winter in men's fashion? Baby wearing! John picked out this Baby Bjorn at the local thrift store for a buck. Lydia loves having a front seat to his tinkerings. Megan

Lydia Has Got This

Whenever I start to worry about Lydia, she sends me telepathic messages that say "Don't worry Mommy. It is taken care of. I got this." Case in point, the wedding in Annapolis. I noticed two slightly older babies sitting up independently. Of course, I stated to wonder why Lydia was unable to sit up on her own. Less than two weeks later, look who's sitting up now! Lydia, you are right. You got this. Megan

Eyes on the Prize, Night Three Complete and Successful

Another night of sleep! Sleep training complete? I hate to be a cynic, but it seems too good to be true. Megan

Eyes on the Prize, Night Two Complete and Successful

Lydia slept through the night, y'all! Way to go Baby! Megan

Eyes on the Prize, Night One Complete

I recently read an article about parenting and one line struck a cord with me. "Give your child everything she needs and little of what she wants." So when I read in my What to Expect book last night that a child after age three-four months no longer needs to eat during the night, I was surprised. For the past month, I have been waking up twice a night to feed Lydia because I thought her body needed the nutrition. The "Cold Turkey" section caught my attention next. "The Cry It Out Method almost ALWAYS works and usually within three-four days." Sold. First night complete. It was miserable hearing Lydia cry for three hours straight. Luckily she is all smiles this morning and I'm all about my cup of coffee. Megan

Pretty in Pink

John is not a fan of princess attire nor huge flowers in Lydia's hair. He would rather her be a tomboy than a diva. So what do we do when Dad is away??? We girls come out and play! This gorgeous dress was given to us by a friend (Thanks Irene!). Lydia loved it too, particularly putting the tulle in her mouth. Megan

Big Decisions

John and I spent several hours this weekend discussing options for our next move. These are difficult talks. Sure, it would be nice to have more storage for baby toys and yes, a yard for Lucy would make life significantly easier. But no Gulf views, no sounds of the ocean, no pelican flybys and most importantly, no guarantee that my husband will come home each night. Every choice we have falls so short in comparison to the life we currently have in Navarre. Big decisions. Megan

Lydia's Room

John and I skipped Black Friday and spent much of the day organizing and decorating Lydia's new room. The office/guest bedroom/baby's room is now a sweet place for Lydia to lay her head at night. Megan

Happy Thanksgiving!

Safe travels and have a wonderful holiday! Megan

Thanksgiving Blessings

A healthy baby girl

A caring family that takes the time to follow this blog

A husband who enjoys making me laugh

A calm hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico

A nephew on the way

The ability to take time off work

Therapeutic walks with another new mom

Baby smiles that reassure me that I'm doing a good job

-Megan

Violet

Since Lydia is referred to as "the seller of purple" in the Bible, I predict that when Lydia is able to communicate her favorite color to us, she will most likely say "purple." A happy coincidence, John's Aunt gave Lydia a stuffed animal named Violet over the weekend. The purple puppy plays music and talks to Lydia by name. It is adorable and she loves it! Megan

Our Little Crabcake

John, Lydia and I traveled to Annapolis for a friend's wedding over the weekend. We greatly enjoyed the colors of Autumn, great seafood and reliving old memories. Lydia is becoming a seasoned traveler! I couldn't have asked for a sweeter baby. Megan

All Big and Grown-Up

So I was just looking at old pictures and reminiscing about how little Lydia was when we first brought her home. Look how cute! Now my Lydia is all grown-up. She has even moved out. Well, not really. But she has moved down the hallway to her own bedroom at night. She seems to be enjoying her new space. Megan

Care for a Napkin?

Rice cereal, bad. Oatmeal, so good! Now we just have to figure out how to get less on Lydia's bib and more in her tummy. Megan

Being Patient

Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish Lydia were a little more like Lucy. You give Lucy a bone at three o'clock one day and for the next month she will beg for a bone at three. Lydia is no where near as consistent. What am I really talking about here??? Sleep, of course! In mid-October, Lydia was sleeping solid from seven in the evening until six the following morning. Last night, Lydia woke up at ten, two and then again at five in the morning. I will continue to be patient in my quest for a solid night's sleep. Megan

Best Part

Yesterday a cool front moved through. The Gulf of Mexico became as still as a lake. The air feels crisp and clean. Best part, the sunset was spectacular. Megan

What is Lydia Up To???

Since Lydia is a now a pro at rolling front to back, we have started working on sitting upright. She has a new-found interest in balls and her feet. Unfortunately, Robonanny bores her pretty quickly these days. John and I have to watch what is within her reach, as Lydia is quick with her hands. The other day she almost pulled a vase of flowers into her lap. Oh, and she likes to take the pacifier out of her mouth and scream at it. I have no clue why. Megan

Lydia Days

I have always said that Lydia is mostly sweetness with just a little bit of spice. Unfortunately since returning from our trip she has been extra spicy. In an attempt to get my sweetie back, I have been focusing all my efforts on her needs. I call these completely baby-focused days "Lydia Days." It is working. She is eating, sleeping and smiling more. We are back in-sync with one another. Megan

The Name Lydia

I have loved the name Lydia ever since watching Pride and Prejudice in high school. Though she is the bratty daughter who ruins the family name, I was drawn to the name's melody and the beauty of it written. Only later did I find out that it was my Grandad Jack's mother's name and that Lydia is also a biblical name. After a little research, I now know that Lydia was a "seller of purple" who converted to Christianity after meeting Paul. There is also a 1930's song "Lydia the Tattooed Lady." Here is Kermit the Frog's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHXZA_5XMJ4 I'm hoping Lydia will get a kick out of it one day. Megan

The New Lydia?

Lydia and I have not been our best selves this past week. I have had a nasty cold. Lydia...well, I'm not exactly sure. A cold? Perhaps, she is fussy and sneezing a lot. However, she does not have a temperature or a runny nose. Teething? Maybe, she drools and chews on her hands a lot but no actual evidence of a tooth cutting through. New developmental stage? I really hope this is not the new Lydia. It can't be. My baby is sweet and easy-going. Megan

Grumpy Pumpkin

Lydia was a grumpy pumpkin for Halloween! I chose the pumpkin part by winning a brand new Pottery Barn costume for $8 total on Ebay (score!). Lydia decided to embellish the costume with the grumpy demeanor. The day after Amy's baby shower, Amy kindly offered to travel with Lydia and I to go visit John's mom in Columbia. I don't think she had any idea what she was getting into! Though totally adorable, Lydia was not in the celebratory mood. Megan

A Cousin on the Way

My sister is expecting her first child, a son, in early January. What a true gift! Lydia and Baby will only be six months apart in age. Amy and I can continue to share stories about our experiences with pregnancy and motherhood. I distinctly remember Amy once telling me that she knew she would one day have a "strapping young boy." I am ready to meet this special guy! Megan

First Flight

My first airplane ride was around eight years old. For Lydia, she was four months old! Our trip to Kansas City on Delta through Memphis was a total success. Only a few short cries when we were getting situated into our seat. As soon as the engines started, Lydia seemed to soothe instantly. She had no problems with air pressure changes. Several people commented that she was a excellent traveler. Now, the flight home was a totally different story. No need to recap those events. Let's just focus on the positive. Megan

Home Safe, Sound, Pleased and Tired

Lydia and I had a fantastic but busy week. Lydia flew for the very first time to Kansas City. We celebrated my sister's pregnancy with a shower. We took a car trip to visit John's Mom in Columbia. Lastly, we shared a brunch with my Grandparents and Uncle. Memories were made! Pictures of all these wonderful events will soon be posted. For now, I am pooped. Megan

Work of Art

Every parent obviously thinks their child is beautiful and I am no exception. When I see Lydia, I am mesmerized. She is a true work of art and what is still hard to believe is that I, along with John, held the paintbrush. Megan

This Stuff Tastes Like #$&%!

So the rice cereal isn't going well. This photo captures it all. Megan

Stranger Danger???

John's Dad visited this previous weekend to meet Lydia. We had a relaxing few days together. It took awhile for Lydia to warm up to Pops, as I think she is beginning to feel anxiety around strangers. On one hand, it made for some tearful exchanges. On the other, it shows that Lydia has truly bonded with John and I. We are officially "her people." Megan

Walking Buddies

One of the things I most enjoy doing with Lydia is going on walks with the stroller. The weather is absolutely perfect right now--seventies with no humidity and bright skies. Lydia rarely cries on our walks. She seems to enjoy them just as much as I do. Exercise, sun and baby smiles. Megan

Healthy Baby

Lydia's four month check-up was this morning. She now weighs 14 pounds, 5 ounces, which places her at the 75th percentile. She has grown 3 inches in the past two months and is now 24 inches long. Lydia screamed for much of the doctor's visit, not a fan of shots or the medical profession in general, so it seems. On the bright side, the doc gave us the green light to try rice cereal! She has slept through the night the past four consecutive nights but the rice cereal should only help continue this pattern. Megan

Lydia Laughing

Here is a video of Lydia laughing. John was off-camera making silly faces at her. Megan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9RN-aJrDQ

Ya Baby!

We love Lydia's hypercolor, psychedelic pajamas. A kind gift from Dad and Dana, I didn't realize how bright they were until the first night she wore them. When I went to unzip her sleepsack in the middle of the night for a diaper change, I was instantly awoken by the bright colors! We joke that she could be in an Austin Power's movie with these mojo PJs. Ya Baby! Megan

Like Father, Like Daughter

Many people have commented how much Lydia looks like John. I can't say that I truly saw the entire resemblance until I took this photo yesterday. Megan

The Back of Lydia's Head

Allow me to introduce you to the back of my child's head. Think large swirly cowlick. Think pink birthmark. Think horseshoe-shaped bald spot. Think long hair at base of neck giving the impression of a mullet-like hairstyle. It makes me chuckle. Megan