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

Video of Lydia Rolling Over

Well, it wasn't a fluke! Lydia has rolled over several times this weekend. Here is a short video of it. Megan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plzAyuMs7Lo

Beautiful Morning for a 5K

Lydia and I completed the Run for the Reef this morning. She was surely the youngest participant of the 280. We ended up doing a combination of running and speed walking--running when the pavement was smooth and walking when it was rough. Seventy degrees and sunny, a great way to start our Saturday. Plus, I got a cool t-shirt. Megan

Rolling Baby

Lydia rolled over for the first time ever while in tummy time on her play-gym! This photo was taken just minutes after the big event. Proud Mommy. Megan

STTN!

Once in a blue moon, when the stars align and the pacifier stays put, Lydia STTNs (sleeps through the night). Last night we all got eight hours of glorious, uninterrupted sleep. It was heavenly. Megan

An Anxious Mom

John's Grandma once commented that now-a-days babies always have SOMETHING hanging in their faces, usually brightly colored with lights and sounds. So true! As if Lydia's play-gym didn't come with enough toys dangling from it, I have added quite a few. A friend, who is also a new mom, recently mentioned reading that babies should have ample opportunities to practice grasping. I actually wondered if I should try to add more to the play-gym. Megan

Houston...We Have Giggles.

Lydia has been throwing us smiles left and right lately. But a giggle, that calls for much more finesse. Sometimes it takes a very enthusiastic rendition of "If You are Happy and You Know It." Other times it may be a silly dance while making idiotic faces. I am very proud to admit that I am the best at getting a giggle. Can't wait to hear a true belly laugh. Megan

A Bad Day

Yesterday was supposed to be a good day. John didn't have to work because of the holiday. I had been looking forward to having the day to myself for several appointments and errands while John watched Lydia. I was going to be free to jolt about town, just like I was pre-baby. Well, it didn't end up that way. From my hair stylist forgetting our appointment to a $250 vet bill when all I had intended was a nail clipping, the entire day was a series of small failures and disappointments. Of course, none of it really matters. I did, however, wake up this morning thrilled to know I will be spending it with Lydia here at home. Unlike life on the "outside," Lydia never disappoints me. Megan

Butterfly Season

It is butterfly migration season and they are all over Navarre Beach! There is something magical about butterflies at the beach. Very few of them will survive migration but it still breaks my heart when I see them hit my windshield. My favorite is the Painted Lady, which I see often along with the Monarchs. Megan

Party in Lydia's Crib! BYOP (bring your own pacifier)

About every night for a week now, Lydia wakes up and decides to throw a party. She shows her enthusiasm by blowing raspberries with lots of drool and making goo-ga noises (John's term). We like it now because she sounds so happy. Will it still be cute in another week? Here is a picture of Lydia after a long night of partying. Megan

Red Velvet Cupcakes With White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

I was struggling to figure out what I could do for John for his Birthday. Luckily I stumbled across this recipe. It is the perfect marriage of two of John's favorite things--red velvet and mint. With Lydia's cooperation and a nice two hour nap, they came out wonderfully! About half the time when I try recipes, I goof them up somehow. The other half of the time, they are just not good recipes. So I am proud of myself and how delicious they turned out. John asked if they were homemade and I fibbed. With 13 ingredients total, they are practically homemade. Megan

http://www.cakemixdoctor.com/recipe/red-velvet-cupcakes-with-white-chocolate-peppermint-cream-cheese-frosting/

Happy 31st--No Wait--32nd Birthday John!

Today is John's 32nd Birthday! I love telling the story of him forgetting how old he is. It took me fifteen minutes to convince him of his actual age! You know you are getting older when you can't keep track. Here is a picture of John and Lydia from the weekend. She loves her new battery-thirsty device, the Jumperoo, though her legs aren't quite long enough to jump on her own yet. John, being such a kind parent, was helping her out. Looking good for 32! Megan

Lucy

Since this is a form of a gratitude blog, I need to give thanks to Lucy the dog. Over the weekend, she had an unfortunate "bathroom incident" that in my mind, was her way of letting us know that she is tired of being neglected. So here it goes...Lucy is certainly the BEST bad dog in the world! Everyday she makes me laugh, whether it is watching her sprawled out on the balcony sunbathing, barking at her bones or running into walls with a red blanket over her head. I'm sure we look like a circus on parade as she pulls Lydia's stroller and myself around the parking lot each morning with me yelling "Stop Pulling!" One day, a bystander commented aloud "Wow, she certainly has her hands full." Yes, yes I do and I love it. Megan

Coffee at Sunrise

Unfortunately Lydia has gone from waking up one time a night to two. The upside of being awoken by a hungry baby at six in the morning is being able to enjoy a cup of coffee on the balcony while watching the sunrise. We are loving the crisp, cool air of October. Megan