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