This is a Bragging Post

If you are a person who is sensitive to hearing other parents boast about their kids, WARNING--do not read this post! For the past few days, Lydia has gone around the house pointing out circles. Wow! Now I'm taking this with a grain a salt. This stroke of genius is coming from a 19 month old who often confuses cows and pigs. But it does tell me two things. One, Lydia is a visual learner, like her dad. Two (and my favorite), she is learning from TV! Most days we exceed the two hour recommended screen time for kids and I often beat myself up about it. Thank you Sesame Street for teaching Lydia what a circle is and helping relieve my guilt. Megan

Conversing with Lydia

A typical conversation with Lydia goes something like this:

Lydia: Bubble?
Me: Yes, we can do bubbles.
Lydia: Bubble?
Me: Yes, I'm opening the bubbles.
Lydia: Bubble!
Me: Yes, bubble.
Lydia: It's a bubble?
Me: Yes, bubble.
Lydia: Bubble?
Me: Yes.
Lydia: It's a bubble.
Me: Bubble.
Lydia: Oh, it's a bubble.

You can exchange the word bubble for flower, muffin, car, etc. for variety.
Megan

Sunset Picnic

We had our first family picnic on the beach tonight, courtesy of KFC. Lydia was too excited about exploring to eat. Totally understandable! Megan

Lunching with Lydia

Here is a video of Lydia eating with a spoon, quite a messy endeavor. She wants to do whatever John and I do, including using the exact same silverware. Megan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDLD_YNZ0lA&feature=youtu.be

Lydia's Sleeping Buddies

These are Lydia's sleeping pals--Pink Bull, Pink Monkey and Doc. After every sleep, Lydia adamantly carries all three out of the crib with her. Pink Monkey was accidentally left at Grandma R's after Christmas. After a few weeks apart, Lydia was thrilled to be reunited with her sleeping friend. Megan

January Diaper Day

I can't believe Lydia is playing in her diaper in January but we are having a gorgeous, warm day! Headed to the beach soon. Megan

This is a Living Room

You are probably thinking "that looks like Megan and John's living room." This is exactly the point. Our living room is no longer a messy toy room. I am reclaiming it and hopefully some sense of organization by attempting to rotate Lydia's toys weekly. Following the advice of others, I grouped Lydia's toys into three sets. Each set contains at least three pretend toys, three moving toys and three thinking toys. Rotating the toys should hopefully improve the quality and quantity of time Lydia plays with each toy. Time will tell how Lydia feels about this new system. Fingers crossed that she doesn't discover all her toys in the back bathroom tub! Megan

Chasing Lydia

Waving arms, wobbly feet, bouncing curls, happy squeals and the flapping sound her pacifier makes. Click on the link to see video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgwJ6A4H_N8&feature=youtu.be Megan

Breakfast Time

Lydia has become so much more independent in her eating. She lets me know she is hungry by pulling out her chair at the table. When I ask her, "Do you want breakfast?" she responds with "ohhh--kay." Megan

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Ahhhh...my favorite spot, the bed, has also become Lydia's favorite comfy place for play and lounge. Megan

Slowing Down

Now that the holidays are over and our future in the Coast Guard is secure, John and I have been making a conscious effort to slow down, relax and enjoy more. A beautiful sunset. Great conversations with John's dad (during his recent visit). Date night to see the Twilight movie. A family stroll. Lydia seems to be enjoying the simpler things in life as well. Cuddling with a stuffed animal. Jumping on the bed. Sitting at the table with Mom and Dad in her booster seat. Watching a musical. We are all on the same page. Megan