Finally a Good Photo!

It has become increasing difficult to get a good photo of Lydia.  First of all, she is always moving.  Secondly, she feels the need to do goofy things when the camera comes out.  Also, and I am sure you have noticed, her hair is always in her eyes.  But we finally got a good one!  Jack was used as a pawn to get this natural smile. John was making him dance in the background (poor Jack).  This one is going on the back of her Birthday invitation.  Megan

Jack Stats

Jack had his four month check-up on Monday.  He weighs 16 pounds, which places him at the 85th percentile.  He is at the 70th percentile for height and 95th percentile for head size.  Hey, if he has a big head....good thing it is an adorable one.  Megan

Chef Lydia

One of my favorite activities to do with Lydia is spend time together in the kitchen.  A positive side effect of Lydia helping me cook is she is much more tempted to try new foods.  She likes to eat raw broccoli and celery.  She at least tried the mushrooms and red peppers.  Though she still doesn't dig into soups and casseroles, her eating has come a long way.  Now it is time to start working on feeding purées to Jack and I have my fingers crossed that he will be an easy eater.  Megan

Easter Highlights

Like I commented last year, Easter is so much more fun with kids.  Lydia loved the egg hunt.  She spent hours hiding and finding eggs.  We took off our tshirts and shorts in favor of "fancy" clothes to attend a brunch.  This hasn't happened much since Jack's arrival.  I think the men in my life clean up pretty darn well!  Megan

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter! Megan

Becoming a Tradition

This is the third time Lydia and I have been strawberry picking in her young life.  When asked if she wanted to go picking this morning, Lydia couldn't get in her carseat quick enough.  She even grabbed her gardening gloves (her idea). Megan

Daily Life

Here are some glimpses into our ordinary daily life:

Lots of playing in the new yard.

Jack napping in his crib, recently passed onto him.  Brings back good memories of when Lydia slept in it at a young age.

Tummy time.  Like his sister, not a fan.

I may be tired, but also very happy.  Megan

Casita de Lydia (Lydia's Small House)

John's Grandma used to tell him as a boy that he would one day make a woman very happy, being that he was so handy.  I totally agree!  In addition, John's handiness is making his kids just as happy.  Here is the completed playhouse, a three day project that left Lydia thrilled and John exhausted.  Lydia "helped" along the way.  She seems to have her dad's inclination to build and fix.  Megan

Here's a Sweet One

John recently commented, "He is really growing on me."  Megan

About My Daughter

She is not a dumb-blond; Lydia loves doing puzzles and "reading" books to us.  To me, she seems to be athletically-inclined and a bit of a tomboy. However she still requests to wear dresses and asks "Am I beautiful, like Cinderella?" I tell her that she is even more beautiful than Cinderella.  Pleased by this, she proceeds outside to play in the dirt, tangle her hair and rub snot on her hands.  Potty training? We seem to be stuck, with Lydia losing interest and motivation.  I have moarned the loss of Lydia's nap and am now in the acceptance stage.  Instead we do "downtime."  I am not exactly sure what Lydia is doing in her room during that hour but it is not quiet.  Megan

Happy Friday!

This little guy has given me the gift of a full night's sleep.  The past two nights he has slept from 7:30 pm until 6:30 am solid.   Thank you Jack! Megan

The Handing Down

It was like the passing of a family heirloom from one generation to the next, Lydia introduced Jack to her old rainforest jumperoo today.  She kindly showed him all the features it has to offer.  Megan

Our AMAZING Backyard

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

We spend several hours each day in the backyard.  It allows us to take advantage of gorgeous weather with no crowds.  Our old yard, though huge by San Diego standards, was a little sad.  We were constantly yelling at Lydia to keep her shoes on for fear of small shards of glass.  A favorite game of Lydia's was to scour the yard for yellow and blue balls, which were actually BBs from a BB gun. Cleaning the dust off of Lydia's toys and patio furniture was a endless chore. Luckily, our landlord is extremely kind and was open to improving the yard.  In fact, she went above and beyond by hiring professionals for the job.  We now have turf and woodchips.  We have three new trees, Flowering Plum, Olive and Oak, as well as a drip line to keep them alive.  They also fixed some of the concrete.  We feel like we won the lottery!!!  All it needs is an adorable playhouse for the kids (coming soon).  Megan

Zoo Date

We have been short a car this week.  That, in addition to not being able to access the backyard, has led to some stir-craziness.  Yesterday,  Lydia and I broke free for the morning by visiting the zoo.  It was a nice reminder of the simplicity of outtings prior to Jack's arrival.  No stroller or bottles needed.  Lydia's favorite part of the zoo is the Skytram, which we call the Flying Boat.  Zoonights (extended hours) will be starting soon and we look forward to whole family zoo visits.  Megan

Happy Boy

Can't get enough of these rosey cheeks. They are constantly being kissed.  Megan

Yard Crashers

You know you are getting a serious renovation when a portapotty shows up in the front yard!  Our backyard remodel has begun and hopefully will be complete by the end of the week.  Megan