Lydia ~ 22 Months

As I sit here typing this, I can hardly believe that Lydia's next monthly update will take us to her second birthday! WOW! It has been such a joyful journey, but I will save the sentiment for next time! :)

first attempt at "Mrs. Potato Head"


loving her cousin, Brittany!

playing with Grandmother Allred!

Helping clean Grandma's kitchen... :)

During this month, Lydia cooperated through several more changes in her daily routine and has adjusted quite well to some skills that are new to her. She gave up her crib for a toddler bed last month and she did so well with that, we decided to go ahead and let her eat at the table like a "big girl" also. She has done really well with that, as well, although the placemat seems to be a big temptation - it must just look like it wants to be picked up... :) After that, we made an unexpected trip to be with my grandmother who has recently had several strokes and took a pretty serious fall with one of the most recent episodes. Lydia and I stayed with her for several days and Lydia had fun playing with her cousin and cheering Grandmother up! When we came home, Mommy pretty much went into panic mode because the school where I am teaching part-time this year was set to begin a couple of weeks earlier than what I had thought. Sooo... Lydia had to learn to use the potty - and FAST! We basically set the next Monday as the start date, got the little potty out, some toys for the bathroom, LOTS of undies, training underware, etc. and started first thing that morning. I will not go into details, but by nap time on the first day, I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I didn't think Lydia was completely (biologically) ready for potty training and maybe we would just have to wait. After her nap on that first day, though, things went much better and have continued to improve for the most part! We've had a few accidents, and I would definitely not say that she is trained, but it is a good feeling to know that we have not had to change diapers (except after nighttime) for a few weeks now!

Also during this month, Daddy also spoke during a revival at a church in Monroe, NC, and Mommy began teaching a couple of classes, (English for 11th and 12th graders and a Writing Course), at the local Christian school in our community. Since I only teach between one and three hours each day, Mel is able to hang out with Lydia, which is good for both of them, since the nature of his occupation has him away on many nights and weekends. We are thankful that the Lord has provided us with this opportunity that will help with our finances, but will also allow me to be at home with Lydia, primarily.

Lydia seems to have transitioned really well into these new phases of her life, and we are so thankful! She continues to be a happy, loving and sometimes silly little girl with whom we are completely in love!

Lydia ~ 21 Months

Well, the last few posts have pretty much covered Lydia's twenty-first month, but I will post a few additional pictures to sum up this month. Lydia and her Daddy and Mommy stayed quite busy this month! We went on vacation (to Asheville and to visit with most of Mel's family in Morganton, NC), we had Vacation Bible School at our church, and we transitioned Lydia from her crib to her "Big Girl Bed"! Lydia really enjoyed playing with her cousins while we were with them, and it makes me wish that we lived closer to family so that she could see them more often. We are thankful, though, for the times we are able to be together and we know that being where God has placed us is always best. Lydia continues to be a sweetheart and we are so thankful for a precious little girl who transitions so well in so many circumstances. As you can see in the vacation posts and from some pictures in this post, Lydia really LOVES to be outside - in the water, blowing bubbles, coloring with sidewalk chalk, etc.

Look at these BIG Bubbles!!

Lydia and Daddy at our VBS Kick-Off Event! She wore Daddy out in the "Bouncy House"!

I think her favorite color is PINK!

Big Girl Bed!

This picture was taken after Lydia's first night in her "big girl bed" (a little toddler bed)... Lydia did a great job and seemed really excited! She didn't seemed bothered one bit by the change, while Mommy, on the other hand, was a little sad... It's true what they say about how fast they grow up!

Happy 4th of July ~ 2009

Lydia dancing with her cousin, Karolina, while waiting for the fireworks....
getting tired...

As we celebrate this holiday, I am thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on our country and for those who have sacrificed to make the opportunities we enjoy in this country possible.

Vacation 2009

Soho Falls

Lydia and Daddy enjoying the pool!

Strolling in downtown Asheville

One of the old churches in Asheville

Hanging out by the stream in Cherokee, NC

Too windy to look up, but showing off the rocks she found in the stream...

Mountain Stream

Enjoying God's Creation...

The Mommy Bird sitting on her "mess" as Lydia would say...
Baby Birds...

Lydia really enjoyed watching these birds every day on our porch...

the Mommy Bird did not like it as much.... :)

this guy just wandered into our yard one day...

She acted like she does this all the time...

You must wrinkle your nose to see how good the flowers smell...

another bird...

Lydia ~ 20 Months

Peek - A - Boo!
Cheese!


She has been winking for over six months - just not usually with a snack in her mouth... :)

First thing one morning...

Playing in the yard can be done just as well in church attire...

Loving the outdoors!

It just does not seem possible that our little girl's second birthday is just a few months away! In some ways, it seems like we just brought her home from the hospital and in other ways, it seems like I cannot imagine life without her. Lydia is continuing to grow and learn and surprises us often with the concepts she grasps so quickly. Among her favorite activities at this stage are: coloring on paper and on the sidewalk with chalk, books, playing outside (we are still warming up to the kiddie pool, but it sure is fun to stand beside of it and splash!), walking to and inspecting the small garden Daddy planted and discovering different aspects of God's creation including a bird who built a nest (or, as Lydia calls it, a "mess") on our porch, a turtle who walked through our yard one day, and all kinds of trees, flowers, rocks, etc. Lydia also enjoys music a lot, and has learned several words to some of her favorite songs including: "Jesus Loves Me", "This Little Light of Mine" (complete with a tiny finger waving in the air), "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", and many others.

Daddy was happy to celebrate another Father's Day with Lydia this month! She is such a special blessing to both of us! A "first" for this month was Lydia's first overnight stay without Mommy and Daddy AND away from home! Daddy took part in a formal wedding in Raleigh, NC, and so Lydia hung out with her uncle, aunt and cousin for the weekend! Apparently, she worried much less than we did! :) We look forward to sharing about an very busy month coming up, which will include vacation, time with family and VBS!