Swings, A New Present, Super Baby

Lydia has a new bed. A big girl bed she truly loves with all her soul. She talks about it, wants to go to it as soon as she gets home and greets it with "Nice bed, Dad." every time we reach the top of the stairs. She has been sleeping in her bed for a handful of days/nights and I have to say it's been lovely reading with her and being able to lie down to sing to sleep. She just nestles herself in and dozes off... Eventually. Pictures to come some day. She adores her new set up.

So I know every kid loves swings and I've shared pictures of Lydia swinging before, but I never grow tired of the "first time" excitement she seems to approach this every day activity with.

Lydia and I took a walk in the cemetery with MooMoo to celebrate the weekend between our two birthdays (Mine and MooMoo's). Yes, we're all September girls along with Gram Harriet and Cousin Madeline.  MooMoo showed us a new circle in the cemetery and Lydia loves to run in circles.

And Lydia received a new birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa as well.  She has been standing at the easel drawing since it arrived. I could barely put it together she was so excited to get cracking.

Some quiet reading on a Monday.

Gabbing on the phone amidst her big, indoor mess.

Too cool for school.

And now, the strongest, best-climbing two year old.

Lydia Speaking Spanish

Selene sent this little video.

Lydia is saying, "otro parque", "tiene no zapatos", "parque tiene agua", "vamanos".

I think.

So Many Pictures, So Few Words

I'm carried away this week, so let pictures speak loudly.

Other than the usual fun, Lydia was spoiled by her many grandparents and few aunts and uncles at her birthday party this weekend. So grown up, she spent the day socializing, no nap, eating delicious cake, opening presents and then playing with her new toys. All her grandparents were here together for her! An achievement and one to be cherished. I don't have a picture of Kempo and Kate (I was very lame with the camera during this party and have not a lot to show of it), but they were among her doting grandparents OF COURSE! Lydia also hosted her Aunt Dallas, Uncle Nick and Aunt Pink and Uncle James and Celia.  

Some fun mirror time. I'm TWO!

I love you, Lydia Swann.



A very sophisticated tea party.

I don't like cake, I want cake, I don't like cake...

Look what I can do!  EVERYTHING!

Lydia is TWO!

So here we are. However it happened, Lydia is two years old this week.

To spite the great milestone this is, we spent her actual day just we three (four) quietly celebrating. We went to the park on this beautiful day. And Lydia played Mommy with her naked dolly, trying to snuggle her in to her shopping cart. 

Lydia was in the greatest mood every second. Until we ACTUALLY celebrated. She entered the kitchen to her little cake aglow with one #2 candle. She approached with awe, blew out the candle with ease and went to pieces over the smoke it created. I mean, she was just so afraid of it she cried until we distracted her with a gift to open. She received a keyboard/piano with a microphone attachment and absolutely loves it, even though she doesn't understand the concept of speaking into the mic. She stands there breathing into it and smiling.

More festivities this weekend when we have a small gathering of the grandparents and Uncle Nick/Aunt Pink. 

Good morning, Miss Two-Year-Old.

And just some silly Lydia dancing we love.

Birthday Blog TOMORROW

Sorry, gang.  I'll update the blog on Wednesday night.  Too late to do today.  Stay tuned.

xxx

Shadows, Running and Almost 2

Of course, we spent much time at the park this lovely week. 

Lydia became very concerned and then upset about a toad we found who was looking for some shade and swamp nearby.

I constantly look at her curls. They're just beautiful.

Our almost-two-year-old has really begun to master her strength and agility. Yes, she still trips and falls, but she is so much more sure-footed and capable. She does pull ups on the monkey bars (if you hold her up there), climbs the curved stairs thingy (I obviously barely live through this for fear), swings from the TINY little lip at the top of the slide (again, not Mama's favorite, but still impressed) and basically owns the planet at this point.

Lydia also began to understand her shadow this week. We spent a good amount of time waving at and playing with our own shadows at the park the other day.


And... the home improvement continues. The neighborhood is pretty much curious about how much time and energy we (mostly Chaunce) spend fixing up if and when we're actually home. But it's coming along beautifully. New front porch color, new wooden front steps...

Lydia is somewhat understanding there's a baby on the way. She sometimes sits on my lap and says, "Baby movin'" and she's right, the baby is moving. She also wants to spend most of her free time running and running. In circles, up and down the driveway, with Daddy, with Mama, with both, "Run, Daddy!".

And enjoy these videos. Lydia learned her full name this week and also loves to bathe in a new place MooMoo introduced.