Splish Splash I Was....

SWIMMING IN MY NEW POOL!!

Lydia got a new pool a few weeks ago, and finally was able to get in it today! She had a lot of fun, once she figured out what was going on. At first, she was not too sure about it. The water was cold...but once she got in and wet she had a blast! I'm sure we will spend many hours in it this summer!!

Not too sure about this...

Finally in and playing! We need to get her some pool toys to play with! Guess her bath toys will work for now!

Beautiful Baby Girl

Where's Lydia? Hiding behind the palm tree!

Hmm...what's out there?

LOVES her rubber ducky

All wrapped up and ready to get dry

We've been struggling with Lydia being sick for a little over 2 weeks now. It started out as a yucky runny nose, and has just got worse. The doctor put her on some allergy medicine that seems to work...hopefully she won't have to be on it all the time, but I guess if it works, then that's better than having a runny nose all the time. The this past Tuesday she woke us up and had got sick in her bed and started running a fever. She ran a fever for a few days and was hardly eating. We took her to the doctor and she said that she has a double ear infection, either a viral or bacterial virus, and on top of that is dealing with some major teething. Poor girl! We've spent a lot of time sleeping and cuddling (which personally I LOVE) the past week or so. Hopefully she'll be feeling better in no time!

Resting on her puppy dog...

Daddy FINALLY got her to eat a little something...he shared his Cinnamon Toast Crunch with her! She kept going back for more! =) Whatever works!

Today was Tim's mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary. We took a trip down to Hazen to go to church and to a little party. It was good to see all of the family and visit with everyone a little bit. Lydia of course had a blast entertaining everyone and going non-stop. She didn't nap as well on the way down as we had hoped, so she spent the entire time we were at the party basically walking in circles around the room to stay awake! She's such a cute mess!

Lydia and I walking outside...makes me wish we lived in the country and had room to play!

Playing in Wayne & Janie's front yard

Happy 50th Anniversary!!

The whole family

Little Overalls

Last weekend, we went to Searcy and had a great time! While we were there, Lydia had a little photo shoot! =) I know...what's new huh?!? The first set of pictures are just of her exploring the outside world. She loves to be outside and look around. This summer is going to be so much fun, if it ever dries up enough for us to really get out and play!

She was trying to help Uncle Craig by picking the grass, so maybe he wouldn't have to mow right away!

The second "photo shoot" that we did was in a pair of overalls that are 37 years old! They were Rita's nephews when he was a baby, and since then, every grandchild and great grandchild has worn them to get their picture taken in. She looked precious! We got the pictures done just in time. If we had waited too much longer, they would have been too small!

We have loved being able to get out and go on walks here lately. On the days that it's not raining, the weather has been perfect!

Here is how we started out our walk...

Here is how her hat was when we got finished! I can't believe she wasn't fussing about it! Her eyes were almost completely covered! She's so funny!

She still LOVES to read! She spends a lot of her day reading and being read to! She is starting to say a few words (Hey, Yea, door, dada...I know strange first words!), but she knows lots of words. When we tell her to go and get something, or ask her where something is, she will go right to it. She is getting so smart! It's so much fun to watch her grow and learn! It's like a new world everyday to her!

She loves to sit in her little chair and read...

But she NEVER turns down a chance to sit in your lap and be read to!

Congratulations Matt!!

My brother Matt graduated from Wayne State University in Michigan with his Masters in Medical Sciences! We are so proud of him!! Wish that we could have made the trip up for his graduation, but it was the same weekend that Shawn graduated...and we didn't know how well Lydia would make the trip. Hopefully we can go up and see them soon! Here are a few pictures that Mom took while she was there.

Matt w/ Mom and Betty

Matt w/ Mom and Beth

We love you guys so much! Can't wait to see you!!

Getting SO Big!

Our little girl is getting so big! Everyday it seems like she does something new! It's so exciting to watch her learn and grow. She knows where her tummy, nose, and feet are...and loves to show you where they are. She's not saying many words, but she is babbling NON-STOP! It is so cute! You can tell she understands what you are saying to her. I'm sure it won't be long before she starts repeating words to us.

Here are a few pictures of Lydia that I took today. I had just told a couple of people today that Lydia will not keep a hat on her head. Well, I guess I should get used to her proving me wrong! After her nap this afternoon, she found her little pink and brown hat (that matched her outfit she wore on Mother's Day but wouldn't have anything to do with it!) and tried to put it on her head. I put it on for her...and SHE WORE IT! She looked adorable in it!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this smile! Melts my heart!

Such a happy girl!

She has started "following directions". She knows where to go when we tell her it's time to go brush her teeth, change her diaper, go to bed/nap, go outside and eat. It's so fun to watch her trot off to where she needs to go.

Basically running off to brush her teeth!

She loves having her teeth brushed!

Paci-check; blankie-check; Mollie-check!

Time for bed! Love you!

Happy Mother's Day!! and other fun happenings!

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day! I'm so thankful that God blessed me with such a precious daughter! I love her so much, and can not imagine life without her in it. She brings such joy into my life. She's so much fun and is constantly making me laugh.

Me and Lydia before church

I am also so thankful for a wonderful mother. She has always supported and loved me no matter what. I would not be the mom that I am today without her constant love. No matter what was going on in life, she was always there for me. Thank you so much, Mom! I love you more than you'll ever know!

I LOVE YOU!!

God has also blessed me with 2 great mother-in-laws. Most people complain about their mother-in-law...not me! I could not have picked out two better "moms"! Love you both!

Saturday Jeff's brother Shawn graduated from UCA! So that was fun and exciting! Jeff went to the graduation while I stayed home with Lydia so she could get her nap in. I didn't want to miss it, but we all know what happens when little girls don't get their naps!! We didn't want to have a fussy baby for the rest of the day!

Congratulations Shawn!

Later that night, we had a little party for Shawn at Tim & Karen's. It was a lot of fun! We enjoyed getting to spend some time with them, and also friends family!

The party is this way!!

Lydia and Papa T

Lydia with Nena K

Sunday after church, we went back to Tim & Karen's for "Mother's Day Lunch." Also, to spend a little more time with Shawn and Bethany before they headed out to Dallas.

Reading with Uncle Shawn

Lydia loves her Uncle Shawn!

Lydia with Aunt Bethany & Uncle Shawn

We are going to miss you guys!! Can't wait until y'all get settled and we can come down and visit (and do a little shopping!!). We love you both very much!

Great Start To Mother's Day Weekend!

Jeff and Lydia took me out to dinner tonight at P.F. Changs to celebrate "Mother's Day"! We have a BUSY weekend ahead...Shawn's Graduation, Nanny's 80th Birthday Party, Shawn's Graduation Party, Church, etc.! It should be a lot of fun!

My dates for the night! Couldn't pick any better! =)

Lydia loved the big menu!

She looks like she really knows what she's doing!

Love this girl!

I feel so blessed to be a Mom! It's something that I've always wanted to be...and love it so much more than I thought! I'm so glad that I could celebrate "Mother's Day" with Lydia this year! Even though she doesn't know what's going on...I'm just glad to spend the weekend with her! Thanks Jeff and Lydia for a great night out!