Fun in the Snow

I did it. I braved the ridiculous cold and took Lydia out for some fun in the snow. All by myself. She loved it and didn't want to go inside, but her California-girl momma felt that 20 minutes was enough time in freezing temperatures. Maybe her more warm blooded daddy can take her out for a more decent amount of time.

The Dress

Lydia received this dress from her Grandma Brown as a birthday present.

We immediately tried it on. It didn't fit across her back. I was devastated (because it really is the cutest dress ever), but my smart momma had sent a gift receipt along with the dress.

The very next day, Ryan headed out to our closest mall to exchange the dress for a bigger size at JCPenney, only to find that there was no JCPenney at that mall (even though we were both positive there was). He was then sent on a wild goose chase by google text for the next hour or so.

He finally found a JCPenney, only to find that they did not have the dress!

I called every JCPenney within driving distance (and there are a lot!). Not one of them had the dress. Meanwhile, my mom drove to 2 JCPenneys in California and was unable to find the dress.

I checked the internet. Sold out.

So finally, I decided to just exchange the dress for something else. I found a few items at the store, took Lydia into the dressing room and began trying on. A thought came to me: try the polka dot dress on her one more time.

Feeling silly, I did. As I put it over her head, I realized the bow could be untied, something I hadn't noticed before. Once I untied the bow, the dress slipped easily over her head, and adjusted just fine to her little body.

It fit perfect.

She'll be wearing this dress every day until she outgrows it. Just to make the effort of 3 people in 2 states worth it!

This is what happens when you open up the dresser drawers of a 2 year old and tell her it's time to get dressed. Beanie, gloves, nightgown, striped pants that are 2 sizes too small and Christmas socks.

2 Year Old Picture with Mono

We had a fun little photo shoot this morning. It's our plan to take a picture of Lydia at each birthday (a few days late this year) with her favorite stuffed animal, Mono (pronounced Moe-no) the Monkey, made by our friend Jonathan. Mono is Monkey in Spanish.

I got the idea from a magazine somewhere. The article suggested taking a picture of your child in the same chair each year to watch how they grow. I thought it would be cuter to see how Lydia (and Mono) age together. So far, he is still intact- all limbs, eyes and ears accounted for.

She's getting much better at holding still for pictures. It helped that she got to hold her little buddy. She was eager to have him be in the pictures with her.

Even though she's getting better at staying in one place, we still had some hiccups.

After hearing the click of my camera, she would say "Awwww....cute picture," then run to see the picture on my screen.

Here is one of many results of her vanity.

Some more "cheese" poses

And here she is with Mono last year. She was so wiggly that Ryan had to hold her still and keep Mono in his hand.

Evolution of a Photo Shoot

Our friend, Emily, made Lydia the cutest apron for her birthday. Lydia loves wearing it, so I made a big deal out of taking her picture in it, hoping she would get excited and pose. She was eager to pose (for once), and went to the wall smiling and saying "Cheeeeeese." I was so excited!

But before I could get my slow camera to respond, she had already thought up a new idea. Instead of ME taking HER picture, she would reverse that and take my picture with her camera!

I reminded her of the cool pockets in the apron, which got her camera out of her face for a second.

Then, she thought that maybe sitting down would be a better idea. Sure, why not? Anything for a chance at a good picture.

Got it!



Tiny disclaimer: I didn't tie the strings on the apron tight enough. It fits much better when I do. I know Emily will worry. So don't worry, Emily. =)

Happy Early Second Birthday!

This little girl had her birthday party (a week early)!


(Pictured doing the Hokie Pokie)

The theme was circles (a shape she became obsessed with throughout this second year of her life).







The little guests all made a craft- they decorated paper circle balloon boquets with glitter.



Most of the treats were circles, but that's a tough one. We also had some non-circular items on the table.



The birthday cake- circles. She was so excited to blow out her candles. She loves the song, "Happy Birthday," and sings it regularly- normally inserting a cousin's name into the song. On the day of her party, we tried to put her down for a nap. It didn't happen because she was too excited. She kept singing, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY TO YOU!" at the top of her lungs. So when everyone started singing the song to HER...oh boy, was she excited.



When she opened her presents, all her guests crowded around her, trying to shove their present into her lap (or, more accurately, trying to OPEN their present in her lap). This little birthday girl quickly figured out what to do.

If you want to read some stellar local news (and who doesn't), go to http://www.mysugarhousejournal.com/. Why am I telling you this? Hint: Read the name of the writer who wrote the articles on the front page!

Little Kitty Liddie

We went to a festival at the library where there was face painting. Lydia waited in line so very patiently while child after child and parent after parent cut in front of us (Ok, maybe it was only one child and one parent with a child- but still...).

She was very excited to be painted like a kitty.

An Introduction to Cinderella

While I have many Disney princess movies, Lydia hasn't really been exposed to them yet.

My wonderful nieces definitely come from a "Princess House." So when I babysat them the other day, I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce Lydia to Cinderella.

As soon as I mentioned that princess' name, Lydia's cousins began jumping up and down with excitement. Lydia followed suit, jumping and shouting, "Cin-rella Cin-rella."

We all clambered downstairs to the TV room while Abby sweetly held Lydia's hand, asking all the way, "Lydia, who is your favorite princess?"

Little Cameron started asking the question too. They both gave her ideas. "Is it Jasmine? Or Cinderella? Or Belle?"

Lydia had no clue what they were talking about and the questions kept coming, so I had to explain, "Lydia doesn't really know about princesses."

Abby and Cameron looked at me with very confused eyes.

The introduction to Cinderella ended up lasting only about 10 minutes into the movie. By that time, Lydia and Cameron were wandering around, finding toys to play with.

But for those 10 minutes, I had three sweet and very attentive girls to cuddle with.

Halloween

Our Little Red Riding Hood had a great Halloween. We attended so many different Halloween events that she was an old pro at this whole Halloween thing by the end of the week. Her costume became a second skin. And it has the stains and tears to prove it.

Trick-or-treating was a blast for Lydia. She started out a little wary, but caught on to the whole idea VERY fast. She had no problem with knocking on doors, looking cute, and getting a fistful of candy.

On Halloween morning, we started the day off by eating gourmet donuts at a cute new donut shop.

Here, too, she caught on very quickly.

We also attended a trick-or-treat at our church.

Ryan and I got into the spirit too. We dressed up as each other. Can't even tell, huh? Our costumes were THAT good.

Stickers

My mom sent Lydia some stickers. In less than 5 minutes, this is what happened. All Lydia's doing.

Thanks, Grandma! She loved them!

My Ladybug

Lydia's costume from last year still fits her. Since we still don't know what she's going to be this year, I've been putting last year's ladybug outfit on her for fun. She loves it!

Say Cheese!

We're working on the whole smiling for the camera thing.

Lydia loves to say "cheese," but she still hasn't figured out how to look at the camera while saying so.



She IS getting pretty good at keeping her body towards the camera. That's something, at least.



And every now and then, we are finally lucky enough to get a smile and a face at the camera.

It's Cold

We headed up to the mountains this past week to view some some leaf color changeage, but were greeted by this.



Snow. In October. The BEGINNING of October, mind you.

We did see some pretty colors through our frosted eyelashes.



And we certainly did enjoy our walk alongside the creek.



But it pained me to dress my child so...



...when only a week ago, we were traipsing through the mountains feeling quite comfortable in simple long sleeve t-shirts.



And instead of watching her innocently play with leaves as I did last week, I had to fear the dangers of frostbite as she played with snow. (Yes, dramatics awards go to ME).



Oh cursed cold weather.

Deaf Festival and Snow Pants

We enjoyed our Saturday. We went to the deaf and hearing impaired festival so Ryan could practice his sign language. He did get to sign with one or two people, and decided he wants to take some more classes.

Lydia got her face painted for the first time. She has been obsessed with balloons lately (beee-yooons), and loved having balloons on her face. She kept finding any excuse to look at her reflection in the mirror, oven door, car door, anywhere.




She did a little carnival gaming.



And then we purchased her birthday present- snow overalls. It makes me cold just looking at it. Is it really going to get cold enough to wear something like this?