Because You are the Most Important

Not only did Lydia turn 8 months today, we also bought a new car! We had been wanting a new car for awhile now. I felt bad for Brian driving all the way to New Braunfels in his Hyundai, which squealed all the time and sometimes had difficulty starting up. I wanted him driving a more reliable car back and forth from work. I also wanted a more reliable car while driving Lydia around.

We had put off purchasing a new car because we wanted to see where our finances stood after having to pay the mortgage on our house, all the utility bills, and everything else for a few months, so we could see what we had left over. Once again, God showed us that He has everything happen when He wants it to happen. Allstate figured out my claim from last year's accident only a few months after the accident. They took forever to get to Brian's claim. He had to keep calling them since we kept getting bills from the hospital. Finally, Allstate says they paid the hospital and there was money left over. This couldn't have happened at a better time! Brian's car just started having difficulty starting up, and this past week it really had a hard time starting up. With the money from the claim, we were able to buy a new car! Now Brian doesn't have to drive my tiny Ford Escort!

We went to Carmax, since my parents had just purchased a car for my little sister from there and they had a good experience. Brian wanted a truck, but I convinced him we needed a family car first. I wanted a car that was big enough to carry lots of stuff, but not so big that it would be hard for me to drive and to get in and out of. So, we settled for a small SUV. Brian likes Fords, so we thought about either an Escape or an Explorer. We drove both, but liked the Escape better. It's really fun to drive and I like the blue color! It only took us 2 hours to get everything situated with the car and then we could drive home! Yeah!

Lydia is also 8 months today! I can't believe how big she has gotten in just a month. She weighs 18 pounds, and is most likely over 27 inches. I just put away her 3/6 month onesies, since most of them are a little tight, and put out her 9 month onesies. She's long and chunky up top, but has a skinny waist, so still wears 3/6 month pants. She's in size 2 shoes and has three pairs of "real" shoes, and two pairs of those slipper shoes. I need to get her socks with grippers on the bottoms for when she's not wearing her shoes, since she likes to stand most of the day. She has started cruising around on furniture just this past week and it is so fun to watch! And, when she falls (because she thinks she can let go), she knows to land on her bottom (although she will then tip over). She has started saying "uh-oh" because her friends say it a lot, and she still says "ma ma" a lot. She hasn't gotten up on her hands and knees yet to crawl, but is getting better at pulling herself along on her tummy. We purchased two convertible car seats (one for each car) for her today. I researched them for awhile and was able to find inexpensive ones at Wal-Mart (I can't believe how expensive the ones at Babies-R-Us are!). It took awhile to figure out how to put them in our cars, since they're so different from the infant car seat. But, we wanted the convertible car seat since we don't carry her around in the infant one anymore (way too heavy), she's really long (her feet touch the edge), and I know she'll be in it for awhile. Of course, she's still rear-facing (you have to be 12 months AND 22 pounds to face forward). She looks like such a big girl sitting in the new car seat!

I can't believe January is already almost gone! So much has happened already and Lydia has grown so much more!

You Have to Live the Life You Were Born to Live

I like the random lists bloggers make. So here's mine:

1. I love busy weekends, but being busy (and having fun) makes the weekend go by too fast. Even though doing "nothing" is boring, sometimes it's the best way to drag out the weekend.

2. I'm so excited about seeing WICKED again! I read the book while in college (I read CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER first, then WICKED) and enjoyed it. I thought that a musical would be silly, but I love musicals and was willing to try it. Brian bought me tickets for WICKED in 2007 for my Half-Birthday/Valentine's Day present. We drove all the way to Houston, sat way, way up high and enjoyed every minute! We're going this year for an Anniversary/Half-Birthday/Valentine's Day present. We're taking my mom and my friend, Katie. This is my first time going to The Majestic downtown - hopefully it won't be the last time! I LOVE MUSICALS!

3. I LOVE MUSICALS! My first Broadway musical was PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. It was amazing! I read the book soon after I watched it (nothing like the musical, but still good). I love the new movie version (with Gerard Butler). While living in New York, I also saw LES MISERABLES (read that book, too), MUSIC MAN, PETER PAN, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The next musical I really want to see is INTO THE WOODS. I watch the movie (it's performed on the stage) all the time. I have the soundtrack on my iPhone. LOVE IT.

4. Lydia started "cruising" today. I put her at one end of the coffee table and the next time I looked over, she was halfway down the table! It's crazy how quickly she learns a new "trick" and how she grows, learns and develops everyday! I love looking back at pictures from the previous month (or even the start of the month) - she grows so fast! Babies are amazing!

5. Brian and I took Lydia to the park for the second time yesterday. She definitely enjoyed it more this time (she was really young the first time). Brian can't wait until summer when she'll be running around the park with the other kids. He loves making her smile and laugh.

6. Lydia actually wanted Brian over me yesterday! It totally made Brian's day (and mine!). She was crying while I was holding her, Brian walked up, she reached for him and when he took her, she stopped crying and didn't even want me. He held her while walking around downtown because he loved that feeling - and he didn't even mind when she spit up on his shirt! I love to see them bonding!

7. I really enjoy Saturday mornings. Those are my mornings to sleep in. I get up at 6:00, when Lydia wakes up, nurse her, and then go back to sleep. Brian has baby duty that morning. She's really good with him. She'll play on the floor while he plays his video game. She'll even just chill in his lap! She never does that for me. On Sunday mornings, when I have her, she always wants me to hold her! Totally jealous of Daddy!

8. I got my haircut yesterday and love it short. I used to keep it short all the time, but in 2009 decided to grow it out. I didn't cut it until mid-2010! It's so much easier to manage when it's short. I also dyed it dark brown yesterday - my blonde was showing. I still haven't quite perfected my hair straightener. How in the world do you get the back of your head?! I need a REGIS hair stylist at my house every morning!

9. We went on a date last night, leaving Lydia with my dad and little brother. I put her to sleep at 6:00pm, and left the house at 6:30. I also worry that Lydia's going to wake up and give the babysitters a bad time. Yet, each time we left her after she's asleep, she hasn't woken up! My dad was disappointed that he didn't get to hold Lydia and get her back to sleep (he actually wants her to wake up!)!

10. It's back to work tomorrow. Back to getting up and dressed at 6:00 in the morning, heading over to Leah's house at 6:45. Back to greeting kiddos at 7:00 and making them breakfast at 7:30. Back to dealing with screaming toddlers, biting, hitting, dirty diapers, potty training, cleaning up messes, and so much more. Back to marveling at new discoveries, laughing at silly toddlers, playing Ring Around the Rosy, stacking cups only to have them knocked over right away, helping Lydia practice crawling, and watching toddlers play with each other! I have the best job!

Swinging!

Playing on the bridge.

Having fun with Daddy!

I Have Confidence

Brian and I just celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary! It seems like we have been together much longer than that. We met in February of 2006, but were not immediately friends. He was, technically, my superior, and I was quite intimidated by this super tall guy with long hair and a goatee. We both worked at Showplace Theatre in San Marcos. He had worked there awhile before I started. After a few months we became friends. I allowed him to take me disc golfing (never did that again!) and we hit it off. Over the summer we called each other and he visited San Antonio a few times. In August it was back to school and back to work. And we started dating. By January I knew I wanted to marry this guy. He was sweet, funny and smart. He helped me get over being so serious, made me laugh, and tutored me in math. In turn, I gave him a haircut, taught him how to take some things seriously, and helped him in English. By June we were engaged. And by January we were married!

So much has happened in our three years of marriage. We have learned how to compromise, how to make each other laugh (and cry), and we have learned how to work as a team. Some other things that have happened in three years:

1. Brian became general manager at Showplace and I worked at Marketplace in New Braunfels, since they don't allow married couples to work together

2. We moved to New Braunfels to student teach.

3. We graduated from Texas State December of 2008.

4. We moved to San Antonio to live with my sister and her husband in a house my parents rented to us. I worked at Bright Horizons and Brian worked at Regal Fiesta.

5. We went on our first family vacation to Disney World!

6. Brian started work at First Mark Credit Union in order to get better hours to spend time with me and we found out we were pregnant!

7. Brian got a long term substitute job in New Braunfels and I quit Bright Horizons to work from home at our daycare with Leah.

8. We were in a car accident that reminded us how wonderful and powerful God is!

9. Our baby, Lydia, was born safe and sound!

10. Brian got a full time teaching position at New Braunfels Middle School!

So many wonderful things have happened in just 3 years - I can't even imagine how many more wonderful things will happen in 3 more!

7 Month Update

Can you believe that Lydia Patience is 7 months old?! She is 16lbs 3oz and over 27 inches long! I can't believe how big she's gotten! She can still fit in most 3-6 onesies, but usually wears 6 month onesies. She doesn't fit in 6 month pants...she can still fit in her newborn pants! She's got a skinny waist, but long legs, so she needs the 3-6 month pants. She's got a lot of hair that curls when it gets wet and just sticks up all over her head. I have to put it in a pony to control it. She's getting her haircut today or tomorrow so it won't be so scraggly and stick up in the back. She has two bottom teeth and I keep thinking she's getting the two top, but they refuse to come in - they just like to cause her to get a mild temperature and drool a lot!

New things Lydia does:

• She started sitting up unsupported at the end of November. She can't get into a sitting position on her own, but she's really steady when she sits and can get onto her tummy (by accident and on purpose) while sitting. She loves sitting and playing with toys and watching her friends.
• She loves to stand and hold onto furniture. She sometimes forgets that she can't let go, so she will fall over. She has a new play table toy that she loves to stand at! She no longer likes tummy time. I try to get her on her tummy so she might start crawling and moving, but she doesn't like it for very long!
• She loves it when her friends arrive at daycare! She just starts smiling and kicking her legs. As soon as we walk into Leah's house in the morning she gets excited. She loves playing with the toys and watching her friends play. Her friends are good at giving her hugs and kisses and they hand her toys to play with.
• She has started using consonant-vowel combination sounds. She likes to go "mmmmmaa" and will say "na" and "ga". I love hearing her babble to herself.
• She sleeps mostly through the night! She is usually in bed by 6:15 or 6:30 and will sometimes wake up at 9:00 or 9:30 and I will nurse her (if she doesn't wake up I will dreamfeed her). She usually won't wake up again until 3:00 or 4:00, or not at all! Sometimes I even have to wake her up at 6:30 to get to work on time! She will usually take about an hour nap at 8:45 or 9:00 and then another hour nap at 12:30 to 1:30 and about a 45 minute nap at 4:30. On weekends, she will take about a 2 hour nap in the morning and then another 2 hour nap in the afternoon.
• She has started Stage 2 jarred foods. I have given her garden veggies and she loves them, and the bananas. I'm sure she'll love all the new flavors! She loves to eat jarred food and snack on crackers, goldfish, and French Fries. She tries to drink whatever I'm drinking and prefers my cup to her sippy cup.

I love all the new things she does and watching her grow bigger and bigger! It's so exciting when she does something new! She can be so goofy and playful and I love it! She's not much of a cuddler (she moves around too much), but my favorite time is early in the morning when I nurse her and she is still and sweet! Love it!

Ah, Yes, I Remember It Well...

We just finished putting away our Christmas presents, and will start putting away all the Christmas lights and the tree after New Years. It was an amazingly fun first Christmas in our house, and an even more amazing first Christmas for Lydia!

Christmas started last week, on the 18th when Brian's parents and sister came for Christmas #1. They are in Ecuador to be with Brian's sister, Tamara, for Christmas, so they came a week early to celebrate with us. Lydia was up and ready to play by 6:30. We had breakfast at 8:00, then Lydia went down for her morning nap. Surprisingly, she slept 2 hours, so we started opening presents late. Lydia loved tearing and eating the Christmas paper. She would look at her presents for a bit, but then go back to the paper and the bows. The Pfeiffers gave her a Little Tykes swing for outside. Brian put her in it inside and she loved it! She laughed and laughed! We can't wait to have it hanging up on our porch - Lydia's going to enjoy that for a long time! Another cute gift Lydia got was a pair of Brian's old shoes from when he was a toddler! Too cute! 

The Pfeiffers stayed until Sunday. We were able to play games and stay up late Saturday night, then went to church Sunday morning. They are in Ecuador now and enjoying their Christmas with Tamara.

The work week at Family Infant Home Care was easy. We had 4 kids on Monday, 3 on Tuesday, and 2 on Wednesday and Thursday. Leah and I did half days on Wednesday and Thursday. I took the morning shift (6:45 to 1:00) on Wednesday, and of course Leah was able to get off by 4:30 that day. I took the afternoon shift on Thursday, and didn't finish until 6:00! Oh well! Brian and I went to San Marcos on Wednesday to get gifts from Colloquium. Then we stopped off at Marketplace Theatre (where I used to work) to chat with our friend Darla and her two boys. Then we headed to Rolling Oaks Mall to finish up Christmas shopping. Thursday we dropped Lydia off with my parents then went to see UNSTOPPABLE (with Denzel Washington) - it was really good! Then, I went to work, and after that we dropped Lydia off again with my parents to go to Maggianos for our date night. It was pretty good, though we both like Olive Garden better.

Friday we spent most of the morning in bed, relaxing. Lydia woke up at 6:00 and watched The Wiggles Christmas show on my iPhone while Brian and I dozed. She then took a nap from 8:00 to 9:00 with us, which was nice. We stayed in the house until it stopped raining, then headed to Barnes & Noble so I could get two new books, then over to my parents house. Lydia did really well during the Christmas Eve service at church (she was very quiet, though wiggly), and slept while we drove around looking at Christmas lights.

Our Christmas #2 was at 6:30am Saturday. We opened up our stockings and present from Santa (I got SOUND OF MUSIC on DVD), then our presents from each other. It was so nice just opening presents with the three of us there, loved it! Lydia took a 2 hour morning nap, so I did, too. Then we headed over to my parents to have Christmas #3. Lydia got the cutest little chair from my parents! And a cute little rocking pony from Aunt Nellie!

All in all, it was a successful, fun 2010 Christmas! I can't wait until New Years!

This Story is About A Little Girl

We just got back from a great trip to Georgia for my friend's wedding! We met Leah C. when we lived on Long Island, New York - we were next door neighbors. Leah C. was friends with Rachel B. The four of us then became Leah, Leah, Rachel, Rachel! We have kept in moderate contact since we all left New York (in 2001). We went to each other's high school graduations, they came to my bridal shower (stayed a few days), Leah C. came to Leah's wedding, and now we all went to Leah C.'s wedding! My Leah was a bridesmaid, as was Rachel B., and I played the piano. It was a blast!

This was Lydia's first time on an airplane and I was so worried that she wouldn't do well! But, luckily (I guess), Lydia was up at 6:00 Thursday morning, went down for a nap by 8:30, but only slept until 9:00 - she usually takes an 1.5 nap in the morning. She was very tired by the time we got to the airport around 10:30 and very tired by the time we got on the plane! She slept off and on in my arms the whole way. She didn't even cry when we were taking off or landing! Plus, I actually nursed her in the plane, which was totally un-embarrassing for me.

We drove from Atlanta to Marietta to our hotel (got stuck in traffic) and met up with Leah and Rachel that evening. We went to a "Mexican" restaurant, which was actually decent and had spicy salsa! My Leah went to stay with Leah and Rachel at Leah's house, while I stayed at the hotel with my mom and Lydia. This was Lydia's first time in a hotel. She went to sleep around 8:45 and slept in my bed. I went to bed at 9:45. Lydia was up about every 3 hours and wanted to nurse (not be patted back down) and had a really stuffy nose. The plane ride made her cold worse. She woke up at 5:45 and was ready to play. We played in the little bathroom - sink area so Grandma could sleep, then went down for breakfast at 6:30. Lydia took her morning nap (and I took it with her) at 7:30 and slept until 8:30. We went to the mall and Lydia took her first photo in Santa's lap and didn't cry!

The wedding rehearsal was at 5:00 that evening. My mom took Lydia on a stroller ride all around the church while I stood in for a bridesmaid that wasn't present, since I wasn't able to go through the music that night. The rehearsal dinner was at Nathan's (Leah C.'s new husband) parent's house and it was delicious! Everyone adored Lydia and wanted to hold her. She slept in my mom's arms while chatted and we left around 8:00. Lydia slept a little bit better Friday night, but woke up around 2:30 screaming and crying and didn't fall back to sleep until 4:00. She then woke up at 5:30 but didn't really want to get up and it took me an hour to convince her to go back to sleep. Her nose was bothering her, again, and she was coughing.

Lydia was dressed in her pretty red wedding dress for the wedding ceremony. She was asleep in the cry room the whole time, but then enjoyed hanging out with the bridesmaids while they were taking pictures. The ceremony was beautiful and I played really well with a professional violinist. The violinist was really nice and understanding (and said I played beautifully) and helpful. Leah C. (now Leah F.) was beautiful in her gown and my sister and Rachel B. looked beautiful as well.

The reception was lovely and Lydia loved watching all the little kids running around and even made friends with a little boy who liked to give her kisses! She fell asleep during the loud music and dancing (somehow) but was awake to blow bubbles at the bride and groom. Rachel B. came back to our Atlanta hotel with us, so we had a chance to chat on the way, which was great. Lydia was able to get a pack and play crib from the hotel and slept much better Saturday night (although Aunt Leah said she felt like she woke up a ton of times that night - she's used to sleeping through the night).

Lydia's return flight was really good. She fell asleep across my legs and slept almost the entire way! I am so thankful and amazed at the great job she did the entire trip. If only she didn't have a cold she would have had much more fun! I am also thankful for my mom who was such a big help! I couldn't have made the trip without her!

Thank Heaven For Little Girls

I have been extremely busy the past month. We moved into our new house at the beginning of November and it has been non-stop since then, and it's going to be non-stop until next year!

The house is wonderful! It's great living on our own with all our own space. I still am in the process of decorating the way I want it, but everything is out of it's box and put away. I love that Lydia has her very own room, the computers have their own room, we have a guest room for Brian's family when they come visit, there's two bathrooms, a front room we never go in (unless I play the piano), and our comfy couches from IKEA! Brian, of course, had to buy a huge TV for the living room, while our smaller "huge" TV is in the guest room. I have the upright piano from my mom's house and am trying to sell the electric. Our next goal, for 2011, is to get Brian a new car!

Brian and I have gotten into a good routine in the mornings and evenings. I now get off work at 6:00pm, since I get to work at 6:45am and Leah doesn't come in until 7:30am. This way, I have time to start dinner and get Lydia to bed by 7:00. Brian is good at deciding which meal he wants each night and setting out the ingredients. He will usually take Lydia for a walk or an "adventure" after work (if she's in a good mood) so I can start dinner. Then, when they get home, he gets Lydia in her pajamas and I put her to bed. After that, we try to sit at the dinner table as much as possible and talk about our days. In the morning, we both get up at 6:00. When Brian's done getting ready he will get my snacks and Lydia's stuff together for the day, and get Lydia dressed if she's awake. After dinner we both clean up and it's nice to just hang out with each other.

Lydia is now 6 months old! She is sitting up on her own, eating jarred food as well as "real" food (French Fries, graham crackers, bread crust, and tastes of other foods that we're eating. She likes to drink water from my cup or a sippy cup. She's tried all the vegetables in Stage 1 foods and 2 of the fruits, plus baby yogurt. She has two bottom teeth and I think she's working on her two top teeth. I'm still nursing her about every three hours during the day, but I'm trying to stretch that out to every 4 hours. So far, I haven't found a schedule that works for Lydia and meshes with the center's schedule. She can go longer than 3 hours when she's not with me, of course. She now sleeps through the night! She goes to bed at 7:00, I dreamfeed her at 9:00 or 9:30, and she usually won't wake up until 4:30 or 5:00! And then she'll go back to sleep until 6:00 or 6:30. She takes about 1.5 hour nap in the morning, 2 hour nap in the afternoon, and a short nap in the evening.

We are headed to Georgia for my friend's wedding this weekend. I am not looking forward to going on a plane with Lydia, but am thankful that my mom and sister will be with me. I'm worried that Lydia will scream and scream! She also doesn't like to sit still for long periods of time and is very squirmy. Hopefully she will just sleep! My mom is coming along so she can take care of Lydia during the wedding events. I am playing the piano for the wedding and Leah is a bridesmaid. Lydia and Grandma will get to spend a lot of time together! I know my friends will just love Lydia, but she usually only lets me hold her, so hopefully she'll enjoy them and stay in a happy mood! I also don't know how she'll do sleeping in a hotel bed with me. Hopefully this doesn't create a bad habit!

December has been so busy already, I don't know when I'll find time to do my Christmas shopping! Last weekend, Brian and I had dentist appointments that took us from 11:00 to 1:00 to finish (lots of waiting - at least I didn't have any cavities!). Leah and I then went shopping for wedding outfits. Sunday we went to church, had lunch at my parent's, got a Christmas tree, then went to a community meeting at church. This weekend, I'll be in Georgia. Next weekend is Pfeiffer Christmas - Brian's family is coming to our house to celebrate, since they'll be going to Equador for Christmas. Then the next weekend is Christmas! I  may have time tonight or tomorrow night, or maybe Thursday morning before we leave. I love busyness, but I wouldn't mind some down time!

Et Cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera!

Wow, I haven't blogged in awhile. I didn't realize how hard this would be to keep up. When I think about blogging, I can't think of anything interesting to blog. I have plenty of good work-related stories, of course, but those are really only funny to Leah and me.

Brian's parents came to visit this past Saturday and we went to Brackenridge Park and the Japanese Gardens. Lydia was so well behaved! She napped right before we left, then again on the way there, and again on the way home. She rode the train for the first time and chatted the whole ride! Of course she was held a lot by Grandma and she loved every minute!

Sunday we went furniture shopping instead of going to church. Lydia slept in until 9:30 that morning (crazy!) and we were out the door by 10:30. We went to Rooms to Go first and found a few sofas that we liked. We also went to Ashley Furniture and The Room Store. I had thought of just getting a love seat, or small couch, for the living room. Brian discovered a love seat that is connected to a chaise lounge (it's a sectional, technically) and loves it. The design grew on me and we've pretty much decided on a sofa/chaise lounge from Ashley Furniture. Of course, Brian really likes it because it comes with an ottoman, side tables, AND a 50" HD TV. For some reason he thinks we need a bigger TV. It's a good thing I really like the couch and everything that goes with it.

We also need some dinning room chairs that match our dinning room table. We will have to search online for those, I think, unless we get my mom's when she gets a new breakfast table. I want to get a dresser, as well, instead of having plastic drawers. We are going to IKEA in Round Rock on Saturday to explore their furniture. Brian's never been to an IKEA, so it will definitely be an adventure for him. Lydia is staying with the Pfeiffer Grandparents while we shop with my mom at IKEA.

Lydia is starting to sleep a little bit better. We now have lullabies playing and a fan going to block out outside noises and to - hopefully - lull her back to sleep when she wakes up. She usually will wake up at about 11:00 and then 1:00. Lately, though, she's been waking up a lot after 1:00 (sometimes every hour), so by 4:30am I am ready to just have her in bed with me. I think she's getting used to this, but I really don't mind. I love having her cuddled up next to me! She sleeps really well when she's with us, of course. I know I'm probably creating a bad habit, but I need my sleep, too!

Lydia is now eating rice cereal mixed with breast milk for breakfast, around 7:30. She loves it! She gets fussy and wants more when she finishes! And, she's eating vegetables for lunch/early dinner (depending on when I have the time to give it to her). She has tried green beans so far and is just now starting to like them. At first she would refuse to open her mouth, but today she was leaning towards the spoon with her mouth open! I love that she's so interested in food!