Sunday's Science Experiment

Last weekend Jen and I took Lydia to UT to participate in one of their infant lab programs. Different graduate students are doing various studies on infant development and they always need volunteers. The study we were participating in involves depth perception, so Lydia sat in the chair and a machine measured where she looked and for how long. They showed a video with lots of different images of things that are near and far. Some were controls that had larger objects farther away to determine if she looked at something because it was big or because it was close. After deciding that the two tests with me in the room, resulted in Lydia looking at me too much, I was able to watch the monitor with the students and it was so neat to see it follow her little eyes across the screen. Lydia did not seem to mind the experience and we helped some grad students in the process. Not a bad day out of the house.

Lydia has a TOOTH!

Also a post with no photographic evidence, but when I felt Lydia's gums there was the tiniest little tooth, just above the surface of her gum. So, Happy Birthday PJ and enjoy the new tooth Liddy!

Lydia's Crawling!

No photographic evidence of it yet, this is a picture of Lydia pulling up on my leg, but Nancy called from daycare to say that Lydia crawled today!  I knew she was close and I saw her get up on all fours last night, just before she was whisked away to spend one more germ free evening with Larry and Debbie.  I can't wait to see her tonight, both because PJ and I finally feel well enough to have her at home and to see my wobbly little girl move under her own power.

Valentines Weekend (handmade with love)

Obviously we have a little catching up to do! I HATE it when that happens. I do have blogs that I follow and I HATE it when they take too long to post new content. I can't believe a whole week has passed with no new pictures to post. I did take some last weekend, but the camera ran out of power and we got busy and then PJ got sick, etc. etc. etc!

So here is what I SHOULD have posted from last week.

I actually wrote it in my head. I had a title picked out and everything!

Handmade with Love!

Here is my Valentine for Lydia. I spent Valentines Day making baby food for Lydia. I actually enjoy this form of cooking a lot. Mostly because it's so easy! You just boil water, throw in the fruit or veggies, and grind it all up. No measuring. No seasoning. I love that it makes the house smell great, and it's warm, and soft, and sweet. I love that I wouldn't be afraid to eat it and that Lydia is eating things that are made for her with love.

Here is PJ's Valentine for Lydia. PJ spent Valentines Day working on Lydia's bathroom. The huge, heavy, antique bathtub was finally ready to be moved from our bathroom upstairs to Lydia's bathroom. It will be a few more weekends of small details before it is completely complete, but it is a lovely room and lovingly made.

Here is Jennifer's valentine to Lydia. Jennifer watched Lydia so we could shop for tile for our bathroom. You have seen the crochet hearts she made for Lydia already, so here is Lydia eating the card that Jen made. Hmmmmm. I think she likes the taste of it better than the food that I made!

My Favorite Valentine

This is my favorite valentine image this year!  The hearts were crocheted by Aunt Jen.  Lydia has this new smile that she does where her lips stay together and her cheeks are so round, it looks like a Cabbage Patch Kid mouth to me.  So sweet and small.  Lydia and her smile!

Happy almost Valentines!

Here is my second most favorite picture from PJ and Lydia's Valentines Pictures.  With Lydia's bathroom being finished, our tub about to be moved, and our new shower being delivered, it has about slipped my mind that this weekend is V day.  Obviously, nothing too special planned....other than trying to get more done on Lydia's bath and our bath, etc. etc. etc.  I think we are making a very romantic trip to the Home Depot to pick out tile!  Maybe there will be time to sneak in a viewing of Coraline.  Uncle Dave and Cousin Matt from Iowa will be passing through town again, so its sure to be a busy and fun weekend.

Lydia

Here is another sweet Valentines pic of Ms. Lydia.  This is one of my favorites.  Lydia is transitioning to her new soy formula over the next few days.  Fortunately we have just enough of the old stuff to mix with teh new stuff to let her body slowely adjust to the soy.  Nancy has already called to let me know that she is WEIRD today.  Could be a growth spurt.  Could be from teh food change.  Who knows!

Hold the milk, please.

Today was another double doctor day. Lydia had to go to the allergist's office to try switching to soy milk formula. Based on the way the GI doctor explained it, I didn't realize that it would be that big of a deal. In hindsight, I am glad we went to the allergist. They did a scratch test to verify that she really is allergic to milk and also tested the soy. Next, they put it to her lips and waited for a reaction. Finally we gave her a bottle of soy. She did fine, but we got a LOT more information on how to proceed with a milk allergy kid. At this point, we avoid milk and milk products like the plague! Makes sense, she has an allergy. The GI guy made it sound like we would just try it out with milk after a while. The allergist wants us to be a lot more cautious. He still thinks she may outgrow it, but he will be monitoring her progress along the way. It sounds like the better we do with not giving her milk, the better chance we have of her eventually being OK with it. In the meantime, just in case, Lydia will have an epi-pen. Yep, she's one of THOSE allergy kids! It makes it sound WAY to scary and serious, but she does have a food allergy adn the worst case scenario for her could include an anaphalactic reaction. So, all you potential Lydia sitters will soon meet Lydia's cute new epi-pen jr. and get instructions on what to do with it.

Oh, yeah. Double doctor day. I also went to the doctor with a case of something that looks just like chicken pox. Still not quite sure exactly WHAT it is. Sounds like I also had an allergic reaction to something. I'm itchy and scratchy, but grateful not to be contagious...or at risk of anaphalactic shock!

All dressed up

PJ and Lydia got dressed up last week to have a Daddy Daughter Valentines Day portrait taken. It was the first time she went to have pictures made without me and I couldn't stand not being able to see them. Jennifer went along to help get everyone put together. Lydia is getting more and more mobile, so taking her picture may be tougher now that she can squirm and squeel.

Happy Baby

Lydia was SO happy this morning! (No, this is not a picture I took of her this morning.. Play along!) She might be happy that we were FINALLY headed back to Ms. Nancy's after too many
days at home with mommy and daddy. She could be happy because work is scheduled to resume on her bathroom. She could be happy because we go to the allergy doctor today and she might be able to switch to a normal formula. Since she isn't telling yet, we will have to settle for being happy that she is happy. Take Lydia's cue and have a happy day!

Snow Days

Mom and Lydia got to hang out on Tuesday, while I took a snow/sick day. All the other schools closed, and I was pretty sure mine would too. Add in missing luggage containing all my make-up and blistered marathon toes and I decided not to get dressed for work. The beautiful thing is they closed school on Wednesday, so we are enjouing one more snuggly snow day.

Our Respective Weekends

Jen and I flew to New Orleans for the Marathon. Mom and her friend Joyce drove down to cheer us on, and drink screwdrivers at Brennan's. We finished in 6 hours, a decent time for us, especially considering we stopped training about 2 months ago! I think running a marathon after having a baby, made the marathon much less stress inducing. In fact, if you are having trouble getting up the courage to run a marathon, I might suggest getting pregnant and going through natural childbirth. It really helps marathons seem much more doable.

Meanwhile, PJ took care of Lydia. Her pacifier says "My dad rocks!" and I agree" Lydia was fed and bathed and well cared for while I was away. Dishes and Laundry were done. Larry and Debbie drove to Alabama to pick up an antique kitchen cabinet while I was away. PJ even managed to tear down a half wall in our kitchen to make room for the cabinet. All that and dinner was waiting for me when my much delayed trip home finally ended.