Little Miss Lydia

 Lydia had her 4 month appointment this week! Yes, technically she turned 5 months already but because of insurance issues, we were finally able to get her in this week. Developmentally she's doing awesome! She was almost 27 inches long (95%) and 14 lbs 2 oz (28%). So really long and skinny. Lydia is just starting to grow out of the smaller 0-3 month clothes. I've actually had to buy a few outfits for her because I didn't anticipate her needing 0-3 month clothes for this long.

 She's really improved in her mood. She's not crying as much. She rolls both ways very easily. She loves to grab and suck on things. She can scoot/spin in circles unintentionally. She's starting to sit up better. We're trying to get her to like solids, but so far the only thing she likes is sucking on animal crackers! Lydia is doing great developmentally. The biggest problem with Lydia is actually Charlotte! Lydia cries if Charlotte gets too close. I wonder why......

As for her MCADD, Matt and I have been really blessed. Lydia's been sick a few times and struggled a little bit with her 2-month shots. We split up her 4-month shots too and she did a lot better.We haven't had an issue with an MCAD crisis yet even with colds.  She's still not allowed to go more than 4 hours without eating. The biggest concern right now is that she's not gaining weight quickly enough, but since she's on target everywhere else, her doctor is just going to be watching that. We are so, so blessed that she is healthy and her body is able to handle minor illnesses without problems.

We sure love this little girl!

Our Promised Land

I was born in Ohio. We moved to Upstate NY when I was 11. After I graduated high school, I spent summers in Arizona interspersed with college in Utah.

Matt was born in Montana. He moved to OH when he was 12 (and I was 10). Then he went on his mission to France/Switzerland/Luxembourg. He followed with a few years at BYU where we met, married and lived for our two first years of marriage.

In 2008 we moved back to Ohio, and we left in 2013. My total years in Ohio now equal 16. Matt's equal 11.

Ohio is my home. It's where I am comfortable. I love the Midwest. I love the seasons, the farms, the people. Matt loves the land, the dirt, the trees. My grandparents are in Indiana, most of Matt's family is in Ohio, Indiana or Michigan. Ohio has offered us the lifestyle we want to live-- winters, summers, springs and falls. Pumpkins, apple cider, swimming in creeks, running through corn fields, thinking that all your friends are your cousins because we see cousins so much. Directions like, "And when you cross that there creek, pass the stump that looks like a dawg, turn right at the road without a sign and you'll see the house."

I miss Ohio.

Georgia isn't terrible. It's been a rough adjustment for a lot of reasons-- mainly because Georgia has very specific ways of doing things that don't seem to make a lot of sense. It's also excruciatingly hot here. And this summer was mild, with it in the high 90s for the month of August.

We love the beach. I think we're going to LOVE winter here because we'll be able to get outside. In the last two weeks, it's finally been nice enough to play at the park. We love the green here. We love that we can eat fresh fish a couple times a week because it's cheap and available. We like our house. The farmer's market here is great. Historic Savannah is beautiful. We love learning about the tides and hunting for crabs in the tide pools. Next month we're going oyster hunting. We saw our first cotton field on Saturday.

We're trying to live in the present. We have a general idea of when we're leaving GA but we're not trying to rush it. We want to enjoy life here and soak it up. We're here for a reason, besides graduate school. Heavenly Father has a purpose for us in Georgia. We know that for sure because of blessings and plenty of prayers on our part.

But someday.........Someday we'll go back to the Midwest. That's where our hearts are. That's where our farm dreams are. That's where our family is (most of it).

We like Georgia. We miss Ohio.

Girlies On My Mind

Some pictures rom about a month ago. Look how Lydia has grown!

Charlotte looooves Lydia. The feelings are not reciprocated.

This is what happens when you give up naps.

The bus ride to the airport was awesome.

Oh, that hair. That beautiful hair!

Look at those eyes.

Charlotte is the prince.

Matt throwing bread to the seagulls. They catch it in midair!

First day of school! I still pack a lunchbox for Charlotte every day.

Emily threw a ball up into these spots and so Matt hoisted her and Nathalie up.

Big girl!

Super smiles.

When Lydia gets really fussy, she loves to have a hand over her face. True story.

Those are my girls!

Butchering

 Remember this? Adorable curls, long hair below her shoulders, brushing it away from her eyes?

 What happens when you throw a dash of Nathalie in with a tsp of scissors?

This. This is what happens.

 

Charlotte. Shorn.

 

 Unexpected first haircut. Bonus: two lollipops.

Charlotte a la Audrey Hepburn.

 

French bob?

 We're happy to report she's still cute and that hair grows back.

****When I saw it I gasped several times, and started crying. Nathalie ran and hid underneath the blanket in the toy room. Needless to say, Nathalie sat in time out for a long time. 1 1/2 hours. This is just another example of Nathalie's lack of impulse control, which negatively affects our family life. I am lost as to how to give her consequences, since nothing affects her. She laughs when I lecture her, rolls her eyes when I yell, sings in timeout, isn't bothered by privilege removal and says, "That didn't hurt." if I end up spanking her. She is a sweet, loving little girl who is completely out of control and I'm not sure how to handle this. Believe me when I say I am very hands on with her and I touch her shoulder, direct her, make eye contact, get on her level etc and she will not listen. Short of beating her, which I won't do, how do I teach her listening and self-control?***

Utah On My Mind

These were the centerpieces. Adorable and SO easy.

Making a bajillion meat-cheese croissants.

Emily's little birthday party. Think about this...that's my cousin "TuckTuck" next to Emily. Yes. He really is that tall. 6'8" and he probably only weighs as much as me.

Birthdays are the BEST.

Baby Nonie.

80 years old and 8 months old.

Deeelicious.

Why do I always get pictures of my mom cleaning?

Emily doing a trial run of Aunt Kelsey's wedding makeup.

Just a wedding!

Another wedding in my family! The last of my sisters got married last month.

Wedding day hair appointment.

Sooo pretty.

yay!

Baby Nonie! Look at that stud muffin.

A great wedding luncheon at Golden Corral. My family is sooooo classy.