Dear Stephen, You are growing up and making so much progress in your speech and the way you play with others, friends, cousins, and children we don't know. Daddy was out of work for a time recently, and it was hard on Mommy and Daddy, but during that time you seemed to take off. One of our verses we had been working on was just what Mommy needed to be reminded of frequently, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28). You don't say much yet or repeat much yet during verse time, but you get a big smile and sometimes will say "good" after me with the big thumbs up sign we make to help us remember. We may never know exactly what God was up to last month, but Mommy and Grandma have one shared hunch, that it was just the right time for you to have extra Daddy time. Maybe it was just what you needed to launch you to where you've come. We sure would endure it again for you if we needed to. Daddy was able to see you in action in your Speech and OT sessions, play with you in Kids Gym, and share your love of planes, trains, and helicopters that much more during the day. I'm so glad he was able to witness your relationship with Mrs. Drew, who we see after Kids Gym each week. Adults can be difficult for you, especially adults you don't know well. But from the first time you met Mrs. Drew, you loved her. Of course, she gives you cool stamps on each hand, but you talk with her and say goodbye. For Easter, you made her a special card with stamps all over it to thank her. That week, you ran to her desk and handed her the card yourself. I know what a big deal that was, Stevie. I was so incredibly proud of you. I know how special she is. I stood there with astonished tears in my eyes... It's as if Mrs. Drew can just reach inisde you and find the real you in there...she brings out the best in you, the most genuine little boy I know. You feel comfortable and safe with her. It's such a treasure. Mrs. Drew is a pure gift from God in our lives. You really enjoyed your first trip to the children's museum, and even interacted with some other children. It was such a fun family day, and all that mechanical stuff was right up your alley. You're so much like Daddy in that! Today, you wanted the phone. I always ask if you would like to call anyone, but you don't. Today, however, I asked if you'd like to call Grandpa. You got so excited, and said, "ok!" Well, you talked and talked and talked (and listened too). You talked with Grandpa, Grandma, Annabeth, and maybe others I don't know. You ended them with "love you too, bye.". This is so big, Stevie,.so, so big for you. Grandma told you that you made her day by calling, and you said, "ok" haha. You cried when I talked with Grandma because you wanted to keep talking. Poor Grandma had to get some things done, but she loves you so so much, she kept talking and at the end, you were satisfied and hung up the phone yourself. You must've talked for a good 20 minutes! You are just growing up so much. We pray you continue to grow in courage and strength to keep trying and keep persevering. We're so proud of you! Last weekend, I made a rough list of your vocabulary these days. You have over 200 words and are mimicking so many more and using phrases and sentences sometimes. You were even trying to play out your own Thomas the train story like you see other boys online do this week. In October, you only had 30 inconsistent words. All I have are tears of joy and thanks and praise to God for how far you've come. You're working hard and doing so well. I love you so much, Stephen Matthew. I'm so thankful to be your Mom. Love always and with a kiss, Mom

1 Year

Precious Lydia, You are 1 year old!! My baby is shedding her baby-ness and growing into a beatiful little girl. It's taking me a bit by surprise, you growing up. I'm absolutely loving it though. You will always be my baby, but I'm so excited to have you as my little girl too. I catch you following me around the house and pulling up to stand near me, and I realize you want to be doing what Mommy's doing, and it's so brand new to me to see your girlyness after your big brother's boyishness. You love faces and baby dolls and playing with little kitchen sets other places. It melts my heart to see the girly and loving play. You hug your babies and stuffed friends so cuddly and lovingly. You make Mommy feel so good...and you make me giggle...every time I read to you, you look at me instead of the pages, fascinated by the story I'm telling/reading and smiling like it's the best thing ever! You now have 6 words. Hi, bye, Daddy, duck, ball, and Amen. Each one cracks me up. The hi and bye because of your social personality. Yesterday on our errands, your little voice rang through the van over and over,."bye. Bye. bye." Stevie got a kick out of it and joined in too. The Daddy because you say it all the time and look just like him. The duck because it's the duck from Wonder Pets, a pass down from Stevie that you like to nap with...and it's just too funny. Ball is a typical early word, but it's also your word for anything kinda round like all those plastic Easter eggs. The Amen because you interrupt our prayers frequently. You are a girl ready to eat at all times! Your first cupcake at your birthday party, you ate in probably 15 seconds flat. Yes, the whole thing. I only got like 2 pictures. Cupcakes are probably now your favorite food (Stevie requested them for breakfast the day after your party too), but there isn't much food you won't eat. You make a quick trip to Stevie's snack or drink as soon as he leaves any behind, or even before he does. Yes, you are very fast. You are able to stand on your own..you have since you turned 11 months and have taken a couple of steps but still prefer to crawl. You love to walk with the push toy (for over a month now) and now your little doll buggy we got your for your birthday. The extra bag of brown sugar we stuff under your baby to help weigh it down and hve less tipping incidences doesn't seem to bother you so much either. You like to join right in with whatever Stevie's doing or playing with. We're working on smoother and more joyful and selfless interactions in that area, mmhmm. Mostly, you two enjoy each other very much, even often in wrestling on the floor. You are a determined little lady. After refusing to take your morning nap ths morning, Mommy decided to try plan b. I got out the air mattress and we had family time with Nemo. You just wanted to crawl and play...but the bottle won you over to the sleepy side, and I enjoyed snuggling with you...as Stevie bounced and crashed into us. Your smiles, your giggles, and your sweet girly voice add so much joy and specialness to each day. I love to see you in your little dresses or your little jeans. You've been sporting one tiny pigtail for a couple of weeks, or sometimes a frilly hairclip. Your hair is growing and Mommy's excited for the ponytails and braids that await you. No matter how long your hair is or what you're wearing, you're our precious princess. We love you so much and can't wait to see what each day of this year will bring with our 1 year old. Happy Birthday, Lydia!! Love always and with a kiss, Mom

2 Month Catch Up

It's been 2 months since my last post, and apparently so long, I have no idea what I'm doing on blogger...or my tablet for that matter. It wants to type this in Spanish. So, all the words not in the Spanish vocabulary are underlined as misspelled. Fun. Yes, typing on a tablet is just as much fun. We've had an intersting couple of months. We have a tablet because our little Lydia did a number on our laptop we could not save. Matt was unemployed for that time... 5 weeks maybe, so we couldn't just go out and buy another laptop even though we had the bottom of the line before. We got one of the bottom of the line tablets instead because you just can't do job searches without internet. We aren't fancy folks with fancy phones with those capabilities. I cried a fair bit about the broken computer deal, Matt not having a job, and my baby girl's 1st birthday approaching and ending...and how they were tied in together emotionally for me. I just don't know if I'm ready to get into all that and what a difficult time it was for me...for us. We are still in a difficult season in many regards. Though things didn't turn out (or haven't yet) the way I hoped and prayed, we still were and are blessed. So to explain the blessed maybe I will share a little. I don't think I have any readers left anyway, haha. This might sound a little petty or silly, but it is what it is...where I was. Easter was coming, Matt had been out of work for a bit at that time, and Lydia desperately needed some little dresses for church. In the grand scheme of things of course it's not that important.. But this was my little girl's first Easter at church (she was 1 day old in the hospital for her first one), and I ached to get her a little Easter dress. I'm not so frilly. So this is silly, but it was true. I didn't want to put her in one of her winter jumpers she was outgrowing. I cried because I just couldn't. That's when cousin Megan came swoopong in with some of Nicole's dresses to borrow...really cute dresses! Well, Lydia didn't wear one of those on Easter. My mom ended up getting her one and some shoes too. The kids looked cute, Stevie in his outfit from Uncle Andy's wedding and Lydia in her new dress. Unfortunately, the fog of stress seemed to be thickest for us that day, and it's one we'd rather forget. Fast forward to Lydia's birthday weekend, and she wore one of those Nicole dresses and looked so cute. I was so thankful to have a cute dress for her to wear to church the weekend before her birthday. Her birthday came, and simple outfits and fancy dresses have come pouring in from extended family members!! All of the cousins, and my mom who got her dresses probably have no idea what a blessing it's been...well, my mom probably has an idea. God provided when I couldn't for Lydia's needs...and even my wamts. To wrap this up, Matt is working again, and we are thankful for his job, but we're continuing to pray for something he would be more happy with. Ironically, the military might be in our future again in some capacity. We will see.