Getting Ready for Preschool

We are so excited about Preschool! On Friday, we went to meet Jacob's teachers and spend some time in his classroom. He was a little overwhelmed by the crowd and noise at first, but he warmed up after a while. He even spoke to his teacher by the end, which (if you know Jacob & new people) is HUGE.

He looked like such a big boy sitting in his assigned seat at the table. He is really excited about getting to use scissors and glue sticks!

Ms. Debbie, his teacher, has lots of fun cars! As you can see, Lydia made herself at home. No shoes, No problem.

I'm so excited for him! I'm also really nervous about how he's going to react to being left, because it will be the first time I leave him with someone other than family. We've spent pretty much every day of the last three years together, so this will be a change for both of us. But I know once he gets adjusted, he's going to love it!

I had an early appointment in Hendersonville on Thursday, so afterwards we went to Hands On! Both kids had so much fun!

Lydia is on the verge of crawling! I keep thinking she's going to take off any day now!

After playing at Hands On, we had lunch across the street, and since it was Uncle Craig's birthday we decided to get a little treat from the bakery in his honor!

Earlier in the week we went to the park in our neighborhood with Krista, "Benjermend" (as Jacob says), and Jackson. Benjamin and Jacob will be going to the same preschool, but in different classes. They are becoming big buddies! We're so lucky to have such great friends in our neighborhood!

Lydia tried out the swings for the first time. She liked it for about 3 minutes!

And finally - Jacob loves a good accessory, and has been wearing his weed-eater goggles out and about. He told me they keep the bugs out of his eyes!

Happy 9 Months to Lydia!

I know I say it every month, but Lydia Kate is one of the happiest babies ever! No matter where we go, she makes friends. She really loves people and being in crowds. It's crazy to think that she'll be a year old in 3 short months!

At 9 Months Lydia...

• Weighs 17 pounds and 10.5 ounces (39th percentile)
• Measures 28 inches long (61st percentile)
• Wears 9 - 12 month clothing and size 3 diapers
• Pulled up for the first time  (7/14) on the train table at Lollipops.
• Decided she is done with being spoon-fed. Miss Independent wants to feed herself, so that's our new program. She is basically eating whatever we eat, which actually makes things easier. I just wish she had informed me of her plans before I made and froze a big batch of pureed baby food! New foods this month included beef, eggs, tilapia, and pancakes!
• Has 6 teeth! Her newest chomper broke through on August 1st. (Left lateral incisor)
• Is still not a good sleeper, but is doing better than she was. She still wants to nurse when she wakes up at night, so I'm going to have to figure out how to wean her away from snacking all night! Naps are hard, because she wakes so easily. 
• Loves to dance! Anytime any kind of music plays, the rhythm gets her and she starts to groove! It is so cute!
• Decided she doesn't really like her poppy (paci) anymore. I am very sad about this, because it helped her sleep and helped calm her when she was upset, especially in the car.
• Understands "no" and can wave and hug on command. It's really interesting to realize how much she's starting to understand! Babies are a lot smarter than we sometimes give them credit for.
• Does what we call her "funny face," which is very similar to Jacob's current picture smile - scrunched up nose & closed eyes! 
• Hasn't crawled yet, but is very good at scooting on her bottom, especially in circles.
• Hugs and rocks her stuffed animals. So sweet!!!
• Went on her first beach trip and ate lots of sand.
• Loves her doorway jumper and playing "chase" with Daddy and Jacob.
• Is very silly and likes to blow on our arms when she isn't biting them! 
• Is definitely a Mommy's girl! 
• Loves people and being in crowds. Strangers constantly comment on how friendly and smiley she is! ♡

Busy Week!

Last week was uncharacteristically busy for us! I typically try not to over-commit our weeks when planning out my days with the kids. I don't enjoy always rushing from one place to the next, and I think there's a lot to be said for keeping things simple, but sometimes that's not possible. So here's a run-down of our running-around! ;)

Lydia had her 9 month well-check on Monday. I don't usually take Jacob with me to her appointments, but that's how it worked out this time. Lydia got a great report, and Jacob did well being patient and quiet while I spoke with the doctor. I'm sad that I forgot to take a picture of her at her appointment, as I've done each time before, but I was a little distracted. So here's a picture of her cheesin' instead!

We went to Black Mountain on Tuesday to visit Grandma Bradley. She is continuing to recover from her broken hip, and we were so glad to be able to spend time with her! Lydia snuggled in and made herself comfy on GG's lap! It was so sweet. Jacob enjoyed hopping up and down the halls, watching the therapy dog, and going to the deli with Grandma. Jacob also brought GG some tomatoes from our garden.

On Thursday we went to visit the Gentlicore's and see their new home. They moved from our neighborhood earlier in the year and moved into their new house in July. We've been trying to get together since. It took Jacob a while to warm up, but he eventually played with Ceci some while Julie and I caught up. It was so fun to see the house, especially Baby Leo's nursery! He will be born any day now!

On Friday, I had a terrible scare when Jacob fell down our stairs. We had just gotten home from running errands, and he went upstairs to play while I made lunch. I heard a big thud, followed by thumps, and then saw him crash into the baby gate at the bottom. Thankfully, praise God, he was okay. He has some bruising, but no broken bones. Just about the time I calmed him down, I accidentally kneed Lydia in the forehead (getting up from sitting on the floor) and knocked her into the couch...cue crying round 2. And to make the day even more fun, Jacob wouldn't nap and woke his sister up in the process, so no rest for anyone on a day when everyone was a bit emotionally fragile. Luckily these two are really cute. I remind myself of that on days like this one!

On Saturday Scott took the kids to visit GG again, and I stayed home to get some much overdue chores done. In the three hours they were gone, I dusted, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen, did 3 loads of laundry, mowed the yard, trimmed the bushes, cleaned the front porch, and took a shower. It's amazing what you can get done when you're not having to stop every 3 minutes! I was tired afterwards, so we went out to dinner. Jacob was a big fan of the chocolate volcano!

Jacob loves playing on the playground after church. He told me he wasn't Jacob, but a Good Knight.

Lydia wanted to eat rocks and was furious when I fished them out of her mouth.

And we finished out the weekend with a family walk after dinner on Sunday. There's nobody I'd rather spend my days with, busy or not, than these two, and of course their daddy! ♡

Already August!

I cannot believe we're already halfway through August! It took quite some time to unpack and clean up from our beach trip. (I actually just finished Friday!) Since we've been home we've just been enjoying summer and each other. When we walked in from traveling back, Jacob said, "Whew! It feels good to be home!" I agree! I love the beach and being with our family, but there's no place like home! :)

Last Monday Jacob went to visit Great Grandma Bradley at her rehab center. She fell and broke her hip while we were at the beach, but has been doing well and making progress every day! Jacob took her some pictures he drew and dressed to impress with his velcro tie!

I love that Jacob and Lydia love each other. I know there will be many times in the future that they won't be able to stand each other, but for now they are best buddies. It's so fun to watch them giggle and "play" together.

I found Big Hennie and Baby Hennie like this one afternoon when I woke Jacob up from his nap. Those silly kitties!

Jacob has made HUGE potty progress since we got home. While at the beach we didn't mess with potty training at all. I was sure it would result in 5 million steps back, but just the opposite happened. The Monday after we got home, he started to pee pee in the potty and has been doing it ever since! To say we are relieved is the understatement of the year! We still have a ways to go. He hasn't figured out pooping yet, and while he's wearing underpants during nap and staying dry, we haven't attempted underpants overnight. Those things will come with time. But as of now, I don't think I could be any prouder of my little guy if he won a Gold in Rio! :)

Lydia is continuing to love food and insists on feeding herself. She also loves to deep condition her hair with bananas, or whatever else she's eating! Speaking of hair, hers has really grown! Jacob was 18 months before he had this much hair! Maybe we should start calling her Rapunzel.

Jacob is so excited, and hesitant at the same time, to start preschool next month. He looks like such a big boy with his backpack! We've been visiting the Methodist Church where he'll be going to school. He's getting a chance to play in the classrooms and meet a few of the teachers. And I've actually really enjoyed the church services. Scott feels it's a bit too traditional for his taste, but I'm finding it refreshing after so many years on the mega church scene. Regardless, it's been great for Jacob! I'm really nervous about how things will go during our first few drop-offs.

We met Papa for breakfast Sunday morning before church. He was on his way back to Alabama, but of course needed a Jacob and Lydia fix first! The Cracker Barrel rocking chairs were a big hit!