Dear Lydia,

Dear Lydia,
My darling girl. Today was such a wonderful day with you. Your daddy had to work late, but he stayed home and played with you all morning long. This afternoon we went and visited your Aunt Jenna because Grandma and Grandpa Walker had come to her house for a visit. You begged to go play on the playground outside of the house and we spend quite a while playing together. You'd tell me to "take cover" from the wind and we'd duck under the platform, then we'd race around and go down the slide together. You wanted to swing and asked me to push you higher and higher. When I asked if you could get your toes higher than the building by us, you squinted your eyes and flipped your legs up each time you reached the top, like you were just giving the last bit of effort to make them go high enough.

Sometimes when your daddy and I go on dates, we go to the movie theater. You always ask if someday you could go to the movie theater, too. I've been watching for a while to find a good movie for us to go to together and decided that today would be a great day to go. (The Good Dinosaur was playing.) You were so excited. You filled a bright green lunchbox with a handful of treats that you collected for the "thee-add-d-der", and carried it the whole way inside. You picked out a sucker and a fruit snack (but they were out of fruit snacks so you got an airhead instead) and seemed so happy to be at such an exciting place.

We watched the movie and you alternated sitting in the chair next to me and standing on the ground with your face resting on the chairs in front of you, absolutely entranced with what was happening on the screen. There were a few scary parts, and you squeaked "mom!" and let me hold your hand while we watched together. (I was holding Austin on my lap, or I'm sure I would have pulled you to me, as much of a comfort for me as for you!) When the movie was over, we walked to the very front of the theater and looked at the screen and talked about how big the "tv" was.

We got home just in time for bed, and you convinced me to read four books instead of the three that I had agreed to earlier. (One book before I put Austin to bed, one book after he was in bed, and an extra book. But then, of course, another extra book.) I laid with you for a few minutes and asked you about your favorite part of the day, which was ... the movie.

Tonight as I was getting ready for bed, I kept thinking about you and how big you are getting. I kept thinking about running around with you on the playground and watching you squish your face into the seats in front of you, so happy to be at the movie theater. I wish I could capture those moments with something like a photograph, that would capture the way you make my heart fill up with happiness. I'm not always the best mom, and half the time I feel like I'm just making things up as we go, but somehow you are turning out to be the kindest, most wonderful little girl I could ever imagine. Watching you grow is the best gift I could ever have. I love you so much.

Your mom, always.

Austin Scott: 16-17 Months

Austin; my handsome, happy, determined, sugar-seeking little boy. How I love him. He pouts with his arms folded and both lips sticking out in the grumpiest-grump face you've ever seen, and his giggles are unmatched in bubbling happiness. I love this age. Really, I think 8-9 months to 18 months is just such a fun and special time. I'm so glad that I get to spend my days with this guy. 

Stats: Finally fits into most size 12 mo pants. Size 18 mo onsies and shirts fit decently. I finally went to the store and bought some size 4 shoes and he looves them and they fit really well. Size three diapers, although we have a package of size 4s that we were given by Sue and those fit decently, too, just a big bigger. Four teeth on the top, two on the bottom. His eyes still haven't decided what color they are. Most of the time they look grey. A beautiful steely, blue-brown-grey. Ha. 

More things to remember: 

--He says so many words! Most of them probably couldn't be understood by someone who doesn't spend a lot of time with him, but some of them are much more clear. Some of the ones I can remember/have written down: right there, shoe, sock, Lydia, Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, Grandpa, ding-bump, car, ball, outside, uh-oh, vacuum, sauce, book, read,
Like I said, a lot of the words are hard to understand, ex. shoe is shuh and sock is sah but I'm still pretty proud of him.

-Repeats a lot of words if you ask him to. We were reading a book that has a big brown box and he started saying "big brown box" after me each time I said it. He likes to mimic words and loves when you mimc him back. It makes him giggle and giggle if you mimic his words, noises, or stick your tongue out like he is.  

-He's good at stacking things. Like blocks, and apparently yogurt containers.  

--He is simultaneously so clingy and so inquisitive. He wants to walk everywhere holding my hand, and much of the day is spent with him whining and whining until I hold him (standing up, because he doesn't want to cuddle with me sitting down, he just wants me to hold him while I'm standing up) - but then he also loves figuring out how things work. He pulls lids off cups and puts them back on, he breaks a cracker apart and tries to put it back together, he pulls all of the tupperware out of the cabinet and tries to restack it, and his most recent fascination: He was pulling out all of the items from our kitchen utensil drawer. He tested each and every piece, banging it on the counter, putting it in his mouth, just exploring. It kept him occupied for a really long time, even if it did make a whole load of dishes in of itself.

 

--Speaking of dishes, if the dishwasher is open, he will grab the silverware (whether clean or dirty) and walk over to our silverware drawer, open it up, and dump the silverware over the edge. It's taller than his head, so he can barely get it in the drawer, but he knows where it goes and he's determined to get it back there. 

-He's a great eater. He loves yogurt and cheerios, chili, refried beans, and pretty much anything that I feed him.  (Not milk though, he still won't drink any milk.) But recently he's learned about dipping things into sauce. He loves to dip his food. If he even sees a bottle of ranch anywhere near the table he will point and grunt and say "saaah" which I think means sauce. He likes to dip things and actually does pretty good with eating the thing he's dipped. He also loves dipping things in ketchup.

--I don't know if I ever really said this, but I've still been nursing Austin up until this month. I hadn't planned on nursing him until 16 months, but he didn't seem ready to give it up, and he was refusing to drink milk so I didn't feel like I could force him to wean because I didn't want him to loose those nutrients. But after his doctors appointment at the beginning of the month, where I discussed everything with the doctor, I decided it was time for both of us. I actually don't mind nursing, I quite enjoy it for the most part.  I was really only nursing right before naps and bedtime, and I was nervous about transitioning away from that. But he did really great. I just stopped offering and he didn't really seem bothered by it. He never pulled at my shirt or whined, which makes me think that he was ready to be done - but was willing to keep taking it as long as I was giving it to him. It was definitely time for both of us, but it is a little bittersweet. Also, just since weaning him, I feel like he's grown up so much! I think that because I was still nursing him, I could only see him as a baby - not as a true toddler - but this month I feel like he's grown 3 months worth!

--Along with the weaning came sleep training. He'd still been waking up multiple times in the night, but in the same week that we weaned, we did some fairly low-key sleep training. Mostly, I just asked David to help me just go in and rock him while standing for a minute, put his pacifier back in, and lay him in his bed... instead of my usual rock him in the chair and fall asleep with him. After a couple of night of that, even with him crying for a few minutes when we put him back in his bed, he started to sleep SO much better. I really should have done it earlier, but now we are all in such a happier place! Although, David can calm him back 100 times better than me in the night now. If I go in, he calms right away but cries when I put him back in his bed. If David goes in, he cries until he realizes I'm not coming - then he reaches for the crib and David puts him back to bed. So maybe David doesn't come out the winner because I ask him to go in 90% more than I did before, but I feel like we are winning!

--Apparently he's determined to not be a baby, because he climbs on everything and tries to do everything Lydia does. 

-Rarely will go down the stairs backwards (on his tummy) if I'm anywhere close by. He wants to hold my hand to walk down the stairs. 

--I think I will never be able to put anything in this cupboard because it's the favorite place to play in the kitchen by far (well, maybe neck-and-neck with the pantry). 

--We haven't gone outside much this winter because... cold. But now that it's warming up, this boy is in 7th heaven. He loves it outside and cries and cries when I bring him back in.

--Some of his favorite things right now are: 

his shoes: he loves his new shoes and tries to put them on his feet while saying shuh-shuh (shoe-shoe)

his toy vacuum: and the real vacuum, he wants to vacuum all day long.

drinking water from big cups: he prefers an open cup over a sippy, and a powerade bottle over everything else. No milk, still.

taking baths: if you say the word bath around him, prepare for him to start pulling at his clothes while running to the stairs for his bath.

outside: he loves to run around in the street with all the other kids.

brushing his teeth: he'll run for the bathroom when it's brushing teeth time and after you brush and say "okay, now spit!", he'll make a big spitting noise while bending over. So cute.

books: he loves to look at books and have you read them. current favorites: Hand, hand, fingers, thumb and  Peekaboo Baby - farm animals.

-I think he might have a lip tie. I was just looking at the big gap in his teeth and realized his lip connects all the way to the tip of his gums. I'm not SO worried, because I think the worst side-effect happens during nursing - but I think it can cause problems with teeth and such so I'm going to have them check it next month at our appointment.

-He loves Lydia. Often in the morning, he'll wake up first - so I will go cuddle him in our chair and let him look at books, then when we hear her we'll "go find Lydia". He smiles so big, pushes her door open, and runs right to her to give her a hug. I love it so much! He tries to do everything that she does, and has recently taken an interest in coloring with markers like she does.

--He is super obliging when you ask him to give you kisses. He'll run up, hug you, and lean his face so his mouth is close to you (at least close enough that you can kiss him). It's so sweet.

 -He will fold his arms for the prayer and is so proud of it! He also folds his arms and sticks both of his lips out in the grumpiest-grumpy face when he's mad. 

This boy. So much stubbornness, happiness, and laughter all rolled up in one sweet little package.

We love you Austin! 

Insta-Tuesday {2.23.16}

Ummm... apparently I haven't uploaded any instagram pictures since 2015. Not that I've been doing so much instagramming, but still. Here are the insta-snaps from our life so far this year. 

{1.3.16}

Lydia's first day as a Sunbeam. Be still my mushy-mama heart. #noshoesbecauseshedidntwantthem #isntshestillmybaby?

{1.4.16}

That one time when the number one-very top- thing on your Christmas list is a Roomba (a robotic vacuum) even though you know it's way out of the budget and not realistic. And then Walmart accidentally sends you a package containing what? An awesome robotic vacuum. And then when you contact them to tell them about it, they say they will have someone come pick it up, but then it just keeps sitting in your living room making you wish it was really yours! #thatonetime #cantmakethisstuffup #iftheydontpickitupsoonimkeepingit
#notreallybutifiwasntdeterminedtobehonestiwouldalreadybekeepingit

{1.5.16}

He found a glass door at@_amyperkins's and he loved it. #squishyface

{1.7.16}

I just love looking at pictures of my parents when they were young and raising a family. It reminds me that they went through hard things together and that all too quickly their kids were grown and living lives of their own. It reminds me to appreciate the time I have with my little ones and to take the time to teach my kids like my parents taught me. Also, today Lydia and I watched a Sophia the First about mothers and it made me cry/left me wanting to be a better mom. Today that looks like staying home in our PJs all day, watching tv, playing games, and eating fruit snacks.

{1.15.16}

David has been gone for 9 of the last 11 days and we have missssssssed him. The bottom pictures were from when he left the second time (last week was Minneapolis, this week was Tulsa). They didn't want to let him go, and neither did I. Tonight Lydia asked if she could fall asleep in our bed so she wouldn't miss him coming home. I told her that he would come home and move her to her own bed. Melt my heart. I can't express how grateful I am that David works so hard for our family but also so grateful that he will be home tonight! #mayormaynotbewaitingrightbythedoor

{1.16.16}

Happy Birthday Camille! Nieces are just the best. So are grandpa's, especially when they are willing to deliver endless "ding-bumps". #clockturnedsevenandweallturnedintopumpkins

{1.17.16}

Trying to get our blog book finished before the 30% discount ends tomorrow. Turns out we are 483 pictures over the 1,000 picture limit and have to split our year into two books (again!). That means double the cheesy taglines and an extra late night trying to get both books finished. #lovethemwhentheyaredone #teamwork #davidiscornyshantelissappy

{1.20.16}

Although it was not snowing when I left at 5:30 this morning, headed to visit my grandparents in Wyoming -nor did the weather forecast appear too bad - we are now going on 3.5 hours stuck in Wanship, UT. The roads are closed both East and West of us. However, my prayers were answered as I prayed for safety from the snowy roads and for a safe place to stay until the storm passed. Who knew the Rafter B Gas and Grub would be such a blessing (in direct answer to heartfelt prayer). They've let us sit in their parking lot, come out to check on us several times, and even brought out some chocolate milk and treats. (The owner asked Lydia what treat she wanted and she requested an orange sucker. He came back with two bags full of suckers. One bag of orange and one bag of red.) Counting my blessings: We are safe. We are warm. We have people looking out for us. I have phone service. I have internet. My kids are doing great. It's an adventure to be sure. #sogratefultobesafeandwarm

{1.20.16}

So, so, so glad to be home. #safeandsound

{1.22.16}

These kids loooooove to climb. Both of them. Yesterday, we traded our couches and kitchen table for the Dinosaur playground at City Creek and they were in heaven. Second favorite was going up and down all four flights of escalators multiple times. Lydia keeps asking when we are going back. #soon

{1.27.16}

We had a wonderful afternoon spent with David's grandma, Joyce Bennion Peaden. She showed Lydia how to crochet, let her play with the stuffed ducks, and took her on a ride (sitting on her walker) all over the center/complex. Down the hall, through the common room, up the elevator, to the balcony, and back. Both grandma and Lydia had a blast. Grandma was walking fast and said "You didn't know your grandma could move so quick!" A while later Lydia leaned over to me and said "I like her, she's really nice." It's so neat to see them together. *sigh* I am in awe of this picture taken of Joyce when she was a young woman. So beautiful and special. So loved, then and now. #familyhistory

{1.27.16}

You guys. I'm sorry for tagging basically every single one of you in this giveaway, but I reallllllly want to win! The incredible @alimiddleton is hosting the most amazing giveaway of the world. She is the kindest, most genuine person and her photo skills match the amazing person she is. My dream is to have her follow me and and document my life because she has such a good eye for capturing the most simple, yet beautiful moments. She took this picture of Lydia and H. I love it on so many levels (not the least that I plan on it being on their wedding video someday). Help make my dream come true if only for a couple hours by going and liking her page, but don't enter because I want to win sooooo bad. (Or do, because really she's amazing!) #AMfamilyathome

{1.29.16}

Joining a babysitting swap is the best thing we've ever ever done for our date nights. Knowing that our kids are having fun and being well taken care of while we get some one-on-one time together is so, so good. (Thank you@karlishields!) City Creek looked so festive and we had a great evening. Finishing out the night with some Shark Tank. #livingontheedge #hesthebestdate #always

{1.30.16}

You guys! I WONNNNNNN! I don't know that I've ever been more excited to win something in my whole life! Thank you for letting me tag 100 of you and a huge Thank You to @alimiddleton! I'm jumping up and down all over the house right now!

EDIT: The giveaway was for an in home family photography session. Ali Middleton is an amazing photographer and I've been dying to book a session with her. Check her out at @alimiddleton.

{2.1.16}

Our 2015 blog books are printed! (Yes, part one and two, because apparently I made up for my lack of blogging by just dumping massive amounts of pictures into my posts. About 500 over the book limit. Oops. So excited to add these beauties to our collection! #thisishowiscrapbook #ourfamilyjournal

{2.15.16}

What do you do when it's beautiful outside (or rather, just not completely freezing) and your TP pass expires in 3 days? You go to the farm. This was Austin's first real adventure at the farm and he loooooooved it. I just love the age that he is at right now. (Makes me a little sad not to be renewing our passes.) Also, Lydia loved all the giant puddles and jumped in each one. I love her age, too. #themholdinghandsmeltsmyheart #shedressesherself #heheldmyhandbasicallythewholetime

insta-david

{1.5.16}

Had a fantastic day off and loved spending time with Shantel and Lydia and Austin. The highlight was definitely building this awesome snowman with Lydia! Check more about our snow adventures at www.thepeadenlife.blogspot.com #carrotnose #wehopehestayswarm

{1.15.16}

Had some great food in Tulsa and now I'm super excited to head home after a week of work. If you are ever in Tulsa, you need to go to Burnco and get the happy plate and fat guys burgers for the fat and juicy burger. #missingmyfamily #gettingonaplane

{1.16.16}

Happy to be home and make lunch for this wonderful girl. #starshapedsandwich

{1.21.16}

Busy season has started and tonight was one of my "late" nights, which means I got home after the kids were in bed. When I did, I found out Lydia had left me a surprise in her room. I am so lucky, she left me a card, a paper with my two names (Daddy Peaden), a tower and various other things, including the Tulsa magnet I brought here from my trip last week. She is so sweet. I hope she likes the note, bubbles and candies I left for her.

{1.27.16}

I have been riding the train to work the last couple of weeks and been thinking about my wonderful family.@alimiddleton caught a great moment of them on the train and I love it. She is doing a super awesome giveaway that you should check out. Even if you don't win, you should book her for your next family photos. #AMfamilyathome