I just have to say

Lydia says the cutest things:
Grandma sent chocolate for Valentine's so Lyddie says " mamnma, chocly.. mmmmm" "were's mamnma?" (she's looking for the Chocolate)

"time to get down" or "hold you" (I want you to hold me). Lydia loves to be held, but I can only hold for so long, so I'm constantly saying, "time to get down"

And finally we've become a little hostile about sitting on laps. When we read books Lydia runs to me and says "No paul mine" and then trys to push him off my lap. Then we have to discuss why mom's lap is for everyone and sitting by me is just as good. But that doesn't work so we decide if Paul can sit on mom's lap, then Lydia can sit on paul's lap. Paul is very agreeable since he has quite a wide lap himself, and so we are all happy. One big Lyman Lap. and I can't read because of so many heads, but I'm quite inventive all the same.

Sorry I don't have a picture of this: I can't find my camera cord.

NO limits

Paul is having a bit of self confidence issues. He thinks he can do it all. I'm serious, I literally run around making sure he is still alive. Friday night he climbed up on Lydia's TV arm chair to watch a kid show. I wasn't watching because (we are in a dating babysitting swap) this family dropped off their kid and we were getting settled, and then I hear a smack and Paul is laying on the floor face down smoothered in blood (later I find him trying to fly off the same chair, boy did he get a time out). Bloody nose and tore his gums, or his frenulum, but I can't really tell and neither can Tom, so we give him Tylenol and watch him. He seems fine so I think it's not that bad and maybe it will heal itself. THEN, today he trips (he came into the living room carrying his baby chair. I didn't even know he could do that) on something and falls right on his mouth into his baby chair. Again blood, fat lip, re injury. I called the Doctor (should have called the Dent) they didn't have anything helpful. Tomorrow I'll call the Dent.

The other day I took Lydia and Paul to the Park. I was putting Lyida in the kid swing when I hear a thud. Paul climbed his way up the steps over the bridge-thing and onto the part where there's a pole and you can slide down (if you are like 8). Well, he thought that would be a good part to jump or so I think, but I wasn't looking. So now anywhere we go Paul gets to be strapped in first, Paul gets to be held, Paul gets to sit in the basket of the shopping cart while Lydia is in the baby sit and I'll just buy the bare essentials other wise he steps on the eggs to monkey over the basket. I'm telling you this kid is wild.

Okay, there's my soap box. I feel much better. Anyone got some duck tape?

MIA

Yes, we are MIA. Currently, we are trying to get Lydia on a new sleep routine (one that does not include our bed) and it has been really rocky. She is not one to be alone. It has been that way since she was four months old. I remember when she was 9 mo and sat up but couldn't crawl, I couldn't leave the room for one second before she would start moaning. Lydia is just that way. She has so much love to give, but needs a lot of love in return. I guess she's a lot like her mom. Well, I don't know if that is a good thing or not, it's kind of driving me nutty (along with the terrible twos).

Just as an update: NOTHING HAS CHANGED. There. There's your great update. Eh, we're happy...don't get that confused with never ending school, cleaning, and crying and lots of car horns honking. But, you should see how cute the kids are growling with each other or Lydia holding Paul's hand when they walk together. It's super cute. Oh, Paul is walking now and he loves it. He is also making sounds for "Thank You" and "Lyddie". They are a cute pair. I'm glad they are around to drive me bonkers.

And one last thing: Lydia weighed in at 25 pounds last week!! Paul didn't get weighed but I'm going double or nothing he's at LEAST 23. You should see the tank, he easily eats 2x as much as Lydia does at every single sitting. I'm serious... I've recorded it.

Christmas Advent

Here's some pictures of our first week's advent (I forgot to take the last two). Aren't those two little boys adorable?!

I know Amanda is going to kill me for posting this picture of her, but this is the only one where Tasha is not hiding her face, sorry Amandy. So from left to right: Amanda, Bobby Doran, Paige holding Lilly, Amanda's girl; Tasha, Tom, Lydia, Keith, Paige's husband (first year podiatry..go feet!) their son Jackson and Paul.

Isn't that the most precious advent picture? I don't care that it came out fuzzy, this sums up why Tom and I do this. Hopefully each year we can invite a couple new families and enjoy this fun tradition. I just want to say: If we could we would invite everyone we know, but our house and advent weeks are limited.

All About Paul the little details

While I fold laundry I let the kids do whatever they want so as not to ruin my piles. Paul wanted to color. Paul needed a boost. Paul found my scriptures. What is that saying?... Build on the Rock of Christ? or something?

Yes, he still makes this face.

Boy do we love cars! AND, this is the closest we come to seeing a buffalo out here.

I've been working on Christmas crafts this month. That white case is where I store my sewing machine for quick access. Aparently Paul thought so too. I found him here moments after entering our house. Lydia had to use the bathroom. When I got back I found a trail of shoes, socks and ohhh, look where he ended up. And for the record he has my keys in his hands, no wonder I can never find them. That is a face that has been caught.

And finally, this is the trick I use to keep Paul quiet while I put Lyddie down for a nap (yes, I do lay by her still and I still enjoy it). A Box of raisins. It has to be this certain box that doesn't have the wrapper in the inside of the box. Just give Paul a box of raisins and he'll sit right there for ten minutes!!! It's the most wonderful idea I've ever had. This particular time I fell asleep with Lyd so I had been away for 15 mins. Look how happy he is! He is a wonderful boy when he as a box of Sunmaid Raisins. Oh and don't worry, we've been giving him raisins since before he had teeth.

October and November Reads

NASM Personal Fitness Training--Actually, I'm still reading and re-reading this book throughout the year. It's more of a science study book. This is the highest certification you can get in this field, so it really is like taking a college course. I don't think I'll get re-certified any time soon, but I like to read the latest and rummage through this book. It's like my hobby(lame I know)...I'll open it if I get an ich or just bored. I just finished my favorite section this month though so I counted it as a read. Should you read this? ABSOLUTELY MY FRIENDS!!!!! Okay, maybe you'll get bored, but maybe not... Frankenstein--I was intrigued but it wasn't extremely gripping. However, it had great points to argue...just ask Julie and Spencer. Although we all agreed it wasn't the best book ever, it was a great bookclub book. We really discussed it a ton and had great perspectives.

Count of Monte Cristo- I loved this book so much I finished in one and a half weeks. Then I found out I read the unabrigdged 700 page book. I was severely upset. I guess next year I'll have to find the unabridged to find out what happened exactly. If you haven't, read it. It's about revenge and God's blessing.

Moonstone--Loved this book. A great English mystery. I will admit the first hundred pages were hard for me to get into but then it flew by. This is a book that gets over looked. It is a classic and the plot is nice and thick. I think it was only 400 pages, so not too bad. Do I think you should read it? YES!

I think there was another, but I've completely forgotten, so it must have been a lame book.

Youth Trip

These are the most awesome bunch of teenagers I've ever spent the day with. I joined their crew for a day while Tom was busy with school. We voluntered for the Special Olympic that day(about a month ago). Most of these kids are inner-city and belong to this community group called "Building for Books" or something like that. They volunteer their services everyweek doing goodworks. I thought that was awesome, so I took the kids on a Saturday and went with them. I think I am the first person to do that, but they loved the kids anyway and thought I wasn't too old. The only member is Freddy: she's the one with her hands in the air in the top photo. She's the coolest and got me hooked up with this group.

I'd love to be a group leader, but I don't know if they'd let me haul my kids around every Saturday! Anyway, it was a great experience and I love youth who are actively involved in a good cause.