Costumes, Teeth and Snow

Oh, hello. I can't quite walk with this yet, but I can stand by it - so until then I put it next to things so that it doesn't move.

I have my own way of getting off the couch... maybe not the best way!

Hi devoted followers of my blog!

Turns out that Mommy bought a little extra candy for the trick-or-treaters on Saturday night, and that combined with the candy I collected equals tons of fun for me (well, at least I get to play with the wrappers - Mommy and Daddy won't let me eat any of it)! If only Mommy could resist the temptation, then I could eat my candy when my teeth all come in....

Hey... those are mine!

Here you go, Daddy, have some candy before Mommy gets to it!

That reminds me. I now have four teeth - that's right, four! I have my two bottom teeth (I've had those for awhile now) and now I have a molar on the top right and my top right front tooth... I'll be chewing candy in no time!! Mom's not sure exactly when the molar came in, she was noticing that I was acting like I was teething for some time, but the usual suspects were not coming in... it wasn't until another kiddo with Downs mom told Mommy that her kid's teeth didn't come in the usual order. Then mom started looking around and there was that molar on the top right! As for the front tooth, that one finally broke through last night - hooray!

Anyway, enough about teeth. Turns out something else of the white variety has been spotted in the Denver area. We had about 20 inches of snow last week! Guess what... it is pretty much all melted already! It was pretty fun to have a white Halloween. I dressed up as a butterfly and went to a few friends' houses to show off a bit. I hope that next year I'll be able to walk around to some neighbors' houses.

I just love my butterfly costume - thanks cousin Erin!

Can you see any of the butterfly's teeth? Do butterfly's have teeth?

I think the snow is pretty great.

Here's the whole family in the snow... we still got about another inch or two after this photo.

That's about all I have for now, hope you're all doing great!
Love,
Lydia

Taco Tuesday!

Hey everyone, I know it's been too long. So here's the plan. I'm going to give you some tidbits of info and then we'll go into a photo tour of the last few weeks.

Here goes:

I've seen my pediatrician, cardiologist and had my post-op eye appointment. They've reported that I'm looking healthy, I've finally passed the 20 lb. mark, surrendered all oxygen still left in the house (no more O2 caution sign on the door of the house - too bad, I think lots of people thought it was a no solicitors sign), have to continue with heart medicine - but only for another six months, the eye looks pretty good, and I have eczema on my chin. Overall, I think those are all signs that I'm in pretty good health - at least nothing out of the ordinary.

Mom and Dad have been keeping busy with going to classes on how to stay in the know with all of my care issues for the rest of my life - they're overwhelmed, but really excited about all of the information.

We had all these loud and crazy people at our house this weekend... turns out they were Mom's college friends and G-pa and G-ma E. all in town for Molly and Chris's wedding. I liked all of the people, they watched me do my bear crawling and all commented on the length of my hair. It was a houseful, but I like all the excitement!

Here begins the photo tour:

Mom and Dad had tacos tonight - I had refried beans... they're one of my favs!
I hear beans are good for your skin - thought I'd try it out.

Some of the Dordt alumni hanging out at Molly's wedding.
L to R: Tonja, Renee, Kurt, Mary, Lyndsay, Mom and Dad (he's the odd ball - he's a CU Buff)

Here's Molly and Chris making an entrance at their reception.

Mom, Dad and Scott and Andrea got to sit together at the reception - they drank all the wine - if you really knew my parents, you would know that that's a lie... Mommy drank all the wine, just kidding!

Grandma, Kelly (Molly's mom) and Gert were all friends when they went to Dordt College - a few years ago! This one goes out to Button - you know who you are!

Another shot of the Southview 404 (their apartment) roommies from college.

The "just slightly" older college buddies.
L to R: Gert, Gord, Kelly, Ray, Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma gave me a bath in the sink when she and Grandpa were taking care of me... I was like, "Guys, I'm way too big for the sink, I take may baths in the bathtub!"

Me and Mommy in front of the flatirons in Boulder when Trent and Julie were visiting.

Trent, Julie and I in front of the same back drop.

Trent and Julie wanted to go to Casa Bonita while they were here.
I didn't have quite as much fun as they did - the guy with the cap gun freaked me out!!

My pacifier was a trusted friend at Casa Bonita... but in the meantime, I like being close to Mom and Julie too.

We celebrated Aunt Julie's 21st birthday, Mom and Dad's 4th anniversary, Trent's 1/2 birthday, and my 16 month birthday all with one cake!

Mommy went to a fashion show in Denver to benefit the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
Mommy doesn't get dressed up that much, so we had to have a photo of the occasion.

Val and Jer came to visit from G. Junction one weekend. Jer had awesome tickets to a Broncos game - Daddy graciously accepted the invitation and thoroughly enjoyed the 4th row seats of a spectacular win over the Patriots!

Just me hangin' out at home - Mom thought I looked all grown up in my pigtails.

Hope you enjoyed the quick catch up on our lives!
Love you all,
Lydia

Dad's whole family represented Team Lil' Lydia this year in the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk!

Hello distinguished guests to my blog,

I am feeling rather chipper this afternoon following a bit of a bummer of a morning.

I mentioned last blog that I would be having a procedure performed on my left eye on Sept. 28th - turns out that it was actually performed on this glorious 1st day of October (scheduling conflict with the anesthesiologist). Anyway, things went pretty well with the tear duct probe and stint insertion. Turns out that along with small ear canals and nasal passages, it can also be assumed that my tear ducts are a bit on the small side - as the doctor had to poke and prod a little more than she had originally expected. I can't say I was very pleased after awaking from the surgery - Mom and Dad weren't there right away and some of the things I was seeing would be reminiscent of the Heffalumps and Woozles (not sure on spelling) dream sequence from winnie the pooh.

You should see the other baby! -just kidding

No really, I'm ok, I just look a little rough.

Enough about that, I'm well on my way to recovery and I wanted to take some time to talk about the Mile High Down Syndrome Association's Step Up for Down Syndrome event which we participated in on Sunday in City Park.

The conditions were perfect and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive team of people gathered under our tent. Although, there is always room for more in the upcoming years (plug for next year). It felt really good to look around at the 140-something other teams totaling somewhere around 3,000 people, and to know that we all have a common cause and that we were all there to show our support of each other - it made us think that this is the way God intends for all of us to be toward each other all of the time.

A nice shot of the pavilion at City Park in Denver - the backdrop for the Step Up Walk

Team Lil' Lydia representatives.

This doesn't even begin to depict how many people were in attendance on Sunday.

Rest-insured... I feel in good hands with these two (inside joke)

Stroll out!
Nik, Lydia and Koen ridin' in style

Snoopy was there too!

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone who walked, donated and thought about us during this fun event.

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention that I will be having some super cool babysitters tonight. Aunt Julie and her boyfriend Trent made the trip to Colorado from Iowa to visit us (go to the Brewers vs. Rockies baseball game) during a long weekend off from college.

Love you all,
Lydia

One year photos and special anniversary

Hello friends and family,

I got my one year photos and I must say that I am very pleased with the work that Kristi and I did. I hope that you all enjoy them as well.

Other notable information. Today is the one year anniversary of my heart surgery. It's so hard to believe that I went through all of that just a year ago. Mom says that there will be a cake to celebrate soon. I also want to let you know that I am scheduled to have eye surgery on my left tear duck on the 28th of September. I go in tomorrow for a pre-operation appointment. The operation is the day after the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. Hopefully this is the last year that I have to be planning for a surgery right after the walk.

Okay here are the pictures I promised to share.






Thanks for viewing my blog.

Love,
Lydia

Blogging from Iowa

Hello friends and family,

We have been in Iowa since Friday. Mom and her sisters participated in a half marathon in Waterloo on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to have a good time after they caught their breath. Mom opted not to take me in the jogging stroller on this run and I stayed back at the hotel with Dad and we slept. We made it to the finish line to see Joni and Jenness cross the finish. We found Mom and told her good job.

Mom and Grandpa at the finish area.

The sisters at the end of the race We the went out for lunch where we had a suprise belated birthday party for Grandma. She did not know that her family was going to be there. It was fun to see Grandma soo surprised.

The "kids" table

The "adults" table

Later we went by the University of Northern Iowa to look around the campus. My Grandpa T go his degree while attended this university and my Grandpa E took a few classes through UNI. There was a game at the Unidome so we had a little trouble navigating the campus on the big game day.

On campus at UNI. Go Panthers!

On our way back to Orange city we stopped by my great uncle Bud and great aunt Crystal's house. It was fun to see all of the kittens and the cows on the farm. We also stopped by to see my Great Grandma in Kanawha. We got there a little late in the evening and we had to wake her up for a visit. Thanks Great Grandma for the time to visit. It was a marathon day in more than one way.

We spent Sunday through Tuesday just hanging out while everone was at work and school and then would do things when everyone else was home. On Sunday I got to hang out with my buddy Trey. He just turned 13 this weekend. Happy Birthday Trey! I also really enjoyed spending time with my Iowa cousins. They are very entertaining to say the least.

Trey, his mom Lori and me hanging out before Sunday dinner.

I thought you might like to see how I help packing for trips. This is me helping with the laundry and then starting to go after the camera. I am such a little helper

I love you all.

Lydia.

Another busy month

Howdy friends!

I will try to get you all caught up on the happenings at our house in the last few weeks.

Mom and Dad abandoned me one night this month to go to a Rockies baseball game. I was pretty bummed that I didn't get to go, but I had a great time visiting with my friend Sam and his mom and Dad.

Here are Mom, Dad, Scott and Andrea at the game

We also had a great time witnessing Zach and Heidi's wedding - those two are alright. It was a fun day, but I got pretty tired after playing with "Uncie" Dave and "Auntie" Lori.

These two (Dave and Lori) need to have kids of their own someday - wink, wink

We've been spending a lot of time this month working on painting the exterior of the house - Mom and Dad say that it's needed new paint since Dad moved in six years ago! They finally got around to it... and it's still a work in progress.... but from the street it looks finished. They had lots of help from friends to get the job done. I also was a big help... every time Mom got out her brush I would yell encouragement to her in my best cheerleader voice... needless to say, Mom did not get a whole lot done during the days while Dad was at work - I made sure of it!

This is the before photo of the house

Here's the new house color - we'll have to get a picture of it in the light next time

As you saw on my last posting I'm getting around pretty well. Mom has been putting the baby gate up at the top of the stairs so that I won't go tumbling down, but somehow I forget about the falling part and I want to go through that gate all the time. Mom also puts Boscoe's food dish on the other side of the gate and I really like his water bowl - endless entertainment!

I really want Boscoe's bowl - when will I ever get what I want

I've also been exploring more foods. I really like cheerios and I'm beginning to like things like pasta and crackers.

Here's me with a couple of my new fav foods:

The graham cracker took a little getting used to

Boscoe and I both like cheerios - I have to be fast to get them before Boscoe

I feel pretty good about spilling my cup - so does my buddy

Mom, Dad, Scott and Andrea and I went out for dinner (to Coloradans)/supper (to Iowans) last night. We had Mexican food and I absolutely love refried beans. We also found out that I like tortilla chips - but Daddy got nervous about me choking and took them away. Mom and Dad don't go out with me that much anymore because I like to "sing" while I'm at eating establishments. I don't like to be shy about it either, however, Mom and Dad wish I would be a little shy - they think I'm too loud.

After spending most of the time in a high chair, I got to hang out on the bench with Daddy and my baby after dinner

Hope you're all doing great.
Love,
Lydia