50 Weeks

50 Weeks? Really? Just 2 more weeks until Lydia is one... I don't buy it. I still look at her as the tiny newborn we brought home just mere days ago... but I guess it is time to succumb to the fact that I have an infant, on the edge of toddlerness, that is full of personality and character... She has recently sprouted two upper teeth as evidenced in her 50th picture on "the chair." She is also cutting a 4th bottom tooth. I was pleasantly surprised to open a tote of clothes in her bedroom marked 18-24 months that I thought I had previously emptied of all 18 month clothes to find 4-5 new outfits that would be appropriate for this summer and upcoming fall... The one in this picture was actually found in her closet, having fallen off a hanger. Her closet is quite organized, so that was quite exciting for me to discover!

Lydia is completely mobile now. She is not walking, but can scoot anywhere and everywhere she pleases. Locations for mobility include stairs, doors, hallways, closets, ect. She pulls herself to stand and is increasingly more confident in moving across the room with a given walking apparatus. Her walking apparatus of choice is the shopping cart bestowed upon her by Oma and Opa (I would have guessed a shopping cart would be her initial "crutch": watch out teen years!).

Personality-wise, Lydia is independent. She will only eat foods that are left on her tray for her to grab and interact with. We recently have begun teaching her to eat independently with a fork. Tonight she was 50/50 with it. She likes the fork, but not always for its intended purposes. Furthermore, she is fluent with straw sucking and sippy cups... bottles are slowly, but surely phasing themselves out. She has also started on organic cows milk... skim milk... I realize that is not the typical recommendation of whole or 2%, but I have it on strong account, that this is perfectly acceptable for a 1-year-0ld given her eating habits. So skim milk it is and goodbye formula! We have a can left to use and then we will wave it a strong good-bye!

We continue to explore the summer happenings of Peoria. We typically find ourselves at a playground, the Shoppes at Grand Prairie, or the zoo. Wherever there are other kids is where Lydia wants to be! I can't blame her! All babies are hilarious to be around and brighten up anyone's day.