Lydie's Life - Summer 2009

What can I say about my Lydie Lew? We have entered a new phase in our lives: the never-ending “Why?” For example, on a stroller-ride doing errands last week she noticed, “Mommy, the sky is so blue.” This observation was followed by the question, “Mommy, why is the sky blue?” Sometimes I’m patient and try to explain how the world works (which is what she is so curious about after all) but when I run out of answers, I simply say, “Because God made it that way” or “Because that’s what mommy said.”

Her command of the English language is broadening by the day. She’s using words like, “partially” “noticed” “realized” “three-quarters” “observation” and “dramatic” appropriately.

Of course, her “Miss independence” stage has amplified over the last month or so. In fact, one day she threw a full-blown tantrum crying hysterically for 45 minutes because I took her pull-up off and she wanted to do it. ARGH!
"Miss Independence" celebrating "Independence Day"


In typical first-born-girl fashion, she commands attention and thrives on directing her agenda. She loves to show off her “tricks” like, “Watch me jump so high!” and “Watch me do a somersault.” (both taught to her by her phys ed teacher grandma, Mimi). She has recently become interested in dancing which at times is precluded by dressing up.

She’ll say, “Watch me shake my hips.”

Lydia also had her first singing debut at the First Fridays event in Downtown Chambersburg. They had “kid karaoke” and after Riley sang “You are my Sunshine”

Lydia stepped to the microphone for “Mary had a Little Lamb.” She was prompted but did a pretty good job. Mark loves how she's holding onto the mic stand like a rock-star. :)


Summer has brought a love for the outdoors.

Multiple times a day she will beg to go outside to play in the pool



or blow bubbles. It’s amazing how she and Tobias can entertain themselves in the sandbox.
Look how she’s so dramatic and intentional (making sure mommy notices) that she’s “sharing” with her brother.


I do get her to sit still on a regular basis to do what she calls, “a craft.” Mark taught her to make and “H” so she’s a bit obsessed with that and circles at the moment but she also continues to love to cut and do stickers, paint, and glue. Of course, when her attention runs out she does things like this:


Blooper, who is an actual doll, has developed quite a personality. If you are around Lydia for any period of time, you are likely to hear stories about Blooper’s adventures. Blooper’s life tends to parallel Lydia’s quite closely, however Bloop also does things like climb into our water glasses at dinner. It’s like an imaginary friend who also happens to be a real doll baby. This little segment began by Lydia telling me about one of Blooper’s outings and developed into a rendition of “Old McDonald had a Farm.” Watch her eyes twinkle when she smiles.


She also loves to hold and touch babies. Since Tobias won’t sit still for that anymore, she loves on her cousins, Rachel & Ally. Too cute.



And I had to add a "hugging" picture of her cousin Gabby.


Through all this activity, Lydia does have her sweet and quiet moments. She loves to have someone read to her. She had grandpapa read “Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush” four times. He has much more patience than I!


While she’s praying she sometimes stops and looks at me and declares, “I’m talking to God!” Her prayers are also getting much more intentional. Instead of saying, “Thank you that mommy and daddy and Toby feel better.” (We prayed for that a lot this winter!) She is coming up with seemingly random but quite appropriate prayers like this one:
“Dear God,
Thank you for each day.
Thank you for the crops. [Lydia and Toby rode along with me on Friday to pick up our weekly crop share.]
Thank you for the Butcher Shoppe.
Thank you for Luke’s party – that we had fun.
Thank you for Rachel’s grandma’s pool. [Rachel is her cousin and we did, in fact, go to her great-grandma’s pool on July 4th.]
Thank you that it’s my birthday tomorrow and we will have fun. [Ok, so she thinks every day should be her birthday. Can’t blame her. What an incredible way to live!]
AMEN.”

We love you, sweet Lydia.