ROAD TRIP! Tomorrow morning we leave for Hot Springs to visit Grammy and Grandpa. Lydia is so excited! Omi lent us her fun car mirror that has music and lights (complete with remote control) so Lydia will be entertained on the way. Truthfully she'll probably sleep most of the way... She usually takes a really long nap every morning.
More pictures to come soon...

Who doesn't love a naked baby!?? Always cute.
Lydia rolled over onto one side TWICE this weekend and a couple of times in her bed last night. Good job!

Family fun day at the mall!

Lydia loves her new Bumbo chair!

Lydia went to the Dr. yesterday for her 4 month check-up. Here's the latest:

Weight: 17.1 lbs (95%)
Length: 26 in. (95%)
Head: 16 1/2 cm. (75%)

What an overachiever she is! 95th percentile for both length and weight! She's very healthy and doing great. She received another 3 vaccinations this time. She was content and smiling at us as the nurse put the first needle into her thigh and then it happened... she became aware of the pain and her face and head turned bright red and the tears began to pour. So sad! The nurse quickly did the second one in the other leg, meanwhile Lydia was crying so hard that she stopped breathing for a second (which always freaks me out). Her face was nearly candy apple red. Poor baby! As soon as the nurse had applied the band-aids we scooped Lydia up and held her close. Oliver comforted her as I held her and she recovered, of course. Those were some monster-sized tears though! I think she receives another dose at 6 months and then she's through for awhile. We thank God for immunizations and good health insurance. We are blessed.

I haven't found time to write about it yet, but this weekend was the first time I left Lydia overnight. 2 nights, in fact! I traveled for work, and for now I'll just tell you that it was quite an adventure! The work itself was really good. Leaving my precious baby girl? Awful! (I cried multiple times.) And using the breast pump in the bathroom stall of the Denver International Airport? Double-awful! I'll share more later, but for now let me say that Lydia has a really, really wonderful Daddy who did a great job on his own this weekend.

Tummy time, followed by sitting up like a big girl, followed by playing with Mommy and Daddy... What a great Sunday!

A new game that seems to make her smile every time!

Looking at herself in the mirror...

Lydia has inspired Oliver and I to start our own business: toupees for babies. What do you think?

Look who's a St. Louis Cardinals fan, just like Daddy! (The backside of her outfit is my favorite part)

She LAUGHED! Lydia often makes happy sounds and gurgles and squeals from time to time (especially when lying on her favorite mat with the mirror and lights at Omi's house), but I haven't really heard her totally and completely giggle or laugh. Until last night! I was holding her upright (she loves to sit up like a big girl but can't do it on her own yet) on the counter in our bathroom in front of the mirror. She LOVES to look at herself in the mirror. I had my face right next to hers and was talking to her about what we could see in the mirror and suddenly she let out the BIGGEST burp I have ever heard in my life! It suprised me so much that I started laughing almost uncontrollably (seriously - this was an enormous burp for such a little girl!). Suddenly she laughed too! Oh my gosh, it was the cutest sound my ears have ever heard. She did it once...then again and once more. This wasn't just a happy quick squeal... it was a REAL giggly laugh and I loved it so much! What a fun moment that was. She looked very pleased with herself. Today I'm home from work and naturally I've tried to reproduce last night's event, but to no avail. Much like when she first smiled at me, she did it 2 or 3 times and I didn't see it again for a week or more. I've been eager for this little one to giggle... Oliver and I often fake a laugh and giggle for her and she smiles at us, but doesn't copy. She's getting there now though! Oh my gosh, I wish you'd heard it and seen her proud face... cutest thing ever.