Spring has sprung!

It's here! Spring has finally sprung!

I am sooo happy for warmer weather and sunnier days, aren't you?!

We have been busy around here, but in a good way. Russell has had this past week off of work, so we have had LOTS of family time. Which would have been great, except we had to spend last Sunday (Easter Sunday) in the ER with Lydia. 

I think she may have had an ear infection but I'm not sure I'm 100% convinced that's what it was. She got some Antibiotic and after 4 hours we finally got to go home. I'm glad she wasn't falling apart or anything because they are slow at getting things done there. We had to go to the desk where the Dr. was sitting and remind her to write a prescription. Uh hello...

But the Saturday before Easter was great. Our community center here hosted an Easter hunt and fun/games for us. Lydia got to meet the Easter bunny! Now, if you remember her encounter with Santa Claus , Lydia and strangers don't mix. So we were expecting the same thing.

Waiting in line...

But she liked him/her!

 She wanted to sit there and pet it's fur and rub it's tongue lol

 So funny. 

So I'm guessing as long as it doesn't have a human face, she is fine going to it.

She got to "hunt" eggs too! 

Such a cutie! She even wore a bow, which she doesn't like to do for very long. 

My Favorite.

We've kind of stayed low key and around the house since her medicine gives her the.... 

well, we've gone through a lot of diapers this week.

But we have been grilling almost every day which is fabulous for Russ and I, but Lydia has been protesting food. As in, she will not open her mouth for food unless she can pick it up and stick it in there herself.  I told Russ she must decide to do things all of a sudden. She gave up her pacifier one day all on her own, and now no more baby food. Which makes it hard for me because I don't know what to give her so she will have a balanced diet. 

She got a new hat! 

While Russ was grilling, I thought she needed some sidewalk chalk to draw on the driveway with, but we didn't have any. So I did the next best thing, I made sidewalk paint!

Just pour some cornstarch in a little bowl, add food coloring, and water! It dries pretty quick and looks and feels like chalk after it dries. She painted Taylor and me too. 

Yesterday we all loaded up and went to Leesylvania State Park since it was so nice out. 

Lydia got to experience a lot of firsts.

Fun in the swing!

But her favorite was the slide =)

 weeee!

She would slide down and then turn right around and try to climb back up again. We had to pry her away. 

We took a stroll down by the water to see what she thought about sand. 

She of course loved it too!

She played in the sand for a good 20 minutes. Just picking it up and letting it fall through her fingers. 

She took a good nap after that. I could have too, but I decided to watch Life of Pi which turned out to be a great movie! I definitely recommend it. Russ even liked it, which he didn't think he would. 

Then we went swimming! 

Lydia got a new floaty last weekend and we were excited to try it out! She was so happy in it and would kick her little legs as hard as she could. She looked liked she was trying to run. She is for sure a water baby. 

I love those two!

We had a nice morning at church today. Sad to think next weekend will be our last Sunday at this congregation. We have really grown to love and appreciate everyone there. Lydia has taken up with a special couple who I think took her up as their honorary grandchild. She loves them both. 

Russ goes back to work tomorrow so I guess it's all back to normal until we pack up and leave. Its all very bittersweet. 

I think my baby girl has woken up so, until next time! 

Love you all!

Lydia visits D.C.

This past weekend was sooo nice! 

I hope it was for you all too. We had temperatures in the 60's which made it perfect for walking around D.C. and doing a little more sight seeing before we leave this place.

We ended up driving into D.C. because we did not want to ride the Metro (it's just so dirty and I haven't  ridden it since Lydia was born). We got great parking so I can't complain about the traffic we sat through to get it :)

We walked around the cement pond (name that show) in front of the Capital Building. 

It really was the perfect day.

Lydia got to see some birds!

She was already tired and cranky lol.

Russ tried to feed them.

We got a little closer to the building. There were lots of people out that day so it was kind of hectic weaving around all the picture takers.

I think Lydia's favorite part was when we let her play in the grass. She LOVES grass, but there isn't any around here that hasn't been peed or poo-ed on by some four legged creature.

I like this one :)

Russ decided to take a break too. We were working up a sweat walking around.

cutie pie! 

We walked around some more after this and then Lydia decided she was hungry, so she got her first meal in D.C. on a park bench (if you catch my drift). After that she was sound asleep.

So we kept walking and found the White House.

Mr. President wasn't outside. 

We drove back home and stopped for supper in Occoquan at a seafood place on the river. Then we had dessert at Bluberi (frozen yogurt). Lydia had her very own cupful of strawberry, yum!

It was a great day out for the Dykman's. I still want to visit the Treasury and see where they make money, and maybe visit the Zoo or Aquarium before we leave. I know Lydia will have fun there =).

Love you all and God Bless!!!

Birthdays!

Well February's month of events is finally over for us. 

Russ and I had a great Anniversary. We went out to dinner at a new Italian restaurant called Travinia. We made reservations a few days prior and I'm glad we did! They were only serving those who made reservations but the bar seating was open. It made it much more quiet and romantic not having crowds of people waiting and staring. Although with Lydia squealing and jabbering, I'm sure it killed the mood for some..oops? 

We are used to her tagging along for dinner so it doesn't bother us. Russ had the day off work because he wasn't feeling well. But we went and walked around the mall and did a little shopping anyway. 

We definitely ate way too much, but it all sounded so good! We had Italian nachos as an appetizer. Warm tortilla chips smothered with mozzarella cheese, olives, peppers, sausage, and Parmesan cheese. Yumm. I had a delicious pine nut crusted salmon and Russ had some kind of pasta filled with different sea creatures. haha, I know I saw calamari in there. Then we did ourselves in and ordered dessert. We wanted to share one but we both wanted something different. I some sort of hot apple pie crumble with ice cream, Russ had tirimisu. 

Russell's birthday was great too! I wanted to surprise him and come to his office. But it takes a little more planning and help from his co-workers to get into the Pentagon. We did go, but he knew about it. I made him this awesome cake!

I made a flag to go beside the hole after I had taken the picture. It was devil's food cake with mint chocolate frosting. I'm so glad that the frosting didn't turn any one's teeth green. I had to put a bottle and a half of green food coloring to get it green enough. He loved it and was surprised how good it turned out (like he should doubt my baking and decorating skills, haha). 

He got to come home early from work. Then I made his mom's recipe for chicken curry, oh my was it delicious! The more South African recipes I make, the more I fall in love with that place. It had a good "kick" to it though since I accidentally put 3 tablespoons of curry powder instead of 3 teaspoons. Still amazing. 

He was also very happy with his Tennessee Titans football jersey. 

 Lydia's big day was a success!  Have I mentioned how I can't believe she is already one? She truly acted like a one year old and didn't nap all day that day...can you say grumpy?!

 We had lots of friends over and it was so cute seeing the little ones together.

She did not want to touch her cake though! I was kind of disappointed because she loves getting her hands dirty, so I figured she'd go for it.

This was right before the tears started.

But presents made it all better!

Lots of books! Yay!

And fun toys!

This is the sign I ordered for $2, It looked great!

Ducks everywhere =)

This was her present from Granny (Mom), she absolutely loves it. 

Going for a cruise.

We went to the doctors last week. She gained a whole pound lol. In three months might I add. We got the same speech we always get, but it is our last doctor's visit while we are here. We are moving next month!!! To Virginia Beach!

Other than that everything has been pretty quiet around here. We are trying to get Lydia signed up to go Easter egg hunting at the White House!! How fun would that be?! We went and walked around D.C. today. It was so nice outside, in the 60's! I'm ready for spring!!! I'll post again with more of those pics.

I've got Lydia pulling at my shirt tail so I've gotta go! Love you all!!!