February Happenings

'  It's high time I get caught up on here. There's really not a whole lot to catch up on, honestly. February is probably my least favorite month because it's too cold to go outside and nothing big is going on. Lydia and I are quite happy to see February in our rear view mirror. Hopefully spring is on its way! It was 66 degrees today so that's a great start. 

 Saying goodbye to a great missionary, Elder Hugentobler (right). He's transferring to West Virginia.

 Playing dress-up. She loves her "cool dude" glasses.

 Finger painting is a favorite activity as of late. 

We had Lydia's friends, Adeline and Virginia over the other day. They had fun with stamps and coloring with pink valentine pens.

  The biggest thing that has happened in the last month was probably Loren's hearing for the case he's been tirelessly working on in the Black Lung Clinic. Many late nights were dedicated to research and preparing for the hearing. He drove 5 hours to Morgantown, West Virginia on a Sunday with his professor and stayed in a hotel overnight. That was Super Bowl Sunday so Lydia and I went and watched it with our friends the Stanley's and Williams. We had homemade chicken nuggets, sushi, pizza, casseroles, ravioli and more! It was a fun night but we wished Loren could have been with us. The next morning was the hearing and apparently everyone showed up an hour early so they just got started. Loren's professor had urged him to prepare for every single little objection that could possibly be given, which resulted in many sleepless nights. So armed to the teeth with research and answers to objections, they started the hearing. Then twenty swift minutes later, it was over. He didn't need to do nearly as much research as he did and was a little depressed about wasting so much of his time. But I guess it's better to be over-prepared than not enough? That's what we keep saying anyway. 

  Valentines day was fun. We went to our ward Valentines dinner and dessert auction. Loren let me buy brownies which I've been craving like no other this pregnancy. That was all the Valentines gift I needed. 

  Lydia says some of the funniest things sometimes. I want to write them down so I don't forget them. Bathtub is "tubbub" and begin is "gebin". She has a pink bear that she won't go to sleep without and calls it her "monkey". Loren and I have to give "monkey" a hug and kiss before bed or she won't go to sleep. All meals are called lunch. There's no breakfast or dinner, just lunch. She's really into puzzles now, she can do 24 piece ones really well. Playing horses with little people is one of her favorite things to do. Just Go to Bed is one of her favorite books followed closely by Winnie the Pooh. She never tires of watching Sofia the Fist, Mulan or Winnie the Pooh. 

  This week has been a particularly long one as Lydia has been pretty sick. She has a deep cough that once she starts is hard to stop. This has made her extra cranky, especially today. She has a fever and just doesn't feel good. We went to Lake Robertson and Lime Kiln Park with the Williams today and she hardly wanted to do anything. That's when you know you've got a sick little girl. Hopefully she's feeling better soon.

  Well we find out the gender of our little nugget on the 10th. Hooray! I've started feeling kicks and movement so that's been fun. We'll be sure to keep you posted. 

  Hope everyone has a great week!