Your're Only 21 Once

Twenty one years ago today Lydia Marie Nelson came into the world at a whopping 10 lbs. 7 1/2 oz., a full head of black hair, and the cutest cheeks you've ever seen! Thankfully since then she has shed the hair that coated her shoulders and back too! Hahaha! I could hardly wait to take her newborn picture to my second grade class for show and tell. I think my teacher almost fell out of her chair when she asked how much she weighed. She probably thought I got my numbers mixed up!
I remember I was so excited to have a little sister. I had been the only girl stuck between two boys for eight years. The score was finally even. By then, I think I had mostly thought of myself as a boy, and it was refreshing to have some estrogen in the house. Lydia was as girlie as they come. She loved all the princesses, could belt Natalie Cole's "I Miss You Like Crazy" like no other, and let me abuse her head to no end with all her Sunday do's.
I think for her three older siblings it was a definite benefit for us to be so much older. We could get her to do and say anything. She could grab her junk better than Michael Jackson and got Uncle John to "look at her butt." Aw, those precious memories.
It has been fun to grow closer through the years and to have our age gap disappear. We have such a great time when all us kids are together, and we all look forward to the future. We are so proud of you Lydi. We love you so much, and have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Yeah, and one day I will learn to edit my scanned pictures. HELP!

This Is Hard To Swallow

Allergies. Phlegm. Post nasal drip.

That is where I am at right now.

Mmmmm.

Olivia's First Haircut

Well, the day finally came. My baby got her first haircut. I am not sure if she is really considered a baby any more considering she is two, but she's still my baby! I have had so much fun braiding her hair and putting in ponies, but by mid afternoon her curls were starting to look more like cotton candy than anything else. So when, for no apparent reason at all, Olivia asked for a haircut yesterday, I thought I should jump on the opportunity. I mean really, how often does a kid ask for a hair cut!
She was pretty excited about the whole ordeal...until it started. Of course. She really wasn't too bad. She just didn't like the idea of having to look down. Once I realized it would be easier for her to stand on the chair she didn't seem to mind. I must admit, I think it turned out pretty cute! I had initially been putting it off because I wanted her sides to grow out a little more, but once it was all cut, the sides didn't bother me as much as I thought they would. It just looks like they are tapered. I wanted a more dramatic A-line on the sides, but those will grow out. All in all, I think it was a success. I think we have officially entered the stage of toddler hood (?). Don't you just love how it looks like she has no neck! That's because I bit it off! ;)