Matt Started Grad School! And the Last Two Months

We've had a busy couple months! The biggest update is that Matt started grad school. He started researching programs last summer that he could do while working full time. At the end of summer he decided on a program and applied, was accepted in November and started in January! 

The plan is that he'll graduate in spring 2020 with a master's in Managerial Logistics. 

My classes are going well, too. I'm teaching three sections of Comm 121 this semester which means I have 60 students. That's more than ever! It's been a little much, but since this is my last semester teaching (since we're moving away) I'm happy to do it.

Let's back up to mid January when Lydia and I flew back from California...

I was nervous to fly 6 hours with her by myself, but she did great! She only slept 30 minutes out of the two flights, but she was happy to play with new toys (especially these cars), look at books and magazines, and eat snacks. 

During our layover in Seattle we found the play area where she could get her wiggles out.

Alaska greeted us in its usual mid-winter way... negative temps, lots of darkness and a moose in the road. :)

We saw this guy just a couple blocks from our house.

Live-streaming the sunset in Hawaii :)

Lydia has been growing like crazy! She likes all kids of new foods and says new words every day.

Her favorite things to do are dressing up, playing with me, Matt, and Barkley, and reading books!

Her personality comes out more all the time.  She likes to dress herself - and does a really good job! She likes to pick out her bows, tutus, sunglasses, shoes and coats every day.

Classic Lydia 

If you ask her, two tutus are better than one!

The day after we got back to Alaska, she started going to Katie's house 3 days/week for the mornings to hang out with Seneca. She loves it there! Seneca and Lydia are usually greet each other with a big hug. :) When I ask L "are you ready to go to Katie's?" she lights up, says "Kay's!", starts gathering her things (shoes, bag, hat), and heads to the car!

Katie is amazing, and their play dates her house are what's getting us through this winter!

Can you tell L's excited to play? :)

Besides her morning play dates, Lydia's other favorite activities are FaceTime...

How perfect is this shot Heidi got??

Sarah and Lyd were accidentally matching again :)

Meeting Ellen and Corey's new kitten, Chloe!

going to the pool on Saturdays with Daddy  - she talks about it all week long, and can't wait to go swim. It's her very favorite thing right now. She'll pull out her swim suit and ask "pool?'...

that smile!

going "ow-si" with Barkley and me (any time it's warm/sunny enough)...

The aftermath of a snowy stroller walk

grocery shopping... 

feeding herself, no matter how much of a mess it makes...

Berry crisp :)

reading her favorite books (she asks me to read these at least twice a day)...

grabbing our keys and saying 'car!' any time we've been home for more than a couple hours... 

...and saying 'no.' :)

Valentine's Day was pretty laid back this year. We did a little gift exchange and Matt made dinner at home during Lydia's nap time - the perfect date if you ask me! No driving in the snow and ice.

matching pink Valentine's smoothies!

Finally got around to taking down Christmas cards on Valentine's Day...

Barkley got a special treat :)

Thanks Gma and Gpa!

And here are a bunch of pictures from my phone that I want to save. :) 

Accidentally dressed the same - jean jacket and sneaks!

Our handsome boys:

Frozen eyelashes on a walk with Barkley (it was too cold to bring Lydia that day so it was just me and B). 

A rare warm afternoon (it was probably 25 degrees) when it was SO nice to have some fresh air.

This day it was -30 but one of the first sunnier days of the spring. 

Lydia loves hugging Barkley and dressing him up.

He's so patient with her!

dog park

Matt still takes him skiing straight out the front door most weekends.

Post-ski frozen whiskers.

After I graded 60 speeches in 5 days, Matt treated me to a manicure and my favorite foods. 

 

Matt got glasses...

...and Lydia loves to wear them!

We watched the Olympics and both seasons of The Crown (love!)

L's reaction to the opening scene every time: "Oooooh preeeeeetty!"

Free day at the baby gym we used to always go to

Unsure of this ladder thing at first...

Learning to stack and count.

Matt taught her to count to three! "One... du... feeeee!"

Feeding Clive breakfast and brushing his teeth. 

 

That's about it for now! Thanks for checking in!