Memory Lane

Just going through the pictures on my phone and found this one. Dima outside my window when I was on bedrest with a heart made out of snow. What a man. I love him.

You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do

Lydia Violet was desperate for a change while we were at Home Depot last night. Dima had Victor on the phone saying goodbye as he was sitting on the tarmac on his way to Kuwait. We had purchases to make. There was no time to exit the store for a diaper change. So, you gotta do what you gotta do. We did a quick change at the end of aisle 14.

Super Pooped

We're doing errands after work & Lydia's along for the ride. She's TI-RED. Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

Mmmmmm Beans

I'm out with the communications team for our boss's going away. Our coworker Sarah's daughter, Madeline, is REALLY into the black beans she's having for dinner. I can't wait for Lydia Violet to get to this stage.

Thar Be Pirates

Yesterday we went to the Maryland Rennaisance Festival with the Cavanaughs and the Resnikoffs. There the BFFs (Lydia Violet and Maya) were at it again. Here the ladies are pictured (in that order) with a pirate they met during their adventure.

The Next Esther Williams

Today we finally took Lydia Violet to the pool. I've been wanting to do this for what seems like forever and today we finally got it together enough to go to Olney Indoor Swim Center during rec swim. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and she's a complete natural. In fact, her breaststroke kick is quite amazing for someone so young. Seriously. It's like she doesn't even have to think about it.

So, we did a little kicking and a bit of laying back in the water with her head all the way back. She was really relaxed. I even tried a little full body rotation to mimic the backstroke. She loved it.

We didn't go underwater at all because her doctor said at her last appointment that she might be tempted to drink. With all the chemicals in the pool that's a big no-no.

All together it was about 6 or 7 minutes in the pool for her but pretty good for a girl's first try. I'm ordering a book from Amazon—Water Babies: Safe Starts in Swimming—that will tell us all we need to know as we move forward.

After that quick dip I went to the lanes and swam 500 yards while Dima and Lydia watched. Wow, am I out of shape! I remember the days when that was just my warm-up for practice. Hopefully I'll be getting to the pool more often for both Lydia and myself.

Post-vaccination Pose

Lydia got her 2 month vaccines today. She's super pooped out and has a bit of a fever. Poor girl. But no worries, Papa is taking good care of her. Go Papa!

God Father & Daughter

Victor leaves for Kuwait on Saturday. He & Lydia are getting some quality time before he goes.

Sleeping Beauty

"Get as much sleep before the baby is born." That's what everyone told us. But, we all know that you can't bank sleep to use another day. Jen and I get far less sleep than before. But, honestly, it doesn't really matter. Especially when you get to watch a cutie pie like Lydia sleeping in the early morning.

Eat Your Heart Out Dr. Spock

We've discovered that often times the only way to get little Lydia Violet to stop crying is to bounce her on our laps. Watch...


And the result...

Happy Hour with the Rents

We're visiting the Olney Ale House after work. L°VE sleeps while Ma & Pa eat Old Bay wings and drink a couple of pints.

Dyedushka Vova e Lydia Violet

The Grandparents Ekzarkhov babysat so we could go to the movies last night. Bourne Ultimatum! Booya!

Martha Madness

It's become sort of a ritual. Get up, feed the kid, watch Martha Stewart. Well Tuesday she had a guest chef making Spaghetti with Figs, Basil, Brown Butter, and Hazelnuts. Yummy! I have to try it. Who cares if the sauce base is made from two sticks of butter.

Now, I just need to figure out where to buy figs.

Success in the Bjorn

Lydia finally fits in the Baby Bjorn. And she likes it!

Early Morning Goodbye

Lydia & GG take some time to hang out before GG heads to Indiana to see Lydia's Great-great Aunt Anne & Uncle Jay. Bye-bye GG. Hello Aunt Anne & Uncle Jay!

4 generations

Clockwise from the top: Helen Steadman White, Marilyn (Lynn) White Grizzard, Jennifer Leigh Grizzard Ekzarkhov and Lydia Violet Ekzarkhov.

great-great-great grandpa

Alfred Moore's portrait hangs in Lydia's grandparent's living room. Alfred wears his Confererate uniform. He was at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to Lieutenant-General Grant.

Generational Sleeping Digs

Lydia takes a minute to relax in the cradle that her great-great-great grandfather made.

Early Job Training

Lydia gets around. Now she's visiting Poppy Tom at his watershed monitoring laboratory.

GG & Lydia

Sweet Lydia gets some quality time with her Great Grandma.