Currently:

{Did not realize how awkwardly giant this photo was until after posting. Love me through it.}

Loving: Red fingernails. I used to be all about the red in high school. I had a strict "red nails only" policy. I don't know why...just did! It could be making its way back soon, the way I've been drawn to it lately.

Reading: "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. I am really loving it! I feel like it's already helping me so much and I'm planning to do my own "Happiness Project" in this upcoming year.

Watching: "Gossip Girl" Season 1. The night that the series ended, I decided I wanted to start watching. I've carefully avoided any and all talk of the finale (so, if you ruin it for me, you're officially the worst.) and I'm loving the show so far. Just...obsessed.

Thinking about: Newtown, CT. I mean, who isn't, right? I told some friends the other night, "There's so much I want to say, but there just aren't any words." There are no words for this absolute, beyond tragedy.

Anticipating: Heading back home this weekend to visit our families and friends for Christmas! And having our own little, private family "Christmas" morning this Friday with Tatum.

Wishing: for some awesome things for 2013. There will be a lot changing, but for now, I'm welcoming all of it with open arms.

Making me happy: Tatum. I know, Annoying Mom Alert. She has recently learned to say, "Mwah!" when she gives kisses (rare for people, abundant for toys). It's perfect. Tonight, she went back and forth kissing Josh and me when we were putting her to bed. It was like a little game for her...And Josh and I were obviously puddles in the floor by the time she was done.

Currently:

I realize that the last post that I wrote was also a "Currently" post. Oh well!

Loving: my new blonde hair! I was so afraid to go blonde, but I'm really happy I finally took the plunge. I never would have done it if it weren't for my lovely hair stylist, Alexa. She's the best. If you live in the Springfield, MO area, I absolutely recommend you check her out over at Blu Skies. : )

Watching: Scrubs. I used to watch this show a long time ago, like way back when it first started airing. I haven't watched it in a long time, but wanted to have something new to get into for down time. I'm almost done with season one and definitely remembering why I once loved it so much.

Working on: my fitness / healthy eating. Ugh. I'll be honest...I hate sharing that, just because it makes me feel so dumb. It's one of those things that people always say, but never truly DO. You know? And I'm 100% guilty of this. It's been a process, but I've lost five pounds since the end of July. And I'll take it! It helps that I have quite a few women behind me, encouraging and supporting me. 

Thinking about: where we want to go next. We were supposed to move in July, but couldn't figure out where we truly wanted to be. We decided to stay in Springfield until the end of the year, so we could make the best decision. We're still trying to figure out just what that is!

Anticipating: Seeing family and friends this week. I'm excited. : )

Wishing: I was reading more these days. Come on, Lyds!

Making me happy: Keeping my house clean. Routine. Time with Josh. I sound like an old person. That's okay.

Currently:

Loving: alone time with Josh! Tatum recently moved into her crib (we were bed-sharing, previously), with an earlier bedtime, and now Josh and I are finally spending quality time together again. We basically hadn't been for the past 9 months. Yikes, right? So now, we have a few hours every night totally devoted to spending time with one another. It has been so fun, and I think just what our relationship needed. I won't lie: There had been some struggling lately...But since starting this new routine everything seems to be in tip-top shape, and I think I speak for both of us when I say it's really wonderful.

Reading: MWF Seeking BFF. I know, I know. I'm totally slacking on my summer reading list! Cross your fingers for me that I can meet my goal of finishing my list before summer ends. I'm not so sure I'll make it, but I guess we'll see. Here's hoping! 

Watching: Parenthood. This is probably my favorite show on television. I sort of feel like it's the t.v. version of "The Family Stone." (Which is kind of funny because the Grandpa/Dad is the same guy in both.) I'm all caught up on it and ready for the new season, but Josh had never watched it before. So that's one of the things we're doing each night, watching this together. Although it is kind of awkward, because if you know me, I'm a crier...and I cry at least 3 times every single episode. No exaggeration.

Thinking about: So much. Goodness, where do I begin? I've been really struggling lately, in every aspect of my life. It's been so hard. I'm trying to approach every single day with a clear head and a happy heart. So, I guess what I'm thinking about is thinking differently...about myself, who I am, other people, my husband + daughter and the role I play in their lives. 

Anticipating: Going to Chicago in a couple of weeks! I'm getting together with some of my favorite people in the world, a few of the ladies from my online mom group. We've been friends for over a year now and I'm so thankful to have them in my life. I honestly can't imagine life without them. There are 116 of us in the group, and about 20 us will be going to the get together. I'm so excited! I've met a few of these ladies already (can't wait to see them again!) and I'll be meeting the rest for the first time (can't wait to meet them!).

Wishing: that our bedroom would paint itself. I sometimes don't mind the task of painting, but I guess I'm just lazy this time around. The room is currently the worst shade of bright green, and I'm taking it to a mustard yellow color. I bought the paint sample tonight and I decided that I really like it, so I'll be picking up the real deal tomorrow, and I guess I'll begin the process. I'm just ready for it to be finished!

Making me happy: Tatum's growing personality. Every day she seems like more of a little person. She is so fun to get to know! I just can't get enough of her. 

Lyds, Currently...

Obsessing over... GCB and Once Upon A Time. Such good shows! 

Working on... being more focused on my family. 

Thinking about... coloring my hair back to a darker shade. I miss it.

Anticipating... Chicago this weekend! I'm so excited!

Listening to... sleeping baby sounds. Oh, and I've also started listening to Rocky Votolato again...Best.

Wishing for... a great 22nd year! (Yesterday was my birthday.) 

This edition of "Currently" was pretty brief. I think I'm just feeling quiet today. : )

Lyds, Currently...

{my ombre'd hair. i'd like to make it clear i had just woken up.}

Obsessing over...Madddawggg on Youtube. SO good. Madison has a blog, too! Check it out HERE.

And even better, she is super nice! I kind of wish we were besties.

Working on...my new Etsy shop, Lyds Vintage! I am so excited to finally have this little guy up + running. I've been talking about doing this for years. It was about time I followed through with it! Please, click the Etsy link in the sidebar, and check it out. 

Thinking about...going back to a dark hair color. It's hasn't been dark in a long time + I kinda miss it.

Anticipating...Tuesday! Okay, this is so dorky of me...but Josh apparently ordered me an Edible Arrangement gift as a surprise and I'm just really excited for it. Because, A) I like fruit! B) It's sweet that Josh got me a surprise. (I found out because I mentioned my friend Annie's husband getting her one as a surprise and how I thought it was nice of him and Josh started acting awkward and laughing, then he told me.) However, I do think it's kind of a funny gift...Ha.

Listening to...Dora the Explorer. Funny how tolerable it is these days. (And yes, I let my baby watch tv occasionally.)

Eating...nothing! But I am drinking coffee. (I think that's always my response to this one!)

Wishing for...the weather to stay this beautiful year round. It is so nice and pretty out! It's the absolute best.

Have a great week!

Lyds, Currently...

Obsessing over... these Disney Animators' Collection Princess dolls. I seriously love them. My friend Emily introduced me to them. Obviously I don't love them for me (I'm not THAT big of a weirdo!), but for the babe. So far we have Mulan, Ariel, Snow White, and Belle. 

  

Working on... spending my money more "wisely." I mean...they're still pretty frivolous, "Wish List" type purchases, but I made a new rule that I'll only buy stuff (for myself) that is on my "Wish List." That way my money isn't just basically disappearing!

Thinking about... how much my baby has grown these three months. It's kinda unreal!

Anticipating... my birthday trip to Chicago.

Listening to... my little brother, Scott, talking to Josh and Tatum on Skype.

Eating... nothing. But I am drinking a very tasty Caramel Dolce Latte from Starbucks. My favorite!

Wishing, Hoping, Praying... I can't think of anything, really. I'm pretty happy with things right now.

Lyds, Currently...

I love Danielle's "Currently..." posts. I did one a couple of weeks ago for Chelsey's giveaway and thought it was a fun post. So I decided I'd like to implement it as a new feature on le blog. 

Obsessing over... Blythes. I really want to get one soon. Or 50.

Working on... this blog post! That's a total cheater answer, but I can't think of anything else? 

Thinking about... what Josh possibly got me for Valentine's Day. I'm dying to know. I seriously can't figure out what it possibly is! Also thinking about what on earth I should get him. I'm clueless. (I know the big day is tomorrow, but we're exchanging late, because the etsy seller he purchased from couldn't ship til that day.)

Anticipating... Meeting some of my online mom friends next month! We're getting together in Chicago for a Relay for Life event.

Listening to... the hum of a fan running on high, as white noise for Tatum's nap. 

Eating... nothing. I am, however, drinking coffee. Typical Lyds.

Wishing, Hoping, Praying... For my friend Jessica's health. She was recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. She is one of my mom friends as well, and actually the reason some of us are getting together for R4L. 

Have a great week!

Currently:

Obsessing Over: the television show "Parenthood." Like, I love it so, so much. I'd never watched it before last week. And I am now all caught up. It's just such a great show!

Working On: Cleaning the house and packing for our big trip.

Thinking About: Our trip to San Francisco! I'm so excited. A little nervous for our flights, though!

Anticipating: Yep, you guessed it...San Francisco! We're heading over there for a month.

Listening to: A snoring babe. She is her father's daughter. : )

Eating: Nothing! However, I did eat a GIANT plate of asparagus about an hour ago. Love asparagus.

Wishing, Hoping, Praying: For a safe and non-stressful morning and flight!

 Linking up withThe Paper Mama for her Self Photo Challenge!