Little Baby

Miss Sydney has decided that instead of naps, she will practice her new standing skills. The problem, is once she get's up, she can't figure out how to get back down. I end up going in her room three times after putting her down-to put her down. Her lack of napping is making her a little fussy pants.

Today was special. She was so exhausted she actually fell asleep with her head resting on my chest. It's been months since she's done that. I almost cried. I just hugged her as she snoozed to the sound of my heartbeat for a half hour. It was wonderful. For that brief time, she was my little baby all over again.

I Love You

I love when you call me Momma. I love how happy you are. I love your beautiful face. I love watching you open and close the same door 15 times. I love how you chase after Beaker, meowing. I love that you only chose to learn how to sign "milk". I love when you wave hello. I love your orange nose. I love how you shake your butt when music plays. I love how you throw your hands in the air when you're excited. I love your miniature feet. I love how you love animals. I love how excited you get when you see Daddy. I love how you'll eat anything. I love how you are both independent and a momma's girl. I love your open-mouthed kisses. I love how curious you are. I love how you say thank you. I love how proud you are when you complete a new milestone. I love that you don't give up the first time failing. I love your crooked tooth. I love how you just throw things out of the way when in your path. I love your laugh. I love how you look when you sleep. I love your hugs. I love you for being so easy to love.

A Major Boo-boo

It's all my fault! I have a clamp light that I use for photography handing behind my couch and Syd was standing on me, trying to touch the smooth aluminum grooves that run on the outside of it. It's totally smooth so I thought it was fine to let her explore. Well, she stuck her finger in the one flippin hole that's on it before I could do anything. The inside is quite the opposite of the outside. It was jagged. I had no idea. :( Blood began gushing everywhere.

50 minutes later, we finally had the bleeding under control. We iced it and wrapped it in steri-strips, then covered that with a band aid-twice because the first time bled through. We also put mittens on as she was trying to eat the band aid.

This experience was horrible! I thought it was never going to stop! Syd was laughing the whole time, only a little mad that we were holding her finger to put pressure on the wound. Leave it to my baby to laugh at a major bleed. This morning she is fine. Her finger is still sealed closed despite her ripping off the dressing last night. I'm just happy she didn't eat the bandaid. I really didn't want to be on poop-watch.

A Rainy Afternoon

Today it was raining in the desert. Not just the normal ten minute monsoon; it was an entire day filled with sprinkles, gloomy skies, and absent daylight. It was fantastic. Sydney and I stayed in our pj's. We snuggled, played, and laughed. I should have known today was going to be special when she stood up in her crib this morning, all by herself. After her second nap, we nursed in the rocker in her room-just like her newborn days. When her tummy was full, she sat on my lap while I rocked, and just smiled at me for a while. She flirted with the mirror behind me, waving hi to herself, and then threw her arms up in the air like she was on a roller coaster. Next we took a shower and afterwards Syd helped me with the laundry. By help I mean she threw the neatly folded clothes into the air just to watch me fold them again. It was great. There's nothing else in the world like the love I have for Sydney. I hope the sun stays away again tomorrow.

Birthday Planning

Guess who's birthday is coming up? SYDNEY'S! I am having a blast planning for her first birthday. There aren't going to be many guests, but I'm excited just for her. I decided on a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme. Sydney LOVES Mickey Mouse. We went out today and bought a bunch of supplies and decorations. I ordered 49 balloons that I will be getting filled with helium. 49! It's going to be awesome! I've also been researching cake ideas all day and think I finally figured out what I want to do. A little from here, a little from there, it's going to be one of a kind! I can't wait to see Squidward's face when she sees everything. All my hard work will be paid off.

Coolest Kid on the Playground

It's official. I took Sydney to the playground today and she was indeed the coolest kid there. There were five little girls playing, and Sydney noticed them while standing like a big girl, holding on to the bars, looking down. She flashed them a smile and they all swarmed around her, forming a circle, and sat down. She said hi to each of them, smiled, clapped, waved, talked jibberish, and just had them laughing. It was the cutest thing ever. They called her "the cute, talking baby". She even felt the need to hold one of the girl's hands at one point and just sat there all happy. When it was almost time to leave, I took Syd by the hands for a walk around the slides and the girls just followed. She was LOVING all the attention and was certainly showing off her walking skills. What a little ham!

Sweet Nothings

When Jason got home last night, he was telling me how sometimes at work he thinks about me and Squidward at home together, having fun, and it puts a smile on his face.

I think I fell in love with him all over again.

The end is near.

All good things must come to an end. My posts are becoming fewer and farther in between. I have only one more month before the completion of this blog. I plan on turning this blog into a book reflecting back on Sydney's first year of life. It's going to be bittersweet writing that last post, but new good things are coming.

Sydney has been on the move! She's not walking yet. I'm surprised actually, being the little dare devil she is, she only likes to stand or walk if holding my hands. She's perfectly capable and strong enough, that's for sure. We are up to 7 teeth and counting. She still loves giving high fives and kisses. She's getting more interested in independent play, books, and interactive toys. I love watching her crawl around the house, exploring every corner. She enjoys taking herself to her room to play in the mirror for a while and then comes back to see if I'm still around. She eats all table foods, whatever we eat. Still waiting for her birthday for dairy and eggs though. We are still nursing.

My favorite thing at the moment is how she crawls after Beaker-meowing at him. We were out for a walk the other day and she meowed at a dog passing by. She meows at animal commercials, and in the pet shop. She meows if I ask her what Beaker says. I think it's safe to say her favorite word right now is "meow".

Next month is a big month. My little baby will turn one year old. We will begin the weaning process, from the boob to sippy cups of whole milk. She will learn to walk. I'm sure there will be lots more excitement. I'm not sad about it at the moment. I also am NOT promising I won't cry when she's looking down at that meticulously made birthday cake, with a single flame casting the sweetest glow on her perfect little face. And then she'll tear it to pieces.

Happy New Year!

We ended 2009 with dinner at the Geisha House. It was Sydney's first Hibachi experience and she seemed to love all the action.





We started out 2010 with a trip into the mountains today for some sledding and snow. It was an amazing day-filled with memories, laughs, and soggy pants. What a wonderful way to kick-start a new decade.







2009 was filled with many, many emotions and adventures. Our beautiful daughter came into this world and it's been amazing, for lack of a better word, to watch her grow. My life has drastically changed this past year-for the better. Jason and I grew another year older-together. I'm learning what really matters in life and what happiness means-to me.

I'm looking forward to another decade. To grow our family and our love.

Happy New Year!