doctor visit

Corey and I took Sydney for her 6 month checkup on Thursday (10.28.10) and just as we had hoped, all was well.

Mama and Sydney waiting for the doctor to come in.

She weighed 18 pounds 1 oz and was 27 1/2 inches long - so she had gained 3 pounds 1 oz and grown 1 inch in two months. We didn't get to see exctly what percentile she was in but he said she was definitely above average in both areas.  Everyone had her guessed at 20 pounds or more so we were pleasantly surprised - and I am sooo glad she's still able to ride in her carrier.  That all comes to a hault when she's 22 lbs. or more.  I'm just not ready to have to carry her in everywhere yet.  :)

She had 2 vaccines and 1/2 of her flu shot (we take her back in a month for the other half) and she did so good, bless her heart.  She cried for maybe 5 seconds and was grinning at Nurse Holly before she even got out the door. 

Sydney being a big girl after her shots.

Dr. Fraser gave us the go ahead for solid foods - yay!  Of course when we got home I went straight out and bought rice cereal, sweet potatoes, carrotts, squash and white grape juice.  Let the fun begin!  (I'll do a whole post on how the food experiences go - we're gonna start SLOW!)

It's a GRANDAD tradition

I think Sydney and Grandad started a new tradition last week. (10.27.20)  Grandad talked for several weeks about wanting to carve a pumpkin with Sydney and last Wednesday night they finally got the chance. 

I was meeting with a bride at Mom and Dads while they watched her.  I noticed Aunt Nat Nat, Sydney and Grandad "missing" for a while and then the 3 of them walked back in the front door with a big ole pumpkin.  They had been to pick one out.  Then they all escaped to the back porch to let the carving begin. 

Grandad did the honors, Grandma kept Sydney contained, and Aunt Nat photographed.  How Fun!!! 

Corey and I are hoping this become a yearly Grandad/Grandkids tradition because we're definitely not very good pumpkin carvers! 

This one is too funny...they just knew she would fit in the pumpkin so they stripped her and gave it a shot....I think they underestimated.  ha!

Fun Friday Night

Last night we had Brent, Kacie, and Cecilia over for a very OVERDUE visit.  We decided last weekend that we HAD to get together soon and we also decided that we would probably enjoy ourselves a lot better if we stayed "in" with the girls rather than going out to eat.  Not that they would have been terrible or anything but it would just be harder for us all to visit.  So, I whipped up a pot of chili (or actually 2 so I could have some w/o meat), Kacie came prepared with the carmel apples and we spent the evening "in" just visiting and it was FANTASTIC!

I moved everything out of the living room floor and laid down quilts, sprinkled toys everywhere and we plopped the girls down so they could get aquainted.  The really funny thing about these two is...Cecilia will ONLY sit up to play and Sydney will ONLY roll around to play.  So, pretty much it was Cecilia sitting up watching Sydney roll all around her. 

There was definitely a whole lot of staring going on but they warmed up to eachother after a while.  Before they came I wondered if Sydney would have a "sharing" problem and my question was answered when she tried to take the toy keys away from Cecilia first thing.  Oh my! :)

Around 9:30 or so both girls had about had it so they both went to sleep and the 4 of us stayed up and visited a little longer.  Man...it's been a while since we've all had a good visit together. 

Our visits are a little different these days...they don't last quite as long, we start yawning a little earlier, and most conversations consist of Sydney and Cecilia BUT one thing is definitely the same.....we still love visiting with them and enjoy every moment we can find to spend together!  You just can't beat a Friday night at home with your kids and your best friends!  We MUST make this happen more often!!!

happy 1/2 birthday

On Thursday night, Aunt Nat Nat and Uncle Jamie invited us over for supper (nachos, yum) and she said we would call it Sydney's 1/2 birthday party so we could have a reason to celebrate.  Little did I know that she was going to go ALL OUT with decorations for this special day.  She had the house full of balloons, which Sydney thought were really cool, even though she couldn't get them in her mouth! 

We had a good supper as she watched us and then it was her turn to be the center of attention, since this never happens! ha!  First she got a manicure from Aunt Nat Nat (that's one of the things I hate doing so Natalie always does it for me).  We were told in our baby class before she was born that for a while you should just file her nails, NOT clip them.  I can't even remember the reasons behind that but we decided since she was a big girl now :) that we would let Aunt Nat clip them.  She did super during her manicure. 

Then we all had dessert - chocolate brownie, hot fudge and whipped cream...so I had to share a dab of whipped cream with the birthday girl.  She thought it was yummy!

Next was present time (yes, the child got gifts on her 1/2 birthday, can you believe it?).  Aunt Nat and Uncle Jamie got her an adorable little outfit but all she was interested in was trying to chew on the box and Grandad and Grandma gave her money for her savings account and guess what she was interested in - chewing on the card!  Think it'll stay that way?  Box, rather than clothes and card, rather than money?  I'm afraid not!!!

The last "new" thing we tried was her drinking out of a sippy cup.  I read in one of my parenting e-mails that she was ready to start drinking out of a sippy cup any time now.  Only problem is - what in the world would we put in it since all she has is breastmilk?  Grandma suggested water.  She never has understood why we don't give her water and honestly I've never asked the doctor if she can/can't have water.  It's just never really come up.  So, we decided that since it never hurt us as kids, we'd give her a sip or two in her sippy cup and she did pretty good.  I wouldnt' let her have much but she would have drank it all if we'd have given her time. 

I think she was in the process of spilling - that's why Grandma looks like she does. :)

After that she played and played in the floor, showing off for us all until it was time to go home.  She played so hard that she pooped herself out before we got very far down the road, and this is how she was when we brought her into the house.  I'm pretty sure it's her way of saying...."I HAD A GREAT 1/2 BIRTHDAY"!

Thanks again for the party Aunt Nat!  Sydney sure is one lucky little chick!

Bring on the bacon

Since we have a big girl on our hands who will soon be eating we decided to drag the highchair out of the closet and give it a whirl.  She was already in her jammies but we decided to see how she liked it. 

She sat in it again today while we ate lunch and did great.  She loved it and she got to play with all of her toys on her tray....or actually throw them in the floor one by one so I would have to pick them up 100 times!

6 MONTHS

I can't hardly snif type this snif, snif but I'm gonna try snif, snif, snif...MY BABY IS 6 MONTHS OLD big ole SNIF.  All I can say is time flies when you're having fun and little Sydney sure makes our lives FUN!  If I had to describe her in one word it would without a doubt be SWEET!  She has always been friendly to everyone but lately she doesn't meet a stranger.  I mean the child slows me down in Wal-Mart grinning and "talking" to everyone that stops to admire her. 

BOO!

We're not sure how much she's weighing these days (we go to the doctor next week) but we're pretty positive she's packed on a few pounds since her 4 month visit.  :)  She's moved into her fall clothes which are size 6-9 month and she's filling them out nicely to say the least, and she's in size 2-3 diapers. 

We've dealt with our first snotty nose this month but it sure didn't slow her down.  I think it hurt me more than it did her.  It didn't even require a doctors visit - just a little benadryl (which I think we've figured out "wires" her rather than makes her sleepy) and lots of lovin.  Actually, she's still still a little snotty so we're still using the little "snot sucker" on a daily basis (while trying to keep it out of her mouth - yuck!).  Told ya we were having fun!  Of course this little bout of sickness HAD to happen right when I was busy getting ready for Jennifer and Ben's wedding so it really made me sad to have to leave her somewhere while I went to work but guess what, we all survived!  She's always been a trooper and I'm soooo thankful we have lots of precious family and friends who she was able to stay with during my busy wedding weekend.  Thanks ya'll!

That bunny rabbitt is back in my chair again!

I think last month she was just rolling from her stomach to her back but that's OLD news...now she's rolling both ways and there's no stopping her - unless there's a wall or furniture, of course, and then she keeps trying!  :)  She'll roll from one side of the floor to the other. 

As far as sleeping goes, let's just say I'm up more at 6 months with her than I was at 3 months but I'm ok with that. :)  I'll admit, Corey and I are still in the guest room so I'm closer to her when I have to get up in the night and since we're comfy in there we're ok for now.  I do realize there will come a time when we have to move back to our bed and hopefully that will be soon!  She's been waking up every night at least twice to eat and maybe once just fussing a little but all it takes then is a little bottom patting or rocking for a minute and she's out again.  She usually goes to bed around 9:00 or 9:30 and wakes up for good in the mornings anywhere between 7:30 and 8:30. 

I need a break from this photo shoot session!

In her spare time, ha!, she still loves to play on her blankets on the living room floor.  We cover half of the living room floor with quilts and toys and she has a ball!  She rolls, plays, grabs, chews and jabbers until she wears herself out.  I was hoping by 6 months she would be sitting up by herself BUT that just hasn't happened yet.  Everyone keeps telling me she'll do it in her own time so I'm trying to be satisfied with that.  In the meantime we're practicing.  :)  Oh, and as far as talking - she is no longer saying Mama like she was last month.  Not sure what's gotten into her?  Maybe she's mad at me!? ha.  She sure thinks it's funny when we say it to her but she won't say it back anymore. 

Happy 1/2 Birthday Sydney Diane!  Your Daddy and Mama can't believe you're getting so big.  It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital looking at your precious face for the first time.  You are already becoming such a sweet and friendly little girl and that makes us so proud.  When we count our blessings - we sure count you twice!!! 

Love Always, Daddy and Mama

Whole lotta partyin'

 Man have we been celebrating around here lately.  Between Corey and Grandad we celebrated birthdays for the last 10 days!  Our last post was the first of the celebrations - dinner with my family at Maggianos. 

The next night we hung out on Grandma and Grandad's porch for Chicken and Tom's birthday and they even threw Corey into the mix since his birthday was close too.  :)

Then we moved right along to Corey's actual birthday on October 15th.  His birthday was totally right in the middle of getting ready for Jennifer and Ben's wedding so his "actual birthday" evening consisted of me bringing home takeout SolAzteca after their rehearsal, opening a few presents and heading straight to bed. 

Giving Daddy the gift from her.

Yes, he wanted a coffee pot for his birthday. 

She helped Daddy with his presents.

Lets see...next was Corey's birthday supper with his side of the family at Mariah's Sunday night.  As you can see, Sydney got absolutely no attention whatsoever!!!  Rrrrright!  She actually got so much attention that she screamed the whole way home because nobody was playing with her.  It was such a nice drive back to Franklin. :)

Jake, you are too funny!



Loving on Uncle Chad.



Sydney and Granny K.

Our family at Corey Birthday dinner at Mariahs.

And last but not least we revisited Grandma and Grandad's patio once again for Grandad's birthday on Monday night for his birthday dinner.  He didn't want to do anything but hang out on the patio with his family so it was a nice, laid back evening.  Uncle Jim and Aunt Marsha were there and it was fun visiting with them. 

Sydney isn't sure what to think about Uncle Jim.

Grandad got 3 UK tops for his b-day and is wearing them all in this pic.  Sydney thinks he is so crazy!

Tired of all of this birthday party stuff!  :)

Happy birthday to our favorite guys - Grandad and Daddy - we love you two!!!!!

pre-BDAY PARTY

We celebrated Corey's pre-birthday on Saturday night with my side of the family.  Grandad and Grandma always treat us to our favorite place for dinner on our birthday and Corey chose Maggianos!  YUM!!!!!



I think they'd rather play than eat. :)



We celebrated a little early so that Corey could have his own "special" dinner rather than combining his and Grandad's, which usually ends up happening.  Corey's birthday is on the 15th and Grandad's is on the 18th.  Corey's actual birthday will be spent preparing for Jennifer and Ben's wedding so it just worked out to do it a little early. 



Her eyes roll back in her head when she gets to gnaw on your finger.

We had a big time and loved every single bite we put in our mouth.  It's our favorite Italian food ever!  We always go the "family style" route and here's what we get to order and share: 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2 entrees and 2 desserts (and it's unlimited amounts of food)!!!  Wow!  Then we regretted every bite we put in our mouth on the ride back home when we were SOOO full!!!  :)

Our STUFFED family before leaving.

Happy pre-bday Daddy!  We love you!



They're back

Grandad and Grandma went "cruising" last week (yes, without us) and we're soooooo glad they're back!

We missed them all week.  We rarely miss a day (and never two in a row) without seeing them so Sydney and I were kind of lost last week. 

We were waiting at their house when they got back and they couldn't get enough of this little girl....

Glad ya'll are back.  Hope you're not going anywhere soon (without us at least!). ha!

Under My Spell

It's time to break out the Halloween gear.  Sydney has several outfits and of course, me being me, I hate that I'm going to have to put her in them 3-4 times within the next few weeks.  I usually like to spread out outfits a little more BUT I've GOT to do this so we can get some wear out of these clothes, right?  ok, I'm trying people! 

So, we broke out our first one yesterday - "Daddys Under My Spell" onesie and baby legs and Aunt Nat Nat took a precious picture of her as we were running errands in BG. 

Aunt Nat Nat posted this pic on Facebook with the caption: Not just Daddy is under her spell....we all are!  (or something like that) So True, Sweet Girl!!!

The Barrell

Granny Konow treated us all to Cracker Barrell last night.  It was yummy, as usual, and nice to get to visit with the fam!  Sydney was passed all the way around the table by the end of the night so she was LOVING all of the attention! 

Night out #2!

Corey and I had our second "night without Sydney" this weekend - we got all dressed up, Grandad came and picked Sydney up,  Nat and Jamie picked us up, and we went to celebrate with Paul and Abby at their wedding reception!  It was a fun night and we enjoyed catching up and visiting with lots of friends. 

Of course between appetizers at Brickyard and going to the reception we had to stop by and "check in on" the baby! :)  I just couldn't help it even though we KNEW she was in perfectly good hands!  We couldn't wait to see her at church the next morning though.  The nursery workers were trying to shew me out the door but they just didn't understand....it had been 15 hours since I had gotten her sugar!

Thanks again Grandad and Grandma for babysitting!