Books!

We have decided that Sydney has more toys than she could ever play with, and so we are now investing in books for her (Donnie said something about books are cheaper than clothes so if I feel I really can't leave a store without something for her I should just buy a book).

We just bought the "Big Box of Boynton." It contains three board books by Sandra Boynton. The illustrations are absolutely adorable and the words flow in a nice little beat so it is more like you're singing than reading. The three books in this set are "Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs," "Pajama Time," and my favorite "Barnyard Dance!" Also, at Kohls they are selling Boynton stuffed animals for $5. They are a decent size and the proceeds go to charity, so I bought Sydney a "Barnyard Dog." From what I can tell, the ears taste delicious.

For some other ideas on good reads for toddlers, check out Mama Duck's suggestions.

Building smiles...one tooth at a time

Sydney's bottom front teeth came in within a day of each other, and her top right tooth arrived two months later. Then we waited and waited for another tooth, but it never came.

Now, almost two months after the third tooth appeared, Sydney is getting hit hard. Three teeth are trying to break through, leaving Sydney in pain and unable/unwilling to sleep very well.

She spent all last night crying and all morning crying too. I tried singing, reading books,teething rings, Tylenol, Motrin...every little thing I could think of to help. They were all to no avail.

In an act of desperation, I put her in her highchair (naked, of course)and gave her a blow pop. For the next 30 minutes all I heard were shouts of laughter and delight. A sucker can't be too bad for her, right?

Oh we've got letters...

Everday Sydney stares at me as I open the mail and screams because I won't let her help. Well today, she received her very own letter. Donnie's parents sent her a Valentine card. I think she liked it.

Family resemblance

From the moment Sydney was born I thought she looked just like her dad. Over the last 12 months, however, she has slowly changed. I noticed her lips were Ralston lips and she had a little curl to her hair, but nothing major resembled me or my side of the family.

Then at Christmas one of my sisters-in-law made the remark that Sydney looks like my mom. I started to think about it and I noticed little things here and there. When my parents flew out for her first birthday they brought a picture of my mom when she was 1 year old, and then I REALLY saw what my sister-in-law was talking about.

See for yourself:

Here is my mom












And here is Sydney

A night out...

Last night we went to the Fun Center with two of Donnie's brothers and their families. I must admit I din't really want to go. I haven't skated since I was 8-ish and Sydney can't even walk yet, so I thought we would be really bored - I was wrong. That doesn't happen very often, so you might want to make note of it.

To my surprise, there was more to do than just skate. They had an arcade, a huge area filled with inflatable jumpers/bouncers (I'm not really sure what they're called), a skating rink, and a skating track. The track was less crowded and lit with more than strobe lights. Plus you didn't have to deal with the loud disco music and couple skates.

The rink and track were not limited to skates either. You could ride a scooter, a tricycle, a Fred Flintstone car, a stroller, or a pogo stick. They had those listed, with pictures, at the entrance.

Donnie skated with Sydney and we let her play a few video games - anything that she could press a button or smack uncontrollably. She even rode a "rollercoaster" with her cousin.









I think she enjoyed all of the noise and people. She didn't cry at all - even though we stayed for 3 1/2 hours. Her favorite part definitely was skating with Donnie though. One lap she started clapping and laughing. She thought it was great!

Elmo TMX Elmo

My parents bought Sydney this for her birthday. The adults were just as entertained as the kids!

It's party time!

We had Sydney's FIRST BIRTHDAY party today. It's not her actual birthday, but it's close enough. My parents, grandmother, and twin sister flew cross country for the big shindig, so it was really nice. They were all here when she was born too. Donnie's two brothers who live close to us brought their families too. It was nice to celebrate with so many people we love - and that love Sydney!

We made a big funfetti cake for the adults, and the kids, Sydney included, ate mini funfetti cakes. I wasn't sure if Sydney would attack the cake or just cry, but thankfully she knew what to do!

After she "frosted" her hair, my sister convinced her to rub her belly too! She had enough frosting and ice cream on her tummy to cover a small car.

After a much-needed bath, Sydney opened her presents. She liked her first toy so much she didn't want to unwrap anymore! (Thanks Jeannette and Dustin!) She received a lot of clothes - which makes me happy, two of the cutest books ever (My Baby and Caterpillar Spring Butterfly Summer), and toys, toys, and more toys!

Here are a few shots of the big day...

I'm a big girl now...

Although she is still a week shy of her first birthday, Sydney has already decided she is big enough to do many things by herself. I have spent the last 2 weeks struggling with her - "keep your bib on," "don't swat the spoon away and send broccoli flying all over the kitchen," "please do not use your hands to wipe your bum while I am changing a stinky diaper..." the list goes on and on.

Anyway, today I finally decided that maybe just maybe I would let her do her own thing. As I looked on in fear - and at times disgust - I learned that she quite capable of doing some things on her own.





She can read herself a book.

She can feed herself lunch.

She can even clean her bowl when she's done.


















She made a total and complete mess. Even worse, she screamed and cried for the entire 10 minutes it took to get the applesauce out of her hair (I tried pretzels, crackers, and dried fruit first, but she wanted the applesauce I tried to feed her). I am hoping that this stubborness... um I mean persistence... will soon pass - the way her fear of bathtime did.

What are the odds that this is all due to her top left tooth finally coming in?