Miracle Grow

Not so long ago, Sydney was so tiny ...

Sydney must be on the eve of growth spurt, because she keeps waking at night. A couple nights ago, I tried to console her by sitting with her. But, she didn't fit on my lap ... at least in the narrow glider in her room.

I wasn't too surprised because I had recently read that it's not unusual for parents to 'discover this.'

Sydney's 18-month appointment was July 8. She was 29 pounds and 33.5 inches. She is 90th percentile height and weight (most likely a small forward).

Not so tiny any more ... But, I still think she is so small when she clings to her Daddy's leg or when she 'holds my hand' by just grabbing one finger. One day, she'll probably be taller and faster than me. Some day.

Chalk talk

Some local vandals keep striking our property with their graffiti. Brian is convinced it's a new gang - it could be Pink 'n Pretty, Bubble Babies or the Pony Pals.

:) We are often greeted with these works of art when we come home. Sometimes the artists are even outside to greet us.

Sydney and I play with the chalk too (I can't speak for Brian about his chalking habits). But I am no artist like her sitters (i.e., the people we pay to be Sydney's friends.)

I attempted to draw puppies for Sydney but my figures looked like sickly aliens. I was glad when the rain washed my pictures away.

Brian appreciates the chalk talk too. We were walking at a park today when we passed someone else's chalk pictures. Brian made a point to tell me ours are way better. I agree.

Like a good neighbor ...

We spent Father's Day in Indy. Driving back we hit a tense storm that sidelined us in Zionsville. We wondered if it hit West Lafayette. Our question was answered as soon as we exited the interstate. We noticed branches, then bigger branches on the ground.




Our grill was hurled across the yard, as well as one of patio chairs. What was amazing was the one of garden beds had a significant amount of mulch scattered across the yard.

A large branch on one our trees broke and shingles on our roof were ruffled.

By the time we returned home the sun was shining and the power was out. We wanted to know details about the storm so we went across the street and asked our neighbors. This is big for us, because we don't know our neighbors. It seems like when we get to know them, they move (you can read into that all you want). I hear people talk about wanting to live in the country or on land so they don't have to ineract with neighbors. Just move to our subdivision.

So, severe windstorms, Halloween and the ocassional subdivision garage sale are the few times we interact with the people we live by. Kinda sad. We should make more of an effort. Perhaps, I'll share the bounty from my garden next month. I don't want to get too cocky, but most of my tomato plants are flourishing.

Sydney 1.5

Today is Sydney's 18-month birthday. This night last year we spent the evening blowing bubbles.



So many cliches ... She is growing like a weed. etc. etc.


She just gets cuter, sweeter and smarter each day.


The next version, Sydney 2.0, will be out in January 2009.