December 2007
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Double-fisting
When Sydney was an infant, Brian and I stood in awe watching her wake. She would be semi-swaddled in her bassinet. The waking process began as she unfurled each limb, then began to stretch and roll in nonsensical directions. Eventually her eyes would pop open and she would take in her surroundings. So cute!!!
Now when she wakes, she groggily sits up from whatever position that only a baby could make look comfortable. With her eyes somewhat closed she immediately begins searching for a pacifier and her frog, Webster. Again, usually her eyes are closed and she may not be sitting erect yet, but her radar quickly detects her treasures that were misplaced during the night.
The next stage of the wake-up process is Sydney hoisting herself to a standing position while clenching her frog. Sometimes Chloe the elephant keeps Webster company in the crib and she too is a part of this process. Still so cute!!!
(Photo from December)
Now when she wakes, she groggily sits up from whatever position that only a baby could make look comfortable. With her eyes somewhat closed she immediately begins searching for a pacifier and her frog, Webster. Again, usually her eyes are closed and she may not be sitting erect yet, but her radar quickly detects her treasures that were misplaced during the night.
The next stage of the wake-up process is Sydney hoisting herself to a standing position while clenching her frog. Sometimes Chloe the elephant keeps Webster company in the crib and she too is a part of this process. Still so cute!!!
(Photo from December)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Random Retrospective
This is the first of what I plan will be a retrospective of Sydney's first year. More detailed posts may be sparse for a while ... busy-December is turning into busy-January. My goal is to post her 1-year-old photos before Feb. 3. :)
Sydney holds Brian's finger while he rocks her in the neonatal unit.
Brian holds Sydney in our 'room' at Home Hospital. Brian and I lived in this tiny dorm room for more than a week in what seemed to be an empty hospital wing. It was cramped but it meant the world to us to be at the hospital with Sydney.
Sydney holds Brian's finger while he rocks her in the neonatal unit.
Brian holds Sydney in our 'room' at Home Hospital. Brian and I lived in this tiny dorm room for more than a week in what seemed to be an empty hospital wing. It was cramped but it meant the world to us to be at the hospital with Sydney.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!
New Year's Day started with a blanket of snow and plummeting temperatures. It was 3 degrees on my way to work this morning (Jan. 2) and at 8 degrees on my way home.
Sydney and I played in the snow for a few minutes New Year's morning, while Brian shoveled. I spent more time locating her winter attire and dressing her in her spacesuit than we did outside. Sydney couldn't move in her suit!!! I think we should put her in her snowsuit when we need to change her diaper. This snowsuit is awesome - a lovely gift from family friend Helen Kenny. Sydney also is wearing her new sparkling purple boots.
We spent the rest of the day toasty and warm in the house. I spent the afternoon cooking. My friend Gretchen shared with me Paula Deen's Brunswick stew recipe. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_23502,00.html) Yummy!!!! I also made Andes Creme de Mint Cookies. (http://www.tootsie.com/recipe/a_creme_de_menthe_cookies.html) Super Yummy!!!!! We ate well.
New Year's Eve, amateur night as my Dad calls it, is usually pretty low-key for us. This year, our friends from Chicago (my lovely friend Holly from college and her family) stopped by for pizza on their way home. Then Brian actually had a chance to relax and watch some college football. I enjoyed some of my Christmas presents, mainly my Godiva chocolate and some Oliver wine. Brian spoils me. After the Soup Bowl game (I have no idea which one we watched) we flipped to Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. We tune in to speculate how much longer Dick Clark can keep going, mock Ryan Seacrest as he campaigns for Clark's job, and hear the parade of one-hit wonders perform. A sensible way to end the year.
I personally am not a fan of New Year's resolutions, but I am helping Sydney with her list:
1. Sydney resolves not to make diaper changing a full-contact sport. Brian and Amy have had enough of living the WWE's Friday Night Smackdown during each changing session.
2. Sydney resolves to overcome her fear of the vacuum cleaner. She is doing much better with the new garage door operating system.
3. Sydney resolves to sit down while taking a bath.
4. Sydney resolves to not head butt her father.
5. Sydney resolves to not grow up too quickly:)
Sydney and I played in the snow for a few minutes New Year's morning, while Brian shoveled. I spent more time locating her winter attire and dressing her in her spacesuit than we did outside. Sydney couldn't move in her suit!!! I think we should put her in her snowsuit when we need to change her diaper. This snowsuit is awesome - a lovely gift from family friend Helen Kenny. Sydney also is wearing her new sparkling purple boots.
We spent the rest of the day toasty and warm in the house. I spent the afternoon cooking. My friend Gretchen shared with me Paula Deen's Brunswick stew recipe. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_23502,00.html) Yummy!!!! I also made Andes Creme de Mint Cookies. (http://www.tootsie.com/recipe/a_creme_de_menthe_cookies.html) Super Yummy!!!!! We ate well.
New Year's Eve, amateur night as my Dad calls it, is usually pretty low-key for us. This year, our friends from Chicago (my lovely friend Holly from college and her family) stopped by for pizza on their way home. Then Brian actually had a chance to relax and watch some college football. I enjoyed some of my Christmas presents, mainly my Godiva chocolate and some Oliver wine. Brian spoils me. After the Soup Bowl game (I have no idea which one we watched) we flipped to Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. We tune in to speculate how much longer Dick Clark can keep going, mock Ryan Seacrest as he campaigns for Clark's job, and hear the parade of one-hit wonders perform. A sensible way to end the year.
I personally am not a fan of New Year's resolutions, but I am helping Sydney with her list:
1. Sydney resolves not to make diaper changing a full-contact sport. Brian and Amy have had enough of living the WWE's Friday Night Smackdown during each changing session.
2. Sydney resolves to overcome her fear of the vacuum cleaner. She is doing much better with the new garage door operating system.
3. Sydney resolves to sit down while taking a bath.
4. Sydney resolves to not head butt her father.
5. Sydney resolves to not grow up too quickly:)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Christmas Gallery
We spent Christmas Eve and morning at Jackie and Graham's house. Their home is lovely, but even more so when decorated for Christmas. The Christmas Eve spread was scrumptious - our favorites were stuffed mushrooms, rye toast appetizers, buckeyes and the cupcakes. Yum.
In addition to the usual suspects, Jackie, Graham, Julie, Tom/Dad/Grandpa/tpatterson and Audrey, our friends Kim and Kim joined us Christmas Eve.
Whether it's Christmas, or any other holiday, the fun is watching Sydney experience something new. She is inquisitive, curious and expressive even when engaged with the most simple, novel items, such as crinkled wrapping paper.
Here is Sydney solo on Christmas morning.
Sydney with her handlers on Christmas morning.
No peeking!
I am dreaming of a green Christmas ...
This was certainly our most eco-friendly Christmas. The majority of the gifts my family exchanged were 'wrapped' in gift bags. So, not only was the joy in gift giving /receiving from the present itself, but also its container. I am pleased with the selection of gift bags we returned home with. "Note to self, just remove the name tag before I use them ..." We still used wrapping paper and I salvaged some pieces for scratch paper.
One of the coolest presents I received was a tree from Jackie and Graham. And to ensure that this tree lives - I lack the family green thumb - I will not be taking care of it. Jackie and Graham's gift is for a tree to be planted for me in a National Forest. Unfortunately, I am just not sure which forest. But, what a warm and pleasant feeling to know that birds and squirrels are making my tree their home. And, even with the high risk of wildfires, the tree will actually have a chance of survival hundreds of miles away from me :)
To reciprocate, Sydney gave Jackie a pail full of Method house cleaner, which is environmentally friendly. A lame gift for some, but Jackie loves to clean. Plus, it comes in such cool colors, scents and packaging. (You gotta love the people in marketing).
So, after Christmas brunch, (which also is my annual does of sausage, gravy and biscuits) Brian, Sydney and I returned to West Lafayette where Santa visited the night before.
Sydney scouts the present options.
Sydney munches on her new Dora the Explorer soccer ball.
Some of Sydney's other favorite gifts include her walker/wagon, Leap Frog Fridge Farm, Leap Frog Alphabet Pal and a new batch of books, which I am enjoying even more! I highly recommend Janell Cannon's Verdi and Stellaluna, and Steve Martin's (yes, that Steve Martin) The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z!. I personally am reading more than just books with pictures - I finished Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons and started Carl Hiassan's Nature Girl. Ten more days until class starts, which means 10 more days of pleasure reading.
But, I have digressed from our Christmas reel. The holiday was lovely and Sydney seems to be a fan. Now, she just needs to work on her New Year resolutions.
In addition to the usual suspects, Jackie, Graham, Julie, Tom/Dad/Grandpa/tpatterson and Audrey, our friends Kim and Kim joined us Christmas Eve.
Whether it's Christmas, or any other holiday, the fun is watching Sydney experience something new. She is inquisitive, curious and expressive even when engaged with the most simple, novel items, such as crinkled wrapping paper.
Here is Sydney solo on Christmas morning.
Sydney with her handlers on Christmas morning.
No peeking!
I am dreaming of a green Christmas ...
This was certainly our most eco-friendly Christmas. The majority of the gifts my family exchanged were 'wrapped' in gift bags. So, not only was the joy in gift giving /receiving from the present itself, but also its container. I am pleased with the selection of gift bags we returned home with. "Note to self, just remove the name tag before I use them ..." We still used wrapping paper and I salvaged some pieces for scratch paper.
One of the coolest presents I received was a tree from Jackie and Graham. And to ensure that this tree lives - I lack the family green thumb - I will not be taking care of it. Jackie and Graham's gift is for a tree to be planted for me in a National Forest. Unfortunately, I am just not sure which forest. But, what a warm and pleasant feeling to know that birds and squirrels are making my tree their home. And, even with the high risk of wildfires, the tree will actually have a chance of survival hundreds of miles away from me :)
To reciprocate, Sydney gave Jackie a pail full of Method house cleaner, which is environmentally friendly. A lame gift for some, but Jackie loves to clean. Plus, it comes in such cool colors, scents and packaging. (You gotta love the people in marketing).
So, after Christmas brunch, (which also is my annual does of sausage, gravy and biscuits) Brian, Sydney and I returned to West Lafayette where Santa visited the night before.
Sydney scouts the present options.
Sydney munches on her new Dora the Explorer soccer ball.
Some of Sydney's other favorite gifts include her walker/wagon, Leap Frog Fridge Farm, Leap Frog Alphabet Pal and a new batch of books, which I am enjoying even more! I highly recommend Janell Cannon's Verdi and Stellaluna, and Steve Martin's (yes, that Steve Martin) The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z!. I personally am reading more than just books with pictures - I finished Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons and started Carl Hiassan's Nature Girl. Ten more days until class starts, which means 10 more days of pleasure reading.
But, I have digressed from our Christmas reel. The holiday was lovely and Sydney seems to be a fan. Now, she just needs to work on her New Year resolutions.
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