Accident Prone

We've officially entered that "accident prone" stage with Sydney. She's constantly pulling up on things she shouldn't, climbing on things she shouldn't, letting go when she shouldn't and knocking her head on things she shouldn't. I'm usually trying to safe guard her face from all these falls on the coffee table, toy box, stairs, chairs, desk, etc. Unfortunately, I can't always be there.

I THINK this happened while pulling up on the leg of her highchair...but I can't really be certain.

(the morning after)

(morning after and incidentally first -and only-time with a sippy cup)

Batters Up!

We finally got Gavin to a Sox game this year and it was one of our most fun times going with him yet. My mom stayed with Sydney so we were able to have a little QT with our little guy. He's finally able to understand (and see) the ball, the bat and where it goes after that (with special excitement for "BALL IN PEOPLE" aka a foul ball). It was a gorgeous night and we had a really fun time with Gavin while we watched the game, walked the stadium and of course, indulged in some gametime treats.

Gavin wanted to be just like Daddy--all the way down to the backwards hat.

That is until he tested out this snazzy little number...Dad nixed that one pretty fast.

Me and my buddy in the outfield.

A seriously handsome pair.

All night...I could watch this.

Super excited/fake smile face.

On our way to find a funnel cake.

A rare moment caught with the most genuine smile on this kids face.

"No, Dad, its in left field."

Quick family shot.

Ending the night with Gavin's request for the whole last inning "cream."

9 Month Photo Shoot

When it comes to camera shots lately....Sydney does not disappoint. She loves to smile. The real trick is catching that before she crawls, climbs, plops, turns or twists. Some of the many expressions of Syd at 9 months....

9 Months

Sydney is 9 months old. I can't believe she has been in our lives in some way or another for a year and a half. I feel like I don't know what life is like without her but at the same time, she's closer to a year than just born. What. happened. to. my. baby!?!?!?

At 9 months she's growing by leaps and bounds (literally and figuratively). Dr. weighed her in at 25 lbs and 4 oz. I know, many of you with 18 month children have your jaws dropped (don't worry she's wearing 12-18 month clothes as well). She's also 31 inches long. She's healthy, she's happy, she's off the charts.

Here's a current list:

1 - Just a little before 9 months she pulled herself to a stand. At Silver Lake, I literally turned the corner and there she was, standing along the couch, huge grin. About a week later, she started cruising. She wasn't wasting time.

2 - The same week she moved from army crawl to full on crawl. She often puts her head down and doesn't watch where she's going...just occasionally peeks up to make sure she's still on track. Its like that little motor starts going and she's on a mission.

3 - She still growls. Alot. You growl, she'll return growl. People always laugh at this but its pretty consistent.

4 - More babbling. More sounds. No words.

5 - Starting to eat more and more table food and loving it. Fruit and veggies and dairy...we're starting meats soon. I feel like I did all of this faster with Gavin for some reason and am behind with her but she's content as long as I feed her...and quickly.

6 - Right at 9 months I dropped the other day feeding and its been amazing. Love the freedom and love the nursing cuddles morning and night with my sweet pea.

7 - Waves bye-bye. I was a doubter and a disbeliever when everyone told me they saw it but she does it. She kinda just flaps her whole arm from hand to elbow up and down but its cute. At times it almost sounds like she's adding a "baba" as well but that might be pushing it.

8 - When I'm actually typing this at 9 1/2 months she can give kisses. But look out, sometimes her tongue is out. Yummy.

9 - She loves the people that love her and recognizes them. She loves to see Daddy come home and greets him with shrieks and squeals (followed by that on a mission head down crawl). She bounces excitedly when she sees her Grandma. But overall, she goes into hysterics upon first seeing her big brother in the am, after nap, upon entering a room....or any time he pays attention. She.Loves.Him.

10 - She's rocking 6 teeth - 4 top, 2 bottom.

11 - She LOVES the bath (which really means I should give them to her more). She loves toys her brother leaves laying around, her blankie and being tickled. She hates being changed, not being fed fast enough and being confined to her exersaucer for more than two minutes.

She's a happy happy girl and I love to watch her grow...but right about now, I'd like her to stop...just for awhile because it's going too too fast.

A Day Out With Thomas

Last weekend we went on an outing entitled "A Day Out With Thomas." We drove an hour and a half to go see a big Thomas fest complete with a ride on the main train man himself. We were accompanied by the Thomsons, Agemas and Weidenaars. Gavin was in Choo-Choo Heaven. He was in a perpetual state of awe and admiration of everything train related. He was waving at all the trains often yelling his version of choo-choo train "ooo-ooo ain." It was cute. It was a fun day although for me some of the excitement of the day was overtaken by the extreme heat. Of course as luck would have it, we picked a 95 degree day to go to a park jammed with people and sit on a very crowded and hot train. All in all, it was a success...but maybe not a repeat performance.

Two Choo-Choo enthusiasts holding hands, awaiting their ride.

All ready to go on Thomas.

It was exciting...and sweaty.

Gavin and Daddy in the window seat.

Gavin waved at all the passerbys.

Checking out the train engines.

Gavin & Mommy.

The kiddos.

Thomas the Train Engine.

He's the real deal.

Tupperware Toys

Syd is the definition of an "ankle biter." Honestly, wherever I am in the house, she's at my feet following along. She'll sit at my feet and make noise until I pay attention. In an effort to appease her one night while making dinner, I opened the "kids" cabinet a.k.a. the kitchen cabinet that holds tupperware and items acceptable for children to play with. Heaven...and 5 peaceful minutes to work at the stove.

Holland/Silver Lake 2010

Another year at Silver Lake and Holland has come and gone. Its such a high point of our summer...something we look forward to each year but inevitably, when it is over you feel like the last days of summer are on their way out. This year we actually went to Holland for a few days, went to Silver for a week and then back to Holland to wrap up the trip. We were lucky enough to have Chad for two nights at Silver and two nights in Holland--highlights of the trip for sure! As always, this year was a blast. Gavin LOVES being with his cousins, grandparents, aunt and uncles from sun up to sun down. In fact, there were often tears at bedtime. It was a great week aside from the record heat and humidity which made the days hot and the nights LONG. We came home with lots of sand, good memories ...and this year unfortunately, the flu. Gross. Can't wait for next summer already!

The first particles of sand attaching to the body to remain for at least 12 days.

Gavin takes the helm of Gram and Gramp's dock.

She is a bathing beauty.

Grandma and Gavin chasing the birds.

Those waves just kept catching them.

First attempts to stand up.

Pure Michigan on those little piggies.

Gavin loved the splash! Sydney was not sure.

Attempt 1.

Attempt 2.

Great Grandma Evenhouse getting some playtime in.

Look out Holland, this kid was born to drive.

Grandpa and Gavin going for one of many spins.

Silver Lake - the human jungle gym.

They are relentless.

Grandpa Tom and Sydney.

First trip to the Whippy Dip!

Grandpa WeeWee and Gavin enjoying their sweet treat.

Climbing the dunes....

...the thrilling run down.

Horsing around.

Gavin called this the "up, down."

Roasting mallows.

"You put your right foot in and you shake it all about"

The Looney Hokey Pokey.

Huge excitement from a strangers float plane.

Syd's first trip to the Silver Lake dunes (out of belly of course).

Letting all her goodness out to breathe and soak up the sun.

Me & my bean.

Hesitant and apprehensive.

Exhilerated by his "wild" ride.

Style runs in the Yonker "jeans."

Two animal lovers at heart.

Feeding a pony...not pictured, feeding of llamas, zebra, goats and a camel!

Barrel train ride.

Gavin & Margot were steering like crazy.

Cousin love.

Classic Silver Lake sink bath.

Sydney thinks PaPa WeeWee is ca-razy.

Gavin went on a go cart all by himself.

Apparently they say 4 and older for a reason...just shy of 3 doesn't quite qualify.

Grandma Dody and Sydney share a cold beverage.

Paddling to shore.

Syd getting a good algae bath in Silver Lake...yum.

Gavin's very first dune scooter ride!

Back in Holland riding the waves with Daddy.

Huge splash.

Huge smiles.