32 Years Old

This year marked my 32nd birthday. It was fairly uneventful...no cake and no candles, but full of time spent with people that I love. I feel at 32, my life and my heart are very full.

Out for Mommy's special birthday lunch, Syd sits in a restaurant high chair for the first time!

Don't be too fooled...about 5 minutes later, she was all sprawled back, barely supported.

My fav lady and my fav little nephew.

A special treat with my family out for lunch!

Japanese dinner...Lo and Gavin snack while they eye up the chef.

Thomson/Harris Chaos....aka, my birthday dinner.

6 Months - What!?!?!

Seriously, at what point did 6 months come and go? Half a year my baby has been here outside of my womb, lighting up my life. This little (did I really use the term little in referring to Syd?) girl is a funny little monkey.

Dr's Notes:

She weighed in at a whopping 22 lb 4 oz and is 28 1/2 inches long. The dr simply said, she is the size of the average 15-18 month old child. That's my Sydney. She's all rolls, pudge and giggles. I love it. She weighs more than Gavin weighed at 1 year. She's awesome. Dr said everything looks good and considering her size, she is a VERY strong little girl but that is nothing new.

My Notes:

Syd is all about funny faces. She loves big open mouth grins and what I call her "Popeye" face where she sticks out her lower jaw, kinda to the side in a big smile while crinkling up her nose. It cracks me up. She's discovered how to blow raspberries and does ALL.THE.TIME. It's a real challenge when it comes to feeding her. She has been slow to grasp onto eating and does much better with the baby food than the cereal. However, on most occasions one or both of us require a change of clothes after all the blowing and spitting that is going on. She's rolling everywhere and getting much better at sitting up. Each day she sits longer and longer. She still loves her brother more than anything. She's still a Momma's girl and nurses 4 times a day. She has pretty much given up the 3rd nap in defiance so its down to two naps a day and a 7 pm bedtime. She loves her bouncy exersaucer which is truly where she demonstrates the muscle hiding behind the rolls. She recognizes her Daddy and Grandma with special smiles.

She's a funny little monkey who is seriously too cute for words.

Friends Picnic

The other day Gavin created a picnic for his "friends." He lined them up, handed out food, babbled in whatever language he thinks he's using and enjoyed a nice little snack. He loves pretending and it makes me smile to watch him...and the camera was sitting right next to me so....on the blog it goes!

Let's Eat...

...or not.

A few weeks ago I started Sydney on rice cereal. It did not go well. I've continued to give her rice cereal and ....it continues to not go well. Not only does she push it out with her tongue because she doesn't understand the whole swallowing concept...when I do get it in her mouth she gags and pulls the most dramatic of faces. In fact, she dislikes it so much, she has now taken to clenching her mouth shut and not allowing anything to enter.

She HATES the rice cereal, that is evident. In an effort to work on the eating technique I have now offered her sweet potatoes and peas...both of which she has shown a minor improvement in interest but a few bites in we are back to mouth clenching.

Food with this girl at the present moment is a challenge and may continue to be. Chalk it up to the 927th difference between her and Gavin.

Clearly, she has a flair for the dramatic.

So...onto our first experience with sweet potatoes which went slightly better with some interest and alot of sticking out her tongue...but still, quite a few faces.

oops on the bib....have yet to buy girl bibs when the boy bibs work just fine...until you take a picture where she looks like a boy with a "chick magnet" bib on. yikes.

My absolute fav picture of our sweet potato experience.

Moms Are Awesome.

Moms truly are awesome. At least the moms I know in my life are--my mom, grandmas, friends, sister-in-laws, cousins, aunts. I'm surrounded by awesome moms. I love Mother's Day for recognizing that. Being a Mom can feel like a thankless job, one that is underappreciated and barely recognized. Its true. Its a job that is tiresome, gross, dirty and hard. You often spend your days under-stimulated, over-thinking and stressed out. It is a job that wears every hat: nurse, cook, laundry lady, housekeeper, accountant, caretaker, nutritionist & teacher. That alone is enough to exhaust a person.

However, I'll be the first to admit, all the struggles are so easily forgotten because Moms are also, the first to get kisses and hugs and big baby giggles. They are wanted first after injuries and disappointments....and game winning shots and triumphs. Moms are moms for life.

Being a Mom is hard work but it is truly the best work. I love being a Mom--even if it is an underappreciated and thankless job....I wouldn't trade it for any other. And yes, Mother's Day is a great day because it reminds us all to thank our awesome Moms. So thanks Moms in my life--for giving me guidance, counsel, advice and empathy. You are super awesome.

In Gavin's words: "ahhppy mama's aaay"

Guy Talk.

Babygirl and her Grandma Judy...two beautiful pink ladies.

A little fashionista in the making.

Grandma with Gavin & Syd.

Grandma with all three lucky babies.

Going for a ride.

WHEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome Moms: Heather, Grandma Y, Grandma E, Me, Mom along with our two littlest munchkins.

Lots of Mom love that day.

A token of appreciation. Thanks, babe.

More Florida, More Fun

We were lucky enough to get back to Florida in the beginning of May with my cousins Erin & Craig and their son Charlie (18 months). The weather was HOT, the kids were water bugs, the company was great and the whole trip was relaxing. It was so nice to get away with the Haans and have some quality time with them. The kids were hilarious together and being home we miss Charlie's big grins each morning. We kept trying to convince Chad to stay a few more days....to no avail so we'll just have to look forward to next time!

November b-day babies.

A favorite hiding spot.

Apparently the wine closet is fun for kids AND adults.

A little princess on her throne.

We actually caught a lizard!!! Lots of excitement and furious tongue movements (by Gavin, not the lizard).

Charlie had no fear.

The boys making up some pool games.

Erin & Charlie cracking up!

World's Strongest Man Competition.

Relaxing in the water.

Haan Family Pic.

Harris Family Pic.

Boys & Babes.

Daddy/Daughter Swim.

Snack Time!!!

Such a happy girl -- I think she loved having her chunky little thighs exposed to the warm air.

Our cleaning crew.

Syd & Mommy.

Just chillin--She's very bouyant.

My two fav things in life.

New place to hang out--in the high chair outside.

Love this picture.

The huddle.