Baby's first Christmas

Sitting in Daddy's lap

Sitting in Grandpa's lap

More to come but we need Grammie's pictures.

Here you go Toddy

Ask and you shall receive!


The next one we call "Little Drummer Girl"

Mastering the cheerio transfer

Just Words

We're having a ball with Sydney. It's so incredible watching her discover things and learn what her body can do. She's been feeding herself the little bits that I give her when she's sitting in her highchair and she seems so proud of herself when she picks up the bit and manages to get it out of her clenched fist and into her mouth. It's so fun to watch. Another proud moment is when she sips out of a cup, not a sippy cup, but a real glass. She hasn't figured out that she can put her hands around the glass yet, but she certainly gets a reward when she sips and swallows. Thank goodness for the plastic bib with the catch-all bottom, as she'd be giving herself a bath at the same time.
Syd's got the wave down pat now. It's all to say hello. Today my Mom pointed out that Syd is trying to say "kitty" now too. It's more of a "keeeeeeeeey" with lots of saliva, but it's coming. Sadly, that might be her first word, no mama and dada here, it's all about the kitties.

A couple of weeks ago I installed a mobile above her crib. It's a little late, but I got it eventually. I found this really fantastic wooden butterfly, it's been painted with watercolors and is just beautiful. Her crib bumpers have butterflies, caterpillars and flowers on them as well. So, I put the baby girl in her crib to take a look at the mobile and she looked up at the butterfly and then turned her head to the side and reached out for the butterfly on the bumper and then looked back up and repeated the action. What a fantastic moment when you see your child recognizing something that you haven't pointed out or taught her. It was awesome.

So, she's got the two bottom teeth in now and they've been steadily growing, now I think we're working on her uppers. "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..." It could be her theme song. When her lowers were coming in, she would put her fingers in her mouth and hook them on her bottom gum and pull down and out of her mouth. Now, for the uppers she's clicking and clucking her tongue, pulling her tongue across and down her top gum. She's pretty sweet. You can tell she's a little uncomfortable but no real complaining.

Last update - she loves being chased and has figured it out. When Dave or I hold her and the other one of us follows them up the stairs or down the hall, she can't get enough. You're sure that her giggles are going to just explode. She's started to grab on tight with her arms and legs, like the beginning of the hug. I can't wait. On that same note, Sydney will open-mouth kiss. She grabs the side of my face and brings her wet slobbery mouth to mine and snorts. If you're not careful she's snag your lower lip and bite down with her two bottom teeth, I was sure that she'd broken my skin once. Daddy's not getting the same treatment, but I'm sure that's because he has whiskers, not for lack of love - Sydney gets so excited when Dave comes home.

Developmentally she's sitting up great, and she's working on the pincher action with her fingers. She hasn't made any moves toward crawling yet, but for that we're grateful. She's still sleeping 6 pm 'til 8 am, with a pit stop at about 3 for refueling. She's our big sleeper, napping twice a day too. Her legs are getting stronger and she's spending more time standing in our laps. As for the new play thing- taking things in and out of a pail.

We're having a ball and we're so grateful for her. Can't wait for Christmas.

Friends and family over the holiday

Cari Jenkins was in town for a visit and Uncle Russ was lovin' on Lulu

Dave's friend Kim was in town too and brought her daughter Aiden by who's just a few weeks older than Sydney.

Thanksgiving at the Willms' with Grandpa

Trying mashed potatoes and carrots and apples in Grandma and Grandpa's new highchair for Syd

Dave, Sydney and Miriam watching some football on Thanksgiving, I think she likes it.

Many faces of Sydney at the office

Grammie took these pictures of Syd in the captain's chair at the office. She'd do great in a meeting wouldn't she? There's a poker face in there somewhere.

Brunch at Oma's

ottoman giggles

More of Sydney to enjoy, nothing like binges of 5 posts at a time...



Can you hear the cat meow close to the beginning and Syd looks over at it? Cute...

Two Teefs

Sydney's been really sneaky with these teeth. Not only does she not like me digging around in her mouth to look at them, she's also gained another and I had no idea. Who knows, she could have been working this one for days now. This afternoon I was just checking the status of tooth #1 and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it had a little baby sister. Pay no mind to the little booger in the nostril there.

Training with Aunt Teddi

Dave and I are trying to be good role models for Sydney. She accompanies us every week when we train with Aunt Teddi. This week she was introduced to the fit ball - it's big and red and takes Sydney for a ride when it bounces.

Shout out to my peeps

Just showing off the wave

She prefers to sit up now

I hope that the noise of the TV behind me isn't too distracting.
Yes, she's already showing her own style with a little flash dance with her top. I had no idea she was paying attention.

Sydney's sitting up

Mick Jagger impression

Daddy's Birthday

Syd's been a gem today, except for this little departure from a nap late this afternoon. She's laughing and sweet and putting everything in her mouth. She even personalized her card to Dave with a whole lot of drool. She's about the sweetest thing.
Dave was a star birthday boy and offered to keep Syd at home this morning while I worked out. I think it provided them some good time together and I could finish up his birthday shopping.

She has a tooth everyone. It's a little one on the lower left. It hasn't seemed to bother her too much and so far she hasn't bit me, all good things. She will let you put your finger in her mouth to feel it, but she won't let you pull her lip down to see it. Keeping it a secret.

Long awaited Yoda

The pictures get better as you get down to the bottom here huh?

The day after Yoda

I'm working on getting the pics of the family as Star Wars, but in the meantime I have a pic of Syd with Uncle Jon at the cabin the day after Halloween.

She looks like she was partying all night. Look at that tummy.

Did you happen to see how cute?

Here's the skinny

Syd's 6 months today. I can't believe it. I hadn't really thought of it actually until the Chiropractor's office mentioned it today. She's a big girl.
Grandma and Grandpa Willms gifted Sydney with a sippy cup. It's been a hit, she's sampled all sorts of beverages from that vessel so far.
Sydney's sitting up - almost. She's rolling over and today she happened to giggle all day. You don't necessarily need to be talking to her or anything, she's just giggly.
She found her voice last Friday the 17th, and since then we've heard all sorts of squeals and sounds. Just some pleasant babbling.
On the not so sweet side, I think she might be having night terrors. She's been waking up 30 mins after going to sleep and just seeming inconsolable. We're working on it and have been trying some Chiropractic Care to work it out. Need to straighten out the girl.
You'll all be happy to know that the poops are regular and some what consistent (phew). Not like it's pleasant or anything, but we're not worrying too much about the back end anymore.

Sydney's going to her 6 month Dr. visit on Halloween. She'll be Yoda, so I'm sure she'll have The Force with her so I won't worry about those pesky shots.

Current happenings

This all went down tonight.

Grandpa was beta testing Syd's Yoda costume. I think it will work just fine.

So happy to meet Uncle Dan. At Thanksgiving Sydney will meet Aunt Brigitte and cousin Riley. Family's a good thing.

continued

In the previous post you see that Sydney had her bath and was looking all cozy in her towel, well, she went to bed, and then heard that the party was still going on and decided to join it.