Old friends

I (Nat) had such a great visit with Jan. There's something about that vulnerable period of time when you're in high school. Jan and I had a really comfortable relationship then and it continues today. It was like no time had passed even though we have only seen one another 4 times in the last 17 years. Here we are with the newest addition. Jan and I took Syd shopping and out for ice cream, we had a great time.

Big weekend for a big girl

Nat had a friend in town from high school; Jan lives in Calgary now with a family of her own. They visited Grandpa and Grandma Willms on Saturday afternoon. Here's Syd with Grandpa and Grandma. 

After dinner out we sat on the balcony and enjoyed the beautiful evening and a "Dave-style" cocktail.

It's a little fuzzy, but Syd was so sweet.

Sydney and Jan.

The cats are really warming up to Sydney

There are times when I nurse Sydney in the living room, that's when the cats come by to check her out. One night this week, Miriam decided that there was room for both of them. (on the pillow, not on my breast)

A willing baby sitter

I know, I've been a slacker with the posts lately. I'll try to do better this week. Here's a treat for now.
Sydney and Christopher Elder, he's six. I think we can groom him to be a fine sitter. He's quite confident in his abilities too.

Seeing Syd Smile: A step by step how-to

Added bonus - Capturing Dave workin' it

Sydney looks great first thing in the morning, even before make-up

She doesn't like the pre-flash red light on the camera though. All we get are pursed lips. Still darling and very kissable though.

Lunch with Great Grandma & Grandpa Willms

It was a warm one today, but we had sandwiches outside and Great Grandpa and Grandma Willms (visiting from Canada) loved on Syd. It was so warm outside that we couldn't keep Sydney awake. She dined al fresco too!

Syd's good in altitude

Dave, Syd, Nat, Royce and Jon outside of Sweet Basil in Vail

The major event that I usually plan was this weekend. It's 3 days in Vail with golf, speakers, receptions and then a family BBQ on Saturday evening. Dave, Syd and I went up for the BBQ part and spent Sunday (Dave's first Father's Day) in Vail. We introduced Sydney to many of my work associates and enjoyed the BBQ as a participant and not the planner. For Dave's Day, he started out the morning changing a poopy diaper and progressed to a massage and then lunch at a great restaurant. It was quite fun. 

Here's Syd chillin' quite comfortably in her bassinet while we ate lunch. 

I think this picture was taken earlier in the week. She's cute.

An detour from Sydney

But it is a snapshot of her environment at home.

We had some landscaping done in our backyard last week. We'll post the final picture coming up, but here's the work in progress.

Baby's Breath

The other morning I woke Sydney up to nurse, I was just holding her in my lap, talking to her to help her wake up. She had a big yawn (hard to believe that their mouths get that big).
I stuck my nose up close to her to breathe her in. It was like heaven. I think her breath is the sweetest and most perfect when she wakes up in the morning.
Maybe we should all just gum-it like babies, and have sweet sweet baby's breath.

Still no milk in there...

But keep tryin' kiddo.

here's another smile from a different day

Dave's in love, but I'm not worried

thoughts

Try as hard as we might, Dave and I talk about our daughter in social settings even when there are no other children around. Whoops. We weren't going to be "those parents." I will be exercising that "Grace" thing to others as I hope they're doing the same for us. We ask that you sing that "Grace Song" if we seem to be wrapped up in our little bundle-in-a-blanket that doesn't talk yet and makes sure that we know she's pooping during our dinner. We really do keep up with news and current events, we have opinions on goings on in the world. We understand that others, including Sydney's grandparents, have lives that continue and critical events that they're experiencing right now. We'll make an effort to be more present.

On another note, I'm making the effort to remember all my thoughts and observations as I spend time with Sydney. (perhaps I should try and journal:))I figure she might care to know the highlights when she's older. Stuff like: How excited she gets when she sees her Dad.
How she makes sweet little sounds as she's nursing.
How peaceful she looks when I'm washing her hair.
That I constantly style her cute crazy hair with my fingers.
The amount of times she's kissed and told what beautiful baby love she is.

This offspring thing is so incredible. To everyone that told us how much our lives would change; you're right, we didn't doubt you, but it's really hard to fathom until you experience it. So, rather than trying to impart wisdom on other expecting parents I'll try something else, like, "you can turn a restaurant high chair upside down to hold a car seat." It's not really a necessary piece of information, but it could be helpful if you like to dine out. We've learned that trick from the waitstaff and thinking it was rather clever, we wondered who would have told us that. Similarly, from my friend Lisa, I learned you just have to try the car seat out in the grocery cart. Every cart is different, as is every car seat and sometimes the best place is in the basket itself.

I'm off to take a shower, another little gem for soon-to-be parents, 'don't let your baby smell better than you,' it's not good for your self-confidence.

trying to capture her smile

Unlike her cousin Finnley, Sydney doesn't love the camera. I've been trying to catch Syd in the act of smiling and every time the camera comes out, her whole demeanor changes.
This is what I have so far.

Uncle Kirky Monster...

Stopped by to see Syd. He's got the magic touch... plus he's nice and warm.

Laying around the house

Today I tried putting Syd in a different place while I showered. On, the floor, resting in the Boppy. She did quite well I think. Just laid there kicking and punching while I was getting ready and then eventually fell asleep while I was putting my make up on. Here's a little diddy of her...

just because she's cute

No pictures for this one

Grandma Klassen (Oma) called me today. She asked how Sydney was doing and wanted to know if I had bathed her today. She was just checking in I think.
I told her that Syd has a little conjunctivitis going on in her left eye and that we had a Dr.'s appt. for 2:00 today. It's just crusty and yellowy-green. I noticed it last night and tried to 'wash' it with boiled water (I cooled it) and a cotton ball last night and this morning, but it's still gooping up. So, we're going to have her looked at.
Grandma says, "Ohhhh, she's just barely a month old, she's not supposed to have anything like that."

"I miss Sydney when she's not around."
"Well, if the appointment goes well today and her eye's clearing up, would you like me to come for a visit tomorrow?"
"Oh, yes, that would be lovely."

I think that's what she was angling for during the whole phone call. She didn't ask how Mom was and if I'd heard from her on the cruise, Oma just wanted to know when she could see Syd again.

She ended the conversation with, "Well, I better go, I need to get ready to go down for lunch here in 15 minutes, I go down at 11:15. I'll go see what the old bitches are up to. You know they can be like that some time."
- Classic Grandma

Take your daughter to work day Part 2

Today Sydney and I walked downtown to join the office for a birthday lunch. It was a fun surprise for all. I was able to eat too with all of the eager hands to hold the baby.

It was a hot day for a walk though. Phew. Took me just under 20 minutes to walk to my office. Sydney traveled in style in the bassinet and was covered, but I was definitely testing my deodorant.

Sydney with Donna, Sally and Becca at work.

It was a funny feeling being back in my office and on my work computer for a minute. It's like two very different universes colliding. I'll admit that while I miss the friendship and comradery of the office, I was very happy to return to this universe for now.

Happy and cool at home in our universe (Her nose is looking kind of thick in this picture.)
N

Aunt Royce stopped by to see me

She didn't get her fill last night at dinner because she had to go to the hospital, so, they dropped by today.

Our weekend so far

Saturday we had an outing to browse for furniture for the house and we had lunch in Cherry Creek. It was gorgeous out. Great to walk around and take in the day. We received many compliments on the stroller and on Sydney too. She was a trooper.
Here's a picture from lunch. Don't anyone worry, Sydney wasn't drinking the wine.


Had a yummy dinner at Royce and Jon's last night but it was cut short. Royce had to go to work to save some lives.

Sydney has been eating frequently the last two evenings. Dave can't believe it. I just keep feeding her. She has a bottomless stomach and my breasts seem to be keeping up. It's amazing.

Last night I had a glimpse of why, She slept for almost 7 hours. 11:00 p.m.- 5:45 am. That was awesome.

Here she is with David this morning. They were cute.