Well, it is New Year's Eve and Sydney and I are so glad that fireworks were allowed in town this year! Anchorage was allowed to do fireworks from 9:30 pm to 1 am, and at 9:30 on the dot, we were surrounded by shots. We could see flashes of light coming from all sides and every window. Several neighbors let them off right on our street...what a show! Brian on the other hand, who was working, wasn't as appreciative as we were. :)
Anyway, as the year is winding down, (as I write this there is still one hour and nine minutes left of 2010), we just wanted to say that we wish you all the best for the upcoming season of life and hope that all are happy and healthy! We have been very blessed this year and thank God every day for what and who we have in our lives!
For Sydney's update...I have put several pictures below...I know, I know...as always there are way more than what you all probably care to see...but, o-well, that's my indecisiveness for you! Sydney, as always, is just a smile around the house. She is such a happy girl. We are working on the 'pretend' concept right now. Her auntie Alissa got her her first tea set and I had taken one of the cups and took an imaginary sip out of it. Sydney promptly wanted whatever the cup held and had a look of bewilderment when nothing came out. She now will put the cup up to her mouth, but has a look on her face that says she is just going with the flow- not knowing why there IS NO flow! She also doesn't understand why none of her cell phones have any voice coming through... She rarely will put it up to her ear, but as you will see below, she holds it in her hands as if texting. What does that tell ya?!
She started walking on her own about a month ago, but has only allowed me to see her- twice. Of course she had to wait until right after Daddy left to go to work! She also bear crawls, up on all fours, which came in handy for her Christmas dress as it was too slippery to crawl in. What a sight.
Attention is something our girl adores. Attention from adults specifically. At our Christmas Eve service there was no childcare, so the children were in the service with us. We let Sydney crawl around in the aisle and everytime people started clapping or laughing, Sydney would just turn around and laugh and smile- as if we were clapping for her and her only. It was hilarious! What a goofball.
Sydney is now getting into picking up and helping with chores. She is always in the kitchen helping put away dishes- (getting in the dishwasher with Mom's back turned is always so much fun!). Picking up toys before bed is a concept almost always remembered with a little help and encouragement. And, when picking up laudry to put in the hampers, she will bring you one piece at a time- from across the room. Child exercise at its best right there!
Well, I'll get on with it and just show you the pics. Once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Let's just say she was not 'good' luck.
The following pics are of Sydney in her Christmas dress. I wanted to get a nice shot of her smiling in it for Christmas. First off, she HATED the dress. It took too long to go over her head, and with Sydney, anything over the head is means for a melt down, and it was too slippery with all the liners to crawl in. So, you will see just how it went...from bad, to worse, to much worse. Ugh. Needless to say, not one of her smiling! Of course.
Now that she has proceeded on spreading her toys all over, she has moved on to claim Tucker's space. Tucker is not amused.
Still not amused. Tucker, that is.
"Darn it, Tucker, MOVE!"
These next few are Sydney's second experience seeing Santa. A little better than last year, but not much!
She sees him.
Her lip is out. "Get your hands off me, Santa!"
Christmas Dinner...a few nights early as Brian had to work Christmas night. Lawrence came up to visit from Reno.
Sydney sure does miss her Uncle Lawrence!
A drum-off..."Are you ready?"
Grandma!
Sydney just had to be on Uncle Lawrence's lap wherever he was. (Sorry Lawrence...mouth full!)
Nap time.
New present from the Stoehners...Ellie!
Sydney with her Uncles.
Christmas Morning...presents!
You mean there is more than just my very own clicker, and my very own phone? Those are the only things I wanted!
These eyes won't stop looking at me...
"No, Daddy...I will turn the pages!"
Another drum! Yay!! (Sydney is a great little drummer.)
We got a new bed for Tucker and before he even had a chance to claim it, Sydney hopped right in. She also has one of her new cell phones she got for Christmas (a couple of our old ones) and is showing us how she can use them like a big girl.
Ms. Keeli showing Sydney even more phone features!
A funny text or what?
Playing with Daddy. Actually, playing ON Daddy. :)
