Love.

Scarlett, what was your favorite part of the cruise?

After thinking for a minute, she replied; 
Standing at the bottom of the whole entire ocean.

{In Grand Cayman we took a boat 4 miles out in to the middle of the ocean, to a sand bar.  Uncle Kyle helped Scarlett realize she could touch the bottom with her toes.  It was clearly a profound experience for her to look around and see nothing but beautiful turquoise ocean, yet she could feel the sand, the earth, beneath her feet.} 

Eleven Months

Sydney has definitely gotten the shaft when it comes to me documenting her growth.  Though she is now closer to twelve months (I won't dare say "one year"), I am going to do my best to remember what her 11th month of life was like...

This girl is adventurous, curious, stubborn, and sweet as candy.  She is all smiles.  All the time.  She is a great little walker, though she weebles and wobbles a bit from time to time.  She is crazy fast making her way up stairs, but we still really have to work on getting back down safely (she thinks she can hold on to the banister and just walk down).  She adores big sis and wants to be involved in everything she does.  Sydney doesn't always want Scarlett involved in what she is doing, however.  Sydney says "Dada" all day long, and rarely says "Mama".  She has been sleeping through the night (wahoo!) for about a month.  Still only two bottom teeth.  Loves most foods, and is a terribly messy eater.  She likes to feed herself, and is pretty handy with a fork or spoon.  She still likes her bottle before naps and bed.  Sydney loves her morning nap.  She sleeps 3 hours in the morning, if our schedule permits.  She most likely will not take an afternoon nap if her morning one is so long.  Some days I wake her up after an hour and a half, and she will sleep for two hours in the afternoon.  I love the afternoon nap.  And I can't wait to go down to a one nap schedule.

This photo is from December 23, 2012, after we first boarded the Carnival Legend for our Christmas cruise.  

 Syd is a happy camper, most of the time.  She is genuinely in love with most people- though she certainly prefers familiar faces.  She can be ever so clingy, and I don't mind the snuggles.  She gives big wet kisses.  Even makes the "mmm" sound.  Sydney loves being outside.  She loves wind.  She has no fear and even loved playing with a monkey, and sting rays on our cruise.

Morning six of the cruise.  Happy as can be!

Sydney is in love with her pacifier.  And obsessed with her Little Giraffe blankets.  Notice below- the day before we left, I packed one of Syd's blankets, and when I left the room, Sydney found it folded in the suitcase, and proceeded to lay down, head on her blanket, body half in the suitcase.  It was nap time.  Little did she know she still had a blanket in her bed. 

This is one of my favorite shots from the cruise- chubby baby in a bikini?!  Yes, please!  Syd posed herself.  I just wish the paci wasn't in the way of seeing her big, gummy grin!

Sydney Magoo- oh, how we adore and love you.  You're growing up too fast.  You're just not quite a baby anymore.  And we can't wait to see what your sweet little spirit will accomplish in this world.

Welcoming Home Kellen

On December 11th we welcomed my cousin, Kellen, back home from his two year mission in Seoul, South Korea.  Scarlett was only 13 months when Kellen left, and Sydney, well, she wasn't even in the making.

 Kellen had a nice big welcoming committee!

 Scarlett was the first to run to him and show him the sign she made- Welcome home, Kellen!

 Scarlett has met Reilly a few times before, but she really took a liking to him this time around.

 "Nice to meet you! I'm Sydney!"

 Just me and my boyfriend...

So glad to have you back, Kellen!

Thanksgiving 2012 and Sydney's 10 Month Update

Thanksgiving this year was so strange.  Ashley and Kyle didn't come home from Utah, and my dad had the flu.  My Aunt Deb hosted, the great-aunts were there, Fowers, Grandpa, my little family of four, and my mom.  It just felt different with so many people missing.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed delicious food, and good company.

Johnny, Sasha, Grandpa and Scarlett.

 Sydney turned 10 months old two days before Thanksgiving- these are going to have to count as her 10 month photos.  Isn't she adorable?  Rob, too.

 Sydney blessed us the night of her 10 month birthday by sleeping through the night, and over the last month has been fairly consistent.  Not every night, but we're getting there.  She is still an amazing napper, would sleep forever in the mornings if I would let her, and still takes a good 2 hour nap in the late afternoon.  We still only have those 2 bottom teeth.  She carries things her mouth when she crawls.  She loves being chased up the stairs.  Points to what she wants.  Says "Dada".  Wants to feed herself using utensils.  Screams if she is not getting what she wants.  Doesn't like you to break up her food.  Like a little monkey, she uses her feet to hold things.  Loves taking things out of a box, putting them back in.  Likes taking lids off things and putting them back on.  Imitates sounds- fake cough, animal noises.  Drops food off the side of her high chair when she is done eating.  Plays peek-a-boo.  Blows on her food, though it looks like she is sniffing it.  Waves "hi" and "bye".  Gives high fives.  Shakes her head no.  Loves her Little Giraffe blanket and won't sleep without it.  Sleeps on her tummy.  Walks a few steps at a time, but still prefers to crawl.  Has been having tummy problems, so we have to add prune juice to her bottles.  About the only time she ever cries these days is when she is pooping.  She's a tough cookie and loves her big sister, even when Scarlett is a bit rough.  Sydney is still just a sweet, easy going girl.  She makes life easy.  She is curious, and gets in to everything, but Scarlett prepared us well for that.

Sydney, we love you.

 Again, all I wanted for Thanksgiving was one good family picture.  But, alas, I did not get.  I did get a few attempts at a photo of me with my ladies.

 Playing games with great-aunt El. 

 Happy Thanksgiving.