Sydney's Blessing

Our sweet Sydney Lucile was blessed on Sunday, March 25th.  But our week of celebration began the Wednesday before when our first guests arrived from Utah- Grandma Kathy (Rob's mom), Aunt Emily (Rob's sister), and her 21 month old, JT.  Scarlett had so much fun with her cousin, but after a few days she was pretty tired of sharing all her toys.  On Thursday we went shopping in Corte Madera, and that night Grandpa Doug (Rob's Dad) and Uncle Steve (Rob's youngest brother) flew in to town.  Friday, everyone checked out Rob's office in Napa, and Kathy even got her hearing tested.  We did more shopping at the outlets, and then had dinner at Azzurro Pizzeria (which I still call Pizza Azzurro- I don't know why they changed names).  Friday night Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenny (Rob's sister, and her husband) arrived, as did my brother, Kyle, and sister Ashley.  Saturday morning my family did pictures in Fairfield, Scarlett and I stopped by her friend's birthday party, and then we came home and spent more time with Rob's family.  There wasn't much to do Saturday, it was raining, and I was busily readying my house for the 30 guests we would be hosting for lunch after the blessing.  We did manage to go up to Rutherford Grill for a delicious dinner early that evening.  My sweet, content, never crying Sydney changed a little by Saturday.  She was tired, not sleeping well, completely off her schedule, and just plain sick of being passed around from person to person.  It got to the point that she would cry if any one but Mom or Dad was holding her.  Bless her little heart.  I was bummed because I wanted everyone to see how mellow and easy going she is- but when you disrupt a baby, there's not much you can do about it.

Sunday was a wonderful day.  Sydney received a beautiful blessing from her Dad.  Standing in the circle with him was my Dad, Grandpa Doug, Uncle Kyle, Uncle Steve, Uncle Mike, and Great-Uncle Jim (my Uncle).  I think there is nothing sweeter than a father giving his baby girl a name and a blessing.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it is true.

While everyone was in town, and even on Sydney's blessing day, I did a terrible job with my camera.  I think I was too busy to even think about pictures.  But I did snap a tiny few on Sunday.

Rob thought this picture was just darling.

 This is Uncle Mike.  There is something calm and serene about this guy, and Sydney picked up on it right away.  She adores him.  And as you can see, he adores her, too.  He will make the very best daddy one day.

 Charelle in her gorgeous orange dress.

 Grandma Cindy ("Nama") and her babe.

 Sometimes I forget I am on manual focus with my new lens... hence the slight blur.  Grandma and Granddad.

 And now a million photos of our sweet girl on her special day.  A very dear friend of ours gave Sydney this bonnet, and it transforms into a handkerchief that she can use on her wedding day.  I love it.

 Smile Scarlett!  Or not.

We had so many wonderful family members, and several friends, come to our home for a luncheon after sacrament meeting.  We then spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying every one's company.

Monday rolled around and it was time to say good-bye to all our out of town relatives.  While it was so nice having so many visitors, it was also wonderful to get back to our routine- and back to my old baby!  Sydney seemed to relax once everyone was gone, and is now back to being my smiley, ever-content little girl.  Yay!

We appreciate so much those who made the trip to California.  We know it is not always easy.  We are truly blessed with wonderful families.

Grandma Betty

The first weekend in March, Rob and I took the girls to San Jose to visit my Grandma.  We picked up lunch at Panera on our way in to town, and then enjoyed a few hours of visiting.  Grandma absolutely loved meeting Sydney for the first time, and rocking her for a few hours.

Scarlett loves Grandma Betty, and she especially loves all the little stuffed animals she has lying around.  During some cuddling, Scarlett was not shy about telling Grandma she didn't like her long finger nails.  It was too funny.

We love you, Grandma!

Two Months

I dropped the ball and didn't take proper pictures of Sydney on her birthday, but we are getting ready for a lot of Rob's family to start trickling in to town this week (starting tomorrow!) for Sydney's blessing on Sunday.  Both my siblings will also be in town.  We cannot wait to spend time with everyone, and for everyone to get to spend time with our sweet girls.

Sydney had her two month check-up today and here are her stats:

Height: 23.5 inches, 90th percentile (no surprise!)

Weight: 9 lbs 6.5 oz, between 5th and 10th percentile

Head Circumfrence: 38 cm, 25th percentile

Height to weight ratio: not even on the chart- several points below the chart.  Well below 0 percentile.  Dr. Morgese said we won't worry about that, yet, since Scarlett was always below 5th percentile.  We just have long, skinny little babies!

Sydney was a champ with her shots today- but I will never get used to that look of "why are you doing this to me?!"  Poor babe let out a scream like we have never heard from her, but within seconds of me holding her, when it was all over, she completely calmed down.  And has pretty much been sleeping ever since.  Bless her little heart.

When we got home from all of our running around this evening, I let her relax, sans clothing (her absolute favorite thing in the world- much like her sister) for a few hours.  She lounged in her boppy and slept on and off.

 For a small portion of every day, she is wide awake, and very alert.

 But tonight, this is mostly what she has looked like.

Happy two months, my little love.

Twenty-Seven

My 27th birthday was absolutely fabulous.  Both girls slept in, I was in charge of cleaning our church building with a group of women at 9am, and we were done by 10, so I had the rest of the day to spend with my family.

I had been thinking about how much I used to like bowling, and how it had been years since I had been... I figured Scarlett was old enough to have a little fun with it- so that is what we did!  Mom and Dad joined us.  Rob bowled the best game I have ever seen him bowl- he and Dad tied for first, I took third, and Mom barely beat Scarlett.  :)

 Can you tell they're related?

 Not too shabby, Scarbaby!

 The token birthday girl photo.

 Sydney was wonderful, as usual, and slept through most of our game.  She really is a gem.

The night before my birthday, Rob received a call telling him my gift would be ready after 2pm the next day.  I was hoping it would be a car- we had looked at, and decided on, the car we were going to purchase about 3 weeks prior, but Rob told me we were going to wait and buy it in April or May.  Which I believed.  But deep down I was still hoping he was going to surprise me for my birthday.  Rob is a good husband, a great husband, but he has never been very good with surprises.  I don't think he has ever surprised me, in fact.  That may be unfair- but I do usually get out of him what I want to know.  I went to bed that night a little suspicious, but thinking "there's no way he would pull off this big of a surprise".  Oh me of little faith.

My birthday morning rolls around, both girls are in our bed with Rob, I am getting ready to go clean the church, and then I hear Rob whisper, with a HUGE grin, something to Scarlett.  She turns to me and says, "Mom! We bought you a new car!"  To which I replied, "oh, you got me a card?  That is so sweet."  "No, Mom!  A new car!"  "Yes, a card for my birthday, I love cards!"  Rob was dying at this point, and he told Scarlett to tell me one more time... and she was so thrilled when I finally understood what she was telling me.  My new Toyota Highlander would be ready for pick up that afternoon.  I was thrilled!  After cleaning, lunch, bowling, and shopping, I finally drove my new ride off the lot.  When I got in, Scarlett was with me, I was so excited and said "Scar!  I don't know how to work any of this stuff!"  And she smiled, so sweetly, and said, "that's OK, mom.  You can do it, honey!"  I just love her.  We drove to Filippi's for a delicious Italian dinner, then on to Baskin Robbins because Scarlett had to have ice cream, which she didn't eat, and then home... in this beauty.

Thanks for the best birthday present, ever, Rob.  You really are the best husband. 

I will miss Lola- my trusty Honda Accord of 7 years, but I know she is in very capable hands with you, Rob.

Now, we just need to name the Highlander...

Rub-a-dub-dub

Sydney Lu L.O.V.E.S. her bath time.  As did her big sister, when she was the baby.  She especially enjoys just relaxing in the warm water.

 Most days, Scarlett showers with me, but lately she has been opting to join her little sis in the tub.  I can't blame her.

 Totally out of focus photo- however, when I saw it, I was shocked at how mature Scarlett looks.  She doesn't look like an almost 2 year and 5 month old.  She looks like a kid.  A KID.  Or a very young looking adult, even.  When did that happen?!

 Unwilling to smile for the camera.  One of these days I will catch that beautiful gummy grin.  One day.

 And totally unrelated to bath time... My children hate being swaddled.  They must have their hands free or they freak out.  But they love, more than anything in the world, a soft, warm, plush, fluffy blanket touching every inch of their face.

 If I don't do a good job getting that blanket all over Sydney's face (which I usually don't so I do not have to worry about her suffocating), she arches her neck in ways that do not look comfortable, in order to get more blanket on her skin.  Scarlett used to do the exact same thing. 

Showering Sydney

Two of my closest friends, Kathy and Lisa, threw Sydney a wonderful little shower back on February 11th.  So many family and friends attended and really spoiled our sweet little girl.

 Lisa is an amazing chef and she prepared a smorgasbord of delicious food.

 A Parmesan artichoke spread, bruschetta, stuffed cucumbers (delish), tomato soup shots, chocolate dipped strawberries, coconut and red velvet cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla tortes... just to name a few items...

 Sydney with her great-aunt Pam.

 The guest of honor did a wonderful job and slept through the entire shower.

 Spoiled.  Seriously spoiled.  This was less than a quarter of the gifts.

 This is Emiko, she makes the most beautiful blankets- she gave Scarlett one at her shower, and made a matching one for Sydney.

Sydney was the 4th baby to be born in our ward in the last few months- one has been born since, and the last one is due to arrive any day.

 My friend Holly made this great diaper cake.

 Sydney got lots of adorable little outfits, like this one, from Aunt Ashley.

 Ash, myself and Mom.

 We were so lucky to have Ashley fly in to spend the weekend with us.

Syd, Ash, Aunt Pam, Mom, myself, and Aunt Deb.  I have wonderful women in my family.

Sisters.

It was such a great day.  Thank you to all who came and showered my little babe.

One Month

I cannot believe it has been one month since Sydney was born.  Time is flying by.  I told Scarlett that today was Sydney's one month birthday, and then I asked if she could believe it.  Her response was priceless: "I can NOT believe it, Mom!"  I love my girls.

 Sydney is a very different baby than Scarlett was.  Scarlett was born 9 days past her due date, Sydney was born 2 days before.  I feel like Scarlett's extra 11 days in the womb made her mature beyond her time.  Scarlett nursed amazingly well from the get-go.  She was alert all the time, and never slept through anything.  If there was noise, she was looking around to find it.  Scarlett just never felt like a newborn.  She was in size 1 diapers, and out of newborn clothes by the time she was 1 week old because she was so tall.  Though petite, she still put on weight regularly.  Sydney, on the other hand, is a terrible eater.  Truly, terrible.  We tried everything to get her to nurse properly, but she wouldn't latch for longer than 4 or 5 sucks before she would take herself off, choke down some air, scream bloody murder because she was hungry, and then fight me for 10 minutes while I tried to get her to latch again.  She takes to a bottle much better, but still, not great.  She gets really frustrated sometimes and shakes her head back and forth so unbelievably fast, we call it her "shark attack".  I started out pumping and bottle feeding, and still trying to get her to nurse every now and then.  But my milk supply has slowly been diminishing because I just don't have time to sit and pump every 2-3 hours with a newborn and super active 2 year old.  We are down to only 2 pumped bottles a day, and the rest is formula.  I'm sure missing nursing my baby.  I love nursing. 

 Sydney has become much more alert the last few days, but still sleeps so much.  Scarlett never slept.  It is so bizarre to me that one person can sleep so many hours.  However, Sydney really only sleeps well if someone is holding her.  Sometimes her swing works, and she'll sleep just fine in her carseat.  We have the Little Einstein's Aquarium in her crib, and she will sleep as long as that thing is playing, but once it turns off, she wakes up.  As soon as someone picks her up, she's out again.  She does sleep well sometimes.  At night, most nights, she will go down between 11 and midnight, and sleep 4-5 hours.  I have never had to feed this one every 2 hours.  I love that about her.  She has always gone at least 3 hours between feedings.  Hopefully, she will be a better sleeper than her sister was.

 Sydney is still wearing newborn diapers, and only fits in to newborn clothes.  She is just so tiny.  Everyone who sees her comments on how small she is.  She just doesn't seem to be in a hurry to grow much.  I weighed her about a week ago and she was only 8 lbs 4 oz (Scarlett was 8 lbs 2 oz at birth).  Tiny, tiny little thing.

 When Scarlett speaks, Sydney looks around to find her.  When Sydney is upset, Scarlett can calm her right down.  I love the little bond they already have.  I am so happy I had two little girls in a row.  It has been so fun watching Scarlett grow.  She really takes this big sister job seriously.

Happiest one month birthday, sweet Sydney Lucile.

We love you, dearly.

Happy Valentine's Day

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day with these two cuties.  We spent the morning at home, then went to Sift and picked up some devilishly delicious cupcakes and delivered Valentine's to Grandma, Granddad, and Daddy at their offices.

 Thanks to Aunt Ashley and Grandma for these cute matching outfits.  Scarlett kept saying "we're twins!".

We spent the evening at home, had a yummy dinner, and enjoyed some snuggle time with our girls.  We're really blessed with a lot of love here in our home.