Happy 30th, Fuller!

On August 16, Rob turned the big 3-0.  He was very gracious about it.

We got back from our trip to Tahoe just a few days before his birthday, which was on a Thursday- and since he had taken a few days off, he was seeing patients late that evening.  When he finally got home, we fed him a yummy dinner, showered him with presents, and ate strawberry shortcake.  Hooray!

On Saturday, I told Rob that our good friends were having a pool party and BBQ.  Little did he know that those friends were actually out of town, but were generous enough to allow me to use their wonderful backyard for a little surprise party.

I got him good.  I had been planning it for a while.  Almost slipped telling him things about it here and there, but ultimately, kept it to myself, and surprised the "old man".  We had a small gathering, but we had a great time.

Happy birthday, my dear.

Lake Tahoe, August 2012

We spent a wonderful extra long weekend in Lake Tahoe back in August.  Swimming at the pool, lounging in the sun, reading good books, eating delicious food.  We drove up Friday, Ashley and Kyle flew in from Utah that morning, and we got to spend some good quality time with my entire family.

I love my parents.

We headed to the  beach Sunday afternoon and rented kayaks.  While Ashley, Kyle, Rob, Scarlett and myself were out on the lake, Sydney played with Grandma and Granddad.

This trip was when we discovered just how much Sydney loved the camera.

Scarlett was brave hopping in the kayak- after a few minutes she transferred to our kayak.

I loved being on the lake.  Tahoe is freezing, but so refreshing and beautiful.  When I was growing up, my great aunt and uncle owned a house right on the water.  I miss being on the lake when we go on our trips now.  It was a sentimental kayak experience for me.

Sunday night was the last night we would all be together, so we celebrated Mom's birthday a day early with a wonderful sunset dinner.

I pulled out the camera to snap some shots of the whole group, but Sydney squawked and squealed until I focused on her for a little bit.

My mom is so pretty.  And can you believe she is 52?!  

I love my sassy girl.

And my other little sassafras. 

And this guy, of course.

We spent Monday at the pool, and then before taking Ashley and Kyle to the airport we grabbed some dinner.

Scarlett adores her Aunt Ashley.  She drove with them to the airport, fell asleep on the drive there, they woke her up to say goodbye, but she was still a little out of it (a Fuller trademark), so when she finally realized Ashley and Kyle were gone she started crying.  She had to call Ashley to calm down.  So sweet.
Tuesday morning we spent as much time in the sun and at the pool as we could before we needed to head home.  Scarlett is a little fish.  With only one swim lesson this summer, she can swim a decent distance on her own, and she can hold her breath a remarkable amount of time.

My other little fish.  Sydney LOVES the water.  My girls are so similar, it's kind of astounding sometimes.

Father's Day 2012

We celebrated Father's Day (yes, in June) by spending part of the weekend in Sacramento.  We had a BBQ lunch, enjoyed the pool, and got to spend time with all the wonderful Dads in my life; My Grandpa, my Dad, and of course, my husband.

Granddad is Scarlett's favorite swimming  buddy.  They spent a good amount of time playing "rescue".  Granddad would swim out...

 And Scarlett would tow him back to safety.

Also on the agenda was a lot of water basketball.  (I am embarrassed to admit we played HORSE, and I lost. Dad and I both lost to Mom).

 

 Seeing as though I have been the world's worst picture taker lately, it is not surprising that I didn't take a single picture on the actual day we celebrated my girls' Dad, nor did I take a single picture of the father of my children.  But let it be known, Rob Fuller is the best Dad a kid could ask for.  And certainly the best Dad that I could ask for.  He is always thinking of ways to make my life easier- even getting up to feed Sydney (since she is a nocturnal eater) from time to time, even though he has to be up much earlier than I do in the morning.  The girls love you.  And I love you, Fuller.

These random shots of Sydney were taken sometime... in June?  I caught her sucking her toes after her bath- but alas, I was too slow with the camera.  Little stinker's a cutie.

Eight Months

Sydney Lu turned 8 months today.  I can't keep up!  Time is going too quickly.  Sydney has always had a very calm, go with the flow demeanor.  But within the last few weeks, she has come alive and turned in to an active, busy, crazy animal- just like her sister was (is).

Sydney crawls up on her knees, and pulls herself to stand on anything and everything; furniture, my legs, bathtub, her toys, etc.  People often ask if I think Scarlett was more active or Sydney, it used to be an easy question to answer; Scarlett, of course!  Now a days, I'm not so sure what the answer would be.  

 Sydney is a terrible sleeper.  Up until a week ago, she was still waking up twice at night to eat.  We got her down to once at night for a few days, and now she is teething, and waking up every 3 hours.  Not fun.  She takes two decent naps each day, which is wonderful.  We're still waiting for some teeth to show up, and some hair.

 Scarlett is Sydney's favorite person.  After we drop Scarlett off at preschool, Sydney leans forward in her car seat and stares sadly at her sister's empty seat.  When we pick Scar up from school, Sydney is wild with squeals, squirms and excitement.  Scar is always happy to see her, too.

 Sydney loves food.  She will eat baby food, but prefers whatever is on your plate.  Today she shared some of my salmon and avocado for lunch.  She loves meat (all kinds), avocado, grapes, cheerios, pasta, bananas, tomatoes, and sometimes bread.

 Sydney gives big open mouth, lip-licking kisses.  She will lean in if you ask for one, only if she is in the mood.  She reaches for you if she wants you to hold her.  She is a bit of a Mama's girl, which I don't mind.  But she still gets very excited when Daddy gets home from work.  She is easily distracted and very difficult to bottle feed if there is anything going on around her.

 Sydney loves to sit in the shopping cart, and in high chairs at restaurants.  She screams, really screams, if she is not getting something she wants.  She won't stop until you either give her what she needs, or you distract her with something else.  That makes her sound difficult, but she really is a very easy baby.  Even if Syd misses a nap, she doesn't get grouchy.  She babbles all day.  By the look on her face, you just know she is telling you something very important.  

Sydney and Scarlett can play and entertain each other for hours.  They have such a sweet relationship, and I know it will just continue to grow as they do.

Happy 8 months, baby girl.  We love you!