Sweet, Sweet, Baby!

Fun with Nana

Playing at the park...

Yesterday was beautiful here (FINALLY!!!!!!!!) and we had our first get together at the new house.  We still dont have a lawn or a patio, so we decided to walk to our communitie's park and play for a while.  This was Sydney's first time exploring the grass, and of course she wanted to eat it!! It was a great day spent with wonderful friends!

 

Hill's Happenings...

At the swim banquet with Dada

Full of smiles ...

 

 

 Helping Mama organize the tupperware cabinet

Fun times with Dada

Dressed up for her first time at Church

Dog Feeding Sydney

Sydney has figured out how to feed the dogs.  So now, instead of eating her food, she does this at every meal...... If the dogs didn't love her before, they sure do now!!!!

 

 

My Morning Entertainment!

Sydney hangs out with me in the mornings while I am getting ready for work, and she is a hoot!

Good Morning Smiles

Attack of the tickle monster!!!!

Sydney's laugh is my favorite sound in the world. And we are lucky because she laughs all the time... Especially when she is being tickled!!!

Maybe the cutest thing ever....

Because watching Sydney and Lola play never gets old......

 

 



Sydney's First Chore

This morning Sydney decided she wanted to help me take laundry out of the dryer to fold!

 

Dinner Time Fun!

One of the best parts of our new home is that we finally have a dining room table and get to eat together as a family.  We have so much fun at meal times now, and Sydney is goofy as ever when she eats=)...

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADA!!!!

(Sydney talk for Happy Birthday!!!!!)

You are a great Dada and I have so much fun playing with you!!

Love, Syd the Kid

Big Girl Bath!

Sydney loves her new big jaccuzzi tub!! She has so much fun splashing around, and even puts her head under water on her own!!! She also squeals with delight when we turn on the jets!!

After dinner, Mark always says "Are you ready for bath time with Mama?"  Sydney starts giggling and kicking her legs; she knows exactly what it means and its one of her favorite times of day! 

 

 

We Did It!!!

Sydney just slept 11 1/2 STRAIGHT hours!!!! Yes, you heard me right... Sydney slept through the night!!!!

I am so happy I could cry... And the best part of all? We did it without making her "cry it out!"

First, let me start off by saying that I do not have a problem with the "cry it out" method.  However, it just wasn't for Sydney and I.  I personally believe that if a baby is crying they have a need that is not being met.  Whether it is a physical need (like nursing or a diaper change), or an emotional need (like snuggling), crying is the only way babies can communicate and they are telling you they need something.   People have said to me " She's just manipulating you... she knows if she cries, you will come."  Well, I don't think a 9 month old baby is capable of manipulation, and I don't think there is anything wrong with my baby knowing that every time she cries, I am going to come!  I think it is teaching her trust and gives us both comfort that I can meet her needs and only makes our bond stronger!

There have been tons of people telling me for months that I just needed to let her cry it out for a few nights, and I am really proud of myself for sticking with my gut not giving in to all the pressure people were putting on me. 

As much as people want to give you their opinions when you are pregnant, it only gets worse once baby is here! And I am definitely happy to listen to all of those opinions.  But in the end, I have to listen to my instincts and do what I feel is right for Sydney and I.  And, I did just that with Sydney's sleep training and we will got to the finish line!  Yes, it took much longer and, yes, I had 9 months of sleep less nights... But we got there and my baby did not have to spend any nights crying!!


I have read a ton of books on no cry sleep training.  My two favorites are "The No Cry Sleep Solution" and "The Happiest Baby on the Block: Sleep Guide."  They both provided a lot of great ideas for sleep training Sydney, and obviously their suggestions worked!  With a lot of determination of consistency, I was able to help Sydney learn to sleep through the night, all without either of us shedding any tears!

Let's just keep our fingers crossed and she sleeps through the night again tonight (and every night after!!!!)....

Poor Sydney!!

For the past 9 months Sydney has woken up anywhere from 5am to 630am.  I have never had to wake her up myself for anything!!  Well, today, it was 7:10 and time to leave for work/daycare and she was still snoring away.. and I actually had to wake my child up for the first time ever!! And she was not happy about it AT ALL!!!  I am soo thankful that she is finally starting to sleep a little better ( waking up only 1-2 times a night instead of 4-5, and sleeping close to 12 hours a night, rather than the 9-10 hours she used to sleep), and I just felt awful about it.  I even tried to change her clothes and diaper with her in her crib still sleeping because I thought maybe i could transition her to the car without waking her up, but no such luck.  I have always had VERY cold hands and feet, and the second my hand touched her bare skin, she jolted awake and began to cry hysterically!  I don't blame her at all - i would also be crying hysterically if I was just learning to stay asleep and now people were telling me I couldn't sleep anymore!!  Hopefully that will never happen again (although I'm sure it will).....

Don't worry Syd the Kid. Tomorrow you can sleep as late as you want (although, I'd bet money that tomorrow you're up at 6am just because!)....

Yummy Yummy

MMMMOOOOOMMMMMM.... I want to squeeze my food pouch myself!!!!!!

Overwhelmed

I was just looking at Sydney's 9 month pictures, and the pictures of her and Mark with the NCAA trophy.... and I became OVERWHELMED with love my baby and husband. 

I can't wait to pick up my baby from daycare and squeeze her tight!

I can't wait to see my hubby at home and give him a great big smooch!

What an awesome feeling =)

Well, I Guess We Need Baby Gates Now!!

This morning Sydney could not go up stairs....

This afternoon she can.

 

 

Happy Birthday Pop-Pop!!

 

Hope you have a great day!  Wish we could be there to celebrate with you!!