Birthday Celebrations

Birthday Girls

Friday Morning
Sydney and I went to my friend Tara's so that Sydney & Evelyn could have a play date for Sydney's birthday. Going to Tara's house was to be for Tara's convenience since her little one, Julia, naps well in the morning. Well, the playdate essentially turned into Tara hosting a party for Sydney as she invited Sydney's friend Ellie, made lunch for us all, and baked cupcakes so that Sydney could blow out a candle after lunch. I do not know how to say thank you enough to Tara for this, because it was completely unnecessary- but completely appreciated.

Sydney even got to ice the cupcakes at Tara's

Evelyn was the Junior hostess

Ellie & Katie joined the party too. Ellie gave Sydney a Cinderella doll with a Sydney-size tiara. Too bad Sydney does not have enough hair to be able to wear the tiara. Thankfully she is more interested in the glass slippers.

Friday Evening
In the evening, Sydney got to open her presents from Mommy & Daddy & she definitely has the opening presents thing down- no wondering what to do here anymore.


Saturday
This was the "official" party. I am pretty sure that Sydney enjoyed her cousins being there & I know she enjoyed her presents & cake. Apparently a two-year-old party doesn't meet the "standards" of an almost 5-year old because after about an hour Bailey asked Aunt Kim when the birthday party was going to start. Kim told her that playing with toys was a two-year-old's birthday party. I found this all quite humourous & was not surprised by the question. When I realized that the weather was not going to be warm enough for swimming & being outside I wondered if we should "plan" some activities for the kids. I quickly ruled that out as I figured what could we plan that would satisfy an eleven year old, 3 five year olds, a three year old & a two year old? Tyler played on the computer & the rest of the kids plaed with the toys. Even though there was no real plan, I think the kids had fun.



Sunday
My birthday is today & it was a lazy day that saw most of us in our p.j.'s well past noon. However, we had to get dressed eventually to go out for dinner with the Taylor's. This year I chose Thai. Then it was back to Robb & Michele's for cake. I choose to bypass traditional cake in favour of pie- this year it was ice cream pie...yum, yum.

Sydney is two years old today

It's hard to believe, but two years have passed since Brad & I became parents. In two years we changed from being DINKS (Double Income No Kids) to each being armed with a child. We are very blessed to have two healthy children & are definitely content to stop the kid parade here. Now since it is Sydney's special day, what can I say about her?

Dear Sydney,
Today you turn two & it is amazing to me that each day we continue to fall more and more in love with you. Right now you are having a tough time adjusting to sharing Mommy & Daddy with your new brother, but you are a very good big sister. Mommy is having a tough time too adjusting to not being able to jump as fast as you want her to jump, but I am confident that over the next few weeks we will all be fine.

You are quite the litte talker & and a little songstress too. You always seem to have something to say. Books are still your favourite thing & you now know a lot of the stories so well that you can look through the book & tell us what is happening in the story. You have so many words I don't think I could even guess how many you know. Dinner time is often marked by a melody of all the songs you know (or parts of them) and it reminds me of when I was a little girl & Uncle Craig saying that if I sang at the table I would cry before I went to bed. I don't think he appreciated my singing as much as we love yours.

You have already started with the "Why??" question & I think it is a long road ahead before we leave that word behind. You also are learning to be "sassy" which is not always as entertaining for Mommy & Daddy as you would like it to be & you do not like when we are stern with you & tell you to stop. Tears often result...a hehaviour that we did not see a few months ago.

You are still a great sleeper at night, which Mommy & Daddy are so very thankful for- but you would still rather not nap during the day. There are things that are much more fun to do, but you definitely still need your nap. After a couple of stories, you are willing to lie down in your crib & you will rest or sleep for at least an hour on most days. Some days you shock us & sleep for more.

You are currently in a Cinderella craze & I think we read that story twenty times a day on the days that you are home with us. However, this is a story that you are learning well & can look at the book on your own & tell us the story.

Physically you lasted accomplishment is...jumping with both feet. Over the last month you have mastered this skill & you do it all the time. I have no idea how much you weigh, but I am guessing around 27 pounds. You are 32 inches tall & I think 2 inches of that height happened over the last four months!

You are a good little girl & keep us interested in what comes next!!!

First Smile

Yesterday was the momentous first smile, but I could not manage to get a photo of it. My neighbour Lindsey was here to validate that it was a real smile because she managed to get one out of him as well. This morning he was really smiley, but again I did not have the camera. So this afternoon I purposely got out the camera to see what I could get...this is the best I can do to share with the world.

5 Week Update

Well, the honeymoon is over. About a week and a half ago Jason switched from the dream baby whom you could forget was in the house to a "regular" newborn who fusses & cries & requires work to settle down. He has not been too bad, but he has definitely required constant attention from Brad or I throughout the day because he chooses not to sleep. This of course has led to a behaviour change in Sydney.

To start Sydney was pretty good with the transition, cut over the last few weeks there has been a progression of behaviour changes. First she wanted to be carried everywhere, then would cry when she fell, then began to whine & cry for most things that she wanted, and finally if our tone is at all "stern" with her she will cry. All behaviours I believe are normal, but I hope that we move out of this phase soon & see the return of our happy-go-lucky little girl. Brad went back to work today & Sydney returned to daycare, so maybe the return to our regular routine will help move things forward.

Jason had a doctor's appointment today & here are the results:
Weight: 9 lbs 8 oz
Length: 54 cm (20.5 inches)

Twin Valley Zoo

Yesterday we met with Grandma & Papa and took Sydney & Max to the Brantford zoo. It's not a very big zoo, but for Sydney's age I think it is perfect. More than enough animals for her to see & not too much walking to see them. Thankfully, because she wanted to be carried the whole time- a side effect we have noticed since Jason has come home. Jason came to the zoo too, but he slept the whole time.


They had a creature "show", but we did not stay for it because of the timing & we figured that if it was mostly birds- Sydney might be scared anyways. Oddly, of all the animals- it is the fluttering of bird wings that scares (startles) her the most.

Petting Pit- these guys will eat your shirt if you don't take peanuts in for them!

Biggest smile was for the owl, not sure why- maybe because it did not move at all?

Bin full of bunnies- the kids would pet them, but not hold them.

Of course, take the kids to the zoo & they keep asking if they can play on the playground!

One Month Old

It's amazing, but one month has passed since Jason joined our family. For someone who dreaded the newborn stage, this month has not been too bad. I remember with Sydney that there was a definite improvement once she was 6 weeks old, so I am so hopeful that although I have not been as neurotic with Jason in his first month as I was with Sydney- we will still see that 6 week "marker" improvement. Most notably getting more sleep at night!

Dear Jason,
In the first 3 weeks of your life you were a very content baby. When awake you were perfectly content to look around, you liked to be held- but did not demand it, you were easy to put to sleep (& slept lots), and we could quite often forget that there was a baby in the house (I always thought that was a wives' tale, but it was true with you on many days). In the last week, you have modified some of your ways & give us more reminders that you are around.

When you are awake you really like to look around and are drawn to looking at lights. Unfortunately you seem to want to always look to the right & therefore I am worried that you are going to get a lopsided head, but you don't seem open to my suggestions to lying the other way. Tummy time takes place on a regular basis & it is nice that you don't put up the fight for it that your sister did.

Nighttimes are still a variety of experiences. Some nights you completely spoil me and will sleep until 3am, eat quickly & go right back to sleep until 7am- I love those nights. Other nights you are on a definite 3 hour cycle, take longer to eat & burp, don't settle as easily, and therefore leave me very tired by the morning. I treasure sleep, so I am so hoping that your body rhythms out soon!

Daytime sleep is also still all over the map. Sometimes you will nap really well & easily. Other days you are just in & out with cat naps & spend a lot of time in the bouncey chair for those naps. I am determined that you will be a better napper than your sister, so hopefully I do not turn into the Sleep Dictator too soon- although it's a bad sign that I am already reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" to be sure that I do not miss an important opportunity.

We go to the doctor on Tuesday, so your weight & length will need to be updated at that time. You seem bigger & more filled out, so I am sure that we will see a big increase in your weight at Dr. Koole's.

In the last week you have made a few "cooing" type sounds, so it will be fun when those increase in number & we are also starting to see a hint of what your smile will be like...so we can't wait for that milestone!!!

Overall, you are a very good baby & we cannot wait to see what the next month will bring. Hopefully a return to your "contented state" for your well-being & ours.

Great Grandmas

Today we went to Listowel to introduce GG to Jason. It was Jason's first "long" car trip & he did well- thankfully. It is our hope that Jason grows to be as good in the car as his big sister is- hopefully she will set the bar for him to beat.

GG had lunch ready for us & she had also sent the word out to the family that we were coming so that they could drop by. This was great for us because we got to see Cara, Christa, Uncle Jack, Aunt Sue, Uncle Ron & Aunt Lois & we only had to make the one stop. Unfortunately Aunt Debbie was busy with work, so that introduction will probably have to wait until Thanksgiving. We had a good visit with GG & it was well worth the trip to Listowel. Jason is still sleeping now from the car ride home- I sure hope I don't pay for this in the middle of the night.

Sydney & Jason are lucky to not only have one great grandma, but three. Last week Jason met Great Grandma Taylor & Great Grandma Winn. Winn is Brad's Mom's stepmother & we all call her Winn rather than Grandma. Obviously Sydney has observed this because when we asked her who Winn was, she would not agree to Great Grandma- only Winn. We were not thinking when we went for this visit, we forgot the camera.

Jason & Great Grandma Taylor

Lazy Holidays- Week One

Brad is off on holidays right now & the time spent has been quite "lazy". I wish we could say that we have slept in every morning, but that definitely is not the case. However, we have managed to sit around for a good portion of the morning & are lucky to be showered by noon. We've had visitors, gone to the park, went to Uncle Robb & Aunt Michele's, and attended our company picnic. We have also taken Jason to meet his two Great Grandma's on Brad's side & tomorrow he will meet the official "G.G.". Not to discredit his other two great grandmothers, but G.G. was the name that was to be designated to Great Grandma Ruth- but Grandma & Papa extended it for Sydney to her other grandmothers thinking that the name just represented the short form. Obviously we needed to clarify that sooner, because now it is too late.

Lowville Park

I thought this was a great park for Sydney, but Brad commented on the signs posted stating that the playground was suitable for ages 5-12. He said we were a few years too early- I say she had fun, therefore it was suitable for her. We need to go back with water shoes & bathing suit though to play in the river.

Uncle Robb's Fire Truck

Jason & I are absent from the picture, because he needed to eat.

Sydney thought her Uncle Robb was pretty cool before, now that she got to go in his fire truck he definitely rates high on the cool list.

Sydney will let Max take the wheel for now, but not for long.

Company Picnic at Wild Waterworks

Bathing beauties- Sydney & Ashley. Don't you love Sydney's belly??? Brad read in an article that 85% of bikinis sold never get wet- well Sydney's definitely fits in the 15% portion- she would love for it never to be dry!

Object of the game- get as much water from one bucket to the other in a specified time.

Obviously Sydney (or Brad) got as much water on her as she got in the bucket.

Prize at the end of the game...Cookie Monster visor- pretty cute- don't ya think?

What did Jason do through all these various activities? Essentially just hung out or slept.

Brad to the rescue!!!

If you are reading this you can see that the site is fixed, thanks to Bradley. Carrie asked if the switch to blue was the result of the testosterone influx in our house. Actually the switch is to better coordinate with the banner picture that Brad posted...although blue is also Brad's favourite colour.

Little Missy has just awoken from her nap & she is a little sensitive today, so I think I should go. I will try to post some pictures later. If you have been able to read this successfully, let me know. I will be very relieved to know that we are up and running again!

Blogger is pissing me off!!!

I did a post on Friday, which I have not been able to see on the site but know that some of you have because I was told. I do not know what is going on, but I am pretty frustrated...so it may be a bit for us to sort out our technical difficulties.

On my own...

This week I have been on my own with Jason & it went great! Each day I have felt better & each day we have gotten to know each other better. In Jason's first 2 1/2 weeks of life he has had minimal fussy periods, but unfortunately the biggest one was when Uncle Robb, Aunt Michele, and Cousin Max were here...oh well. You can't expect perfection so early.

On Tuesday, we went to see Dr. Koole & he is weighing in at an even 8 lbs. On Wednesday we went to Parent Link (which is not as much fun the second time around, but I think we will go when we need an excuse to get out of the house), on Thursday Sherry came for a visit & today Laurie is coming for a visit. So, the week has been busy & next week will likely be much of the same with Brad home for holidays.

Sydney I think has had a much better week, she definitely seems to be sleeping better & she really seems to love her new brother. He is the first thing she asks about when she gets up in the morning & as soon as she gets home from day care she wants to see him...all good signs that we are on the right track.

Jason's triumphs this week were:
* does tummy time for 5 minutes before he cries out...yeah!
* his cord finally came off yesterday
* he slept for 5 hours before his first night feeding last night & then slept again until 8am this morning! Yeah, yeah, yeah for me & my sleep!!!
* is awake more & content to lie on his back & just check out his surroundings- helpful to me when I want to shower
* had a bath today with minimal fuss- I just bathed him in the sink rather than the tub...that's too much fiddling on my own

Logan too is adjusting well to her new brother.

Tummy time with no tears!!!

Happy Belated Birthday Evelyn

Yesterday was Sydney's friend, Evelyn's, second birthday. I meant to post last night to be sure that it was dated for her birthday, but I got side-tracked. So my apologies Evelyn.

Thanks for having us, we had a good time & Sydney LOVED the jumping castle.

Really? You want me to come out???

First weekend on our own

Mom left on Saturday morning, so this was our first weekend to see how we can manage without an extra pair of hands. I think we did pretty good. Brad managed to get the lawn cut & out to get groceries. We each were showered at a decent hour, gave Jason his first bath, & Sydney went for another "stroller ride" with Daddy.

Yesterday we also made it to a birthday party on time. Although, we now leave the house with a lot more stuff again. I will be happy when that decreases again. The only slightly negative to the weekend was that Jason did not want to go back down last night after his feeding, so I was up from 2 am to 4 am. I am hoping that this was an event due to his sleeping the afternoon away at the party...he has spoiled me so far at night & I would like it to continue.

Sydney is starting early with Jason & encouraging him to love books. She is reading him "I'm a Big Sister".

Million Dollar Family

Many of the cards we have received refer to us now having the Million Dollar Family. I have heard this reference before, but it was a new one for Brad. My parents had the million dollar family before me- so what happened when I was born? Did their stock go up or down? Mom thought this was a very loaded question & refused to answer. But truly, where did the reference come from? I really don't get it.

Regardless of the origin, it was a pretty good night in our household. Jason only woke at 2am & 6am to feed and Sydney went right to sleep last night & slept through until this morning at 7am. When she woke, she was talking in her crib instead of crying to get out...to me this is a very good sign of her mood. My hope is that she finally had a very good night sleep that actually provided her with some much needed rest.

Real life starts tomorrow...

Mom leaves tomorrow and with her leaves my fairy godmother who has kept all the following things completely up-to-date & running all week:
* laundry
* ironing- she has ironed twice this week! Brad won't know what to do with so much shirt selection
* dusting
* vacuuming
* meal prep
* dishes

On top of this she has spent plenty of time with Jason which has also given me my own time to shower without a worry or take a nap when needed. I am a very lucky girl to have such a wonderful Mom & love how our house is sparkling right now.

I hope that when my fairy godmother leaves, the little guy continues to be this content.

Jason & Logan

This is why the little guy has some doozy scratches on his face.

One Week Old

Monday evening marked Jason's 1 week anniversary for being in this world. In that week he has lost weight & gained weight back again & at the pace he is on, he should return to his birth weight by the end of this week.

I think that he figures his entrance into this world was traumatic enough, because he has been a very good newborn. I dreaded the newborn phase based on my previous experience, but Jason really doesn't cry that much & when he does you can generally figure it out. The past couple of nights he has given us a bit of trouble getting him to bed after one of his feedings, but one challenge per day seems pretty good to me right now. Mom goes home this weekend, so I am sure that next week may seem different when I don't have someone to hand him off to if I want to go grab a nap. However I do know that I am not a person that functions well with minimal sleep, so for the sanity of my entire family I will try to sleep when the baby sleeps on the days that I am feeling a little run down.

Having a baby & a toddler in the house does create some new challenges. Sydney is starting to show the effects of this new transition & requires a little more patience from us. This morning Jason woke up for a feeding at 6am & I "ran" (keep in mind term is relative right now) to get to Jason as fast as I could so that Sydney would not wake up, but I was not successful. I could hear her in her room saying, "Baby Jason crying" & then wanted out about 5 minutes later. Daddy tried to get her to lie with him for awhile, but she was up for the day & really seems tired today. Hopefully she has a good nap at daycare this afternoon or we will definitely be handling her delicately tonight. Getting her out the door this morning involved a few tears & it really is pulling at my heart strings. Today Mom & I are going to pick her up at daycare & take Jason with us, so hopefully she likes to show all the little kids her new baby brother.

Yesterday I saw a nurse practitioner (who I did not much care for) for Jason's weight check & there is only one thing that she said that I liked & want to believe. She said that the wonderful thing about Sydney being so young is that her memory is short. Three months from now, she won't even remember a time that Jason was not here.

Check out the waterskis that this kid has for feet!!!

Pictures from Sydney's "stoller ride"

Remember, we are not to call it a bike ride because that just gets us into trouble. So, this is a stroller ride & although it does not look like it, she loved it. Daddy had to go around the survey a few more times than I think he was planning on.

The attachment that is in beside Sydney is the "sling" that we bought so that Jason can go in the stroller too. Not as a bike function, only as a stoller function. He can't go in until he is a month old, but we thought it would be good to get her used to it now.

Long Weekend at Home

Typically on the August Long Weekend I have either been on a "girls' weekend" or Brad & I were at the Bisbee's cottage for their annual invite. Unfortunately with busy schedules & children, the Girls' Weekends have fallen to the side. We did however still have the invite to the Bisbees this year, but thought that the 3 hour drive might be a little much just after the baby & I am sure that none of the people there wanted to be getting up for the feedings, nor did I want anyone who was still up of their own free will at feeding time to take over that responsibility.

So, we spent a quiet weekend at home with our new family & settled in. It went very well, I think. Not until today did we see any of the "green eyed monster", but really it wasn't too bad. Sydney was a little suckier than we are used to & she wanted more "Mommy time" for things that she previously did not mind Nana's help for. She went for her first ride in the stroller behind the bike & we learned a very important lesson. We cannot call it a bike ride if she is going in the "stroller". To her, "bike ride" means she is going for a ride on her trike.

Jason, is still not giving us any real problems & each morning I wake wondering, "Is this the day the shoe drops?" He is a very content baby & is starting to spend a little more time awake. His wakeful periods are mainly spent looking around & trying to get his hands in his mouth. Believe it or not, I went the whole day & did not take a picture of him!!! And today is his one week birthday!!! I guess I will need to do that as soon as I log off.

Yesterday, Aunt Kim, Uncle Pete, and Regan came to meet the new little guy & we had a very nice visit. Regan & Sydney played great together & Regan did a very grown up job of holding Jason. Jason was his usual calm, content baby & you could almost forget he is in the room.

Ohh Pete!!!

Yesterday was a momentous event, Sydney voluntarily & happily went to Uncle Pete. Usually she plays the shy "game" & will not go too close to him. Not yesterday!!!