A Special Journey

The weather is starting to cool down just a little bit in the mornings and early evenings, which means Sydney and I can do more things outside. I have posted several times about this mountain that I hike and run. I have been hiking this mountain since the week I moved here - in 1996. Not only do I like this hill because it's a great workout...I also love it because it's a place I go to by myself to work things out in my head. If I am having a problem, I go there to process. I have processed many emotions regarding Greg and I before we got married, my mother being sick and then later dying, my miscarriages, etc. Well, today was a special day because I decided to take Sydney with me. It was VERY HARD pushing her up this hill, as parts of it are pretty steep. My legs and butt are killing today!! But it was just so amazing and emotional for me to take her to my special place. She had so much fun and so many people smiled and laughed with her as we walked by. It was lots of fun and lots of work!! We will definitely continue this hike together!

Enjoy the pictures...

Little Miss Personality

Our little one is definitely developing into her own little person with her own wants and dislikes. And boy, if she dislikes something, she will definitely let you know!!! She has began this new thing (well, actually, she has been doing it for some time now) where if she doesn't get what she wants, when she wants it, she drops to the ground and throws her head and body back. She has hurt herself a couple of times now by doing this. This morning, she was a little grumpy and she threw a toy in my direction because she was upset. At times, it's cute and funny, although, I NEVER let her see me laugh at it!!! Other times, it's concerning when she throws these little tantrums because she hits her head on things when she throws it back. It's also concerning because I realize it's only the beginning of many more tantrums to follow!!!

Yesterday, we had a little rain storm in the afternoon. We were bored so I took Sydney out into the back yard and we played in the rain. The wind started to pick up and we were both very wet, so I decided it was time to go back inside. Well, that isn't what little Sydney had in mind and she proceeded to throw a little tantrum on the living room floor. When she finally realized that I wasn't caving in, she came up to me and hugged me...very cute!

She is quite the little lover and often gives us hugs and kisses. She also gives many of her favorite toys "love" (hugs)! She has been doing well with night time sleeping. When she does wake up, she just plays a little and then falls back to sleep. She is completely weaned from breastfeeding and doesn't really seem to care. She still will not take much milk so I just keep offering it to her until eventually she will take it - just like she did with her water. And of course, she still loves to eat...anything!!

Weekend Updates

We had another nice weekend. We had more showings on the house and then yesterday afternoon, one thing led to another and we ended up having an impromptu pool party with our neighbors. Sydney had a blast in the pool with Daddy and was completely drained at bedtime. I didn't hear a peep out of her all night...and believe me, I was up ALL NIGHT so I would have heard her!

On Sat. evening when we took Sydney for her nightly walk, we saw 3 wild havoline's crossing the street in front of us from one side of the golf course to the other. We have seen many wild creatures in our wash but never wild pigs...it was pretty cool!

Sydney has transitiond so well from breastfeeding. It's almost like it didn't even phase her. I guess that means she was ready to be weaned. I, on the other hand, am still struggling a little. I have become pretty emotional every night at bedtime since we've weaned. It's silly, I know, but it's real emotion and I am working through it. This morning she was very cuddly with me during Sesame Street, so that really helped me feel close to her again. Hopefully, she continues to want to have this cuddle time with me.

I have an update on Jordan also, as many of you have asked me how he is doing. He seems to be adjusting well to his knew life. He has some pretty intense classes - and a pretty busy work load but I know he can handle it...he is very intelligent! Soccer is going well and he has already had some playing time - which is nice since he is a freshmen. It's quiet here without him. Everyday we show Sydney his picture on our desk and take Sydney in his room and say "Jo Jo"...her eyes perk up and she smiles as she looks for him. I am sad that they cannot spend more time together but I know that it will all work out and they will be close.

That's it for now. Have a good week everyone!

Closing a Special Chapter

Today was the first day of my daughters life that I did not breastfeed her all day. I am very torn by this tonight as I get ready for bed. Sydney did fine without her bed time feeding and went straight to bed as usual. I, on the other hand, am feeling a little empty. I am so proud of myself for breastfeeding her this long. I could have forced the bottle more and ended it all months ago, but I didn't. Now, I am not saying that women who don't breastfeed are doing something wrong - so don't get the wrong idea. What I am saying is that I am proud of the sacrifices that I have made over the last year, and looking back, I would definitely not change it. Breastfeeding was very difficult for me in the beginning but six months into the experience, I changed my attitude and learned to enjoy and look forward to our special time together. Now that it's over, I feel a void. I know it will get better and that we will find other ways to bond...but for now, I guess you could say that I am grieving a loss.

Updates

Hello everyone! We have had a busy few days around here. I last posted on the 2nd...the 3rd was my birthday. I started my day with cleaning since we had a showing on the house. Sydney and I then went shopping. Daddy surprised me and come home from work early with beautiful roses and said to get dressed up for a night of romance!! He then took me and our neighbors to a very nice restaurant and we had some amazing food and wine. He had even arranged ahead to have Jordan's girlfriend come over and sit at the house while we were gone!! We really had a nice time!

Yesterday was also a big day for Sydney and I. We joined a Mommy group and had our first play date at My Gym. It was so much fun for us and it was soooo nice to meet other stay at home moms to talk with. They welcomed us very warmly and we look forward to weekly visits with them here on in. Sydney got quite the workout (mommy too from chasing Sydney around) that she instantly fell asleep in the car on the way home!!

We are down to one breastfeeding session before bed. This weekend we are going to cut that one out and see how she does. I think she will do fine as she does fine during naps without the breastfeeding. It's so much more emotional for me than I ever thought it would be!

Baby sitters and no more breastfeeding...our little girl is growing up!!!
(take a deep breath Mommy...)

More Pictures!

Here are some more pictures!!!

We have had many storms come thru lately. Below is a picture from our deck of a beautiful rainbow!

Mommy and Sydney entering the zoo.

Here is Mommy and Sydney on the carousel. It was Sydney's first time on one and it started out pretty fast; however, our little one loved it and was all smiles soon after this picture was taken.

Here she is talking to the chickens...

Sydney and Daddy!

Our little funny girl!

Don't forget to look at the videos down below!

Videos!!!

It takes so long for video to download onto this website... I have been working on this all day! Here are some of the videos from our Minnesota trip. I have many more vidoes but it just takes so long to download them! Here is a video of Sydney playing in the grass for the first time. She's so quick to adjust to new situations.

Here is video of Aunt Susan's brand new puppy, Oreo, playing with Sydney. It was so cute!

Here's the Birthday Girl!! I still cannot believe she kept this birthday head band on the entire day! She loved the birthday cake...once she realized that she could eat it!

The next two videos are of Sydney taking her first steps...very cute and emotional for Mommy as you will hear!

The next video is from the Zoo. We were just so excited and amazed to be able to be so close to the giraffes.