It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

So, it's been two weeks since our last post.... how time flies. There has been so much going on with the holidays and shopping and the crazy weather that there hasn't been time to update everybody on Sydney's progress. She is beginning to expand her language of babbling to include "da-da"....FINALLY! I was beginning to think she only loved her mama. I shouldn't get too excited, though, because she hasn't made the association of who "dada" actually is yet.

Since our last post, Sydney has become quite the crawler. In two short weeks, she has gone from crawling a few feet to crawling across the house. It's hard to believe how quickly they advance once they figure out all the moves. I'm thinking that Sydney is already getting bored with crawling though. She has managed to figure out that if she crawls over to an object, she can pull herself up. I guess that is the next coolest thing. Stay tuned for our blog on walking....I'm sure it'll be exciting.

Sydney has also managed to perfect the "silent" clap. She just started this a few days ago, but she can clap her hands. It's so neat to see.... and she gets so excited that she can do it. The only problem is that there is absolutely no sound when she does it. Who knows....maybe that's a blessing for mom and dad.

On a sad note, our poor baby girl has started teething again. Once again, she's an over-acheiver. It appears as though Sydney is getting 3 teeth in at once ...all on the top. She definately has to be in some pain. The poor thing... We knew something was wrong because her whole schedule was off. It's so frustrating when you think you have them all figured out and they change the rules. No fair!

Anyways, I hope that we get some time soon to keep you all updated on Sydney and what she has in store for us. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!!

It’s official!! Sydney’s crawling!

Last night I got to see on a few occasions, Sydney taking a few steps crawling in forward position! We would taunt her with her Binki or a toy by putting it just far enough so she couldn’t just lunge forward like she’s been doing for the past couple of weeks. It was so amazing to see. There’s nothing like seeing your child conquering their “firsts” in life! What a moment! I can’t wait to get home to watch it some more! She’s great! We are seeing more and more of her personality (and temper) everyday! Poor Bro Erb, we were at bible study last night and Sydney had almost everyone behind her their attention. Not to mention a few in front of her that kept turning around to see what she was up too! So when everyone was supposed to be listening to Bro. Erb, they were busy going “gaga” over Sydney and her funny faces. She is SO expressive, it’s hilarious. What a joy to have her in our lives, we can’t imagine life without her!

I'm Ready For My Close-Up

So, last week on Friday it was time for us to get the obligatory Christmas pictures. I know we don't get professional pictures all that often, but why are they SO EXPENSIVE!? Regardless of price, it is still nice to have good pictures of Sydney and the family. Sydney is definitely becoming quite the superstar, turning on her charm for the camera (her paparazzi). As we were getting her pictures taken, the workers at the portrait studio were poking their heads in the doors ooo-ing and ahh-ing at the pretty baby. Here are some of the shots we got. I hope you enjoy!

Where’s Sydney…There she is!

So, one of Sydney’s favorite games to play is, “Where’s Sydney” You all know that game. She loves when you cover her face or yours and play peek a boo. And the longer you drag it out, the higher the pitch is of her squeal is! Haha She loves it. Well I think the other day she wanted to play with daddy. Sydney was playing on the floor and Jeremy ran into the kitchen while she was happy and occupied to clean up. After a while, he went in to check on her… and so the game began, “Where’s Sydney?” no really, where is she? Jeremy at a glance couldn’t find her in the living room. Finally he found her backed up behind our recliner. “There she is!” haha Smiling and wedged back between the recliner and the side table. She’s getting very good and moving around. Not crawling forward still, but rolling and back pedaling she’s a pro at.

I hope everyone had a nice thanksgiving! We sure did, Aunt Tammy did a great job hosting about 20 people at their house. It was such a nice relaxed day. I really can’t remember the last time I got to just sit around and not have anything to do! I always have my hands into something, whether it dishes of bottles to do, laundry, picking up or going through mail. What a great husband I have, Jeremy spent most of the day cleaning on Wednesday and therefore didn’t leave anything for me. It was so nice! Sydney and I cuddled up in the afternoon and took a nice long nap in the afternoon. What a great Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for my family.

I cannot forget to mention our new addition to our family! Sydney has another cousin! Evan Michael Battern was born on 11/21/2007 at 12:33pm A whopping 10 lbs 1.7 oz and 22 ½ inches long! God love my sister! The doctor’s response was “What a woman!” My mom commented “he has no wrinkles!” haha Mom and baby Evan are going great and I can’t wait to meet him this weekend. Only thing was poor little Evan broke his clavicle on his way out. I hope to have pictures for everyone next week!

More tricks...

So this is really cool. I know we get way too excited over the smallest things, but up until this point Sydney has not been able to do much other than roll over and rock on all fours. As of a few days ago, she has added two new tricks to her repertoire: sitting and sliding. It's not much, but when Sydney is on all fours she now slides ...... backward. It's not in the right direction yet, but we're getting there. She also has learned how to sit up on her own. This is the best trick yet! Every time Sydney got tired of laying down, she'd fuss a bit so you would come sit her up. Now she can do that on her own! YEA!!! Before you know it she'll be all grown up...

New tricks!

Hi everyone! It’s been an interesting couple of days with our little girl! She’s picking up some new tricks that we are just fascinated over! Last night when I came home the first thing out of our proud Daddy’s mouth is “Guess what Sydney can do!” Some may read this and think “boy they get way too excited”, but when it’s your first child, the shock value doesn’t wear so easily. So, her new trick is “clicking on demand!” Yeah I know you are all thinking… “What?” Well I’m not sure how to explain it, but it’s that clicking noise you make with your tongue. It’s the cutest thing ever!! We clicked all night last night and also practiced our other new trick. Clapping! On Saturday, Grand Pappy was playing patty cake with Sydney and when he finished the song, she kept on clapping. And last night every time we got her to “click” we celebrated and clapped! We had a blast last night! They picture is from us playing last night.

Blackmail for Sydney’s first date (which will be when she's 30)

If looks could kill....

I can hear it now, “Mom, why would you dress me in such a silly coat!” I had to show you all a picture of Sydney ready to get into the car this morning. She even looks mad at me! hahaI found this cute puppy coat at Gymboree for only $10.00! Not only was it adorable, it was a bargain too! HAHA The ears actually don’t stand up like that, I had to put them up so you wouldn’t miss them! HAHA My poor girl’s been having a rough couple of days, and so is Mimi Bingaman. Sydney hasn’t been napping any longer than a half an hour at a time. Tina said she’s even waking up tired. So either that tooth we’ve been talking about is finally ready to make it’s debut or she’s getting sick. I’m rooting for the tooth! We’ve been lucky so far, Sydney has not been sick once yet.