15 months and counting...

Sydney is a bright and creative little creature. She recently figured out how to play her favorite music. She opens the cabinet that houses the stereo, pushes play on her desired CD, and then closes the cabinet door behind her. We were pretty proud of that, but then she decided that she would take it a step further and program her favorite songs off of the three CD's, and then also put those designated songs on random shuffle! I'm not even sure how to do that, so I'm assuming she must have browsed through the Sony manual....haha!

One thing that Sydney has really enjoyed over the last couple of months is her blanket. The blanket is not only a perfect tool to perform 'hide-and-seek,' but it is also just great fun to cover up and pretend no one can see you. Sydney also finds it highly entertaining to throw the blanket over her head and run around (while unable to see). You might think the downside of this activity would be running into things or falling down...and I would agree. Conversely, Sydney thinks this is even more enjoyable and laughs and laughs when it happens. Maybe she knows something we don't...I might have to try it later and see what happens.

Sydney also gets the pleasure of having her Nana from Montana stay with her over the weekend. She doesn't get to see her enough, so she'll have to catch up on all of the latest news and show her all of her crazy signing and other skills she likes to show off. And since we're on the subject of grandmas, Sydney hopes Grandma Gloria has a safe and enjoyable trip with Nathan and the kids. She also hopes that YaYa Sherri makes a very fast recovery. Yesterday Sydney was telling me that Grandmas make the world a better place...and I would have to agree!

Sydney Fuller...meet Sydney, Australia

Well, it was not intentional, but is very ironic, that Sydney's very first long distance trip happens to be to.....well.....Sydney. The trip is for family matters, and Sydney will be making the journey with mom and dad.

During down time, down under, I'm sure there's a lot of great things to see and do, like hitting the Opera House or Bondi Beach. I'm sure it would be great to see the sights, and also to visit with family that Sydney and her dad have never met (on Karen's side).
While the trip itself would offer up some adventure, my big question is "what do babies do on a plane for 15 hours?" Do they read, watch movies, listen their ipods??? Then it hit me...oh yeah, that's right, they CRY!...haha!

Next, I started to wonder about a crate for the cargo bay? Don't get all riled up, I'm only kidding!!! I would never be that cruel to other travelling animals. Just think how sensitive their hearing is...I would never subject them to that screaming!...hehe! Actually I'm hoping that Sydney is able to handle the plane ride ok. We've gotten a few tips on how to make it more manageable for her. She could totally enjoy it, but as a parent I think we start with our fears first, and then work backward. Plan for the worst, hope for the best...I believe that is the common saying.

We are hoping the trip is fruitful for Karen's uncle, and that the journey is able to help out. Sooo, if we come back and start saying G'day and other sayings, you'll understand why.

In other news...Sydney wishes her YaYa all the best. Have a good week everyone!!!

The pictures in this post were taken by Rebecca Brethauer.

The First Mommy Post

I just wanted to start out by letting you know that Karen will be writing this post. I'm sure this will be funny, witty, and suspenseful...and also meet each of your individual needs for entertainment. Having set the stage most appropriately for her now... Joe




Haha, well, folks don't expect alot! hehe. Writing is NOT my forte.


So, this week at our house. Let's see...


Sydney is becoming much more proficient at signing, and we are starting to teach her new signs, I am hoping please and thank you will be used at some point! But she learns them so fast it is amazing! Although she still whines alot, but I guess that goes with the territory these days.



Sydney just LOVES to play outside, we try to take her to the park when the weather permits, and they have a small outdoor area at her daycare that she can play in. She has become very good at going down the slide on her own. It is so cute, she goes to the top and then turns around so she is facing backwards on her stomach and pushes herself down feet first (in the same manner that she goes down the stairs). She loves it too!





We also got our pictures back from Sydney's 14 month photo shoot with Rebecca Brethauer. We had her Grandpa Don join us this time and we had a great time! And of course the images are always gorgeous when Rebecca does them!






























Well, that is about it, sorry it is so short and sweet, but I swear I get writers block when I even think about writing!

Birds of a Feather

If you know Sydney's mom at all, you would not be surprised to know that Sydney was not born in the typical manner...she actually hatched from an egg. Well, maybe that's not entirely true, but it definitely does elude to the level of involvement birds play in our family life. While we have three parrots (wait...correction...two parrots and one stomach with wings!), one has become very friendly with Sydney.

Martini Blueberry ('Marti') represents one-third of our feathered family members. She also represents the one-third that does not bite Sydney, or the one-third that doesn't fly away from her in complete and utter terror. I wouldn't exactly say that means Blueberry is thrilled with the little tyke, but she tolerates her immensely and we feel very safe when Sydney is interacting with her.

Sydney thinks this friendship is the greatest thing since they put the pocket in 'pita.' She loves to give Blueberry kisses, and she even gets to walk around with her friend on her shoulder. Now how many of us can say that? Although it appears she is eating the bird in the picture, she is merely showing her sign of affection with a kiss (please note, Sydney's style of kissing involves unhinging the jaw and opening it was wide as possible, and then giving you a big, slobbery, drooly kiss. She has not mastered, in fact I have only experienced it once in her a lifetime, a closed-mouth kiss).

I am not sure if this early connection with a parrot could put her down the career path of being a pirate, but I believe she should consider all options at this time. And while the majority of people would be opposed to encouraging their children to enter such a profession, I do believe her mother would be excited that she chose a career that involved birds...haha!

On a different and much more serious note...at times I wonder what it must be like to be little again...everything must seem so big and scary. So, to try to understand and emphathize with Sydney, Karen and I have decided to swap out all of our furniture, houseware, and clothing, for new, larger items. You can see Karen enjoying part of the new 5-piece dining set that we obtained. Although we initiated this endeavor for very positive reasons, I do have some concerns about our new shipment of underwear coming next week.


Have a great weekend everyone!!!