Forks and more...

Sydney enjoyed bouncing on
this contraption.

A fork...Sydney has been learning to wield the power of this important eating utensil.  The mastery of her skill has increased over the months, and now her growing ability allows her to pinpoint any target and stab it in the blink of an eye.  Olives, peas, and even grains of rice no longer stand any chance against this menacing predator sporting her four-pronged tool of precision and imminent destruction.  Fortunately, Sydney has only used her new trade on food, as opposed to other inappropriate uses (such as stabbing the cats, placing in light sockets, etc).

Donna brought Karen's old table and
chairs... from her younger years.

This more adept fork use certainly moves her up the utensil tier.  Spoons where her first love, but now her power has grown, and it is only a matter of time before she is able to also use a knife, and then to use her fork and knife in a harmonious partnership.  Of course, we never really introduced her to the spork, but that (to me) resides at the spoon level more than anything.

While we applaud this overall progression in her move toward more civilized eating, we won't be completely impressed until she gets full control over chopsticks.  That will be the true test that young grasshopper will need to accomplish...after that, the sky is the limit.

Nana Donna reading a favorite story
to Sydney.

Sydney has had a busy weekend so far.  Her Nana from Montana arrived on Friday and she's already had a great time visiting with her.  And on Saturday she got to picnic with her friends Maggie and Kate...accompanied by their parents Dave and Lili, and David and Sarah.  It was a great time, and we made good use of the playground.

Sydney's other Grandma, Gloria, works in the building just next to her daycare.  As Grandma works on the third floor of her building, she often gets a good view of the daycare and notices trips the little ones make out of the front of the building.  This particular day, she managed to catch a glimpse and snatch a quick picture of the little ones leaving the daycare to go on an adventure.  This kiddo convoy is certainly a spectacle, and it's extremely cute to see them in motion.  Sydney loves to spend time with her friends and her wonderful teachers, so it was probably a fun outing for her.

In other news, I also wanted to share a very short clip from her tumbling class.  She hasn't quite figured out that jumping entails your feet actually leaving the ground, but that doesn't stop her from having fun trying!!!

If she only had a pot to....

After flushing she always says... "bye-bye."

Well, fortunately, Sydney does have a little potty.  She's at the age where the fun begins and the potty-training is underway.  We fully expect it will still be some time before she is aggressively seeking the toilet when she feels the urge to go, but she has already demonstrated some success in this area.  She has quite a few times at daycare, and also quite a few times at home.  In fact, she had one stretch where she went at least four days in a row (one time each of those days...not for four straight days...hehe). 

A good book is necessary for the task at hand!

She's always been good sitting on her little toddler toilet, but usually 'sitting' was the extent of her activity.  But now that there is action to accompany her time on the miniaturized throne, her parents are pretty excited.  Her initial successes have mainly come in the form of #1, but we fully expect that she'll put it together when she needs to 'doo' the duty.  And I fully expect we'll know when she needs to go...since I'm assuming that particular sign is when she's heading to the bathroom with some light reading...perhaps the Babies 'R Us catalog or something of that nature.  So, while I can see the time-saving benefits (and perhaps fun) of peeing and pooping in your pants, there is a lot of excitement around the fact that she is getting the idea of using the bathroom.  I wish I could say that it felt like there is a light at the end of the diaper tunnel, but I fear that when she graduates to pull ups, and then to no diapers at all, it will be replaced by a second little person that will start the process all over again for us.  Good thing we're well trained up now for when that day happens!

Sydney likes to try out different
hairstyles, including the unicorn look.

Well, as much as I enjoy talking about bodily fluids, I thought it also important to point out that Sydney is doing great in tumbling class.  She enjoys the class and tries to take some of the new behaviors home with her.  Sydney also continues to talk at an alarming rate.  In fact, Dad has already lost in two conversations with her....apparently Sydney takes good notes when she sees momma always winning conversations...haha!

A picture from January.  Look how
young she looks!

Have a great weekend!!!

Doppio Espresso Per Favore!!!

While many parents do the wrong thing and give their kids pop or juice (neither of which is particularly good for them), we strive to be better parents and give Sydney appropriate guidance and direction...so, we just give her Starbucks...haha!  Ok, she's not actually drinking coffee in these picture.  But, having said that, when people ask what she is drinking I usually tell them she likes a good double-espresso straight up.

While we were in Australia, cafes usually offered what they called a 'babyccino.'  A babyccino is just a little bit of milk, a little bit of foam or froth, and a little bit of chocolate, all placed into a small cup and ready for enjoyment.  They were also usually free when purchasing your own beverage.  I thought babyccinos were a creative way to include the little ones.  And since Sydney can already say 'Starbucks,' I thought it would be good for her to have her own Starbucks experience.  And because she can also say chai, she is all set to order on her own :)  You can tell a lot about a person from their preferred beverages.  In this case, I think Sydney is at least starting out with a strong foundation that she can build from. 

I thought it would be fun, once again, to share a picture of Sydney from when she was newly born.  It's just a nice reminder every now and then...and helps us to remember how quickly they do grow, and to enjoy it along the way.  From the womb to sitting at a table at Starbucks, sharing a scone and a beverage with her...pretty amazing what a little more than a year and a half can do! 

Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Stumbling or Tumbling?...Tumbling of Course!!!

Sydney, like other toddlers, is still in the process of gaining her fine-tuned agility and coordination.  Although her motor skills are still 'under construction,' it doesn't mean that she is dissuaded from any physical activities.  In fact, she loves the new tumbling class that she recently joined.  She loves to do somersaults, jump on the trampoline, and walk the balance beam.  And the fact that her BFF Maggie is in the class just makes it that much more enjoyable.  While I think Sydney did great in her first week, I am a little concerned about how well she will perform on the uneven bars scheduled for her third, and the rings on the fourth week...haha!  We'll have more to report on her progress in the class over the next few weeks. 

Ok, so what kid doesn't enjoy bubbles (with the exception of those created in the bathtub)?  Sydney recently got to experience a flurry of bubble activity at a recent wedding she attended (first picture).  She just couldn't get enough of them.

Despite her affection for the spherical wonders, she is not very good at creating them.  In her eager anticipation to create the objects, she often blows with too much force and vigor...which of course creates no bubbles and in it's place sends a big stream of soap hurtling toward the nearest object (it took two of her attempts for me to learn not to be that object).  Perhaps with time and patience, she will learn the subtle art of bubble making.  Until then, she can just enjoy the activity of chasing down each one and try to pop them.

Have a great weekend!!!