Disneyland Part II



So, there are many hazards of being a father to a two-year old girl. Sometimes, love means overcoming formidable obstacles, natural fears, and at times gag reflexes. Prior to the trip, I had made it clear that I did not want to participate in certain activities, and that we would have to draw straws to determine who would take Sydney on the ride, “It’s a Small World.” Well, despite my better judgment and own personal health, I went on the ride with Sydney, Karen, and the grandmas. I simply did not want to miss Sydney’s very first ride.  The haunting song still terrorizes my waking dreams to this moment. Okay, perhaps that’s a little dramatic, but I just hope she appreciates the sacrifice I, and others, have made on her behalf.



Into the depths...and some never
return from the Small World ride.



For life in the parks, one would think it would be essential to have a stroller. Well, the first day we pushed a mostly empty stroller. The cries of “up Mommy” were a common theme. Daddy was willing, but Karen was the typical target. In fact, I think she carried the 28 pound human enough that her biceps started to take on the form of a gorilla or a member of the greater chimpanzee family (without the hair though).

While on the trip, Sydney also surprised us by ordering her own meal one night while we were out to dinner.  This was the first time we had witnessed such an act.  The waitress approached the table and asked everyone what they wanted, and she made it very clear that she wanted Mac n' Cheese.

The rides were great fun, but Sydney was also thoroughly entertained by the elevator at the hotel.  She just had to be the one responsible for pushing the buttons.  She also felt the need to jump constantly while in the elevator.

Karen also found this trip to be a great opportunity to try out some different fashion styles.  She looks 'okay' with a Jamaican look, but for some reason she just seemed to pull off the Dopey look better...haha!

Grandma and Nana also made the trip great.  Not only did it add a whole new level of fun and excitement, but they also took some great pictures that we'll have forever.

All in all, a great trip.  We wondered what the trip would be like with a 2 year old.  Would she be old enough to enjoy it???  That was answered with an emphatic yes.  She's still contemplating which is her favorite character, but that'll be something she can take her time with.

Disneyland Part I

Sydney Fuller…a world traveler in her own right at the ripe age of two…made her first trip to Disneyland look like…well, child’s play! So how did the trip go??? Well, we had “faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.” Okay, as a guy in his early 30’s I should not know the common saying of Tinkerbell and her posse. But, the fact of the matter is that we have a two-year old that loves the little green one, so there are many things that can’t be helped but learned, simply due to the nature of the environment.

Prior to departing on our trip to the Sunshine state, we were able to get Sydney to say “Disneyland or bust.” It’s always amazing how clear she can say things. But we had truly reached the point of no return. As parents, we did the prep work we thought vital for the trip. She could name most of the main characters, and she had the right amount of excitement buildup.

On the first day of her official Disney outing, she got to meet Tinkerbell as part of her first act. She played it cool, slowly strolling over to her and giving her a hug. We weren’t sure how she’d react to the size of the characters, especially since they are much bigger in person than they are on the TV, but she approached the situation as to say, “we pixies gotta stick together.”

Sydney also had a great time meeting Mickey Mouse. She was happy to point in him out, and then get a couple of memorable pictures with the iconic figure. We could see that she was having a good time, but we knew she was already becoming a Disneyland veteran. On the morning of day two we asked if she was looking forward to Disneyland, and she balled her fists tight and shook them while cheering and saying “yeah!!!”

During her time at Disney she learned about many of the parks essential features…the Fastpass, that magical taste of churros, and early morning admission. We noticed pretty quickly that she had a taste for the more thrilling rides. After her participation in Pirates of the Caribbean and a few faster rides, she appeared a little bored on the ‘toddler’ rides.

While her days were filled with fun activities, one of the best things she liked about the trip was spending time with the grandmas….including her Grandma (Gloria) and her Nana from Montana (Donna). They both made the trip extremely fun, and Sydney loved sharing such great memories of her first Disney trip with them. And there were even some occasions when it looked like they were little kids again, too :)

Beyond her time in CA, she also handled the travel portions of the trip like a pro. Security at the airport was not a problem for her. Fortunately, TSA is not into ‘toddler profiling.’ If the were, I know we’d be in trouble since Sydney really appears to be a shady character.

All in all…a great trip that provided some fun, a break from work (and daycare for others), and some needed vitamin D. And of course we have so many pictures that we’ll have to make this blog a two-part entry. So what’s next??? Well, let’s just say that Sydney is now counting down the days until her first trip to Disneyworld!!!

Preparations

 

Aside from watching the Tinkerbell movie, Sydney has recently spent some time in her own bright green and gold-sparkled Tinkerbell costume.  She keeps Mickey and Pluto in her bed at night now.  She is also getting good at identifying and saying many of the Disney characters' names.  I like to think of these activities like stretching so you don't pull a muscle.  She's preparing and working hard to make sure she doesn't drop the ball in the big game.  In February, Sydney will make her first trip to the promised land.  I know what you're thinking...how lucky can she be to go to the Starbucks Coffee Roasting plant...ha ha!  OK...the other promised land.  She'll make her first journey to Disneyland in California, the "other happiest place on earth!"

The trip to California will offer Sydney a variety of things.  Vitamin D and warm weather are the first thoughts that come to mind, but more importantly, she'll have a great opportunity to spend time with her Grandma as well as her Nana from Montana, in addition to her old Ma and Pa.  I'm sure she'll also get to experience some fascinating rides and attractions.  She's already a world traveler, so a quick little jaunt down to California should not be much of a problem for her.  She hasn't been to the sunshine state before, so she is eager to add that to her resume.

In other news, Sydney has helped to celebrate another 2nd birthday.  This time she helped Xander bring in his big two with lots of other friends.  And since they did it at the Children's Museum, she got to have a great time and participate in a lot of different activities.  Grandma was even her escort and able to get a couple of great pictures.

Sydney has also become a sponge for so much.  It's hard to say anything or do anything without her trying to replicate it, and usually with great accuracy.  This has entertained us much of the time, and completely astonished us at other times.  And one thing is for certain...she is certainly willing to share her opinion and also tell you what she likes.  Although we don't let her watch much (if any) TV, she has recently found a show with a pig called Olivia.  She adores the show, and she learned very quickly what "after dinner, Sydney" meant.  Before we even eat, she is reminding us "Livia pig...after dinner."

Off to a busy start...

2011 has already been a busy year.  Sydney has helped to celebrate a number of birthdays, and this weekend she got to help celebrate Ya-Ya's birthday, as well as Grandpa Tom's birthday.  Aside from those celebrations, she is also back to her swimming class routine, which gives her ample chance to use her fully-functional gills.

In other areas, Sydney has been speaking more than ever, and has become much better at putting sentences together.  While her comprehension is certainly growing daily, she also does a lot of mimicking.  Whenever something is said, she'll parrot it right back...whether she knows what she's saying or not.  Amazingly, she enunciates with great accuracy.  But since she does understand most of what is usually said, we've had to rely on using the old 'parent code talk' (the act of spelling things out in front of her) when we don't want her to know what we are discussing.  I'm sure we'll only benefit from that for a short period of time. 

In a similar area, she has really enjoyed her new singing activities.  Notice I said activities and not abilities or talent...she gets that from her mama!  But she likes it, and one of the benefits of being two is that you can be completely off key and it's still adorable.  Once you get older it just annoys other people :)  But, she has got some of those old favorites down, like Twinkle Twinkle...Jingle Bells...and 'N Da Club' by Fifty-Cent.

Updated Specs:  Sydney recently went into the doctors for her two year appointment.  Her height and weight measurements are right around the 50th percentile for both...which is just another way of saying she right on average for height and weight.  Not to say the child can't eat like a horse...in fact she does and we are often wondering which leg is hollow...but she is also very active, so she quickly burns off whatever she consumes.  Ah, to be young and have a great metabolism!

Tip: Dealing with Tantrums


A favorite old picture...I just had to share!



In the event your child throws a tantrum while in the grocery store, don't dismay.  Initially, it will likely frustrate you, draw a lot of attention, and possibly hurt your hearing.  But, a simple solution is to take your screaming child to the customer services desk and instruct them that you found a child separated from her parents.  Then, continue shopping at your leisure, check out, and then take your groceries to your car.  While at your car, change your outfit so that you look different than the person who turned in the child.  By this time, your child's tantrum will have likely subsided and your stress level will have returned to normal.  You can then go to customer service and claim your 'much-more composed' two-year old...truly a win win scenario!

The Season of Two

Sydney had her birthday on December 15th.  Shortly after, we helped to celebrate her friend Kate's birthday.  Then, her friend Reina (who currently lives in Okinawa) celebrated her second birthday.  This weekend, we got to help bring in the BIG 2 for one of Sydney's BFF's...Maggie :)

Sydney was excited to help Maggie put her 1 year old status to bed and double her age.  They are growing so quick, they are speaking so much, and they are truly becoming sophisticated young ladies.  Sydney, like Maggie, is becoming a mature little toddler with a bunch of ambitions for the future.  But for now, a great party with good company is what the doctor ordered.   

Maggie and Sydney enjoy

coloring together.

The party itself was great.  Maggie was surrounded by friends, family, and enough frosting to put a horse in a coma...or at least a few pygmy goats.  Of course, the cupcakes were well worth the sugar rush and crash.

Maggie's first birthday!

In thinking of these young women of two, it amazes me the realities in which friendships currently exist...which are completely foreign to the years when I was young.  That's right, I hate to admit it, but I'm from the era of record players, eight track, pong, and the rotary telephone.  But, our new little two year olds will never know limits when communicating with friends.  Sydney already picks up a toy phone and starts ask Maggie how her day was.  Unfortunately, this likely means that in just  a couple of short years these little ones will likely find themselves actually emailing, facebook'ing, texting, and tweeting back and forth to each other.  I'm sure these little ladies will want their own web pages, or blogs.  Of course, I remember when the Internet didn't even exist when I was in high school...at least not until my sophomore year!  The first phone was huge, and now everything is smaller and faster (except in Sudden Valley, where we can only get a signal wearing tin foil on our heads and standing on our left leg sporting a spoon in our mouth).  But, whatever the technological medium should be, it should be supported by the parents.  Good friendship is a precious thing, and it should be supported, valued, and embraced as much as possible. 

Maggie unwraps presents at her 1st...
as Sydney offers a helping hand.



Sydney and Maggie...the old days!!!



Happy Birthday Maggie!!!

...and to all others turning two!

A Year in Review

Every time the New Year approaches, it leaves many of us wondering...what did I do with my year?  Where I have been?  Where am I going?  Well, I know in the case of the Fuller clan it has been a very full, busy, but meaningful year.

We started off 2010 with Sydney just having completed her first birthday.  A great milestone by itself, and leaving us wondering what we could expect for the second year of her life, and also for those of us living in our late 20's...wink wink :)

Well, in June we took a big journey to Australia.  This served the very important purpose of Karen donating bone marrow to her uncle Dennis.  And during the trip, we did get to see some great sights of Sydney, but more importantly we got to spend time with Dennis, Kris, and Rebecca.  We were grateful for the time that we got to spend with them and to get to know them.  They are great people, and we are glad they are family.

Later in the year, we also got to visit Sydney's uncle Nathan, and all of her cousins in Florence, Oregon.  This was also a special time as she gets to see them just once or twice a year.  But it's truly the case that quality, and not the quantity, of the visits truly makes all of the difference.

Sydney also got to experience her very first (in person) Seattle Sounders game, began to experience the joys of 'going' on the potty, and also developed physically, mentally, and verbally...especially over the last few months.  Her texting abilities have grown exponentially, and her use and fluency of speaking IM has well exceeded expectations.

It's always fun to see how she compares, physically in this case, to the previous year.  The pictures below shows one set that was taken in April of '09 in Seattle to the comparables that were taken this week.  It's just a great visual reference of how this little girl has progressed.  It's amazing just how quickly she has grown, and I can only imagine this next year will be more of the same.  She is truly becoming a little lady :)

 

Beyond that, 2010 has brought great times with all of her family members, baby friends, and older friends that care about her.  She also got to visit with her friend Reina from Japan, and also kept up with other BFF's, including Maggie and Kate.  All in all, a great and amazing year.  We would not have changed much about it.  Having said that, I believe the best is still to come!



Nana shows Sydney how napping is done...
or is it the other way around?

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2011!!!

Ho Ho Ho!



Sydney's 3rd Christmas!



Mother's and their offspring :)



Well, the busy part of the holiday season is over.  Christmas eve and Christmas day have come and passed, so hopefully this will mean a few relaxing days before gearing up for New Year's.

But, all in all, Sydney enjoyed her third Christmas.  Uncle Nathan came on Wednesday, and Nana from Montana came on Christmas eve, so it was fun spending time with all of them.  While Sydney gets the luxury of visiting with Nana for the next week, she'll miss her Uncle Nathan and Cousin Thomas who have already returned to the warmer Oregon coast.

Christmas eve and Christmas day of course brought the crowds together for a great time...a lot of visiting, a lot of food, and a lot of fun.  I suspect this year clued her in to, and later years will confirm, the realities of sugar highs...which are inevitably followed by sugar crashes, and also the miracle of the 'turkey coma' (the undeniable need to sleep following the consumption of large amounts of turkey).

While I could write so much more about the season's adventures...as always, a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Sydney enjoying her horse...

Joe enjoying Sydney's horse...

Uncle Steve's wish came true...a baby
and a doggie...what a great day!

What a good looking crew!!!  Gotta say...
good genetics :)

Happy Holidays!!!