One + One = FOUR: September 2010

For the past two months, Sydney & I have been going to "baby gym" for a play & learn class. It's a cool concept using an intentional curriculum to direct babies to focus on different skills through play and songs. Syd seems to have really enjoyed it. It was great for us during the brutal summer heat, giving us a fun activity indoors! Unfortunately, the center is about 45 minutes across town from our house, making it not the most convenient place to go. Now that it's cooler and we're able to get out a little more we're taking a break. It's been lots of fun, though!

Reaching for balls

She wasn't the only one who liked to bite everything!

Syd loved bubble time

Under the parachute

With her teacher Ms. Rachel (Syd wanted to play some more!)

Oh Sweet Sydney,
Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl! You are growing so fast, right before our eyes. It feels like you were born yesterday, and yet, at the same time, like you've been our baby girl forever. You have changed and learned so much; it's fun to see the world through your eyes. I'm so thankful that God gave you to us!

- Such a tiny girl, you're still wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers. You've got the smallest hands and feet, which lead me to think you may stay petit for a while. Daddy and I love that about you.

- Those tiny hands have become waving machines. You still wave like a beauty queen in a parade most of the time, which is just precious. Seriously, you wave at everyone, all the time... the lady behind us in line at Publix, waitresses in restaurants, strangers in the store, friends at church. Sometimes you wave with both hands- twice as cute! Daddy's favorite wave is the one reserved for him when he gets home from work- both hands, bouncing up and down, HUGE smile on your face. It is priceless!

- Along with your waving, you can now say "Bye bye." We're still working on the timing, sometimes you say it at the right time, other times you say it after the other person is already gone. You said it first to your Sunday school teachers when we were leaving church one day. Your second word was "Mama", and even though it sometimes sounds more like "baba", I'm counting it because I know you're trying to say my name!
- You have two teeth finally!! Your two bottom teeth are finally all the way broken through, although they still aren't all the way out. They're very hard to see, and you don't like showing them off. Truth be told, I'm going to miss your gummy grin.

- You usually sleep around 11.5 hours at night and take 2 good naps during the day.
- Just like your mommy, you LOVE shoes! Unfortunately, they usually go straight to your mouth if we don't stop you quick enough (which we are very careful about lately). It's funny that you can identify all sorts of shoes- flip flops, tennis shoes, sandals, high heels- and you always go for them.
- Speaking of going to your mouth, you have tried all sorts of new things to eat in the past month. Easily, the biggest hit was the chocolate ice cream cone you shared with Daddy! You also like cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, yogurt, and Sonic shakes.
- You love bath time. We still use a small bathtub on our vanity so you can see yourself in the mirror when you're in the tub. You always wave at yourself and smile. I have to use two washcloths every time, one to bathe with, one for you to put in your mouth. You don't like laying back to have the shampoo rinsed out of your hair, and you also don't mind if you get water in your eyes if I try to rinse it sitting up.

- You hate your pack'n'play. HATE it.
- You are fearless! We often lovingly call you "Braveheart." You climb up the slides at Gymboree, you pull up on anything that stands still and is taller than you are, and sometimes you forget that you can't walk. Earlier this week you were cruising along the coffee table and tried to keep going after you got to the end! You weren't successful- yet- but it's exciting watching you try! You let go and stand on your own all the time now.
- Your total number of flights to date: TEN! You are a terrific little traveler. And you're going to log flights eleven and twelve in a few weeks. Thank you for being so flexible.

If I can use the words of Taylor Swift's new song, Syd, "you are the best thing that's ever been mine." Daddy & I love you so much, Baby Girl!!

Love, mommy

And just for fun, a few outtakes...