Non-Talkative Thursday

NEVER say Never!

You know those child leashes that are popular these days? The ones that are like a backpack with a harness that people use to keep their kids close in public places? Well, I'm reeeeeeeeeally not a fan of them. I always said I would never, ever use them...and I meant it. Then we had a preemie, who after 20 months on this earth, refused to walk independently and our desperation set in. We became willing to try and do ANYTHING. A little over a week ago we had some success with her taking about a dozen steps while chasing her therapist and trying to hold on to her and since then, she's been willing to take 5 or so steps on her own as long as she can see something to grab on to close by. If she's busy playing, she will walk around just fine but if she's thinking about it, she will not walk by herself.

So, what does this have to do with a child leash? Our friends, Ryan and Devie came by on the 4th of July and we were all excited that their 15 month old Eden, would inspire Sydney to walk since she just started too. Please. Before the night was over, Sydney had Eden crawling around the floor with her. One day we will be happy that she's a leader. Anyway, Devie suggested using a leash and kind of trick her into thinking she was being supported since it was clear that the child can walk. I wasn't too excited about the idea but again...desperation will make you do anything. I finally got the leash today and well, a picture is worth one thousand words!

At first, she wouldn't let me walk behind her, so I pulled the strap to the front and just put it around my finger...I wasn't holding it at all! That did the trick!

Then:


I didn't even have it around my finger anymore! It's just dragging on the floor behind her.



At the end of that last video she noticed herself in the mirror. She loooooves mirrors and spent about 30 minutes yesterday having a VERY animated conversation with herself complete with silly faces and hand motions. I didn't get that on tape but this gives you some idea.



Devie, I owe you BIG TIME!!! :love:

Independence Day!

We had such a good weekend! Uncle Martin and Auntie Suzie stayed with us and we all got to meet baby Logan. He's so cute and sweet and tiny and just a joy to be around. Sydney was all about him and wherever he was, there she was also. There was only one occasion where I picked him up and she threw herself on the floor in jealousy and demanded I hold her in my lap too! Besides that, she couldn't get enough of him. It was so good for us all to spend some time together.

We took a few pictures of them and man! It was like controlling zoo animals. One would be sitting and the other would be going headfirst of the couch or one would be standing and the other would be looking anywhere but at the camera. It was funny. Of course, it doesn't help that our ancient camera takes forever to take pics.

We didn't dress them alike on purpose. They just came downstairs wearing the same colours. Cute!

Auntie Suzie stepped in to ease the chaos. Bless her heart for trying

Daddies and their babies

Silly Boys

They loved being on their daddies' shoulders but were ready to move on to something else within a minute

Awww!!

This is her latest game. Whenever she is scolded, she opens her eyes wide to try to make us laugh or she does it whenever she's feeling playful. We do it back to her and she laughs soo hard! She's a silly goose.

:love:

The post that has no title

I'm out of post title ideas today so we're going with none. :D

All is well in our world and Miss Thang is delighting us daily. That is, when she's not trying my patience or having a toddler fit. She's 99% rainbows and sunshine but that 1% can be a real challenge. I've heard about teen angst but no one mentioned toddler angst! Apparently they're sometimes cranky and inconsolable for no known reason and the parents are expected to ride it out. At least teenagers can talk! I give her some leeway because she went from having no teeth up until last Christmas Day to having EIGHT as of today. That cannot be a pleasant thing.

We delight in watching her play by herself and seeing the things she comes up with all without our prompting our suggestion. Every object becomes a telephone and she will spend all day calling her Dada. Her favourite word is not even a "real" word but nothing beats hearing her little voice squeak, "Boo!" when we walk in the door, instead of the usual Hi. We all sit and practice words with her and she just laughs and says, "Boo!" instead...over and over and over again.

Then there's the attitude. When she is corrected she "argues" with us in a language only she understands and does everything to get our attention. I told her last week that children who give attitude should be able to walk for it to be effective. How ever is she going to stomp to her room and slam the door if she's too chicken to walk? Last week she took 10 steps while chasing the therapist and then dropped to floor as soon as she realized she had no support. I gave her the handle of a spoon and put my finger tip on the ladle and she walked around that way, thinking she was getting support from me. She walks around with us, holding ONE of our fingers and she goes so fast now, we have to keep her pace. If she's standing and playing with a toy she will play and be fine, not realizing she's standing on her own and be there for a long while until she moves on to something else. We used to think she was afraid of falling but the Therapist thinks she's past that now. She thinks she just isn't confident and doesn't feel "safe" doing it on her own yet. She isn't getting any lighter so I hope she does it soon.

In the meantime, lugging her around should be good for my biceps.

Pics:

With Grandy's friend, Mrs. Vickers

Yes, she stuck the binky in his mouth. She thought it was the funniest thing EVER!

Happy Father's Day!!

So I already posted video about the moment Brian learned he would be a father. Here's when he learned the sex of our baby. Is it me, or was there a HUGE difference between when he thought the baby was a boy and when he knew it was girl? Happy Father's Day honey...I'm so happy I have the moment you fell in love with your daughter on tape.

Dear Friends and Family,

As you all know, I've basically been on house arrest since I left the hospital 16 months ago. Between RSV seasons and the doctors' need for me to maintain good health, I haven't had much of a social life at all. Well, it seems like all that has changed and I'm not sure I can keep up. Mommy and Daddy say they want me to do "regular kid stuff" and have all these activities planned...I've left the house every day for the last 14 days!

Hold me.

Last Friday, Mommy took me to story time at the library and honestly, I was simply shocked to find that there are other babies in the world! You mean the world doesn't revolve around me? I don't even want to think about it. :cry: Those pesky babies tried befriending me but I just stuck close to my Mommy and played with her purse instead. The stories were cool but I don't see why I had to leave my house just for that. We did some dancing and I really, really loved that! Dancing is my favourite thing ever so I kept dancing even when the singing was over. When it was over, some babies told me "bye-bye" and one even gave me a hug but I stuck to my convictions and didn't speak to them. Maybe they won't take me there again but I hear a rumour that I will be going weekly.

Save Me.

Today was my favourite day of all! We went to a park and man oh man, it was sooo much fun! I rode a pony and at first I was scared but then I got the hang of it and it was great!

Then I went on a swing.

I have one question.

Where have those things been all my life????

I.was.just.beside.myself with glee!!

If you can tune out Mommy's cackling, you will hear my excitement in this video. It amazes me how easily I can entertain her. She sounds like she was having as much fun as I was!

Yes...that is exactly how I laugh. :D

I hear there's a trip to the beach in my future. I'm not sure what this is but man, I'm exhausted! Having fun is hard work!

Do me a favour and make sure my parents pace themselves, ok?

Love,

Sydney

Better Late...

I know. I know. It's been a while. I had exams last week and I'm kind of an all or nothing girl. When I'm in exam mode, it's alllll about exams and virtually everything else gets left behind. Anyway, exams are OVER and we're back!

I'll post more of an update during the week but for now, here are a few pics:

Hey Sydney! Look at me. Smile for the camera!

No, not a fake smile! A real smile!

So that's the alternative? A fake smile or nothing? Let's try again.

Getting better! Big smile!

Oy! You win. Fake smile it is.

We are not buying her any more toys. She played with those things longer than she had played with many of her toys.