Grandmothers are funny.

They are masters of making excuses for their grandchildren. Sydney can do NO wrong in their eyes. It's been funny hearing how my mother things everything Sydney does is just darling and she has her wrapped around her tiny little fingers. She knows that when she's with Grandma she can play and dance all day long. They spend their days practicing walking, which is Syd's current favourite activity. I never think to get the camera when they're walking around the house together. Anyway, here are a few pics. 

Merry Christmas!!

It's the Moose wonderful time of the year!

Ok...so she's supposed to be a reindeer and not a moose but indulge me, ok? :D

Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday

So, how IS Sydney doing these days?

If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked that question in the past few weeks...I'd have at least 5 dollars. :D

Sydney is doing great. She is such a happy child and is now totally mobile so we spend our days pulling  her out and away from things. I find it very interesting that she has all these toys but nothing makes her happier than some paper that she can crumple and rip. Daddy and I are giving her a big wrapped box stuffed with paper for Christmas.  

Besides that, she:

• Pulls up and stands and plays. She would like to think she can walk but is given a swift reminder as soon as she lets go.
• Loves the tv show The Wiggles more every single day. She gets so excited and I love seeing her dance when she watches them. Oh, the clapping and excitement! Priceless.
• Says "Mama" and "Dada" appropriately. She's smart though, she says Dada when she wants to play and whines Mamamamamama when she wants anything else. 
• Naps during the day without a problem now. In fact, the only way to get her to nap is to put her in her bed. Remember it was but a few months ago that I was complaining that she would only sleep ON one of us? Those days are looong gone. :cry: When we hold her now, she's busy doing anything but snuggling. Her favourite thing to do is ride me like a pony. Daddy can sometimes get her to snuggle with him but even that is rare these days. *sigh*
• Is letting us see bits of her personality. She's VERY strong willed (I don't want to hear it, Mommy) and is not afraid to voice her displeasure. She doesn't cry when she's upset with us, she growls. Yes, I'm serious. She growls like a lion and makes the meanest face. She got that growling from Grandy. It.is.hi-la-ri-ous.

Overall, she's just the best thing that has happened to us and she's just so much fun!

My mother will be with us for Christmas and I'm really interested to see how Sydney responds to her since she hasn't seen her since she was teeny tiny. We look a lot alike so it should be fascinating. If I had a dollar for every time someone exclaimed, "Oh My! I don't have to ask if you two are related!" I would have a million dollars. 

Grandy is spending the holidays with Amanda and Joshua, the original grandchildren. :D I took some pics so Sydney wouldn't forget her. :laugh:

I told her the neighbours will know Grandy isn't here because her hair won't be combed for weeks. 

This one makes me laugh so hard. 

How big is Sydney?

Too big!

:cry:

All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth

Yeah...she reeeeeally likes chicken bones
Smile Mon

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for and sometimes I know I forget to acknowledge my blessings and then focus on all that I perceive is "wrong." It's been a great year

I'm thankful for:

1. God - His daily provision and grace humbles me. The challenges he allows only serves to strengthen me. 

2. Our family - extended and immediate. We've learned just how important family is over the course of this year. Brian and I have the best family in the world. Between the phone calls, emails and visits, we've been filled with love this year. If Grandy was not here, I'm certain we would have starved to death in the early days and B and I would not have had one date night in the last year. She takes care of all us and makes it look easy. How blessed we are.

3. Our health. It's so easy to take that for granted but everyday really is gift.

 

4. Sydney. I am fascinated by how much she learns and changes every day. Every day with her is more fun than the last. I'm so, so thankful that I get to be her Mommy. 

5. My husband. We've been together for so long and been through so much but this year has been most challenging and he's been most amazing. There were days when I was just too tired to hope or believe but he never ever doubted that we would get through everything. He's so good and sweet and kind with our daughter and sometimes I think my heart is just going to burst when I watch them together. I'm so thankful that I get to be his wife and I love the way he loves me. 

6. My phenomenal girlfriends. I wish I could adequately express how much my girls mean to mean to me. I remember how disconnected I felt after B and I left Jamaica and how much I prayed for real and true girlfriends. The kind that will tell me when I'm crazy and paranoid and support me when I need it. The kind of girlfriends who would overwhelm us with cards, flowers, gifts, texts messages, phone calls, love and prayers when we needed it the most. The kind of friends Sydney can call her aunties and I can call my sisters. The kind of friends I would travel hundreds of miles to see and who would do the same for me. The kind of friends who would listen to me go on and on and on about Sydney in the early days and never make me feel like a bore. The kind of friends that could make me laugh on the days I just didn't want to talk and wouldn't make me feel bad about it. The kind of friends I can share anything with and who inspire me to be a better Christian, friend, wife, mother, sister, daughter, student. I love you guys so hard. Thanks for being just the kind of friends I need. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Remember to actually take some time to count your blessings today.