sleep?

Obviously I want to talk about sleep. Everyone has an opinion! From how long they should be napping, to when to start a schedule, to when to begin night sleep training, there are a million (and that's no exaggeration) different theories. And frankly, I'm overwhelmed. Every time I read a passage from any sleep book, I want to rip my hair out and call the whole thing off. I mean, what was life like before we had so much access to information? How did mothers and fathers do it? Part of me wants to throw away all books and pull myself away from websites and just figure it out on our own, when Sydney is ready. The scheduling stresses my shit out. For example, I attempted to get back on track with our daily schedule yesterday, because our little miss was way off track after the weekend. Well I'm pretty sure she's beginning a growth spurt, so of course, not ideal timing. Now what? Wait it out? Move forward anyways? Let her eat and sleep whenever she wants? And what if the only way to get her to nap is to eat first? Then, oh my God, am I establishing poor sleep associations? Then how will I break them? Will we have a child who refuses to sleep? Will we turn into one of those horrific families seen on Super Nanny? Will we need Joe to come rescue us? See what I mean? It's just too much. 
Thank God for Billy Joel at a time like this. Clearly he was referring to his infant children.

"They will tell you you can't sleep alone in a strange place.
Then they'll tell you you can't sleep with somebody else.
Ah but sooner or later you sleep in your own space.
Either way, it's okay, you wake up with your self."

Thankful

If you've been living under a rock, there has been a trend on Facebook this month where people list something they're thankful for every day of the month. Love the concept, although I'm not that dedicated to have participated, though everyday I made a mental note of what I'm most thankful for. With a year like this, it's not hard to imagine what tops my list, but it's not just Sydney herself. It's the entirely new universe she has created for me. The connectedness of family, the appreciation and respect for Evan, the excitement and anticipation for the future, the newly established traditions and cherishing of old ones. The rose-colored lens through which I'm seeing things for the first time, the absurd growth of my heart and emotions. It's more than I could have expected, and for that, I'm so thankful. Blessed, really. It's hard to imagine it could get better than this, yet I know there's so much more ahead of us. Awesome. Just plain awesome.

So the little miss has experienced her first Thanksgiving, which of course, was spent primarily sleeping through the whole charade (pretty sure the tryptophan had it's way with her) but we sure enjoyed it. As evidenced below, she and cousin Belle were all dolled up and just enjoying being little celebrities. We can't get enough pics of these little beauts. And as if one Thanksgiving wasn't enough, Grandma and Grandpa Soderquist came for the weekend and we were able to celebrate with the other side of the family. Nothing like a little peanut to bring everyone together!

Belle and Grandpa

thankful for daddy

Some highlights of late include:

• This little girl loves to smile! Seriously, sometimes I will put her in her crib for some "down time" and catch her smiling away to herself. Stolen moments like these are my absolute fav.
• It's time for Christmas jammies! And Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas smells, etc, etc. Thank God. I found myself singing the national anthem to Sydney the other day, because, ya know, lullabies take about 4 seconds to sing and then what? So we've needed to change up the sing-a-long repertoire. 
• She's taken the bottle. Whew. I mean, huge whew. The first attempt was a disaster and I was paranoid (surprise surprise) that it meant she would never take the bottle, thus meaning I wouldn't be able to leave her for more than a couple hours and therefore miss out on some social engagements and OH MY GOD the world would then end. But thankfully, she and Dr. Brown (bottle brand for those not privy to bottle brands) have become fast friends. 
• PEPs. Loving my PEPs group and the little outings we've had with the ladies. Pizza, beer, babies and hooter hiders. Perfect way to spend a Thursday afternoon if you ask me. 
• Pedicures. Always.
• Evan and I finally got away for a little bit, just the two of us (thanks auntie Sneaks). I know, I'm embarrassed it's taken so long, but whatever, we did it and that was glorious. So good to sneak away with my main man for a couple hours. 

2 months...really...?

I promise I won't say this every month, but holy moly, time is flying by! Yesterday was miss Sydney's 2 month birthday and it literally feels like I blinked and here we are.
This mama is feeling the effects of sleep deprivation, but mostly because I don't know how to slow down during the day. We're lucky enough to have a good sleeper (or so I think) who only wakes at 1AM and 5AM after going to sleep at 8PM, but the days aren't spent sunbathing or reading on a chaise lounge. Regardless, the lack of sleep is a small sacrifice.

Highlights of late include:

• One 6 hour sleep stretch!
• Mama's night out. Hello bubbly, I've missed thee.
• PEPS. Really enjoying the ladies in my group and the feeling of normalcy that comes with our get togethers.
• Return of Real Housewives of Atlanta and Bev Hills. NeNe, you crazy.
• Return of Zags basketball!
• Yay for bath time. 
• New cozy jammies for the little lady
• Learning what makes my baby coo and smile and doing it all the time! I can't imagine ever getting enough of them. 
• The continual increase in love we're feeling for our Sydney. Evan and I are always remarking that we can't believe how our love for her continues to grow. It's like on The Grinch when his heart keeps growing...How is it possible to love her more? 

Low lights include:

• Me not sleeping during her 6 hour stretch. 
• 2 month appointment and the three shots that were included. Worst. Feeling. Ever. I know it hurt Evan and I more than they hurt her, but good God. So that's what having your heart ripped out feels like. Not a fan.

And now for the goods: