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.