1-12

so maybe, just maybe, she's a heck of a lot cuter now than she was in the beginning...
oh and maybe, just maybe I might have figured out how to use my camera. blah.

one.year.

Hi there,

It's good to be back. After a couple months hiatus, I think I'm finally ready to get back into this blogging game. Blogging is not joke…it takes some serious time and attention…and wit. Could be my own  opinion, but no one wants to read a lame post, especially if it doesn't have pictures. 

Now to the task at hand- we had some big things happen these past couple months. More teeth have barreled their way through for a total of 6 now, "dog" or some version of that has become a favorite "word," she's a cruising machine and of course, we had a 1st bday celebration. 

It's hard to find the right words to describe my feelings around all of this and I'm kind of, sort of hesitant to try. They simply couldn't convey the emotions and love I've had as of late. And by as of late, I mean since September 11, 2012. Sydney is simply the best.

 As she grows, it's been so fun to see her personality emerging. I still believe that she is very much a baby who does the same things as every other kid her age, makes the same noises as them, etc. Because really, up to a certain point, they really do all sound/act the same. But I think we're approaching the precipice of this, and certain "Sydney" qualities are starting to emerge. 

For example, she's a bit nosey.  

Or maybe it's that she just doesn't want to miss a thing, but our little lady is so interested in what other people are doing, she's not above craning her neck in all different directions just to get a good look at someone or be able to listen in on what's being said. 1 point for taking after mama. 

She's sweet.

I know, I know, all babies are theoretically sweet, but watching Sydney with other kids, she's typically the one just happy to be amongst friends. She's not aggressive with toys or invasive of personal space. She just sits there smiling and laughing. 

Okay, I was going to list out a bunch of other traits, but realized they're probably typical 1 year old interests, like the fact that she loves music and dances to any jingle she hears. If there's a tune, even for mere seconds, the girl is moving her body. Or that she is a chatty Kathy who's always discussing some crazy topic. They are all just some qualities that make her who she is at this time and I can't wait to see more of the layers as she grows. 

And now for the fun stuff.

 To set the scene for mine and Evan's, I mean, Sydney's party...It was a country fair theme (thanks pinterest) which I thought was perfect for the time of year and location (hosted at my brother's house near Puyallup).

a big ol' table of grub

month to month

a little art, a little booze

adorable fair themed cookies and cupcakes

yum.

the next sequence of pictures are my favorite...

apprehensive...

pissed.

frosting. yum.

feels good...

yes!!

whatchu looking at?

total cake victory

coming down from the sugar high.

tin!

To garner the full effect of the title, I suggest you read with a southern accent. For those who simply cannot be bothered with that, I'm referring to the number 10.

10 months ago Sydney Mae made her debut. Here's the latest and greatest:

First hike!

i don't love that when she was a month old, i thought that her monthly pics in her WHITE onesies should be taken on her WHITE chair. ugh. fail. 

we love this picture as it captures 10 months appropriately. where making her do anything she doesn't want to do is de.va.stat.ing. clearly. 

And she stands! Homegirl is pulling herself up all on her own. This is her favorite move.

with babies, when they outgrow their pants? they just transition to capris. brill.

dancin' in her seat!

such a lil' mover. we have no clue where this face came from but agree that it's pretty cute.

winds of change

A few nights ago I grabbed drinks with a few of my "PEPs" friends and had a really great time. I've known these women for less than a year and yet, we have so much in common and connect as if we've known each other all our lives. It's surprising to me, as I regularly joke that I dislike approximately 98% of the people I meet, so to genuinely like at least 6 other "new" women and consider them friends is a big deal.
An interesting change has occurred in my friendships. I'm typically pretty selective of those I consider my friends and put an enormous amount of stock in my relationships. Prior to having Sydney, I consistently heard how much a child changes your life, and to be frank, it scared the shit out of me. I wasn't ready for my life to change as everyone said it would. In fact, I didn't believe them. Sweet denial... That is, until recently.
As of late, I've been acutely aware of the dramatic shift that takes place when having a child. My single/child-less friends simply don't understand. Not to be one of those moms, but truly, no kids = no idea. But how could one possibly understand the change that takes place once a child is brought into your life? They cannot. Plain and simple. Not right, not wrong, but real. I had no clue before our little Peanut. And with that, I'm finding myself in the most interesting position. Part of me mourns the friendships I had with some, while the other part realistically acknowledges the differences of our lives at this stage and simply accepts it with a nod. We'll all catch up one day, won't we? It's so funny, how life works itself out. I can't help but think that it's one friend in, another friend out. That may sound harsh, which is not my intent, but there is some truth to that. Of course I have dear friends who don't have children and to whom I will always be close, regardless of our place in life,  and whom none of this applies. But for the others, our lives are truly different and our friendships have changed. And that's life, now, isn't it? People enter in and out of our lives for so many reasons, all of them with a purpose. I cherish the friendships I've had, the ones that continue to grow with me and those that are just beginning.

did I catch a niner in there?

What are you calling from, a walkie talkie? Name that movie (hint: fat guy in a little coat). 

                           

So we celebrated Sydney's 9 month birthday a few weeks ago, which means she's 3/4 of the way through her first year. Haha. It's laughable, really. Parental cliche- time truly does haul it's little ass through our lives, doesn't it?

At her 9 month appointment, she was tipping the scales at 19lbs which puts her in the 75th percentile, 28" tall 76 percentile and head circumference of something or other that lands her in the 52 percentile. As you can tell, the whole head circumference is not high on my priority list. All in all, our little peanut is doing great! Her doctor eased my fears about her not crawling quite yet, and reassured me that "all kids develop at their own pace." Sure, sure, but when's she going to crawl already?! She was never one who took to the whole rolling or army crawl or any other mode of transportation. What if her legs don't work? What if her arms are too short (I don't know how that would ever be a valid concern)? WHAT IF? Ahhh and now I'm playing right, smack dab in the middle of the parent game. Worry, fear, anxiety, hooray. But alas, last Thursday (June 27th) we saw movement! One arm, then one leg, then another arm and another leg! The crawling motion happened. Fast forward 5 days and we have one mobile little lady. What an incredible thing it is, being able to watch your children learn such monumental developmental milestones. Watching their wheels turning, learning to trust in themselves and take action. It's incredible, really. And bittersweet. As with all of Sydney's milestones, there is always a tiny pang of melancholy that accompanies the joy and excitement. My baby is growing up. Tear.

The other day I was talking with a friend at work about her child, asking how he was doing and all I got from her was "good, he's doing really well." And I immediately went to "Of course, everything is perfect, perfect, perfect. Mom's never divulge the TRUTH. lies, perfect little lies." But then I thought about my own response when anyone asks about Sydney and it goes something like this "great, really, really great. she's pretty awesome." And I realized, that's truth. I'm absolutely telling the truth, because it is great. She is wonderful and we think she's pretty awesome. Sure there are the fussy moments, the tiring moments, the frustrating moments, but that's all they really are. Moments. They are part of the experience but just a tiny part. When I think of Sydney and being a parent, there is an automatic, rose-colored filter put on life. How could things not be great? Those other mom's aren't lying to try to beat me in some non-existent one-upping, who's got the better baby game (well maybe one or two are), but rather they're trying to find an ordinary word to describe the...uh-oh...here I go, I'm going to say it...extraordinary experience all of us parents understand.

And that? Is one girl's travel from a cynical, eye rolling single gal to emotional, sappy mess of a parent. 

 Because really, how could this not melt even the hardest of hards?

runneth over

The Sunday blues have set in. They've always set in around 4:00 on Sundays, for as long as I can remember. Some days it's because the weekend was one for the record books, other days- scratch that- most days it's because I'm not ready for another work week, but today it's due to overwhelming love for my family. The thought of leaving them tomorrow kinda, sorta, totally breaks my heart. This weekend wasn't anything extraordinary per se, but it was one of my favorites, solely because I spent so much time with my favorite little girl and the man that made it possible. It was a weekend where perspective comes easy, and is filled with those little moments where you see all the good in life. I wasn't bogged down by the "have nots" but really took the time to see all the "haves:" Bathtime with my little lady, pancakes with my parents, watching the pure happiness on my parent's faces as they play with Sydney, Speculoos cookie butter, US Weekly and People, holding hands with Evan, wine and apps with good friends, peanut butter and chocolate mikshakes, enjoying the sun with friends, long Sunday evening walk, homemade calzones, RHONJ....I mean, the list goes on and on. Sure, it might sound boring and suburban to some, but its what my life is all about. This chick's cup runneth over.

not happy that i interrupted her mini sophie time for a selfie

crazy 8's

It's hard to believe this little darling is over 8 months old! So I just blink and my child grows another month older? Apparently...

Some of her latest tricks include:

• Two teeth! well one for sure, the other is sprouting up next door. As predicted by every doctor everywhere, the first teeth to make their appearance are the front bottom two. It's hard to imagine that one day, she will have a mouth full of teeth. That's a ridiculous statement, because of course she'll have teeth, but this is my baby we're talking about. 
• So along with the teeth comes chewing on everything. Pretty sure I mentioned this last month, but we're in full on gnawing mode. 
• While she's not crawling yet, or very mobile, she does "lunge" towards toys and any other appealing item. Supposedly this is a first step to crawling? 
• The girl makes the funniest, cutest noises. The repertoire of sounds that come from her little mouth absolutely melt our hearts and crack us up. Anywhere from high pitch squeals to deep, guttural grunts, she's testing out those vocal cords. 
• Giggles! The sweetest melody in the entire world. I dare you to find a better sound than the giggle of your baby. Or my baby for that matter. She's responding to so many noises and tickles with her little giggle that Evan and I find ourselves in a regular comedic routine to get that girl to giggle. Oh hiccups are funny? well listen to mama go! You like when daddy acts like he's going to eat you up? Watch out, here he comes!
• "Standing" unassisted for a few seconds on her own. See below for proof!

Mother's Day with Grandma. I've always heard women refer to motherhood as a club and for once, I get it. Mother's Day felt like an introduction into that club and I couldn't feel more blessed. How incredibly lucky am I to be her mom, while learning how to do that job from my own fabulous mother. 

                                           First step to standing unassisted? Dig toes into carpet.

 These ladies love the water! This was the first time they were in life jackets, and as you can tell, it was quite the relaxing experience. Nothing like a little Thursday evening water siesta.  Please don't mind the inappropriate swim suit. There's only so much one can do whilst breastfeeding.

 Three generations of Soderquist's! Sydney is sporting one of Evan's shirts from his good ol' days. It says "Quist Jr." (still not clear why it's adorned in flowers, but it looks adorable on Peanut)

                                                                     ugh. can't even...