Welcome Spring!

Right, I know, Spring is almost over. But we did in fact welcome my favorite season with a fun-filled Spring party during spring break. Sofia and I made the invitations and invited some of her sweet little friends over to celebrate. The girls had a barbecue, played dress up, had an Easter Egg hunt, went to the park and finished with cupcakes and goody bags for all. It was a blast for everyone! Here are some of the highlights...

Syd LOVES Everything Dirt

Miss Sydnei is a HUGE fan of mud, dirt, and puddles. Really, if you think about it, what else do you need to have fun outside when you're a kid? She will spend hours making "pies" and putting dirt in special places all over the back yard. We love watching her do this and of course, she loves eating it while she plays and getting it all over because she knows there is a nice long shower that awaits her when she's all done playing!

Santa Came Early This (last) Year

Miss Sofia shows off the new bunk beds!

He even came early for my birthday. A couple of days before my b-day these gorgeous bunk beds showed up in the girls' room. We had them custom made by an awesome couple that have their own business called Bunk Beds West in Milwaukie, Oregon. Their work is amazing and these bunk beds are even more beautiful in person. They're built solid and were so reasonably priced. We had shopped around the stores forever looking for this and couldn't find a decently priced and well built set of bunk beds anywhere. We found Bunk Beds West on a google search and after doing some homework and seeing their work first hand we were sold. For $1,100 we purchased a twin over full bunk bed with a trundle twin bed drawer underneath plus it came with three brand new mattresses. You can't beat these bad boys.

Top Bunk where Sofia Sleeps

The bedding was my favorite part and a total splurge. We purchased the bedding from Pottery Barn Kids and they coordinate but are different in their base color: pink and lavender. They look so darling and the whole set up it so pretty. We'll be using these killer beds for the next 20 years of raising our kiddos. I love that 4 kids can sleep with this one unit! Score!

Bottom bunk where Sydnei Sleeps and room for one more!

The twin trundle bed right underneath the bottom bunk.
It's not attached so it can be moved to a different part of the bedroom.

Sofia and Sydnei are in love with their beds and Sydnei was an EASY switch to the big girl full-sized bed at 17 months old!

11 Months (a couple of weeks late)

Posing for the camera while playing with Sissy in the new whale pool!

This little one is the most precious little baby in the whole wide world! She is growing up so fast and won't be a baby much longer. I have mixed emotions about that but am so happy for her progress in so many areas. She's a loving little cuddler. One you have to earn her respect and trust before she'll let you get close. Sydnei has a sweet sense of humor and loves for her Momma to hold her. We are so grateful she came to our family!

Here are some of her milestones and favorite things to do this month:

* Says "uh-oh"
* Pretends to talk on the phone
* Eats finger foods
* Walks like crazy
* Loves to play in AND eat dirt
* Can win any stare-down competition
* Let's you know she wants something with a really loud grunt
* Loves to lay on my shoulder under the warm shower water and listen to me sing to her

She's my little stink and I am so grateful and proud to call myself her Mami. I love you, Sydnei!!!

Whale Pool Mischief--trying to get out of the pool!

10 Months

Historic Carousel at the Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle, Washington on April 26, 2009

Sydnei is in high gear when it comes to her development and what she can do. This child has achieved many milestones just in the last month..here are some to name a few--okay, several:

-Can take two steps unassisted;
-Walks around the house with her push toys;
-Drinks everything from a sippy cup now (it took her one night to master this--she hasn't used a bottle in 3 days!);
-Says the word 'agua;'
-Can make the funniest faces at any stranger that tries to talk to her; and finally,
-Clearly sympathizes with her sister when she gets in trouble--Sydnei is Sofia's #1 fan.

Historic Carousel at the Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle, Washington on April 26, 2009

Here's to working ourselves out of a job!

Let me just tell YOU!

What has Sydnei been up to lately:

March 24, 2009: Children's Museum--Loving life in the baby garden
(Papi still loves to squeeze her in the 3-6 mos Guns n' Roses onsie. Admittedly, the tight fit makes her seem more of a baby rock star)

* Turned 9 months, March 23rd
* Stands for 5 seconds unassisted
* Crawls like a maniac
* Cruises from furniture to furniture
* Is getting 7 teeth at one time..NO, that is not a typo. (5 on top and two more to go with the two that came right at her 4 month b-day)
* LOVES cream of wheat
* Can climb 4 stairs without any help
* Says Ma-ma and Pa-pa and ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
* Lets her big sissy know when she doesn't approve of her actions
* Puts everything she can lay her hands on in her mouth
* Oh, and when in the shower with Papi, managed to reach for a razor and take two little chunks out of two fingers. Nice one. (she didn't even cry) Here's to the first of many battle wounds during childhood!!!

Cheez-it or Plastic Lid? It was a toss up.

5 Months!

By clicking on this picture, you can see her very first two teeth!

Miss Sydnei is 5 months-old today! She has grown a ton this month especially in length. She loves to laugh at her big sissy when Sofia dances and makes funny faces at her. Those two have a great time together. Tonight, she sat up on her own for the longest time without assistance. Just a few more days and she will have mastered the art. Yay! (That means, I can plop her anywhere in the house I want to)! She loves tummy time and tries her darndest to move her legs and crawl. She'll get there, it's only a matter of time. The only nickname that has stuck so far is "Stink." When I started increasing her formula feedings, her poo really stunk! I mean, who's poo doesn't stink?!?! But formula poo, oh man, that's a whole different league! One day she had a mega blowout and stunk to high heaven. I called her stink and still do to this day. It's really cute and she knows I'm talking to her when I say Stink. HA HA HA! I love this baby girl, she puts a smile on my face instantly.

"I'm going to get that phone and laugh at my sister while she cheers me on!"

"I want to crawl SO BAD!"

"Almost, almost."

"Yesssss. I got it. Awesome."

"Chillin' with Sissy in her room."

P.S. One of Sofia's nicknames is "Stink Pot."

Buenas Noches, Sydnei

Tonight Sydnei officially moved to her own bed and room. She has slept next to me every night in her cradle since she was born. She has grown so much the cradle is just not big or comfortable enough for her anymore. When we went upstairs to put her down for the night Ryan said: "it's time, Storm--she's just too big for the cradle now." My heart sunk. But, I knew he was right so we just did it. We set up the baby monitor, gave her a kiss, pattted her bum, turned on a lullaby and said good night.

Sound asleep in her crib with Sweet Pea at her side.

I walked out of the room and tears just came streaming down my face. I went back into my room and just stared at her cradle and cried. There is a really special story behind her cradle. It was hand made by her Great-Great Uncle Bill and her Grandpa Dave. It was used first for Sofia and now for Sydnei and will be used for our future child/children. This cradle is so special. It's by far one of the most precious gifts we've ever received. There is so much love that went into making it and it will stay in our family for generations to come.

Pictures of Great-Great Uncle Bill and Grandpa Dave the day they finished the cradle.

I know, this is the first of many milestones leading to independence but this Mami is a mess! I wish she could stay right by me but at the same time, she needs to grow and be her own person. The move to the new room is the very first step. My precious baby girl has grown so fast, she'll be 5 months old on Sunday...WHERE did the time go?

Meet Sweet Pea. She has slept with Sydnei since she was born and was a sweet gift from Lorenzo and his family.

This is a wall hanging Auntie Darci gave Sydnei for her bedroom. So perfect.

Te amo, Sydnei. Miss you already.


Love,
Mami

Sydnei Nicole at 3-months Old

Yes, everyone, Sydnei turned three months old almost one month ago! So yeah, a bit behind but that's ok, really. I can't even express how much fun we have with this little baby girl. The biggest highlight in her third month of life was our discovery of her natural attraction to elephants. Yes, elephants. She lights up at the sight of any elephant she sees. Her eyes get super big and she makes little coos and gurgles at them. She has a gymini play mat that she's been playing on and insists (we can tell by her sudden cries) that she must be underneath the elephant. She'll play with this purple little guy for 45 minutes reaching for him and talking to him. Precious.

I can't wait to take her to the circus when she's older and watch her experience her very first elephant ride. Awesome.

Sydnei's Baby Blessing

Sunday, August 17, 2008, we blessed our Sweet Sydnei. It was a very special day for our family. We had many family members and friends in attendance to share this special moment with us. We can't thank each of you enough for traveling distances and making the sacrifice to be here on this special day. As a mother, I was overhwhelmed with joy and love for our sweet Sydnei. We love you, Sydnei!

Here is a slideshow of Sydnei in her GORGEOUS blessing dress. This dress was handmade by Sydnei's Nana, Ryan's mom. It's nothing short of breathtaking and will definitely be a special heirloom for Sydnei as she gets older. You just can't buy something this beautiful. It exudes purity and beauty. Just looking at it one can see all of the love and effort Clarissa put into making it. Thank you, Nana.




A few family pics of all that joined us for Sydnei's special day.

Ryan, Great Gpa & Gma Holgate, Sydnei, Stormy

Auntie Darci, Sofia, Stormy, Sydnei, Ryan, Cousin Careese, Uncle Bub, Cousin Josh, Auntie Maria, Cousin Allison, and MaMa

Gpa and Gma Great Staley with Sydnei

Gpa Staley, Auntie Tristyn, Cousin Jordan, Uncle Kristopher, Nana, Gma Great Staley, Sydnei, Auntie Carlee Sofia, Papi, Mami, Gpa Great Staley, and Sofia

Daddy-Daughter Love

BFF's For-EVA! Mami, Sydnei, and Tia Tori

Stormy, Sydnei, and Super Awesome Friend, Rebecca

CAKE! Some things never change...

What is a LDS (Mormon) Baby Blessing?
For those of you not familiar with a Baby Blessing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I will explain. The precedent for blessing children was set forth by the Savior, Jesus Christ, in Palestine: see Mark 10:16 and the new world, see the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:21. The blessing of a child is not an infant baptism. It's a special blessing that first gives a name to the child to be recorded in the records of the church and then pronounces special blessings and promises for the child as revealed through revelation. The blessing is given by a man who holds the Melchizek Priesthood.

Happy 1-Month Birthday, Sydnei

We can hardly believe a month has already passed since you came into our lives. Your presence brightens any room and anyone who meets you falls in love instantly. We love your striking blue eyes and dimples. We love to see you smile which for now is only when you're dreaming sweet dreams.

You love tummy time and you can already turn yourself over from your belly to your back. You even prefer sleeping on your belly over any other position, although for now, we only let you do that when we are watching you. Mami especially loves to stick her tongue out at you and watch you reciprocate. Papi loves when you make an 'O'-shape with your mouth and look all around you, it's precious. Your big sissy, Sofia, loves to pick you up the minute you wake up and carry you through the house. So far she hasn't broken you so not too worry you're in good hands (even though MaMa has a heart attack each time she sees Sofia carrying you)! Sofia loves to help feed you and shower you with hugs and kisses, she is so proud of her little sister. We're so grateful you have joined our family and are excited to watch you continue to grow.


Love you so much, Sydnei~
Mami y Papi