Random photos and comments from mom

Sydney is really starting to enjoy playing with her toys and can even entertain herself for a short period of time.  It is so much fun to watch her explore with her hands and manipulate the toys.  She is rolling from her back to her side but then just gets stuck.  We better enjoy the fact that she stays put because in just a few short months we won't be able to keep up with her!

We decided to test the exersaucer and Sydney loved it!  She is still too small to reach the bottom (its hard to tell but her feet are just dangling) and she had the funniest expressions while playing with the buttons.  It'll take her a little while to figure out what to do with all the gadgets but Jason and I sure got a kick out of watching her in this fun new activity. Check out those chubby cheeks--the formula supplement is definitely working!

In December, Jason and I were invited to the White House for a holiday reception and we even got a chance to meet (former) President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.  The White House was decorated for the holidays (pictures were posted in an earlier blog) but we finally got this picture from the official white house photographer from our visit.  I really hope that we get to go next year and meet President Obama (unlikely) but we really appreciated the opportunity and had a great time.

proud to be an american...

Yesterday Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  Sydney is too young to watch tv but we did hang out all day so I could watch the inauguration.  I was tearful throughout the ceremony and Sydney loved it when Aretha and I sang "My Country Tis of Thee" at the same time.  I did capture this picture of her watching as Barack was sworn in so she could be a part of history.

Whitney sang it best:  " I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way...".  It is pretty amazing that an African American man was elected President (although I was hoping for the first female President).  We tell Sydney that she can be whatever she wants when she grows up and this is the perfect example of a dream realized.  So she is getting a head start by learning to read and manipulating toys with her eye-hand-mouth coordination.  (OK-i might be exaggerating these skills just a little but moms are supposed to dream big!).  The future is hers--and we can't wait to see what she decides to do...

baby its cold outside...

January is off to a cold start and I've even seen some white stuff falling from the sky.  But that doesn't stop us from going out and about or just having fun at home...  
I'm all bundled up and ready to go.  This is one of the sweaters and hat that nanny made me (don't I look adorable!!).  It's still a little big but mommy says I look so cute in the color purple she couldn't resist dressing me up. Since it is so cold out we have to be prepared.

Bedtime photos!  I love snuggling in my cozy pajamas with my teddy bears. The hat and bears are just for the picture; I'm not allowed to have anything in the crib with me.  
  

Storytime and music at the library are fun.  I get to see some of my friends and have fun singing and learning new things.  We are going to do this more often!  Here I am with my friends Grace (who was also born at Holy Cross Hospital on MY birthday) and her mom Jen, Anna and her mom Alexandra and then we saw my cousin Zach's girlfriend Lyla (with mom Robyn).

This weekend we went to a baby shower for mommy's friend Rosie.  She is going to have a baby in a few weeks and we can't wait to find out whether it is a boy or a girl.  We are so excited for her!  I was so good at the shower--i tried to show her how good a baby can be and slept through a lot of it.  Check out the picture of me fast asleep on the floor.

And of course, I spend a lot of time with my favorite people: my cousins Lindsay and Zach.  They have a lot of fun toys and now I am holding rattles and links and enjoying musical light up toys.  Good thing they know how to share.  And Zachary is so much fun to watch.  He makes my mommy laugh a lot.  

Hope everyone is keeping warm!  One more month until my first vacation to Florida--I am ready for some warmer weather!

Happy 3 months!

You guessed it--just another excuse for mommy to take pictures of me.  Today is January 14th and I am officially 3 months old!  

I'm 9 pounds 3 ounces--and mommy just started me on some formula to help me to grow bigger in addition to the breastfeeding.... 

We have lots of activities to keep us busy during the week.  Today was the first day of our "Onesies" group where we meet other babies (and their mommies).  Cousin Lindsay and Aunt Beth are doing it with us but Lindsay slept through the entire music class today.  Here I am hanging out under the parachute with some of the other kids.  Maybe next week Lindsay will be awake so we can play together.

Mommy also took me to get some professional pictures taken and once we get those back we'll try and share those pictures too.  

some favorite activities

Hanging out with Grandma and Poppie

Why, oh why, does Poppie call me Tootsie Two?  Is it to drive my mommy crazy?  Where did he come up with that nickname anyways? He sure does get a kick out of it so I guess I better get used to it!

Reading with daddy...

I've got a lot of books and it is fun to read and look at pictures.

Shopping with mommy....

I know--this isn't a "shopping" picture.  But we were at Great Beginnings and you know what that means...mommy has to weigh me again.  Next week is the official weigh in at the doctors office but mommy likes to see how i am growing and at the GB store they have a scale....  

Now that I have good head control mommy let me try out the bumbo seat and I loved it!  I can find my fingers (and whole fist) a lot easier and it is fun to sit up and look around.  

12 weeks old!

Our little girl is amost 3 months old.  They tell us that the fussy period should be over soon and we are waiting for that to happen.  Overall she is smiling more and is interacting a little with her toys. She prefers to be out and about but I did capture her in a quiet moment and sleeping in the swing.

Today we had a playdate with our friends Sally and Izzy.  Here the girls are hanging out and were "talking" to each other (probably about us moms!). Then it was off to lunch at Cheesecake Factory and shopping at the mall.  Good thing we are going to Stroller Strides tomorrow to work off some of that cheesecake!  

Road trip!

    Daddy and mommy took me on my first road trip and we went to Richmond, VA to see nanny and grandpa.  First stop: Potomac Mills for shopping.  Daddy loves using his new baby bjorn and is so happy that I love to shop as much as he does.

Ok- wasn't so happy at first with the whole hotel room but once daddy put together the pack-n-play and mommy unpacked my toys I decided I do like to travel.   Good thing cause mom and dad have lots of travel ideas.  

Here I am with nanny and grandpa.  Can you guess where we are? Shopping at one of my favorite stores-Nordstroms.

Mommy is usually taking all the photos but got in the picture with me at Short Pump mall in Richmond, VA.  It was a great weekend and I can't wait to travel again.

BTW-my mommy finally signed up for Facebook and is addicted to it now.  She says that she will continue this blog--it is just for close friends and family so keep checking this.  Tomorrow I am going to be 12 weeks old and that means more pictures to come!  Hope everyone is enjoying 2009!!!