Ready for vacation--Disney World: here comes Sydney!

Well, it has been a busy couple of weeks and mommy wanted to post some new pictures of me since next week it will be all about our Disney trip.  I'm 19 weeks old and sleeping through the night (7:30pm-6:45am)!!!  Tomorrow we leave for Orlando, Florida for a few days of fun in the sun and of course--Disney World!  

Last weekend we met Uncle Jay and Aunt Beth for breakfast at Panera (one of our favorite places)

Then it was time for shopping with "Auntie Karen" at the mall (and lunch at the Cheesecake Factory but we've already posted lots of pictures of that place).

Hanging out with mommy-check out the little cupcake barrette in my hair!

One of the fun activities I did this week was attend a play session at Kidville.  They have so many cool toys and programs and maybe when I am a little older I can play there.  I loved the music, stories, bubbles and toys.  

4 months old-where has the time gone?

Before heading to New York, mommy and I went to an infant massage class.  This was a great way to get me relaxed before the long drive to New York.  I did great in the car but it sure was a far drive.

Daddy had work in Westchester so mommy and I hung out and saw some friends.  Here I am just chillin' at the hotel (mom didn't take too many pictures during the trip).  We were so glad we got to tag along on daddy's work trip.

Friday morning I got to meet my new friend Elena and her mommy Jane.  It's too bad that they live so far away...

After meeting with friends and family, it was time to drive into New York City!!!  We ate lunch at Carnegie Deli which mom and dad enjoyed and then had time to walk around the city and shop.  

Shopping on 5th Avenue!  We had to go to FAO Schwartz and check out all the neat toys.  It sure was fun to walk around the city and see some of the great places to go shopping. We'll have to come back when the weather is warmer--there's so much to see and do here!

Our hotel was right across the street from M&M World and next to the Hershey store.  Of course we had to buy some chocolate and take some fun pictures.

It was great meeting some of mommy's friends from college.  Here she is with Cara (and her daughter Zoe in stroller), Melissa and Dawn.

Times Square!  Mommy and Daddy in front of the Morgan Stanley building & at the M&M World store.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Once our time in New York City was over it was time to drive back home where Nanny and Grandpa came to visit plus we had brunch with Gigi Juliet, Poppie, Grandma, Uncle Neil and Cousin Rebecca.  It's always fun to be with family : ) and celebrate holidays like Valentines day and special milestones like me turning 4 months old!!!

16 weeks old

Playdate with JCC friends.  I had not seen Blake, Jackson and Chloe in several weeks.  We are all getting so big!

Another dinner out with mom's (and dads) group

Monday night i got a fever (101.1!) and mommy and daddy had to take me to the emergency department--the doctor said so.  they did a couple of tests and everything turned out ok.  mommy and daddy were worried but I was just fine.   no---my mommy did not take any pictures of that but we went to see my pediatrician for a follow up and here I am with my favorite nurse.

hanging with cousin Lindsay.  mommy thought this was a funny picture-I'm guess I  am noticing that Lindsay has some new hair. 

just chillin' in the exersaucer...check out the video of me in action!

15 weeks old!!!

Storytime at Rockville library is lots of fun.  This past weekend we even brought daddy along so he could see what fun we have.  One of the other fun activities that I do is Stroller Strides at the mall where mommy gets to work out while I ride in the stroller.  We do laps and exercises and all the moms sing to the babies.  But sometimes I don't want to be in my stroller so mommy was smart and brought the baby bjorn so I could join in on the exercises.

Here I am just hanging out with some of my friends from playgroup.  Clockwise starting with me: Jack, Grace, Sutton, Anna, Sophia and Mary.  We are all right around the same age and have fun watching each other.  This is a rare moment when all of us are awake, fed, happy and still for the camera : )

I went to the doctor for a weight check and guess what:  I am 10 pounds 8 ounces!!!  I'm in the 10-25% for weight which makes mommy very happy since I wasn't gaining too much weight and was only 9pounds 3 ounces at my 3 month check up.  Mommy can't believe how big I am getting and says I am still the most adorable baby she has ever seen-chubby cheeks/double chin and all.

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!