60 Second Catch-Up

Hi everyone! I know I've been slacking off on blog posts a bit lately, but I've got some exciting things happening on the side, which I'll let you all know of soon...but until then, here's a 60-second (give or take some) catch-up on our life lately:

BACHELORETTE PARTY
Hosted bachelorette party in downtown Denver the weekend after returning from Cabo. Not ideal timing (especially when Sydney got sick AGAIN) but it was for one of my best friends, and we had so. much. fun. Rockies game, bars, 'disco brunch' (using that term r e a l l y loosely here), tap house, shoulder game, blowdry bar, glam hair, champagne, lingerie, amazing dinner, dance club, Calvin Harris wannabe, bottle service, dying from exhausting because I'm no longer 24. Such a fun weekend. Happy bachelorette, my beautiful friend!

Miss to Mrs Banner // Tassel Garland

BAPTISM
Baptized - fiiiiiiinally. Getting Syd baptized in the Catholic church and obtaining a library card in Minnesota are probably the two most difficult processes I hope to ever go through. Both equally painful and so complicated. But anyway, so blessed -- all grandparents were in attendance, and Jordan and I are very appreciative and grateful for having such involved parents that are so eager to be a part of Sydney's life. Ceremony went great, but Sydney wanted to swim in baptismal fountain and was not happy she couldn't. May have to install a pool. Had delicious brunch afterwards, and Syd ate pancakes. Happy baptism, my sweet girl!

Flower Crown // White Dress // Black and Gold Flats (sold out; [somewhat] similar)

BABY
Sydney had her 15-month-checkup last week: 30" tall (height percentile - 27%), 21 lbs (weight percentile - 49%, which is the highest she's ever been!!) and head circumference is 45.1 cm (33rd percentile). Wasn't a fan of the shots but handled them fairly well considering it was almost lunchtime (don't mess with her meal schedule, people). At 15 months:

• Walking and running everywhere.
• "Dad" is favorite word. (Carried you for 9 months, but whatever.)
• Avocados, cheese, bananas and pancakes are favorite foods. Gotten a few licks of ice cream and popsicles, though, and I'm pretty sure they'll surpass all the other foods in a heartbeat (duh).
• L O V E S accessories, especially bracelets and sunglasses. Girlfriend really can't get enough of her sunnies and will dig through my diaper bag specifically to find and put them on.
• Starting to have a strong opinion about her clothes, and so far her fashion sense is pretty on point. I've heard some hilarious stories from mamas with older girls, so if wanting to wear her rain boots 24/7 is as bad as it gets, I'll take it. ;-)
• Favorite songs are "Jack and Diane" and the alphabet song. Not kidding. We may or may not listen to "Jack and Diane" on repeat in the car when we're nearing nap time or lunch. :-/
• Just recently became obsessed with Frozen. Welcome to 2013, Sydney. Wants to be watching Frozen all the time whenever she's not outside, and I'm fairly certain I can recite the whole movie now.
• Hair is dark blonde/very light brown and eyes are green/light brown. Evidently I was just a surrogate.
• Starting to really become obsessed with her daddy, and if she's up before Jordan leaves for work, she BAWLS and cries out for dad the rest of the day.
• Loves, loves, loves books, stuffed animals, and coloring, and I love, love, love that about her.
• Still obsessed with dogs. Now obsessed with feeding dogs as well, which makes the usual one minute task no shorter than 10 minutes now.
• Such a sweet girl. Loves to cuddle and snuggle up to her mama, especially when she wakes up in the morning and from naps.

Just Vogue-ing it at the pediatrician's office

Glitter Bow Headband // Infinity Scarf // Chuck Taylor Hightops (got these at the Converse outlet -- sold out; similar)

Bow // Striped Shirt // Romper // Shoes

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

xo,

Sarah

Travels, Part II: Aspen

If you've never visited Colorado in the fall, I highly recommend it -- specifically, the mountains; more specifically, Aspen. Besides breathtaking views of mountains dusted with early winter snow, the tree colors are incredibly vibrant and colorful, which make for some pretty awesome pictures. 

Jordan had an old man hockey tournament last weekend in Aspen, and while I didn't love the idea of being on-the-go for the 6th weekend in a row, I had never been there before and I knew how beautiful the mountains were this time of the year. Plus, Sydney loves watching hockey, so away we went. The four-hour drive was absolutely gorgeous until we drove through Independence Pass, which was like being on the worst roller coaster but with the best views. Hashtag so carsick, hashtag beautiful.

One lane road winding around a mountain...little dicey.

Last weekend was sunny with bluebird skies, crisp air and fall 50-degree-ish temperatures -- aka perfection. Also perfection? Aspen. Aspen is pretty much my heaven on earth, and by heaven on earth I mean a mountain town full of boots, leather pants, black clothes, fur, good food and great shopping. Plenty of local restaurants to choose from, dive bars, boutique hotels, beautiful homes, cobblestone streets, scenic views... It's like God took all my favorite things and made a town. I'm in love, and it was such a fun weekend getaway.

Gray & White Striped Headband (similar) // Jean Jacket (similar) // Hoodie // Leggings // Leopard Fur Boots (similar)

It was fun watching Jordan play, but to be honest it was even more fun watching Sydney watch him play -- she was fascinated and just sat quietly in my lap taking it all in. This is such a fun age (they all are, though, huh?); Sydney's all over the place, and she's learning so much every day. She still isn't really crawling, not for lack of ability, as she crawls when she wants to, but because she'd rather stand or 'walk' holding someone's hands. She loves waving hi and bye and seems to understand the concept of doing so, and she claps whenever anyone says "YAYYY!" or shows excitement for her. It's all so cute, and our little peanut is growing up before our eyes. Anyway, the boys made it all the way to the "championship game" (I can't take old man hockey seriously enough to write that without quotation marks), but thankfully their games were spaced out enough for us to enjoy the town. 

Me: Oatmeal Beanie (similar) // Red Jacket (similar) // Black Skinny Pants // Camel Boots

Sydney: Oatmeal Beanie (similar) // White Puffer Vest (similar) // Gray Sweatshirt (similar) // Black Leggings // Moccasin Boots

Sherpa Bear Hoodie // Jean Leggings (similar) // Gray Fur Boots

Talon and Sydney watching their dads

The drive back on Sunday was absolutely BRUTAL. Independence Pass, while still beautiful, seemed to have gotten 10x more curvy over the weekend, and both Sydney and I were stuck on a boat that would not stop swaying. I hung my head out the window, Sydney cried for nearly an hour and a half, and poor Jordan drove quietly wishing he were dead time would speed up. We finally made it home, exhausted but alive, with plans to relax and do nothing. I put Sydney down for bed, or rather I thought I put Sydney down because when I turned on the monitor, I saw a little bug trying to escape.

We had to lower the crib, and then of course Sydney decided it would be the most perfect time to shit so then we had to change her, and then from all the activity, Sydney decided it was party time.

Exhausted. But how can you be mad at a face like that?

Xo

{BIG} Update

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you're failing--or flailing--as a parent? Asking for a friend...

It's been a little crazed around here lately. For whatever reason, Sydney has started to wake up at least once, sometimes twice, during the night, and I can honestly say I've been more tired these last few days than I was when she was a newborn. I've been reading up for reasons why she's been waking, and I've deduced it to either our crazy busy September and changes in her weekend routine or because she's about to start crawling (or walking?) soon. Yes, Sydney still isn't crawling--she isn't even army crawling--but I'm okay with that and know she'll move when she's ready. She transitions from sitting into a crawling position so easily that it makes me think she can but just doesn't want to. I keep encouraging her, but I'd be lying if I said there was a part of me that wants my baby to stay tiny and immobile. ;-) So no crawling yet, but Syd loves standing and 'walking' when she's holding your hands so much that it makes Jordan and I think she may skip the crawling stage and jump right to walking. She's growing up too fast!

Goldenrod Headband // Chambray Romper (sold out, similar here) // Gold Moccasins

As I mentioned, our September has been BUSY. We've had visitors for the last three weekends in a row, and we're now prepping to be out of town for the next two (this could also be why I'm feeling a little crazed). Jordan's mom and her boyfriend visited us the first weekend in September, then some of my girlfriends from college came the weekend after, and my parents just left yesterday. Oh, and between all the visits, Sydney also got a new highchair, went to her first Broncos game, learned how to pull herself up to stand, and became a pancake monster.

Snuggles with Grandma Anderson

Munching on some tofu in her new Boon Flair Pedestal Highchair

Hiking around Garden of the Gods

Probably the most exciting thing that's happened recently (in my mind) is attending Sydney's first Broncos game! One of my clients does quite a bit of advertising with The Denver Post, so they generously offered me and Jordan suite tickets AND on-field pre-game tickets. Umm, yes please! We decided to bring Sydney with because we couldn't find a babysitter for such a long period of time (one of the downfalls of being out here alone) and because I thought it'd be a perfect opportunity for her first game. Being that we were going to be in a suite, she would be shielded from the sun and the 85-degree temperature, the drunks, and the loudness (Sports Authority Field is one of the NFL's loudest stadiums). Plus, suites have their own bathrooms (so I wouldn't have to worry about unsavory public bathrooms with her) AND their own entrances (so we wouldn't have to worry about fans rushing in/out), so I felt comfortable she'd be fine. And she totally was -- she. had. a. BLAST! (Warning: photo overload...)

Excited to tailgate!

Yes, Mom---Sydney had lots of sunscreen on.

Broncos Headband // Chambray Ruffle Bloomers // Gold Moccasins

Baby Banz Hearing Protector Earmuffs (these are awesome!)

Ran into Archie Manning and Mrs. Manning ditching the game early, HA!

Thank you so much, Denver Post! We had an awesome time. :-)

This past weekend wrapped up the last of our visitors for a while (at least until mid-October); my parents drove out for the weekend, and it was lovely to see them again. While we usually stay with my parents when we visit MN, they actually don't get too much time with Sydney (or us -- but let's be honest, it's all about the baby now) because we're always rushing off to meet people or do things.

Red & White Striped Headband // Wisconsin Football Jersey // Black Leggings // Moccasin Boots

Caught this incredibly sweet moment of Sydney and my dad

If you're still reading/looking, thanks for sticking with me! I'll post tomorrow with pictures of our FINISHED (yes, finished!) entryway. :-)

Xo

6 months!

Six months. Really?? Half of me is so excited because watching Sydney grow, learn and develop every day is so rewarding, and as cliche and corny as it sounds, it really is fun to view the world through her eyes. And the other half of me is so sad because omg, where did my tiny baby go??

Actually, our tiny baby is still right here. Syd had her six month checkup last Thursday, and she's a PEANUT. Her measurements are:

• Height: 22.25" (height percentile: 22%)
• Weight: 15 lbs, 0.08 oz (weight percentile: 28%)
• Head circumference: 41.4 cm (head percentile: 25%)

Our pediatrician said she's perfectly healthy, though, and she may just be a smaller baby. While that's all fine and dandy, Sydney's feet have barely grown since she was born - c'mon, kid! You have a closet full of shoes just waiting to be worn! ;-)

Sydney received four more shots of vaccinations, and she took them like a champ. She didn't cry until the last shot, and she only cried for a few minutes. Proud mama? You bet your ass I am.

At six months, Sydney...

• Still eats 5-6 times per day (bottles or breastfed), but is now getting solids twice a day as well
• Prefers to hold her own bottle (also prefers to hold her own spoon, but that ain't happening anytime soon)
• Loves sitting in front of the mirror
• Is starting to wave a little more and even 'high five' at times
• Says "mama" and is actually starting to know what it means(!!!! heart. explosion.)
• Has gotten two teeth! Her bottom two teeth have cut through, and--knock on wood--her teething wasn't bad at all.
• Is desperately trying to army crawl...except that her arms can't really lift her belly quite yet
• Finally wears size 2 diapers like a big girl
• Still wears some 3 month clothes, but for the most part is in 3-6 and 6 month now
• Is still bald but has amazing lashes
• Receives about one million kisses each day from mommy and daddy
• Currently has pink eye (PERFECT)

My sweet baby, I cannot believe you've already been here for half a year. You and your father are the absolute loves of my life, and every single day I fall more in love with you, your little sounds, your giggles and even your shrieks (your dirty diapers I could do without). You are already so smart, and I can't wait to see what you get into next (like the box of Kleenex I see you've started manhandling). I love you so much, little girl!! Happy half-birthday, Sydney!

5 Months

Little Miss Sunshine is now five months old and loving life more than ever. She's constantly on the go and is such a happy little baby.

Sydney probably had the best day of her life on her five month birthday. Usually Syd wears a furry sleep sack at night, but she had fallen asleep without it the night before and I couldn't bear to wake her up just to put it on - so she went sans fur coat for the night and evidently partied like a tiny rock star because she rolled around and twisted all night in her crib.

I, on the other hand, barely slept a wink out of fear she'd suffocate. It didn't help that when I was about to go to bed and realized she had rolled over and was sleeping on her tummy, I immediately googled to see if she'd be okay and proceeded to read tons of horror stories about babies suddenly dying - WHY did I do that to myself?!

Anyway, because Syd can roll over both ways, she was totally fine and woke up with her usual happy cooing. I fed her, took some five month pics, and then away we went to the pool!

Wake up, Daddy!!

This frickin' kid...we love you, T!!

Talon practicing his big brother skills out

Talon grabbed Sydney's hand while we were watching a movie...I can't even.

At five months, Sydney...

• Is eating 5-6 times a day, including "solids" at dinnertime
• Loves eating solids and has tried mangos, prunes, carrots and butternut squash, along with rice cereal and oatmeal pre-mixed with bananas
• Sleeps throughout the night (has been since about 2.5 months)
• Sits up on her own(!!)
• Can hold her bottle while eating but is smart enough to know she doesn't have to
• Rolls around like a boss
• Can WAVE! Yes, wave! She doesn't do it often, but if she's alert and has a full tummy, she'll start to mimic you waving (with her hand facing her, of course)
• Is starting to say "mama," and in my own delusions believe she knows it means me
• Is also starting to get a little separation anxiety from Mama...eek!
• Laughs (a lot!)
• Loves peek-a-boo and small stuffed animals
• Is still wearing 0-3 and 3 month clothes...but over the past weekend, we have started to transition her to all 3-6 month clothes

Sydney Belle, I can't believe you're already five months (five-and-a-half now, I guess) old! You are the light of our lives, and we love you more than you could ever know. Happy birthday, sweetheart!