Using Utensils

Nearly every day we notice some new trick, sound or movement that Sydney has picked up. Lately, she's been crawling up and around on things, and then she'll flop around on the ground. It's a new, more relaxed way to move, versus walking or running everywhere in a hurry!
She's really into playing peekaboo with anyone who'll play it with her...She covers up her eyes (or just one eye), the seeker wonders aloud where Sydney could have ran off to, and then we all rave with praise when she opens up both her hands to reveal she was right there the whole time! It's quite amusing to her.
Last night she decided to experiment with using a spoon...and she was pretty successful considering she was dealing with runny applesauce on her first try :) As proud as we were, you can only imagine the gi-normous mess that was made in the process. But, it was worth it, she was very proud of herself :)

Little Carnivore

Although Sydney is often seen refusing to eat food she previously devoured the day before, one thing is certain...she likes her meat. Not only that, she seems to enjoy a meal she can get really involved with.

Yum Yum

Sydney enjoying one of her favorite treats, a homemade yogurt popsicle. We have been experimenting with new foods these days, considering Sydney's tastes seem to fluctuate like the wind (much to my absolute joy). In addition to eating all meals with her fingers, Sydney is also beginning to boycott her afternoon nap (this also gives me great pleasure). As a matter of fact, as I write this, I'm hearing what sounds like thumping on crib rails coming from her bedroom. I do still put her down, and sometimes we luck out with a quick nap, other times she just plays for a bit on her own. I really will miss that afternoon nap, it was such a cherished part of my day!!

Where has the time gone?

We celebrated Sydney's 1st birthday on July 27. I can't believe a whole year has passed since she entered the world! As someone once told me: with kids, the days are long and the years are short. Sometimes, that is just the plain truth!

Steve's Hobby

(Linda, don't look at this picture!)

Just thought I'd share a shot of my dear husband, doing something that he loves :)
Now that Steve is generally injury-free, he has been able to get back into rock climbing. I'm planning to get back into it after my wrist heals up (I had surgery early July). He has a group of buddies from the rock gym that venture to various locations around the Portland metro area, and this was a shot from yesterday's excursion. We are looking forward to getting Sydney involved in climbing too someday...It's great exercise, seems to attract a good group of younger kids (at least at our climbing gym), and of course, she won't be doing these outside walls until she's older! :)

Family Vacation

The Forster family hit the road for a family vacation last week. We kicked off the adventure with a visit from Grandma Linda, who stayed with us a few nights. We took a few walks, Linda baked some goodies & then on Tuesday we left for Couer d'Alene, ID. The drive from Portland is about 6 hours, and of course, we had to stop & let Sydney stretch her legs a few times along the way. The scenery between Portland & CDA is beautiful...a few hours along the Columbia River Gorge, which changes from forests to desert with all kinds of rock formations, and then a few hours in Eastern WA through the rolling hills of farmlands.
Aunt Marty & Uncle John live in CDA year round, and Aunt Trudy & Uncle Frank spend parts of the summer in their own house a short walk from the 'main house.' In all, there are three homes that all have fabulous views of Lake CDA, and there is lots of room for visiting family. During our visit, we spent time with the aforementioned aunts & uncles, as well as the Verniest family & Aunt Cathy & Uncle Bob. As it is every year we go to Idaho, the weather was warm, and the family time was great. Sydney had a wonderful time with her grandma, who watched her nearly every day so Steve & I could spend some 'alone' time! In all, we had a restful time (I finished two books!), and enjoyed spending quality time with family we don't see too often.

Fourth of July Parade

Our neighborhood mom's group organized a 4th of July parade this year. It was a fun group walk around the neighborhood, and hopefully next year we'll have more spectators. The pictures above present Sydney in all her patriotic finery, and highlight two of the more rowdy parade spectators (Great Uncle Tim and Oma Jude!). Ryan rode his bike the entire way, and Kelan enjoyed the view from the front pack. The parade was followed by sandwiches and watermelon @ our house.
The 4th was actually more fun for me this year. Typically, I just get annoyed by the fireworks that begin on June 28th @ 10 p.m. and end on July 5th @ 2:30 a.m. I think fireworks make me realize I'm aging--the erratic noises disrupt my sleep, and at this stage of my life, sleep is a treasure!
This year felt more festive, and I actually did see a lovely illegal firework display from my bedroom window (courtesy of some unidentified neighbors). Fireworks are abundant in Washington, where it seems anything goes! In Oregon, legal fireworks aren't supposed to leave the ground, so anything seen in the air was likely purchased in Washington or from an Indian reservation. (Information courtesy of Assistant Fire Marshal Steve Forster) :)