Christmas: A Full Report

Well, Sally's first Christmas was a smashing success. This is the first year she's been able to truly understand the "Santa" concept and it was just tons of fun!

Santa apparently thought Sally was quite good this year -- she got lots of crafts, books, the "Ants in teh Pants" game (which she thinks is hysterical), a "laptop" that teaches phonics, how to tell time, etc., sewing cards, an easel (chalkboard / magnetic whiteboard) and her big present was a Radio Flyer tricycle, which she adores. She is riding it around our basement until the snow melts (which may be awhile since it is snowing AGAIN and we've got another storm rolling in!)

Stocking stuffers included personal care items (a recommendation from her Montessori school) including a comb, brush, ponytail holders, barrettes and an assortment of candy and mini books. Surprisingly, her favorite toy seems to be the counting bears -- 10 tiny plastic bears in 5 colors with matching cups -- to teach counting and sorting.

Presents continue to roll in (Auntie M's presents arrived today -- she shipped them Priority Mail on Dec 15th -- isn't that horrible? The post office can't really blame it on the storm since she shipped it nearly a week before the storm!) which is fun. Sally got lots of grocery items from Papa Rich and Gigi (plastic food, dinnerware, cookware) and a Disney Princess tea set from her cousins on Mommy's side, and a shopping cart from Auntie M and Uncle Ron and Nico. If (when) she gets her deluxe kitchen for her birthday, Food Play will be in full swing.

She can "make groceries," cook and play restaurant with all this gear.

Sydney had a good Christmas as well -- keepsake ornaments, books and a couple of toys. Santa brought her a wipes warmer, which she seems to be enjoying immensely, and some breastmilk storage supplies.

That's all for now -- got to go research 4WD vehicles for our next purchase :-)

Nicknames and Such

I've taken to calling Sydney "Squeaks." For obvious reasons, of course. (She squeaks!) Plus it sounds nicer than "Craps." Because she does a lot of that, too.

Other nicknames for Sydney include: Syd, Syd-Syd, Munchkin, Sweet Pea, Biddy Baby Bear, Babycakes, Little Miss Thang, Buttercup, Peaches, Stinks and Little Stinker (when appropriate), Punkin. Squeaks is by far the most commonly used around here.

Sally has her own set of nicknames: Sal, Sal-Sal, Big Sister, Miss Thang, Little Miss Fussy Butt, Peaches, SassyPants, Sassy-Frass, Cranky Pants, etc.

And the lists are ever-growing.

A Christmas Update on the Girls

I must say, breastfeeding is a heck of a lot easier the second time around. By this point last time, I was ready to give up on the whole thing, but this time, Sydney and I are in a total groove. She is a much more efficient eater than Sally, which is a nice blessing. Sydney tops out at about 15 minutes, whereas Sally could eat for 45 minutes every 2 hours! No wonder I felt like I was always feeding her.

Tomorrow we have Sydney's first well-baby dr appt (2 week checkup). I'm sure she's gained weight and at least returned to her birth weight, if not a few ounces over that. She's filling out, and doesn't look nearly as scrawny as she did her first few days of life. And her hands and feet are no longer purple, which I must say was a little disturbing initially! (it's the altitude)

I have not yet given Sydney a bath (other than a sponge bath to clean her bottom and face/hands) although I think one is coming soon. Maybe tomorrow afternoon while big sister is napping. Her umbilical stump came off on Friday (perhaps because Sally tugged on it once?) and was still bleeding a tad until today, so I was in no hurry to put her in water. But I think we'll be ready to bathe her (a "real" bath) tomorrow. In the hospital, they only bathed her the day she was born, so she hasn't had a proper bath in 2 weeks! But they said at this altitude, it's best not to bathe her more than once every 5-7 days anyway.

It just occurred to me that I didn't post anything about Nana's visit!

We had a very nice visit,and she was a huge help to me -- she cooked Andy's and my favorite comfort foods (pea soup for him and stuffed artichokes for me) as well as veggie soup (enough to put some away in the freezer), a roast, potato salad and more. She also managed to do every stitch of laundry I had, the amount of which amazed me since I had washed nearly everything prior to going into the hospital.

On Thursday, Susu flew in so we could maintain our annual tradition of Christmas Lunch/Tea with the girls. Next year, we'll have holiday tea at the Molly Brown Mansion in Denver (reservations must be made by October) but this year, we settled for the Crepe Cafe in Castle Rock. Sydney slept the entire time, and Sally played with the toys that were there at the cafe. The food and service were excellent (I swear that place is Castle Rock's best-kept secret!) and I just love that little place. Then we went home for a bit so I could feel Sydney and Sally went down for a nap while Daddy worked, and Susu checked into her hotel. Then she came back adn Susu, Nana, Sydney and I all went shopping at Park Meadows Mall. Nana had bought Sydney a baby's first Christmas outfit that was 1 size too large (silly Nana) and we were on a mission to return it. Who would have guessed taht they would be nearly sold out so early in the month?? But we found something suitable, after hitting 3 stores and completely wearing me out.

But apparently that wasn't enough shopping, becaue then we came back to Castle Rock adn shopped at Kohl's (HUGE selection of Christmas stuff for baby!). By the time we got home, (between the 3 of us) Sydney had a whole new wardrobe. Susu visited for a bit (not too long -- cat allergies!) and then bugged out to her hotel. We didn't see her in the AM because she left around 7am to catch her flight.

Sally had a craft day at school on Thursday and this Thursday is hte Christmas performance. Sally has been practicing "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus is Comin to Town" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." It appears as though there are hand motions to Twinkle, can't wait to see the live performance. And oh my goodness you should see little Sally take a bow! Just divine. Of course, if she finishes singing and we don't clap, she says "You clap your hands now!" Precious.

So I think the adjustment is going well -- it's hard to tell what's going on in Sally's head. For sure there are more meltdowns than there were a month ago (mine and Sally's) but then she has days when she is a perfect angel. I am making an extra effort to give her additional attention adn do things with just her -- it's tough wiht everything else that's going on.

Thank goodness THIS year we can use the old "Santa Claus is watching, you know" schpiel.

Sally's school is out for 2 weeks for Christmas break (next week and hte following) which I am NOT looking forward to. It seems like if she goes more than 3 days without school, she turns into a terror. Not sure if it's the structure, the routine, or hte social interaction. But one of her teachers is offering child care 6 of the 10 weekdays that school is out. We're planning to participate in at least a few of those days!

And what is Sydney getting for Christmas? A "baby's first Christmas" Hallmark ornament. Well, what else would I get her? Santa's enjoying the break while he can, and focusing on just Sally this year. Something tells me the rest of the family will make sure Sydney is all set this Christmas. :-)

Sally, on the other hand....well, let's just say it's hard for ME not to delve into her stocking stuffers this year!

Now I've rambled on long enough. More to come...

Daddy Made a Movie

Well, he actually made 2, but he had help with one of them.

Check out our joint effort -- our gift to the world: ThinkAbundanceNow

And then check out Sydney's movie: SydneyJane

I am feeling great today, definitely ready to go home tomorrow. The plan is that Dr. Rowley will be here around 12Noon to see me and complete discharge paperwork, adn then we'll head out. Andy is going to talk to Nana to see if she will be OK by herself tonight, adn if so, he will spend the night here with me at the hospital and we'll head home together tomorrow.

Sydney is doing great -- we are to book her first doctor's appointment either Monday or Tuesday. Maybe it will warm up by then! Looking for something fun for Nana and Sally to do on Monday, since there is no school (round 2 of parent/teacher conferences). My doctor's appt is 2 weeks post-op, and Sydney will have a 2-week appointment as well. Now for the fun part...insurance paperwork....

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!

By now, you've surely heard that our sweet little Sydney entered the world this Wednesday, November 29th, 2006 at 12:05PM (via c-section). At birth, she weighed 7 lbs 14 oz, measured 19.25 inches long and is absolutely gorgeous and totally healthy.

Sydney and Mommy are both doing great, we are at Sky Ridge hospital until Sunday at 12Noon, when we head home together.

Sally is as thrilled as she could possibly be -- new pix are posted at sydneyjanegrant.com and daddy is updating that site frequently.

We've had just a couple of visitors, it's been pretty quiet for the most part. Mommy is up and walking and much more mobile than last time around! Feeling great so far and healing quite well. Sydney is eating well.

Nana comes for a visit tomorrow and stays for a week...it's supposed to snow TWICE while she's here, so it's a good thing Susu and I talked her into buying some decent BOOTS!

Limited internet here, so I'll post more later and lots to come once we get home. :-)