Time for a Sally Update

Miss Sally amazes us and keeps us laughing every day.

Her ability to invent songs (lyrics and melodies) makes me think it might be time to put her in some kind of music or rhythm classes. Some of her songs are getting quite good, actually -- I think I may have to start recording them.

She is also very interested in dance -- we got her some ballerina slippers and tap shoes, and she is having a blast with both. Jodie (our neighbor from The Woodlands --Cori & family) used to teach tap lessons to little kids, so she gave Sally a lesson last week. We got her all decked out in tights, leotard, the works, and don't worry -- I took pictures.

We also started swim lessons at the Rec center. Sally goes twice a week for a half hour each time. She is doing GREAT -- I was talking to her teacher last week and she said Sally is definitely picking up the skills. Which is interesting, because quite honestly, I didn't think she would actually learn much this first time around. She may even move up to the next level next month, which seems wild to me since she's only actually had 4 lessons total. Now if only I could get her to pay attention to her own skills and stop trying to teach the other kids when they aren't paying attention. (!) Don't say it -- I already know what you're thinking!

And Mommy hit a milestone today, too -- today I am *finally* back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (for Sydney, not Sally yet). Hooray!!!

Sydney Initiates "Peek-a-Boo"

Sydney is growing so fast, it's hard to keep up with all the new stuff she's doing. She's been pulling up for awhile, but now she's cruising and climbing stairs. Today she ate eggs for the first time (still no teeth).

But yesterday was such a cute milestone, I couldn't NOT write about it.

She was fussing a bit because she wanted to be taken out of her highchair (BTW, she has to eb strapped in now, otherwise she turns herself around and stands up!) and when I went to pick her up, she turned away from me and buried her head in the back cushion of the chair.

I had a suspicion about what she was doing, so I said "Where's Sydney?" and then she turned around adn beamed a HUGE smile at me. So of course I followed up with "there she is!"

Today we played peek-a-boo (her idea) for about 10 minutes, adn she just thought it got funnier each time.

Today she also was playing with a toy phone and put it to her ear and clear as day said, "Hello"

But she didn't know I was paying attention, adn she nearly jumped out of her skin when I said "Sydney! Did you just say hello?"

She is also nodding and shaking her head, which is quite useful for feeding and diapering. She pats her hip when she needs a diaper change, and she makes little monkey noises when we're eating something she wants to taste. She also likes banging things together to hear what kind of sound they'll make.

I'm pretty sure she'll be walking by the time we get to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure whether there'll be any teeth by that time!

Waving, Clapping, Winning Hearts All Around

If Sydney gets any cuter, it's gonna stop traffic.

She is now clapping, blowing kisses, waving hi and bye, giving high-fives, and lots more.

Our little Peanut is also starting to cruise, which means lots of bumps and bruises, unfortunately. Good thing she's a tough little cookie. She'll pull up on anything -- the back of my pants, Sally, the kitty, the furniture, you name it. Time to get a push-toy, I suppose!

We had a mini-geocaching marathon yesterday, hit SEVEN different sites and found a Jeep Travel Bug (which means we are entered to win a 2008 Jeep!) and had a blast. We placed a new cache over the weekend, and now I am determined to be the first to find (FTF) a cache in our area. What fun this is!

Had a mind-blowing workshop here at our house, our friends Marilyn & Robyn came in to lead it and it's so beyond words, I can't even begin to describe it.

Monday was awesome -- we had a 5-year future party, where everyone came as who they will be 5 years from now. Andy was an international speaker and I was a bestselling author (and best buddies w/Oprah and Ellen). Woo-hoo!

Had a lunch/play date with a friend from Sally's school, which was great. Tomorrow we are hooking up with one of Andy's groomsmen (+ his wife) who are visiting from out of town.

We are planning to go camping next weekend in Estes Park, which I am really looking forward to, even though it means Sally will miss a b-day party for the twins in the neighborhood (age 5).