11 pounds 23 inches

SO we went to the doctor's office today and we didn't like it. Sydney got her first set of shots and it was completely unpleasant for the both of us.  The poor thing didn't even know what was coming. That nurse just stuck the little needle in so hard and so fast and with no warning. Sydney went from having a huge smile on her face to a look of terror that turned into the loudest and saddest scream she has ever made. She gave me a look that made me feel like I had betrayed her, and I don't blame her. Let's hope she forgets about this by tomorrow. She is now doped up on children's tylenol and is allowed to do whatever she wants for the rest of day. I wish that meant that she could do really fun stuff like eating chocolate and gummy bears or going to Disney Land, but really I only mean that she can fuss as much as she wants and I'll hold her and love her all day long.  

big girl

   2 months old!!! seriously, and she is so much fun. She is smiling and interacting so much more and TURNS OUT, she loves Baby Einstein. We just discovered that yesterday. Maybe not the best thing for me to have discovered. How am I writing this blog post right now while she is wide awake? Oh, because Baby Einstein is on and her eyes are LOCKED on that TV screen. Somebody stop me from giving into this new love of hers. UH OH. Too late, it just ended and I didn't even hesitate before hitting "replay". I am so in love with this girl. Christian told me last night that I've officially become obsessed, and he's absolutely right.

a special trip

for Katie's Baptism! This adorable girl dressed in white above is one of Christian's really good friends from Arizona- SUCH a great girl. She has been friends with members of the church for years and years, but has always been very active in her Christian church. However, a few months ago she started learning more about the LDS church and after much study and prayer decided to get baptized! We couldn't miss it- and I'm so glad we didn't. Her baptismal service was so powerful. We are so happy for her. 

We also had a really great time with Christian's family. We went to my favorite place IN the world- La Grande Orange. 

 The cutest Papi in the world. He is CRAZY protective of Sydney, and it's adorable. 

together again

 The week that Sydney and I spent in Maryland was the first that Christian had been apart from her. He didn't like it at all. And though I love going home SO much, I have to say that I really don't like being away from him either. It just doesn't feel right - especially now more than ever. Turns out that its really hard to take care of a little girl all by yourself. Which I can't even say that I did, because my Mom and Julianne helped me LIKE CRAZY. But either way, I am more grateful than ever for the way Christian takes care of Sydney. He is the best Dad ever.

After spending a week indoors in MD, we enjoyed going to the beach more than ever. 

This has got to be my favorite picture of all time. 

Cousins

 Christian had to be away last week for work, so Sydney and I took the opportunity to get away! We hopped on the plane and went home to Maryland to spend the week with sisters, cousins, neices and nephews and my wonderful parents. It was so nice to be there. I think we only left the house twice because it was so cold, but it didn't make one bit of difference to me.  Sydney met a lot of her cousins (not all of them, we are going to see the Bennions next week (!) and she still has to meet her closest cousin, Thomas James Pratt). They were SO cute with her. I love cousins. I love that Sydney is going to have a zillion cousins to be best friends with, look up to, depend on, and confide in. Friends are wonderful, but cousins are sometimes even more wonderful.

Yes, this is how adorable Claire Henriod smiles. 

Sydney's first airplane experience

I had to add these pictures that I took on my phone of Sydney's first airplane ride.  I was so nervous about taking my 5-week-old on a 6 hour flight by myself. SHE WAS PERFECT.

Mary Martha

...has claimed her role as "Sydney's God - Mother." And I actually couldn't approve of anything more. After spending the last 4 days with us in San Diego, I feel like Mary knows Sydney as well as I do. She is incredible with her. I can't believe what a huge help she was and how much Sydney loves her.  We had a BLAST. It meant so much to me to have her here and spend some serious quality time with us.  There are few people that I love like I love Mary Martha. She is ONE OF A KIND and I couldn't love and appreciate her more.

The Little Angel

This girl has turned into an angel. Not that she wasn't initially, but in the past few days things have really changed for us. Maybe she hasn't changed all that much, but I have. I'll be honest, motherhood was just a little bit of a surprise for me. The transition didn't come as quickly or as easily as I thought it would.  I would find myself looking around at all the people at Target who didn't have little babies with them to take care of and I was just a little envious of their care free lives. How awful is that? I only say this because I couldn't feel any more different now. I am IN LOVE. I am so in love with this little girl that it kills me. I love being her mother. I love taking care of her and knowing she needs me. What seemed like a sacrifice a week ago seems like the biggest  blessing I could ever ask for now. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have her - even when she is screaming her head off.  I couldn't be more in love with this little angel.