My First Birthday Party

Here I am arriving to my party at Gymborree. Good thing my mom called the paparazzi so they could capture my every move. Watch out Britney!
I got to eat the top layer of this beautiful cake, and all of my friends got a great cupcake.

I think this is the only picture taken of Aunt Erin, since she was so commited to take mine :). I am crazy about her!

These are my Mommies awesome co-workers and their kids. Can you believe that in one calendar year there were 9 babies born in an office of 43 people?? Everyone jokes about not drinking the water, whatever that means.

I was so blessed by all these wonderful gifts. I would rather play than take the paper off of them, but I promise I am already enjoying playing with all my awesome new toys.

OK, I love my birthday twin Jackson!!!! As soon as I saw him, I leaned over and hugged him. I don't know why he was so upset about it??? I will keep working on him :).

"Pop goes the bubble"

Some of my Mommies OBU crew

This is one of my Mommies favorite pictures, and she can't figure out why it is so small. She said just keep it in anyway because it has Aunt Andi, Melissa and Jackson and Keri.

I love the Boyd family! I must be pretty special for a whole family to drive 3 hours just to come to my party.

We mostly played and listened to music- very fun!

Bring on the cake and the cameras, but seriously Mom, I am NOT wearing this dorky hat. I think birthday cake may be the best thing I have ever eaten. It took both hands to stuff in as much as possible. I highly recommend it.

TA DA!!! Those are just a few highlights from my very fun party!

Thank you Lord, for the special child you have entrusted to us. We know that being a parent is such a huge responsibility and we humbly lay her future at your feet. Please give us guidance as we continue to raise her. Thank you for all of her loved ones, big and small, near and far. We are honored to be surrounded by such an awesome circle of people who will stand beside us to nurture and raise Sydney. Most of all, at the end of her life, may it be said that her heart belonged to Jesus. In His name we pray... Amen.

Love Lauren and Brent

Snow Angel

Hey Little Woman! I don't want to forget this day. While I was thrilled when I saw that my school district was canceled today, I was disappointed to find NO snow when we woke up. We made the most of our relaxing morning though, and while we were eating lunch, it started snowing! By the time we were finished snow was all over the backyard! (For my memory, you are 2 days shy of your first birthday and are eating only table foods and drinking 4 cups of whole milk a day. In this picture you are finishing off ravioli, green beans, cheese, milk and a little banana. I am so proud of you big girl!) After your nap we ventured outside for a few minutes to document your first snow. Our "firstborn" has always loved the snow, and you cared much more about what Misty was doing than you did about the snow. We bumped your birthday party time from 9:30 to 3:30 and are expecting the roads to be clear by then.

Crazy Weather!

Sydney and I enjoyed the warm weather Sunday afternoon and spent lots of time outside. She looked so sweet in this little sleeveless top, but I need to start stocking up on SPF 70 for the spring and summer (for us both). Anyway, crazy Arkansas! The next day it rained ALL day (but we were stuck inside with a high fever) and then Tuesday- it snowed! Now today, it warmed up to around 55 I think, and now we are closely watching the weather for possible snow for Sydney's birthday weekend!?!? Keep your fingers crossed that we can enjoy some snow on Thursday night/Friday morning and then enjoy a birthday party on Saturday morning with safe roads to drive on. I am trying to relax and tell myself, hey, she won't remember if the party is canceled and then I'll get 3 dozen cupcakes to enjoy all to myself... hee hee hee...

Sydney's First Haircut

I uploaded my entire memory card onto our new laptop without using the external hard drive thing to save on (like I was instructed by Brent), but hey, I need to blog and go to bed! So please enjoy these pictures from last Friday. My sweet hairdresser Allison (at Bella Salon hint hint) did a great job with Sydney. Well, I have to admit that she was VERY excited to be there and sit like a big girl in the chair and have the smock on. I swear, she sat really still and grinned at herself in the big mirror the whole time. What a ham!!! We mostly just got the little mullet in the back trimmed and little help with the front. And we just praised her and told her how pretty she looked, and I'm afraid, she understood and agreed!!! Lord help us :).

Yes we are still here!!!

Hello to my "faithful" blog readers. I promise that we are still here and plenty of new pictures are just waiting to be uploaded. I am not making excuses, but we got a new laptop I am haven't quite mastered the picture uploading-yet. Also, thankfully, we are feeling much better, but Brent had a major stomach bug last week, and yesterday morning at 5:00am Sydney had 101 fever. By the time we got to see the dr. it was up to 103! Yikes! It appears to have just been a virus because her ears were looking great and her fever broke this afternoon. I have LOVED having some extra snuggle time (especially since the last 2 days have been either pouring down rain or snow) and I just can not believe that my sweet baby girl will be ONE this weekend! I am committing to have a new picture post tomorrow night and then there will hopefully be plenty of fun pictures from our birthday weekend. I hope this finds all of you happy and healthy and finding time for balance in your life. I am still working on the last one :)....

Birthday Twins at 11 months

Looks can be deceiving- Jackson is sitting on his knees and Sydney is standing.

I think that every time we get them together they interact more and more. OK, mostly parallel play but Sydney did take a toy or 2 from Jackson :). Happy 11 months sweet babies!

Sydney's New Hat

The Boyds were in town and we got to spend a little playtime together with Merrit and Greer yesterday. I love that the girls are going to be close in age growing up. Sydney got a new hat, but wasn't as cooperative as Greer and the Boyd girls about keeping it on. We will keep practicing :). Carlee is taller than Sydney already! I love the picture where they are both "teething" on their fingers. We wish we could play every week!!!

Piercey Baby/Jason's 30th Birthday

Pierce- meet Sydney. Sydney- Pierce.
"Hey little baby, you would look cute with this bow in your hair."

The Walker Family before dinner

Our crew at dinner, before the 20 lbs of crawfish were delivered. Please note, Trent, the Perrys, the Wards (and we got to meet Joe!), the Luces, the McBroomes and the Walkers make for a pretty fun table.

We had a quick but great trip to Dallas to see Piercey Baby and to help celebrate Jason's 30th birthday. Bowden was spoiled all weekend at his grandparents, so we didn't get to love on him and I am still very sad about that. Thanks as always to Scarlett- the great host!

"These are a few of my favorite things"

Sweet Valentine :) in her pink boots
One of our new favorite games, taking everything in and out of her "purse"
Please enjoy 2 things in this picture. 1. We have one strand of beads from Race for the Cure, and Sydney is in love with them and has taken to crawling everywhere dragging them. 2. I have no idea where she gets this from, but we have our first offical word- "Hi". And she puts everything (my brush, a book, beads, a shoe, and the real phone) up to her ear and says "Hi" like she is talking on the phone. She is in mid-motion here. Her silly Daddy must model that alot for her ;).
Oh, and waving is still a really fun game.
Smiling sweet baby girl! Who will be 11 months on Saturday!!! I can't believe it! Oh, I took Keri's advice and we moved out the office and are in the process of making a playroom/family room. I am actually attempting to make some pretty artwork (Anyone who knows me is cracking up I'm sure) and we are going to look at IKEA this weekend for maybe a piece to store toys. Any other ideas for this room??? I want something fun and functional- that we can try and keep "organized".

Good times at Oaklawn

Well, I must say, I walked out of the race track Saturday with 5 dimes in my pocket but we had a great time. We met Scott and Ashley, and ended up sitting right next to Jeff/Erin and Billy/Darcy. I sure do miss my Granddaddy Bo being at the races with me. He always had a good tip up his sleeve that made me feel like I could really pick a good horse. Maybe I'll win next time! Thanks to Nanny D and Grandpa Gene for keeping the Princess- she had a blast. Saturday night we ate some fabulous steaks at the the Hamras and Sydney got to play. Henry (their labradoodle) fell in love with me, what can I say ?!?!

Happy 30th Scott and Good Luck at Boot!

"Baby it's cold outside!" Sydney with her mommies "boyfriend".
Elli, Emma, Scott and Sydney 11 months ago :)

Scott and Ashley

Awesome cake in honor of Scott's birthday and the national guard

Silly Emma, Elli and Sydney.

Before the party, Sydney figured out she could feed Misty her snackThis is the "Princess Mobile" that her Nan got her. It is really neat- it is actually a very safe little walker, but Sydney hasn't figured out how to really make it go yet.

We have been super busy and I wanted to be sure and share about a very special birthday party we went to last weekend. Our dear friend Scott Eaton is turning 30. Not only that, but he has enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard and will be leaving for boot camp in less than 2 weeks. So, Ashley wanted to have a special night to celebrate him and it was a great time with great food and friends. Sydney has always liked Scott and we are VERY PROUD of him and his dreams. But please hurry home soon and be safe!!!

The Mom Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM&feature=related

Welcome John Austin/Happy B-Day Corbin

Julia, Mika and I made a quick trip to see Corbin, John, and John Austin this weekend. (Erin was supposed to come but got very sick and we missed her!) What a special time to get to be involved in!!! Corbin is so calm and comfortable and already a great mom. Proud dad John is already an old pro at diaper changing and swaddling. And John Austin is beautiful and so content and I am SO HAPPY after getting to be there. I cried when we left because I wanted to stay and help and watch him grow and change and watch the Levins enjoy parenthood. But that is not possible, so good thing Corbs and I both have fancy phones. We can update our blogs and send pics all the time and I'll feel like a part of his life. Happy birthday Corbin!!!

The last 2 weeks

Carlee Boyd and Sydney

Caroline Boyd and Sydney

This will be a random post because I am tired and just have the energy for one post tonight. I think I will write in "bullet style" to simplify my randomness.

- Sydney and I spent a few days with the Boyds before New Years and I am just now posting the pictures. But better late than never. Sydney turned into a "bow head" the minute we walked in and I loved it! We had a blast and Syd and I were both worn out when we got home from all the playing and shopping :).

- I would also like to say "Guess who's back... Back again"-? Julie Hamra. Believe it or not- she has a new post.

- Sydney is 10 months old today! I swore I would never be one of those Moms that says "Oh the time just flies by, enjoy every minute", but I have found myself wanting to say that all week. I also thought I would never be a mom that wears her baby as an accessory, but colic rocked my world :). Sydney is eating more and more "real food" like: cheese, crackers, deli meat, yo baby yogurt, Cheerios, and whole grain frozen waffles. Teaching a baby to eat real food and actually get it into her mouth is a very messy task, but Misty is proving to be a very faithful vacuum. Sydney is crawling very fast and pulling up on everything she can. She is very interested in cords, outlet plugs and the dogs bed. I had her completely ready for school a couple of days ago and she crawled into Misty's bed in her adorable leopard velour outfit. I actually had to sticky-roll her entire body before we could leave. She thought it was the most fun game ever and now crawls immediately to the dog bed every morning!

- Oh, Pierce Luce is here!!!!

- And John Austin Levin should be here at this time tomorrow!

- I can not WAIT to get my hands on both of the boys and I plan on doing lots of baby hogging over the next 2 weekends. Please stay tuned for adorable baby pictures of Pierce and John Austin!