Rock On

We decided Sydney needed a new water bottle to cater to her hydration needs. We were going to order one online but saw the same model during a recent trip to Dick's Sporting goods. We asked the salesperson if they had any other versions and he returned with two choices: a pink bottle with pink and purple butterflies and a blue bottle with drums and the phrase "Rock On." We looked at each other and decided to let Sydney choose. She chose wisely.

Rocking on...

One other funny tidbit about the bottle. It says it is for ages 3 and up. Our friend Catherine who was shopping with us asked us "Why?" We explained that with Camelbak water bottles, there are two steps to drinking, you have to bite down before you can drink the water. Sydney figured it out after a few practice rounds (it probably helps that she bites some of her other straws even though that isn't a requirement for any other drinking container we own).

Fall Clean Up

Our trusty Duke Energy workers came to lop off some of our trees. They took the tree tops but left a fair amount of debris. Joshua decided to clean it up and offered Sydney a Sydney-sized rake to lend a hand. She was ecstatic.

Of course, it did not escape her that daddy's rake was bigger.

She followed him around but she definitely preferred dragging the rake with the teeth facing up so it didn't catch on anything. On the surface, that may seem to negate the purpose of raking but since our actual goal was to have her be part of the action - mission accomplished!

Labor Day

We went to visit Kristi and Greg in Wisconsin Labor Day weekend. Here are some of the highlights. Sydney enjoyed her first carousel ride. She was a little unsure at first but was signing "more" by the end of it. I think she chose the blue horse because it reminded her of the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear (which features a blue horse).

Sydney also enjoyed her first boat ride.

For the record, we did not kick Greg out of this picture - Kristi did.

Our destination was a set of islands to see heaps and heaps of cranes.

Along for the ride...
We did a short hike in a park by them.

We even picked up a football for Kristi and Greg's new dog, Duke (prominently displayed by Kristi in the photo).

Thanks for a great weekend!

Monkey in the Making

Sydney really likes sitting in her chair at her table. Sadly, she is a little small to be able to do it. She has figured out how to get up into it. The good news is that she can do it and she loves sitting up there and looking at her books. The other good news is that she has no trouble getting down from it once she's sitting. The bad news is that she is just one neuron connection away from realizing that while she is standing on her chair to sit on it...she is one small step from standing up on the table. Fun times.

Muchos Munzes

Joshua's parents, sisters, and brother-in-law road tripped to see us...and to see Chicago...and to see Milwaukee. Here is Sydney with her Aunt Rachel enjoying a pre-nap book.

We went to Chicago and I regret to say that I didn't take any pictures. Most of the group went to a Cubs/Pirates game at Wrigley. Sydney, Joshua's Mom and I opted out and ended up catching some of the Chicago Air Show with our good friend John. Sydney also got to see baby Maeve but again...no pictures (sorry!). We did appreciate John, Maura and Maeve's hospitality - and we enjoyed some Chicago-style pizza. Here are Sydney and Joshua outside the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Here's the whole group less me (the photographer). You'll notice from the picture above to the picture below that the "wings" of the art museum are actually moving. This happens 3 times a day and is definitely worth checking out if you are in Milwaukee. (From left to right: Joshua, Sydney, Rachel, Joshua's Mom, Joshua's Dad, Rebecca, and Sayed.)

Here's Sydney with her grandparents and her daddy.

Sydney managed to draw her aunts' attention with her combination of mobility and curiosity.

Sydney getting a little help with the stairs.

There was a walkway/skybridge overlooking the art museum and some of the fountains. Joshua and Rebecca helped Sydney appreciate the view.

You can't see her right arm in the picture, but rest assured it is pointing at the fountain. She was a big fan of the moving water.

Sydney's first official major league baseball game was the Brewers vs. the Astros at Miller Park. Although this may seem somewhat random since Joshua is a Mets fan and I am a Red Sox fan, Miller Park is actually the most kid friendly ball park any of us had been to. We had "standing room only" tickets which suited Sydney fine because she was able to be wheeled around or walked around to entertain herself when she wasn't mesmerized by the spontaneous applause coming from the crowd.

Miller Park is famous for their sausage races. We actually caught one of the costumed sausages during the pre-game festivities.

We didn't have to worry about not seeing all of them...there are statues in the Kids Zone. Here is Sydney with two of the sausages.

I love that she is pointing at the one on the right in this next picture. I went to take another picture with her looking at the camera but changed my mind because other youngsters were eager for their photo ops with the sausages and I instantly realized that it wasn't going to get any better than the one I already took.

The sign above this giant glove says "Be the Ball."

We got a tip from a friend who lives in Wisconsin that the Brat Stop in between Milwaukee and Chicago would be a good pit stop and a good place to find local Wisconsin fare. We enjoyed the local flavor...and the brats! (Thanks, Kristi!)

Sydney's Grandma and Grandpa got her some fall clothes. She managed to model this one before everyone left since it was a fan favorite.

Chicago Interlude

Since we had a whopping 3 days in between our families' visits...we decided we needed to make good use of that time and planned a day trip to the north side of Chicago. We met up with Joshua's friend from high school, Brian and got to see a little of Evanston, Illinois (proud home of Northwestern University). I like this first photo because it looks like Brian and Sydney are both thinking "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

Brian helping Sydney explore the wonders of the revolving door.

Brian and Sydney getting ready to say goodbye.

One last shot of Joshua, Brian and Sydney. Sydney was a very good sport despite the long day (and the fact that she got her 15 month shots that morning!)

Full of Fauchers

My parents and my brother Tim visited us in Indiana. Tim became an expert at creating interesting structures with Sydney's blocks.

Leaning tower of...Sydney's blocks with my Dad looking on.

Sydney enjoyed deconstructing all of Tim's creations.

Here are Sydney and her Uncle Tim. Although she is still a little young to articulate it, I'm sure he will become known to her as "Star Uncle" the way he is with our other nieces and nephews.

Who said Red Sox and Yankees fans can't get along? Well, you'll note that Tim looks happier than Sydney. If you watched the Red Sox/Yankees series at Yankee Stadium a few weekends ago, you know why. I'm also happy to report that Sydney tried her best to replace Tim's hat with her own. I'm teaching her well.

Sydney has spunk.

What do you do with a child with spunk? Feed her lemons! Here are some photos from her first exposure to lemon. Photo 1: Hamming it up for the camera. (This is several pieces in...the good stuff didn't happen at first taste.)

Photo 2: Starting to realize this tastes a little different. This is...

Photo 3: sour!

Photo 4: Bleck.
Photo 5: Recovered from sour lemon - back to hamming it up for the camera. (Still eating bits of lemon. Even after the taste fully set in she was not deterred.)

Sydney enjoyed her new baby stroller. She paused to kiss her babies (on the feet!)

She also liked wheeling them around the kitchen and living room.

Sporting her "bam bam" do to manage the long locks.

I love this picture of Sydney and her Nana and Papa.