I downloaded some pictures from my iPhone and found this one that Sydney must've snapped while playing with the phone in the back seat.
I wish those toes could stay this little forever.
So perhaps Valentine's Days are a bit different now that we have kids. We could have hired a sitter, but we thought that 1.) We didn't want to make anyone babysitt on Valentine's Day, and 2.) Bringing the kids along is a lot of fun, too.
So this is how our day went:
I woke up to this surprise next to my bed. Tommy had to leave to work early, so as I groggily rolled out of bed, I got to start the day to dozens of hand-written notes - all mini flashbacks of sweet and funny memories we've shared over our 7 1/2 years since meeting in college. I was going to type them up on here, but realized most of them were either too confusing, personal, or silly. That's our relationship in a nutshell. :)
Halfway through reading them, Sydney snuck in, hopped on the bed, and began opening and "reading" by my side.
Most of hers sounded like this: "Sisi...cupcakes...Max...". All of which she found very amusing.
We then met up with Tommy for lunch at one of our favorite holiday spots. You guessed it...the ultra-fancy IHOP. Why do we spend most of our birthdays + anniversaries here? Because we started when we were dating, and we love tradition.
And I love breakfast food.
Sydney's first smiley-face pancake. She ate all the whip cream, then mashed up the entire pancake with her fingers.
Max thought that since he tasted his first bite of food yesterday, that he was going to join in on the IHOP feast. It was hard to distract his slobber gums. He's too smart for us. :)
After Tommy got home from work, we headed to the movies. We've been wanting to watch "Tangled" forever, but have been waiting for it to get to the dollar theaters. Well...it goes to the dollar theaters in 4 days, but we couldn't wait. And it was WELL worth the wait! As soon as we walked out, Sydney said, "Rapunzel...AGAIN!"
We ended the night with some Cold Stone. I asked Sydney to snap a photo of Mommy + Daddy. :)
Her 5th try.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
Today was a big day for Max. After prying him off me and my food every time I try to eat, we decided to let him join in on the chowing fun. Sydney was very excited to do the honors.
mmm...mashed avocados
as quick as lightning, Max snatched the spoon and showed us he was born ready for this very moment
after a while, he let us know he was through with this strange, green mush. I think he was expecting something yummy like pizza or cookies (that Sydney and I may or may not indulge in quite often). :)
proud mama
Yesterday I had my second wedding expo at Thanksgiving Point, and it was so much fun. I love prepping for shows with designing new marketing materials, more albums, prints, canvases, etc. Tommy plays a huge role in the behind-the-scenes. He helps design the booth and does all all the set up and take down. He couldn't run the booth with me this time, as he was juggling Sydney and Max all day, and running back and forth for Max's feedings. It all went smoothly, and we were so happy with the turnout. Here's a snapshot of the new-and-improved booth with bigger prints and everything. A HUGE thanks to Tommy for all his hard work!!
Tonight my little brother performed three of his compositions at a show at BYU. He opened up the night, and was AMAZING! I am so so proud of him. Every song he comes up with is pure talent. I used to love to compose music when I was a teenager and young adult. It was so therapeutic, and I really miss it. I'm so glad Alex continues to pursue his love of music. This guy is going places.
For some reason Blogger isn't letting me upload the video. But Alex opened up with a shout-out to Sydney - a song he composed for her when she was just a few months old. It's always been my favorite of his. After the show I asked Sydney what she thought of Alex performing a song just for her. She said, "August (that's what she calls him) too loud! My ears too broken!"
**video uploaded to my facebook, for those who want to check it out. :)
Our church just changed to NINE A.M. from last years' 2pm, and we miraculously made it to church on time (well, sneaking into the back seats during the opening song...that's on time for us). And let me just tell you...early morning church is the best! We get the rest of the day to enjoy together as a family.
Thanks to Sydney and Max for hamming up to the camera for a few minutes before tearing off their fancy clothes. :)
Sydney just turned 2 1/2 this week! I feel like she is years older than that, though. She is one of my best buddies. I have so much fun playing make-believe together, cracking up at her hilarious jokes, telling fairytales and singing songs together. I love watching her discover new things, and see her imagination blossom.
Ever since she was just a few weeks old, I knew Sydney was blessed with a great sense of humor. She finds so many things funny, and luckily laughs at all of her mama's cheesy and goofy jokes. :)
Am I allowed to gush about how dang cute I think this little girl is? She gets it ALL from her daddy...she's looked like him from Day 1.
One of the best things of having two kids is watching them play together. I was a little worried for the first few weeks after having Max when Sydney totally ignored him (and acted like a crazy hellion child), but ever since then, Sydney has become so attached to Max. If he's down for a nap, she'll ask, "Where baby go?". At times she is very mothering and nurturing, and other times very playful - as if he's another toddler buddy to play with.
Max is 4 months old, but is busting out of his 6 month clothing. Everyone thinks we've given him a haircut by the way it's grown in so straight. He's inherited Tommy's straight, wiry hair (and he's inherited pretty much everything else from Tommy). I thought Sydney looked like Tommy...but this little guy is his daddy's twin.
Max's nickname around this house is "Buzz". Sydney's a huge Toy Story fan, and suddenly one day out of the blue I hear, "Come here, Buzz!". Now everyday she calls for Buzz to come follow her on adventures around the house. So I fly him through the air after her, talking for him in a deep/goofy Buzz voice. She says she is Jessie. :)
I am IN LOVE with this chunky, roly, slobbery babe. He melts my heart. I cannot stay frustrated at him for more than a second. His sleeping habits are pretty rough still (up every 2-3 hrs all night), but I will do anything for him - I'll hold him all day, and stay awake for most of the night - I just love every second with him. (But Max...I don't mind if you want to start sleeping a little more soon). :)
big boy shoes :)
I am loving the slower pace this month with less shoots and weddings and more time to play with these buddies of mine. Mommyhood has been so fun...I can't wait to have a whole brood of little miniature Tommy's running around. We just might not make it to 9am church on time every week. :)
We have some pretty exciting activities around these parts. If Sydney goes quiet and missing, she is most likely in the bathroom with her step stool to the sink, playing with soap, bubbles, water...and usually this rubber baby.
And this single activity can keep her entertained for a good hour.
Is there anything sweeter in life than seeing your kids play with their daddy?
Tommy got me an iPhone for our anniversary, and it's saved my life with all the emails and texts I get throughout the day with my business. I now rarely have to use my computer for anything other than editing. However, Sydney thinks this new contraption is her toy, and takes any chance she gets to sneak off with it. Her favorite thing about it? Watching our little home video clips over and over and over. Cute, except that she knows how to delete things off of it. :)
And proud of it. Who knew I'd raise my kids in Utah and willingly dress them in hunting gear from Cabela's? Can't get much more hick than this.
