I did some blog cleaning.
I deleted almost my entire archive up until August 2005.
Anything before that is not worth remembering so away they went.

Besides, August 2005 is when my life really started. :)

September flew by and I feel like October's going just as quick.

I took Sydney to the orthopedist last month to have her ankles looked at. They turn in when she stands almost to the point where the soles of her feet are parallel with the rest of her body. It looks as painful as it sounds. So, at her physical therapists advice, I took her to an orthopedist to get a prescription for SMO braces - small braces that fit just over her ankles and will help her stability.

2 orthopedists later (long story), Miss Nee is finally getting fitted TONIGHT for AFO's - larger braces that go all the way up to her knees. This, however, is just a small blip in everything that's going on with her right now.

In addition to the orthopedist and the orthotist (the professional that fits her braces), Corey & I are taking Sydney to Philadelphia on Thursday to see a neurologist. This was suggested by both orthopedists because they both feel Sydney's leg weakness is neurological - possibly Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida - which may also be to blame for her other delays (speech, fine motor).

On a positive note, we had our yearly evaluation with Early Intervention and Sydney did very well. She is, of course, way behind in her gross motor skills, rating at 10-months old. This is mainly because she is 22-months old and not walking. Her fine motor and speech skills rate at a 16-month old. While that is still delayed it is good that she seems to be progressing globally. The really good news is that cognitively and socially she rates right on target.

Some more positive thoughts......

Sydney is starting to express herself verbally more & more. Her wee vocabulary is growing in leaps & bounds. Right now we say "nana" for banana, "momma" (my personal favorite), something that sounds like "Elmo" and apparently "purple" according to the daycare.

Her ASL vocabulary is even better. She signs more, milk, please, thank you, cow, fish, eat and dog. We're working on cat, pig and cheese now. I love the looks we get when we're out in public and people see her signing to me. I had a woman in Target stop me one day and ask me how I taught her to do that.

Elena's wedding is in under 3 weeks and we're getting excited! My dress fits perfectly - aside from having to take in the straps a bit due to my lack of breasts LOL . Sydney's dress is gorgeous and I just got her black patent leather mary janes, too. I'm really looking forward to it - it's going to be a great party!

I think that's all for now. I have some great fall photos I'll have to post. We took Sydney to the Pocono Pumpkin Festival last weekend and I got some cute pics of Corey & her at the petting zoo. She also got to meet Tyrone from the Backyardigans at the Crayola Factory and I have a HYSTERICAL picture of that.

Soon, I promise. Soon.

lalalala, lalalala, Sydney's world....

Lots happening. Lots going on. July & August were super busy and September and October are filling up quick.

A week in Myrtle Beach was relaxing and some much needed respite for Corey, Sydney & I. Now that Labor Day is a week away, I'm getting nervous as fall is usually the busiest time of year.

New & exciting things in Sydney's world:

She's standing unassisted...finally! It's quite adorable, actually. She stands there and just stares like she doesn't know what to do next.

She started using a fork & spoon. Not very effeciently, but she's using it.

She plays music on her caterpillar xylophone. To everyone else, it's noise. To me, it's a beautiful melody.

She LOVES books. It's fun to watch her crawl over to the bookcase, pick out a book and hand it to Corey or I. She then stands up at our laps with her arms in the air to pick her up and read to her. When one book is done, we put her down and the cylce starts all over again. Yesterday I must've read "Panda Bear, Panda Bear" 12 times. (making a mental note to bring more books downstairs)

I love (sometimes) the little personality she's developing. I love that she (sometimes) listens to direction and (sometimes) actually understands me! She's testing her boundaries and it makes us laugh everyday.

Wildwood pictures!!

Here are some pictures from our mini-vacay in Wildwood-

Sydney enjoying the sand and the water. I was so amazed at how well she took to the ocean. I didn't freak her out at all. I thought for sure the noise alone would scare her, but no.:

Crawling away from me as usual. I LOVE the ruffled bottom of her swimsuit even though it catches all the sand:

Riding the carousel at Morey's Pier just like I did when I was little:

Chilling with a drink in Cape May. She's not really drinking from it - she just likes to hold it and suck on the straw.:

You wanna know what sucks?

I have no oven.

My wonderful Caloric crapped out on me on July 4th just as I was in the process of making Corey's birthday Chocolate Chip Pie, the four cakes I had planned for the block party and yummy raspberry filled almond cookies.

pfft.

BUT...my loving husband called the appliance repair guy today and my oven should be fixed by tomorrow or Wednesday. Yay!

Sydney & I had a great time with Grandma Diane in Wildwood. She loved the sand and the water and the boardwalk. I will post pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.

One thing I love about living here is the fact that we have a neighborhood. We have neighbors we know and see on an *almost* daily basis. We talk to them, play with their kids and pet their dogs.
This week is the annual Wilson Lion's Club Community Fair. It's at our local park - which is within walking distance from our house (BONUS!). It's your usual small carni - food, rickety rides and obnoxious people yelling at you to "TAKE A SHOT!! WIN HER A BEAR!!!"
We went last year, but Syd was just too little to really enjoy it. This year was a whole different story.
We walked over on Monday night and Sydney was just wide-eyed at all the lights and people and loud music. We had a cheesesteak. Yum. There's just something about a cheesesteak from a carni-vendor. Especially a Pennsylvanian Carni Vendor. It was truly soggy, cheesey piece of deliciousness.
After our clogging our arteries, Corey & I took Syd on the Merry-Go-Round. I went with her first. I sat her on the pony and she instantly grabbed onto the pole. It was like she had done this before. The ride started and Sydney just ate it up. The combination of the fair sights/smells/sounds, the carousel going around, the horse up and down and the wind in her face - she was shaking with excitement. I'd say "Weeeee!" and she'd laugh out loud - one of those good deep baby belly laughs that just melts your heart.
Corey took her next and I was glad he got to experience her glee first hand.

On a less happy note, yesterday was not a good day. I made Sydney an appointment with an allergist - "the best on the east-coast" they say. It was for yesterday at 10 am.
So, I took a vacation day from work, filled out the 10 sheets of paperwork, loaded up all her asthma medicines and drove Miss Nee 30 minutes to this doctor.
I go to check in and the receptionist informs me that my appointment has been canceled because "the doctor isn't in today."
What? What do you mean is isn't in???? I had a 10 o'clock appointment!!!
They explain to me that they called me and left me a message at home and at work - at 8 o'clock that morning.
They have a $100 no-show fee if you don't cancel within 24-hours. I asked the receptionist when I can expect my $100 since they didn't give ME 24-hours notice and I had to take a vacation day from work AND drive all the way there.
She just glared at me.
So, when can I schedule another appointment
SEPTEMBER.
I left there in tears and promptly made an appointment with a different doctor.

So, here I had a day with Miss Nee all to myself so I took her to the office for a few hours and then home to make red-velvet cake balls and sugar cookies.

Thanks to Dawn, I found a new way to make the cake balls and they came out great.

Then I experimented with rolled fondant as a way to cover my sugar cookies. A little time consuming but they look so nice and professional. I think this might be the ticket.

Okay - I'm gonna go cram one of those cookies in my mouth now.

Yay! Spring! Hooray!


Boo, rain, booooo....





Hm. It's bit about a month since I've blogged, so let me update you on our little world.





Talladega. Wow. That is all I have to say. It was amazing. We flew into Birmingham late Friday night. Saturday I was treated to a massage and facial followed by a wine tasting while Corey talked business with the boys. Saturday night was dinner at the Barber Motorsports Museum. On Sunday, we headed out to Talladega to watch us some NASCAR. It was pretty awesome, I have to admit. I am not a NASCAR fan and I had a pretty good time. I just have to remember not to ask my husband for wardrobe advice next time - wide leg jeans and flats DO not do will in Alabama after it's rained.





Sydney got sick about 2 weeks ago. She was doing her usual weeze and sniffle routine and the nebulizer wasn't doing the trick. An all night affair in the ER diagnosed her with pneumonia. She's much better now - thank goodness.





Sydney got BIT at daycare. Yes, BIT. Some toddler (from hell) wanted a toy that Syd had, so he or she bit her on the eyebrow!! First of many, I'm sure. I'm just dreading the day she is the BITER not the BITE-EE.

I'm hoping the weather clears up a bit around here this weekend. There's a Greek Food Festival at the Orthodox church around the corner and I'm craving me some lamb! I'd also like to head to Home Depot for plants & such. We'll see.

I've also been toying with the idea of adding recipes to this here blog-a-rooney. I'm so inspired by food-bloggers like The Pioneer Woman, Suzanne and Cupcakes Takes the Cake. I just have to post some of my yummies.

But, that requires time and time is something I don't have a lot of these days.

Off to kiss my baby girl....

give me my f---ing diet coke

Created by OnePlusYou

Happy belated Easter. Happy Spring!! Yesterday was such a tease - 60 degrees! It was so nice not to leave the house dressed up in the confines of my winter coat. Sydney was glad not to have a hat on, too, I'm sure! But, alas, this morning it was in the 40's - back into my prison of down-filled nylon. Sigh...

Not much else going on in our little world here in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Sydney is FINALLY FINALLY off of baby food completely!! This is SUCH a HUGE step for us! She had been fighting the table food for months now - wouldn't feed herself & gagged if you gave her something she had to chew. Then I noticed that she had been turning away at anything on a spoon (except her favorite cereal and yogurt, of course). She just didn't want it if it was on any utensil. I was trying to feed her macaroni and cheese and she was turning her head from me and crying. I was tired and frustrated (this had been going on for a week now) so I got up and went in the kitchen to get her something else to eat. I came back to find her feeding herself the mac & cheese!!!

I was amazed! So now, Sydney feeds herself like a big girl - mac & cheese, green beans, grilled cheese, tortellini, peas, french toast, pancakes - everything!! Its FANTASTIC!!! Corey, Sydney & I actually all site down and have dinner together now.

Well, that's all the news I have for now. I'm praying for a nice weekend....

So, I've been tagged by squillen (whose blog will not be featured in my sidebar). She's got an awesome blog that features some awesome recipes that make me hungry.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my 7 random facts:

1. I have a passion for lolcats
2. I have 'oil spots' under my nails that cause my fingernails to separate from my nail beds (gross, I know) so I have to keep my nails super short.
3. I have to brush my teeth in the morning BEFORE getting in the shower so I can rinse my mouth with water from the shower head. I can't do it the other way around....I just don't feel clean then.
4. I've never see the Godfather.
5. I have to pull my socks on so their tight against my toes - I can't have loose floppy socks. Gives me the heebie-jeebies.
6. I don't like Diet Pepsi from a can - only from a fountain or bottle. (I actually prefer diet coke)
7. I have a small amount of webbing between my fingers.


Now, I have to tag 7 people:

Kelly
Beth
Jamie
Dawn
Corey
Ryan
Joe

Good news, good news. Since Sydney's occupational therapist is out on maternity leave now, Early Intervention had to find us a new therapist - at least until June. The new therapist, a physical therapist, started seeing Syd at her daycare last Monday.
When I picked her up, there was a note asking me about Sydney's movements, etc. The usual therapy questions we've been answering for months now. I wrote the therapist a detailed note explaining everything. What she does, doesn't do, our goals, what motivates her, etc. I tried to cram every detail about her onto a sheet of steno paper.
When I picked up Syd yesterday, there was another note from her therapist. It was so encouraging.
She said Sydney is exhibiting the signs of early creeping/crawling and transitions well from sitting to all fours and back again. We knew this, but it was nice to have someone else tell us how good it is.
The best part of the note? The therapist asked if we were using signs with Sydney because she seems to know some and used them during her therapy session!!
Why, yes!! YES WE DO SIGN WITH HER!! YAY!!! It's working!!!!
We sign "more," "all done," "again," "eat," and "milk." While she isn't a master of ASL, I know when she's trying to do the sign and what she's trying to communicate. I can't tell you how good it made me feel that someone else was able to recognize the signing. Score for momma-cat!!
I brought her home and gave her tons of hugs & kisses.
With the new therapy being at the daycare, I've had to adjust to a new schedule, too. She needs to be at the daycare before 8:20 am. I'm so afraid of being late, I'm getting up extra early and finding that I get a good deal done during that time. I'm not rushed and when I come home at night, I don't have TOO much to do.
She's doing so good since getting the tubes placed. She talks more and more everyday - mama, dada, buh-buh (bubbles). Unfortunately, she's also developed this scream. It's not a bad scream, just a "Hey-pay-attention-to-me-scream." Sometimes it's not so bad. Sometimes it leaves a ringing in my ear its so loud and high pitched.
Along with the screaming, the separation anxiety has gotten worse and I or Corey can hardly leave the room without her shrieking.
It's so funny to see her go through moods, too.
The other night, all she wanted was her Daddy. She wouldn't come to me at all. I would put my hands out to her and she'd latch onto Corey's shirt for dear life. Last night, all she wanted to do was lay in my arms. I'd put her down and her arms would go up for me. Since that's a fairly new trick, too, I can't resist it and instantly pick her up. I'm sure I'll kick myself for this later. There's just something about her laying her little head on my shoulder.
So, onward into spring we go. St. Patty's day is next week and I'll be busy this week making Guinness ice cream and Irish Soda Bread for our trek to Albany this weekend. Easter is the following week and Mom's birthday & Shel's party the week after that. There's not peaceful weekends in my immediate future. Secretly, I don't mind so much. :)

I'll close with a happy picture of Sydney a few days after having the tubes placed.

Happy Leap Year!

Couldn't let this day go by with out a post!

We did it!!

Sydney made it through her procedure!
We were in and out in less than 2 hours. The procedure only took about 20 minutes.
Everything went well. Miss Nee was a big girl and didn't cry. At least until she came out of anesthesia and was a little disoriented.
Now she's home with Grandma and I'm back to work.

Looking forward....

Sydney gets tubes put in her ears on February 25th. She had her hearing tested again and there is so much fluid in her ears, the ear drum hardly vibrates. So, tubes it is.
I'm secretly holding out hope that this will be her miracle cure. That after she gets the tubes she'll start talking and walking and doing all that other good stuff.
She's doing much better, though. This seems to be the way she is. She'll go for what seems like forever without making an progress and then WHAM! She does 3 or 4 new things in a few days time.
Syd started a new day care, too. As much as we loved her old center, the cost was just getting a little high for us and I needed to look elsewhere. I found a great center and it just so happens that one of the gals from my Women's Club takes her little guy there, too.
It's been a relaxing week at work. Doc is out of the office all week, so it's just me and J holding down the fort. Good thing, too, since it snowed on Tuesday/Wednesday. I was able to bring Nee in the office on Wednesday to hang out with us so I didn't have to schlep her to daycare in the bad weather.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I made my Valentine a yummy dinner of shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, spinach gratin, gorgonzola mashed potatoes and chocolate fondue. Hope he's not limping at work today with the gout. Miss Nee came home from daycare with a Valentine for Mommy and Daddy and a report that she L-O-V-E-S Jell-o. I'll have to make sure and get some this weekend when I go shopping.
I think that's it. I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. I'm keeping myself pretty busy.
I've got:
*brunch at our place on the 24th for some of Corey's friends
*our unofficial "Oscars Party" that night. (really just my mom and I lazing on teh couch staring at the TV for 6 hours!!)
*Sydney's tubes
*our fabulous 80's party on the 8th.

....again....much to look forward to.

Dealing with Sydney's developmental delays is weighing heavy on my shoulders lately. More than normal.
I don't know why.
Maybe it's that all the babies her age in day care are "graduating" from the infant room. Maybe it's that the babies 5+ months younger than her are practically crawling already.

Maybe it's that I'm comparing her to all them.

I have to try and concentrate on the things she IS doing:
*she started saying da-da-da-da last week
*she claps her hands
*she's trying awful hard to pull herself up to stand

In addition to her occupational therapy with B every Monday, Miss Nee started working with a speech therapist last week, too. J is so sweet and Syd seems to love her. J wants to see her use her tongue more. Whatever magic J carries with her seems to work. Syd started saying da-da-da-da and pushing her food out of her mouth (yay.) shortly after our first session.

There are some days where I think all this Early Intervention is doing wonders! Then there are the days when I feel like Sydney is never going to catch up.

We've been doing everything they ask us to. I told B, her OT, that if they told us that we had to stand on our head for an hour a day to help Syd - we would. When B goes out on maternity leave in March (if she makes it til then!!) we're going to have visits with a physical therapist. I just don't understand why Syd won't get moving!! She seems to have backwards down really good. It just breaks my heart when I see her get frustrated becuase she can't seem to get moving forward.

At the recommendation of J, the speech therapist (who is also prego and due the day before B), we're having Nee's hearing tested again next week. She had mentioned something about Syd possibly having trouble hearing certain frequencies of sound.

So, for now, I sit and and wait and worry and pray.