Steelers are going to the Superbowl!!!

I don't really know what that means other than I get to see the Steelers play football again!  I love my jersey and know that mine is Polamolu and mom's is Hines Ward :)  I also like to show mom and dad how "football" goes...I kick my foot and yell FOOTBALL!



I had such a fun weekend, but ended up being pretty sick and not being able to fully enjoy it :(  On Saturday, we all went to swim lessons!  This was the second lesson and I did much better than the prior week.  Dad went with us this time and I think that helped.  I was finally able to do Humpty Dumpty and FALL in to the water :)  And I didn't cry the entire time and was able to enjoy myself and kick a little and swim towards the duckies and towards mommy.  Mom and dad were even able to help me put my head under water, which initially freaked me out, but once I realized I was ok was pretty cool.  Fingers crossed that mommy and I will be able to get through next weekend's class as well.

Then we went to Balducci's, a high end grocery store - dad bought duck breast to make duck prosciutto :)  Maybe they'll let me try some when it's done!  While I was napping, mom went and bought new running shoes - her doctor told her just to strengthen the tendons in her ankles, so she's going to jump right back in to her training program and see how it goes. Dad is running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler the first week of April and mom is doing the GW Parkway Classic 10-miler the second week of April, so there will be lots of running talk in the next few months.  Dad is considering running the GW Parkway 5K with me in the stroller - that would be awesome!  We could run the race, then wait for mom to run by on her way to the finish :)

Saturday afternoon, I got my SECOND haircut!  I was far less than thrilled, but it had to be done.  My hair was out of control and I hated mom brushing it, let alone putting it up in a pony tail or in a barrette. 

Here are a few photos from the past few weeks: 

Pre-haircut:


I love my bunny towel.  Mom tells me that I have a bunny face and I love looking in the mirror to see that Sydney is the bunny!


I wrapped myself in a flag and climbed in my car to go to "work"...


I love my letter abacus and know all of my letters!  I can do my alphabet puzzle all by myself and name each letter.  If you ask me to find a certain letter, I can.  I can also tell you what letter a word (OK, some words) starts with!  For example, I know that "can" starts with c and "hug" starts with h.  Mom and dad don't think it's pure memorization because I can usually get it right with new sets of letters too :) 


Haircut!  I was SO unhappy :(  But it looks so much better now and I even got a lollipop when we were done.


Here's a decent photo of the back of my new haircut...much better!


I love my Nemo!


I climbed in the drawer of my train table and was so proud of myself :)



Today the forecast was for snow / sleet in the morning and serious snow in the afternoon.  Mom tried to take me to school this morning, but we got about 4 blocks from home and turned around - her car was sliding and she didn't want to take a chance of having an accident, especially with me in the car.  And if it got worse during the day, she didn't want to have to fight traffic to go get me and then have to face the same thing with me in the car on the way home.  So we got to hang out at home today.  I was SO good and let mommy get her work done.  I even took an extra long nap, so she had plenty of time to get everything done.  I played with my trains, read some books, built towers and choo choo trains with my blocks, played with play-doh and did a lot of my puzzles. 

Mom and dad split driveway clearing duty tonight and they tell me it was awful - wet, heavy snow that just wasn't stopping.  We'll see what happens tonight - hopefully everything will be cleared up in the morning, but the way it looks right now, that probably won't happen! 

Last night was the first night in MONTHS that I slept the entire night without waking up AT ALL, so fingers crossed that "trend" continues tonight!  Stay safe and warm everyone!  We'll take some snow photos tomorrow...

Here We Go Steelers!

I was up much of last night coughing and with a fever :(  I ended up sleeping in mommy's bed with my head on her shoulder and didn't wake up until almost 9, which is unheard of for me!  I had to miss my play date this morning because my nose was SO runny and mom didn't want my friends to get sick. 

This was right before nap today - mom let me wear my Steelers jersey and told me that the Steelers are going to play FOOTBALL this afternoon! 


Fingers crossed for a good outcome to the game!

TGIF!

It's been a LONG week and I'm so glad to have another weekend ahead of us!  The early part of this week, I was sleeping TERRIBLY.  I'm talking up 10+ times a night.  I would wake up in the mornings with bags under my eyes and mom and dad were so exhausted and didn't know how to help me :(  They thought I was having night terrors because I would wake up screaming about random things:  "There's a bird on my back," "Make the monkey go away."  Then a half hour later I'd wake up and want to go potty.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  All.night.long.  We almost headed back to the pediatrician for another ear check, but I seem to have settled down a little.  I've still been waking up to go to the potty, but at least mom and dad can get a *few* hours of sleep here and there. 

Mom and dad had a date night last Saturday and went to dinner and to see South Pacific at the Kennedy Center.  Dad had never seen South Pacific before and mom knew all the words to all the songs - they told me it was a great show.  I was glad to have them go out for a night because it meant that I got to play with Ms. Sharon, my favorite babysitter!!!  We had such a great time together, though I didn't sleep well that night either.  Sharon told mommy that I was up every half hour from the time I went to bed and that trend continued for several more hours after mom and dad got home :( 

School was closed last Monday for Martin Luther King Day, so mom scheduled an allergist appointment for me and took a sick day.  After my last outbreak of hives at daycare last week, my pediatrician said it was time to see the allergist.  Mom prepped me that it might hurt, but that the doctor was going to try to figure out why I keep getting itchy rashes.  I got a little antsy while we were there (mom had to wake me up early from my nap) and I couldn't eat while I was there since a lot of the patients have food allergies.  I was hungry and found a bag of pretzels in mom's purse and got pretty upset when I couldn't eat them :(  But after the doctor talked to mom for a while, the nurse let me pick out a movie to watch while they did the tests.  I picked Finding Nemo!  I have a giant Nemo in my room, so mom thought I might be able to identify with that movie.  The nurse told mom to sit on the table with me across her lap and she put the movie in.  Unfortunately, the nurse then pricked my back with what felt like a ton of needles and I cried and wanted to sit up :(  Mom had to keep me laying down so none of the tests would run together.  I squeezed mommy's hand and she rubbed my shoulder to let me know it was ok.  I did finally calm down and we watched Nemo for a few minutes until the doctor came back in.  I did have welts around all of the pricks, but the good news is that I tested NEGATIVE for all of the allergens they tested for, INCLUDING DAIRY!!!  They tested me for peanuts, tree nuts, shell fish, fish, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, cats, dogs, dust mites, and a few others mom can't remember.  That's awesome - either I outgrew my dairy allergy, I was never allergic to begin with, I just have a dairy intolerance, or there's something else going on.  Mom talked to the doctor a little more about some of my history and he wanted us to keep a very detailed food diary for a month.  Including times, what I eat and drink, ingredients in each meal, how much I eat, and note any "issues" with my skin or bowels - times that rashes begin and end, etc..  After they talked a little more, the doctor had another thought.  He asked mom if he could scratch my skin and see what happened.  Of course mom said "Do what you have to do."  The doctor scratched my back with the tongue depressor and wouldn't you know, my whole back broke out in hives.  The doctor asked if that's what the rashes looked like and mom said yes, sometimes they do look like that.  So he feels pretty strongly that it's just a skin condition such that when my skin gets scratched, I get hives or rashes.  It could happen more at school than at home because I tumble and get bumped by other kids more so than I would at home.  And I could have gotten hives from a virus after my ear infection that made me itchy, then I scratched myself which caused even more hives.  He said if that's the case, we don't even need to come back for a follow up!  Mom decided to keep a food diary anyway because the rashes don't ALWAYS look like the one in the office and at least this way, we'll have some data to look at if I do break out again and we won't have to start from square one again.  The doctor told mom to bring me in even without an appointment the next time I do have a rash and we'll go from there.  So that's where we left things. 

So far so good.  Mom and dad even started re-introducing dairy to me - they've given me a tiny bit of cheese and some butter and I seem to be ok thus far!  This is so great because I can now start to eat some of the things that mom and dad do.  Mom said she's going to keep me on soy milk for now so my system doesn't get shocked, but I can start to have cheese and maybe even some yogurt.  We're going to take it slowly with the dairy, though, because I'm not eating much these days, so it's hard to tell if there's a reaction.  In fact, the past 5-6 nights, I've MAYBE eaten 2-3 bites of food for dinner.  If anyone has any suggestions on how to get a toddler to eat, mom is willing to listen...

We have another busy weekend planned.  We have my swim lessons tomorrow morning and I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow afternoon.  We started swim classes last weekend and I wasn't so sure about the whole thing.  I had been in a pool before, but for some reason I just didn't like it.  I cried a lot and wrapped my arms and legs around mom.  I kicked my feet a few times, but otherwise didn't really "let go."  I think daddy is going to go with us tomorrow and hopefully I will be more comfortable if they're both there.  Mom and I have been talking about it all week, so maybe I'll be more prepared tomorrow.  My hair is also pretty shaggy, so mom decided it was time to get my second haircut.  Can you believe I haven't had a hair cut since I was 11 months old???  Mom made me an appointment at a salon that gives out lollipops and balloons :)  Fingers crossed I'm not as traumatized by this cut as I was the last time!  I also have a playdate with two of my favorite friends on Sunday!!!  I can't wait to see Zachary and Alanna :)  We all used to be in the same school, but are all now in different places.  I'm so glad we've all stayed in touch.  Then of course I get to watch the STEELERS play football on Sunday!!!  Mom got me a new Polamolu jersey and taught me how to say "Here we go Steelers," and I did a "Polamolu dance."  She tried to get the dance on video tonight, but the memory on the camera was full, so we'll have to try again this weekend.  Let's go Steelers!  Beat the Jets!!! 

Here are a few photos from the past few weeks:

I picked out my own jammies again.  Both the tops and bottoms are elephants, but they're clearly from different sets:


Happy girl after school:


Going up to bed:


In honor of South Pacific, "I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair..."


I have a new cell phone (i.e. mom's old phone):


Eating my pizza with soy cheese:


Love my ducky towel from Jenn!


I told you I need a haircut!


Mom got me a bunch of new library books, including a Richard Scarry book (one of hers and dads favorites from their childhood).  Where is Goldbug, mommy?


There he is!


Hope everyone is doing well and I'll update again soon.  Love you!

My first visit to the Kennedy Center

I had such a fun weekend! In addition to seeing Grandma, Grandpa, my aunts, uncles, cousins and Great Grandparents, I got to go to my very first concert at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night! Mom and I went shopping at Leesburg in the morning, then came home to eat lunch and take a nap before getting ready for THE CONCERT!!!

It was on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center - a free show and it was family friendly. It was a band whose CD mom and I listen to all the time - they're called "Cake For Dinner" and they are a side project of the band called Scythian. Dad discovered Scythian at Music Fest in Allentown and then bought the Cake For Dinner Album for mom and I to listen to on our commute. I *love* listening to it in the car, so mom and dad were really excited to see them come to the Kennedy Center, one of their favorite places.

I was so excited to get dressed up - mom even bought me a pink patent leather butterfly purse that I carried with me :)  I was really good most of the time - I had a few tantrumy moments, but that's to be expected from a 2 year old near bedtime, I suppose.  While the band was playing, though, I had SO much fun.  I danced, bounced and clapped the whole time.  I had such a big smile on my face.  Flash photography wasn't allowed, so none of the photos that mom tried to take turned out. 

I wore my new dress from Grandma and Grandpa Coble:


I was still very happy when we got home from the concert:


On Monday night, I hung out with dad in the dad cave and took some pictures:


Today, mom took me back to the orthopedist for what she hoped was my final check on my hips.  Dr. Tuck has been so great and today was no exception!  It took over an hour for him to come in the room to look at me, but when he came in, I was playing "Sydney, Sydney, jump up and down" with mommy.  He was impressed and glad he got to see me jumping.  Then he asked if I could walk down the hall with mom.  I did really well and walked to the end of the hall and back.  Then we got to RUN down the hall and back (I even stopped to give one of the other doctors a high five)!  He checked my range of motion in 6 different positions while I laid on mommy's lap and I have full range of motion in every way :)  Then they took the final x-ray on my hips.  I did SUCH a good job and laid on the table and didn't move a muscle.  Mom stood above my head and talked to me, but I was fine.  When they were done taking pictures, the tech said the picture was good and I said to mommy "That was a good picture!"  When I went for my one year check, the doctor told mom I didn't have to come back unless she saw a reason to.  A few weeks ago, though, mom got a card in the mail asking us to come back for a two year check.  Dr. Tuck said that the reason they asked us to come back was that there have been several documented cases of kids with hip dysplasia who looked ok at their one year check, but were not ok at the two year check and that the treatment at that point was not easy.  So it was better to check again even though I looked fine last year than to discover a problem down the road.  The doctor looked at the x-ray and said I was perfect!  He said there are NO documented cases of kids being ok at the one and two year checks and having any problems later in life, so I think we're in the clear.  Mom is so thankful that my pediatrician caught the hip dislocation so early and that we were able to treat it as aggressively as we did.  It was rough, but definitely worth it! 

While we were in the office waiting, mom found a Thomas the Tank Engine magazine.  I didn't necessarily know Thomas, but I knew trains and enjoyed it none the less.  There was one page that had a series of letters and I read all of them to mom - I got 12 out of 12 right - she was VERY impressed. 

We're going to the allergist on Monday - school is closed anyway and I keep breaking out in hives, so hopefully they will be able to figure out what's going on.  Mom really didn't want to have me tested because keeping me dairy free has worked for well over a year, but we need to figure out what's causing all of these problems.  Fingers crossed it's nothing too major!

Hugs to all...

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa!

OK, so his birthday was actually at the end of December, but went to a fun party for him yesterday! He is 90 years old and still active as can be :) I'm so lucky to get to know and love 3 of my great grandparents!!! I think he was surprised to see me and I'm so glad we were able to go. Here are a few pictures from the day:

Grandpa and Great Grandpa:


My Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's best friend Elenor and me:


Me and the birthday boy:


Grandpa is showing me how to use a camera:


Now for the past week... I've had a good week, but continue to get hives and we can't figure out why :( My doctor has finally referred me to an allergist, so hopefully we'll be able to get in and get tested soon. I also have what is hopefully my final check with the orthopedist next week. Fingers crossed they'll clear me and I won't have to go back there again any time soon!

Here are some photos from the past week.

Daddy and I were watching the PSU game on New Year's Day. Pardon my messy hair - I had just gotten up from my nap :)


I love when I get to play with all of my toys in the basement (aka "Dad Cave"):


This is just me being cute.


Taking a spin on my sit and spin before school:


Making Quesadilla's with mom. No one else seems to like dairy free cheese, but I think it's pretty yummy!


This is me in my "snowman" pants, getting ready to help mom shovel the driveway.


Hope everyone is doing well! Take care!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a very Happy and safe New Year! I definitely had a blast :) Mommy, daddy and I went to Jay and Molly's and visited with Jay, Molly, baby Jake, Steve, Angela, baby Cora, Josh, Lee, Hans and Kona! I was a little scared of Kona when we first got there - I told mommy Kona was trying to take my blankie, but we all warmed up and had a great time. I ate a good dinner (mommy brought fruit and a roasted veggie no cheese pizza) and I played with all of baby Jake's toys and read his books :) Uncle Steve even ate a piece of my pizza before he realized it was my dinner - it was pretty funny and I certainly didn't mind, but the look on his face was priceless!

I actually fell asleep pretty well after talking to myself for a long time and woke up about 5 minutes before midnight, so mommy let me get up and watch the beginning of 2011! She warned me that it might get loud, but it really wasn't too bad. I was happy and cuddly as can be and got to rock with Angela and sit in daddy's lap for a while. Mom even let me eat two of the cookies I helped daddy make! How great is that - cookies at midnight??? Mommy got a new camera bag and took her camera, but forgot to take any pictures :( We'll have to do it again soon! I kept saying I was tired and was going to fall asleep in the car, but I talked to mommy and daddy the whole way home and ended up being awake until a little after 2am! I woke up at 7, happy as can be and never missed a beat. I had a fun day with mommy and daddy - we watched the Penn State bowl game and I got excited watching it, but am disappointed in the results :( I wore my Royster jersey again and knew to yell "GO PENN STATE!"

I also had a wonderful visit with Grammy and Grampy Clements and Aunt Laurie, Uncle Dan, and my cousins Courtney and Kaylee. They were supposed to come down on Sunday morning / afternoon, but due to the storm that was supposed to be coming through the East Coast, they decided to leave EARLY and ended up getting here by 9:15am! It worked out *really* well because I got to spend the whole day with everyone instead of just after my naptime. I warmed up to everyone really quickly and had a great time. We opened a bunch of presents and I got to play with all of my new toys with my cousins! Grammy and Grampy got me an Elmo doctor's kit and I love to listen to people's hearts and check their temperatures. I've even gotten pretty good at checking ears - I've had mine checked enough that I know exactly what I'm looking for. They also got me a book that they read to me, so I can hear their voices any time I want to - I love it!!! Aunt Laurie and Uncle Dan got me a Cozy Coupe! I love it, but had to wait for daddy to put it all together. That thing came in a million pieces and the pieces didn't fit well together - let that be a lesson to all you other parents out there - make sure you put the car together *before* you show it to your kids :) I also got the newest Auntie Claus book from my Aunt Terry! I was SO excited to open it and pointed to the little girl in the book and said "There's Sophie, mommy!" Mom was astounded that I remembered the girls name. We read the first two Auntie Claus books a few weeks ago, but it's not like we read the books all the time. I also got an awesome doll and tie dyed shirt from my Uncle Jeff, Aunt Lee Ann and my cousins Jennifer and Christine! Photos of all of these festivities as soon as the photo site is back up.

Mom tells me that she has to go back to work tomorrow, which means that I have to go back to school. I love it there, but have had so much fun at home this past week! Mom and I went to Whole Foods this morning to go shopping for the week. I even made it the whole way there and back, didn't need a potty and was dry when we got home! I think I'm going to play with my new toys this afternoon and help mom make dinner and my lunch for tomorrow before settling in for the night.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!