Happy 1-Month Birthday Sydney!

Our new little angel is 1-month old today! Kelley has nicknamed her Princess Peach. We feel like Sydney has been with us forever and we love her so much!

She is filling out quite nicely. I think her face looks much fuller these days. We’re getting into a good routine and she usually sleeps 3-4 hour stretches at night. {Perhaps that is because she can’t get a solid nap during the day due to Seoul’s constant love… hugs and kisses and covering/uncovering her. Seoul gives me the stink eye when I tell her to leave her alone so she can sleep.} Sydney can hold up her head quite well and can stand on her legs for a few seconds at a time. She is still OK with tummy time and just chills. I think she smiles at me every once in a while. I love that she seems to feel most comfortable when she’s cuddled into my chest.

 

 We love our girls!

Who's Who - the answer

The first picture is Sydney.
The second picture is Seoul.

I didn't think they looked alike until I found those two pictures.

Seoul is 2!

Where to begin? Ok, the parties.

Seoul picked the theme weeks ago. Here is how the conversation went:
Daddy: Seoul, your birthday is coming up. What kind of cake do you want?
Seoul: yellow
Daddy: What kind of cake is yellow?
Seoul: Spongebob Squarepants

And so the madness began...

Kelley spoiled his little girl by getting tons of Spongebob stuff... lots and lots... which she LOVES. Then, the highlight: Spongebob came to visit! [Our friend Amy knew of a FANTASTIC Spongebob costume that we borrowed. OH MY!]

Seoul had 6 little friends (plus some baby siblings) come over for her friend birthday party.

Kids fishing for Spongebob trinkets (sorry, didn't get many photos of this activity).

Then Spongebob made his guest appearance. The reaction? Half the kids started crying and half thought it was super cool. The parents laughed and enjoyed the chaos. Unfortunately Seoul was one of the crying children, trying to crawl over me into the wall to get away. However, when we stood by Spongebob for a photo op, she said "hi dad" and touched his hand. Once she heard his voice she was fine... but as soon as she was out of hearing range she was scared all over again and told me to tell Spongebob to "go outside!".

{Now she sees the costume in the garage and says "Spongebob scary. Daddy in box." - I've heard the narration of her birthday many times.}

  

To keep it simple we had yellow cupcakes with yellow frosting, garnished with Spongebob fruit snacks. Then Seoul opened all the fun presents - she is a lucky girl to have generous friends!

Our attempt at a group photo... Halzie didn't want to sit with the kids.

Dad spoils his Princess Petunia.

That afternoon we had a family party. This was much simpler... each person wrote a memory of Seoul on a card to put in her keepsake book. I made a Spongebob cake, but got lazy and left off the arms & legs. Kelley attempted to make crabby patties, but didn't finish dipping the colored chocolate sections. They are delicious the way they are, though! {Seoul got those Spongebob glasses from one of Kelley's friends - she thought it was a hoot to pass them around and have people try them on}. Then on to more present opening... Seoul likes to do it all herself and takes her time. Fun new toys and clothes - thanks family!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!

Who's who?

Can you guess which is Seoul and which is Sydney?

Healthy Girls!

Today we had a double doctor appointment... both girls were great!

Seoul actually said "Hello Dr. Palmer" and "Thank you Dr. Palmer"... even if it was a whisper. He was impressed with her speaking and comprehension when he asked her to do something. The nurse took her blood pressure and she was such a champ - it was adorable! (I think it helped she saw me get my blood pressure taken at all the doctor appointments for Sydney so it wasn't a new concept.) The promise of a sucker after her shots probably helped her good attitude :)

Seoul's 2-year-old stats:
Height - 36 inches (90th percentile)
Weight - 30 lb 3 oz (90th percentile)

[The nurse said her adult height can be estimated by doubling her 2 year height - really?? She could be 6 feet tall?? Hmmm....]

She loves to color. We love that she holds the crayons the way adults write.

One day she didn't want to nap and came out of her room wearing this clown nose. How could I be mad at that silly face?

Seoul loves playing in the castle at the Canby Library.

Every day we play blocks... she loves building towers... and more importantly, knocking down the towers Kelley and I build.

Always doing silly things with that tongue of hers!

Sydney is growing like a weed already but she is all skin and bones! She is holding her head up on her own for little periods of time and has started pushing with her legs. Dr Palmer is impressed by her development as well. Yay for healthy babies!

Sydney's 2-week-old stats:

Length - 21 1/8 inches (75th percentile)

Weight - 7 lb 9 oz (25th percentile)

Head - 14 inches (50th percentile)

[Same as I said with Seoul... long body, little head... haha!]

Looking very excited for life outside the hospital.

First sponge bath... she loves having her hair washed.

More often than not she has her hands/arms up around her face... just like the ultrasound pictures.

She isn't really sleeping and does enjoy her tummy time every day.

Looking so excited about her first official piece of mail addressed to her!

We love our Sydney Louise!

Sydney was born Tuesday, 1/11/11, after a long day since I was induced again. Fortunately it went smoother than Seoul's inductions, and the highlight was holding Sydney as soon as she was born. (Seoul was whisked away immediately to the nursery). Kelley even got to cut the cord this time!

It's a rather surreal feeling to realize I was pregnant so recently and now we are holding the little babe in our arms and loving her in person. Seoul is adjust well... she calls her "my baby Sydney" and loves to give her kisses and hugs and touch her nose, hands, and toes. She holds her at various times during the day and just gazes at her. When Sydney has tummy time, Seoul lays down next to her and holds her hand or talks to her. The cutest is when she sings to her.

Sydney had her first doctor appointment and she is doing very well. She now weighs 7 lbs, 2 oz. The difference I notice most is the size between the girls when they were newborn. Seoul was always stretched out to her full 21 1/2 inches whereas Sydney is always in a froggy-leg position so she seems so much tinier.

It's been such a blessing to have Kelley home for 2 weeks although I know he is going stir-crazy being home every day. He's been a gem to do dishes & laundry, pick up the house, hold Sydney, play with Seoul, and make me rest & take naps. I have the best husband!

So far Sydney is a good little girl! We are making the transition from being awake at night to being awake during the day so I'm getting more sleep. Besides this crazy wild animal cry she has, she is very quiet and just chills with our craziness. We love it and we're having fun adjusting.

Seoul's First Haircut!

Seoul got her first professional hair cut. As Kelley says, "It's the best $19 sucker ever!" Also, the receptionist pointed out the suckers were organic and Kelley later said, "Who makes organic suckers??" Haha - all Seoul could focus on was getting that sucker :) She did really well... she refused to sit in one of the fun cars so she sat on my lap. We held hands under the gown-thing and it seemed to keep her still.

She loves her hair cut and she looks like a different child now that we can see her eyes :)

Sydney Louise!

Here comes Sydney!

We thought that it would be fun to post on the blog the events of today. Enjoy!

07:17 AM - We are currently at the hospital and we are both very anxious and nervous. We already miss Seoul!

07:42 AM - We just realized that we are in room 11. Creepy! (1/11/11 room 11).

10:12 AM - IV's all hooked up and we are ready to go!!! Minor contractions...Joo Lin is ready to go home now.

01:36 PM - Kelley left me for Qdoba's nachos... I'm jealous. Contractions are stronger but no baby yet. Cross your fingers for me!

02:00 PM - Watching "Bringing Home Baby" while waiting to have a baby.

02:25 PM - Joo Lin just informed me that we missed the 1:11 time and that we WON'T be having it at 11:11 pm.

03:00 - 04:00 PM - Watching "I didn't know I was pregnant" on TLC.

03:15 PM - Joo Lin is a super trooper...Dr. Epidural starts process.

03:45 PM - Epidural flowing! (Joo Lin is super funny; she keeps slapping her leg to see if she can feel it).

06:00 PM - We're getting close!!!

06:50 PM - Joo Lin's at a 10 cm...she is laboring down.

08:15 PM - Waiting for the oncall doctor to get done delivering another baby!

09:29 PM - SYDNEY LOUISE RICE!!! 6 lbs 15 ounces, 19.5 inches. Mommy and baby are doing well.

Baby Toot-toot!

One of Seoul's favorite toys is a doll that she got for Valentine's day. The doll was named by Seoul as Baby Toot-toot. She doesn't really toot so we aren't sure how she got the name but I think dad had an influence.

This Christmas, Seoul received a wonderful present from her favorite great Aunt, a doll bed. Seoul and baby Toot-Toot love the bed. We often worry if baby Toot-Toot is depressed because she often sleeps through out the day.

Here are some cute pictures of Seoul and Baby Toot-Toot. Enjoy!