Sydney's 3rd Birthday!

My baby turned 3 on June 30th.  It's so funny... with her, I feel like she is still a baby in so many ways mostly because she is still so dependent on me. This last year has been such a big one for her!  Most kids start talking in their 1st to 2nd year but the 2nd to 3rd year was really when she took off.  She just graduated out of speech therapy and I am so proud of her as she scored within the normal range.  I just love her little voice and the way she over pronounces some of her words.... maybe that is from all of the therapy she received. She started school this past year and although it was rough in the first couple weeks, she did so good and is really a social being!  She loves her friend and has easily made such a close connection with her BFF, Mooni (aka Naomi.)  They are like fire and ice and share a pretty similar personality and nature.  They love each other, give each other kisses and dance and then the next minute you see them they are slapping each other in the face.

Sydney is the child of mine that has made me bend the rules.  All of the things I said I would never do, I end up doing with her.  Maybe it is because of her strong personality or maybe it is just because she is the third one and that sort of thing happens with the third.  I never thought I would have my child (who is not a newborn) sleep in my bed all night, but here she is sleeping in my bed right next to me, cuddling me every night.  I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy turning in every night to snuggle with her.

I can't wait to see how Sydney matures this year and in her life.  I always wonder about what wonderful things she will do when she grows up....  when she channels that passion.... the sky is the limit! I love to learn more about her everyday.  That is such a rewarding part of parenthood... learning your child's gifts.  I love you baby girl... you will always be my baby!

We celebrated Sydney's Birthday a few times this year.  The first was a night out at Red Robin with the Shearer's, the 2nd was at Auntie Jen's house with a magnificent ice cream chocolate cake and the third was an impromptu BBQ in the backyard.  Her favorite gifts were all of the clothes... the dresses and swimsuits!

Poor Baby got attacked by mosquitos on our trip to MKE.