Reality check...

I just found this email I sent to friends and family on August 29, 2008 - Sydney was three days old. Quite the reality check. It's not often I let my memory take me back to my daughter's birth. I sometimes feel so cheated that I do not get to look back on the days following her arrival into this world with excitment and joy, but instead I feel weepy and anxious. But by looking at her today, I can choke back those tears and be so thankful for how far she's come!

So today was a big day - very big! Sydney was taken off the vent, we held her for the first time, Denis changed her diaper, and I got to feed her some of my own milk from a bottle! It was an amazing day, one we hope we can do again tomorrow. Attached are a few pics...

Love,
Erica and Denis

The Orphanage

I was remembering today the desperate pleas I would make a few months ago when Sydney was the worst sleeper known to mankind. I was so tired I couldn't see straight, much less function in society or at work, so I jokingly (not really) threatened to send her to an orphanage, sell her to Madonna, or just simply give her away to anyone who would take her. I was remembering all this as she and I were practicing singing "Happy Birthday" for her cousin Camryn's birthday party coming up soon. If I had sold her, or given her to Madonna and her international brood, I would have missed this...see video below. I'm so glad that orphanage never called to claim her, cause I would have missed my little two-foot terror and all her charm and wit.

I love you Sydie! I promise not to actually sell you or send you to live with the gypsies. But I can't promise I won't threaten it when your demon side, a.k.a. your father's side, is rearing her ugly head!

ok, blogger is being mean and won't upload my video...i've linked it instead.

Reset

As a parent for a few short (long) 17 months, I've learned that some days you just want to hit the reset button. My little angel-demon has had a cold for the past few days, which means she's been less than pleasant to be around. After a few days of thrown milk, thrown food, thrown toys, tantrums, incessant whining, kicking, crying, screaming "NO, NO, NO!," and wiping a gross nose 347 times a day, her dad and I have had enough. Until last night, when in the throws of her despair at feeling so crummy, I reach down, pick her up, and she throws her tiny arms around my neck, gives me a big squeeze, kisses my face and say "Mama." Reset.

Recap of 2009

The Champagne's had a big year in '09 - let's recap...

The year started with me going back to work full time after maternity leave.

Denis kept his job despite a horrendous fiscal downtown.

Sydney had many of her firsts...sitting, crawling, standing, walking, talking, tantrums, boo boos, colds, counting, and SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT (finally!). We celebrated her first birthday with a small (okay, not so small) group of family and friends. We counted our blessings on August 27th that after a hellish arrival into the world, one year later Sydney showed no negative side-effects of her experience.

Izzie spent most of the year sleeping, begging (her new fav spot is no longer under my feet at the table, but under Sydney's high chair - score!) and being adorable, while staying far out of the way of Hurricane Sydney.

The daily grind of two opposite schedules, daycare, grandparent daycare/babysitting, Denis and Erica time, family time, cooking, cleaning, bills, and a little fun thrown in from time to time has kept us so busy, I'm surprised our heads haven't spun completely off. But we wouldn't trade it for anything...except maybe a few million bucks - the grind would be much less of a hassle without the pesky need to work!

So what's in store for 2010? Hopefully a lot! We have an offer in on a house, one that if we are able to buy we will live in for many years to come. We'll watch Sydney contiue to grow and amaze us with her quick little brain, and make us laugh with her silly humor and clumsy feet (thanks to her dear old mom)! We'll hopefully survive yet another round of "will Denis have a job after July 1?" drama. We're looking forward to a longer and hotter summer than 2009 to enjoy on the beach with family and friends. And hopefully we will be planning our next trip to Cancun - oh how we have missed you, Mexico!!

A post every 8 months is good, no?

Wow, I couldn't be any worse at this blog thing. I'm pretty sure not many check it either, so I guess I shouldn't fret.

So, what's Miss Sydney up to these days you ask? Well, she's a walking, talking, whining machine! Very verbal, even more clumsy. But we love her! She really is so much fun. She will tell you what a bunch of animals say, even a snake and a bee. Except for a pig, she won't "oink," even when she was a pig for halloween. (see pic below) Her absolute favorite toys are books - she loves to read and be read to. A picky eater, she's a self-proclaimed vegetarian. Coming from two carnivores is a bit strage for us, but she seems to be just fine with her decision. Denis and I both loving every minute of her little personality, even though it would like to challenge us incessantly! It took her 9 months to sleep through the night, but once she got the hang of it, she's been a great sleeper. We thank her for that, every night at 7:30 and evey morning at 7:00, and every 3 hour nap each day! She's just getting into the whole singing and dancing thing, it's too cute!

A few pics for your viewing pleasure...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

video

here's a quick video of our classy little lady! haha!

wow, i'm not very good at this!

Oops! It has been a while since I've posted - my apologies! Miss Sydney is now 25 weeks old - 6 months this week! Time flies when you're having fun. She is sooo much fun! She's got a great personality, very active and very happy. She does have a sensitive side, which we find amusing as her dad and i are as social as they come! Watching her grow and learn new things every day is a pure joy. Here are few recent photos.

Christmas tree shopping

Hello all! Hope you are enjoying the holidays. These are a little late, but oh well. More xmas photos to come. These are from our trek through the tree farm for Sydney's first christmas tree. She picked a beauty! It was so cold out that day, the poor kid was trying to figure what to do with all the cold air in her lungs! She lasted about 3 minutes and then she was all done with the holiday spirit! It was a memorable 3 minutes though...take a look...

3 months old

Sydney is 13 weeks old today! Insane. She is so stinkin' cute, we can't stand it! She's more alert every day, she smiles and coos and talks to us, and she's getting a little better at sleeping at night. Here are a few pics, but don't forget our picture page at www.picasaweb.com/emerica1979

Happy Halloween!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we took Sydney to go buy her first pumpkin. Dad found some chickens to marvel at, we all know how much he loves "wildlife!" Poor Syd can barely see out of the baby carrier at 7 lbs. and 20 inches. Hopefully in just a few more weeks she'll be able to see out and enjoy the world around her!

6 weeks old

At six weeks, Sydney is now much more interactive. Today she was kickin' it in her crib, just looking around and staring at herself in the mirror for a good 45 minutes. A big change from the baby who slept all day and screamed all night! Here are two great photos. And, also, today is Denis' birthday - Happy Birthday, Den!

First trip to the Fryeburg Fair

So we broke all the rules of hibernation this weekend and took Sydney to the Fryeburg Fair. While she didn't see much of it all bundled up inside of her stroller, we are sure she had a great time! A few photos...

What a difference a month makes

Wow! We can't believe Syd is one month old already! Where did the month go? We may never remember, since we are seriously sleep deprived. Sydney weighed in at 6 lbs, 3 oz. at her last doctors appointment last week. She is growing quickly and is more alert each day. We can't get enough of her!! She has a set of pipes on her, she screams bloody murder at every diaper change and whenever her binky falls out of her mouth! Here are a few recent shots of her. Also, be sure to check in on our photo page from time to time... www.picasaweb.com/emerica1979

She's here!

Sydney Nicole Champagne was born at 4:42 AM on August 27th, almost 6 weeks before her due date. She weighed 4 lbs, 11 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. She spent her first two weeks in NICUs at Children's Hospital and Beverly Hospital as her lungs were not fully developed at birth. She's been home now for almost 2 weeks and we are all adjusting well. She's absolutely perfect, just tiny, but she grows stronger every day! We are two very proud parents!!

28 weeks

Here's the most recent pic of my gi-normous belly. When I put it next to a "before" picture, I want to scream! Oh to be thin again...

Sydney's boyfriends

She's not even born yet, but Sydney has two boyfriends! I'm starting her early to give her daddy a hard time! Two of my best friends, Kristie and Kyly, gave birth this week to two boys, Alexander and Gavin. Miss Sydney can't wait to meet them in only 11 or so more weeks!

June update

Sad news in our family this month...my grandfather, Frank Small, lost his 10 year battle with cancer and heart disease on June 8th. Papa, I feel so lucky to have had 28 years of memories with you. You'll be missed so much!

I am now 24 weeks pregnant, and feeling really good, minus the constant peeing (I know, tmi) and heartburn. Miss Sydney is progressing perfectly. As you can see by the picture below, I think her daddy is already completely smitten!

Stop yelling at me!

I've been hounded and harrassed by many to post some "baby bump" pics...so here they are. You can all stop yelling at me! And NO, I do not do bare belly shots, so don't even ask! These two are of me at 20 weeks. Only 20 more weeks to go, give or take a few. Our girl is quite active now, or at least now I can feel it. She seems to be a big fan of music like her mom, as she gets down while I ride to and from work with the music turned up loud and I sing along.