Sydney has been called Sydney-Bean for quite some time.  Funny thing is…. one of her FAVORITE foods is refried beans.  She likes Mexican food as much as her mama.  Here’s a quick picture.  Enjoy!

As nervous as I was to put Sydney into daycare, she is thriving!  It has been 1.5 months since she started school and she is talking more, eating EVERYTHING in sight (woo hoo!), and generally doing more physically.  What is funny is that she is much quieter at school.  She is just now starting to socialize more.  Apparently she was very observant of others, but not interacting as much as the other children in her class.  She has been coming out of her shell over time and now has a buddy, Gracie.  Gracie loves to do most everything with Sydney.  She holds her hand when they move from place to place, she gets Sydney to come play, and invites Sydney to do whatever she is doing.  I LOVE that Sydney has a buddy.  Her teachers just love her and I couldn’t be happier about that!  They are working hand in hand with Sydney’s ECI specialist and are learning quickly to continually challenge Syd. 

I was so worried about putting my daughter in someone else’s hands, and God gave us Good Shepherd.  She is doing GREAT!

I don’t know about you, but I am SOOOOOO ready for a new year.  This last year was definitely full of challenges!  The most obvious one was the lay-off in January that was finally relieved with Randall and I getting employed in October.  Yes, I said OCTOBER!!!  Wow, 10 months!  Needless to say we learned a lot in the last year about frugalness.  (if that is even a word).  We learned to pinch pennies, recycle things that we never dreamed of, and stretch things that were disposable in our previous years.  So, we learned a whole new appreciation for the value of food, money, resources, and time.  2009 changed us!

We are starting 2010 ready for a fresh start.  Anthony is turning 6 in a few days and just started the second half of Kindergarten.  Sydney is now established in pre-school and doing WONDERFULLY!  She is chattering up a storm and real words are coming out… along with the cutest Blocka-blocka-blocka babble you have ever heard.  She is eating everything in sight and trying new things every day.  YEAH!!  If you have been following us in the last year, eating has been out biggest struggle with Sydney.  She is walking up and down steps by herself holding the rail, and playing with all of the outdoor play scapes and toys! 

I am starting a new chapter in my volunteer work at DSACT by being the Vice President this year.  Yikes and yeah!  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  New adventures always give me those butterflies.  The flutter away quickly and I am looking forward to a great year ahead.  I am working on getting more pictures to put up of the holidays!  Stay tuned.  =0)