It's Sydney puke. I'm proud to wear it.

It's puke city at our house for poor little Sydney. You know what that means: laundry, laundry, laundry and hours of sitting on the couch drinking pedialyte (her, not me) and reading Goodnight Gorilla. Poor baby. It all started yesterday at Melissa's house with a pretty toxic explosion. What is it about Melissa that really brings it out in Syddo, remember this one (click here)? She had no appetite yesterday and after she went to bed last night, about an hour after eating a bowl full of yogurt and letting it ferment around in there, we heard her throwing up in bed. The crazy thing is, she didn't even wake up! She was so tired, she just puked and stayed asleep, laying there in her own vomit. So, we woke her up and got her all cleaned up and today she is a bit better, still not much of an appetite but so far (knock on wood), she's keeping it all down. After we got her all cleaned up and back to bed last night, Chris and I went out to finish watching last week's CSI. We were almost done with the show, so I hadn't changed, but I had a small amount of residual vomit on my pants. Chris was so grossed out by it! Maybe it's because I'm a nurse, and I've seen WAY worse, or maybe it's because I'm a mom, but it didn't bother me. Oh well, sorry I ruined the end of CSI for you Chris because your eyes were watering at the fermented-yogurt-mixed-with-stomach-acid smell on my pants.
Last week I learned that my aunt Carye is horrified that I post pictures of Sydney on the toilet, but that's where she's spent much of today so here are some more. What a blessing she is, she is sick and still so happy and smiley! She was goofing off for me, so here are some pics from just this morning.

American Idol, Audition Song

It's time once again for one of my favorite shows, American Idol. I have previously made predictions of who I think will be eliminated or who will win, and I will probably do that again, but this year I will take it to a new level. You may not know this about me, but I love to sing. Now, I can't sing well. Or, even very good. In fact, I'm horrible. But in my mind, I always imagine it's me up there on the stage, impressing Simon like no one has ever done, having Paula dance to my song, and having Randy declare, "yo yo yo, dawg, that was freakin' awesome." And I know I'm not alone in my fantasy, I know you all do it, too. So this year, each week I am going to announce what song I would be singing if it were me. Since it's audition time now, here is my audition song. And don't laugh.
I would sing "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles. Oh yes. I pick this song because there are some intense high notes and in my fantasy life, I could perfectly hit those notes and have Simon proclaim, even in the audition, that I am his pick for this season's winner. So there you have it. Stay tuned for my Hollywood week song...

20, 30K anyone?

We really don't like our neighbors. If you come to our house, you'll see a nicely maintained lawn and only one car, if ever, in the drive-way. If you look to the left, you'll see a horrible, fallng-apart house with hot pink trim. Then you'll see the FIVE, yes FIVE cars in the drive-way and street, the weeds only lawn, and the trash everywhere. We really want to move. But we can't afford it. So, if anyone would like to give us say, $25,000.00, we would really be appreciative. We would definetely take you out for drinks. Did I mention how their urchin children run through our grass all the time, hollering at the top of their lungs? Or did I mention how they stand outside smoking? Or how, from May to September, they park their boat in front of their house? Errrr...please someone help us. Did I mention we'd take you out for drinks? We'd probably throw in dinner, too, for your generosity. We keep waiting to win the Powerball, but it hasn't happened yet.
You never know until you ask, right?

Things You Learn About Your Husband

Tonight Chris and I were watching Ace Of Cakes and one of the chef's, Geof, was making a cake that looked like the moon. Chris then says, "Yah, I was born on the day man first walked on the moon." "Shut up shut up!" says I, in utter astonishment. Actually, at first I didn't believe him. I told him I had to go google it, and sure enough, there it was, July 21, 1969, the day my dear husband was born, man first walked on the moon. What can I say, I'm over the moon at this discovery (ha, ha, sorry, I couldn't resist). What a cool day to be born on, and I can't believe he never told me this before now!

Fourths

My friend Hannah posted something on her blog today and I thought it was a great thing, because it's cute and it's random, and I like random things. It's called "Fourth folder, fourth photo." Just open up your pictures, and select the fourth photo from the fourth folder, and you blog about that. Here is mine...

This makes me happy. This was taken when Sydney was one day old. I love this picture, it just is the perfect shot of a little girl being cuddled by her daddy. And Sydney has a very good daddy. I am daily reminded what an amazing man he is. He just adores Sydney and she thinks he hung the moon. He is such a good daddy to a girl, too. Most men might have a problem connecting with little girls, but he does such a good job! He always knows just what to say and do to make her happy! And he makes me happy, too. The other day I came home from work and Chris had been home with Sydney all day and he had completely and thoroughly cleaned the kitchen, and done a ton of laundry. It was so thoughtful. I love you, Chris!

Santa Rosa

I must admit I am one of those crazy people who enjoy the rain. Not the non-stop, flood producing, 'you get the ark and I'll get the animals' type of rain we've been having this past week, but rain in moderation is fine. I do not, however, like the snow that we had in December. It was way too much and made driving impossible. We were able to flee the snow the day after Christmas, however, and went to sunny California to visit Chris' dad and his dad's girlfriend, Monica. We had such a great time and Sydney did so great on the trip! It was her first time on a plane and she had lots of fun. I think her favorite part was the huge bathtub that they stocked with princess bubbles and bath finger-paint! While we were there, we also got to see great Grandma June, cousin Jerry, and Aunt Margie. Sydney loved to hitch a ride on Grandma June's walker, which was halarious! Check out the slide show below, there's only 11 photos so it won't take long. We can't wait to go back and see the family again soon!

Don't Be A Hater

Be a follower! Of us, that is. To the right, you will see a section where you can select "follow this blog." It basically means that you're a fan of the blog and you check it out regularly. Thanks!

Kitchen Fun

For Christmas, Melissa, Matt, and Madison got Sydney some play things for her kitchen. She got a set of mini stainless cookware and some pretend food. This past weekend we moved out some things from Sydney's room and put in a new storage set (which is so cute, it makes the room seem really bright and colorful) and moved her little kitchen set into her room. When she's a bit older, we'll get her a big girl kitchen set, but this one works for now. Sydney went wild when we showed it to her! She immediately wanted to put on her new apron from Abbie (from Charm City Cakes, we love that show) and she started "cooking." It's her new favorite activity!





We also got Sydney a doll high chair and she thinks it's pretty fun. Tonight she was feeding Madison's dolly and having a blast!

Cookie Maker

One of the benefits of being 8.5 years older than my sister is that I was around and can remember a lot of things from when she was little. I remember the ultrasound that told us she was a girl, I remember clearly details of her delivery, I remember her in her crib with her Daisy Kingdom bunny set, and so on. I kind of have a warped perception with Abbie because she's my sister, but I am so much older than her that it's almost like a second mother-type in her life. One of the things I remember is when she was about 3, she wanted to be a "cookie maker" when she grew up. Not a chef, or a pastry artist, but a cookie maker. She was even a cookie maker for Halloween that year. She developed her own secret recipe and it is so good, too! I only got the recipe after I got married. Sydney was at my mom's a few weeks ago and they made Abbie's secret recipe cookies. These pictures remind me so much of Abbie, this was even the apron she used to wear as a kid. Now she's 19 and away at school and it seems so hard to believe. Ah, memories...




Here's a few shots of Sydney playing on my mom's keyboard, too. Next year when she's 3 we'll have her take piano lessons, but in the meantime she can pound away on this!

Baby Doll "Paraphernalia"

Not to fear, faithful readers, Happy Wills Family is once again back to blogging. Sorry for the recent absence, we had Christmas and then the next day flew to northern California, aka the Land of No Snow, to visit Chris' dad and family. We'll have pictures of the trip up here soon. We returned in time to ring in the New Year with my family and some family friends and have been catching up ever since. I know that Christmas was so last year, but here are a few pictures of Sydney from Christmas morning.
Just like China just welcomed the Year of the Ox, this year at our house was the "Year of the Baby Doll". Sydney got multiple dollies, along with a doll bunk bed, pack-n-play, regular stroller, double stroller, and multiple outfits. She has been having a blast wheeling around her baby doing cookies in the stroller.


This kind of reminds me of when I was in the second grade. My teacher was expecting a baby, and so was my mom (ok, Juno line there..."just like our mom's and teachers"). One of my classmate's mothers came in and gave us a lesson on the word "Paraphernalia." This word is usually used now with drug paraphernalia, but it can apply to other things, too. This mother, her name was Cindy, came in with lots of baby paraphernalia. She had a burb cloth hanging over a belt loop, diaper pins pinned to her shirt, a blanket tied around her hair, and so on. She was teaching us how all the various baby items were used. It was a fun lesson and a meaningful one for me. I was thinking about that day on Christmas when I was watching Sydney open all her doll items. I guess when you're a teacher you never know what will stick with your students, but that stuck with me. In the meantime, Sydney is zooming around here with her baby doll and making quite a mess, but having the best time. Hard to believe Christmas is already over, but with how fast things are going now, it will be here again before we know it. I'm truly thankful that the reason for Christmas, Jesus and His birthday, can be celebrated every day.