Where have I been?

Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Sydney got sick last week, which turned into Chet and me getting sick over the weekend, and then Sydney had a relapse, so I haven't spent much time at the computer at home. Also, I need to post pictures from Syd's birthday party, and although the pictures are great, it's a little daunting to go through and post all of them, so I've been procrastinating. But I'm back!

Details on Sydney getting sick: She started running a low-grade fever last Thursday, then threw up beginning in the wee hours of Friday morning. I stayed home from work with her Friday, and she slept most of the day (she didn't throw up any more throughout the day). There weren't any openings for her to get seen by the doctor, but I wasn't too worried because Sydney's daycare provider informed me Friday morning that one of the little boy's and his family had been sick, so I assumed it was just a virus. Sydney seemed much better Saturday, but then Saturday night Chet and I both got sick (throwing up, etc.). Needless to say, we weren't feeling too hot Sunday morning, but Sydney also seemed a little under the weather again. We all just sort of slept all day (which was good because it meant Chet and I could rest, but bad because I was worried about her feeling badly again). She threw up again Sunday evening, but I think it was my fault because I fed her too much too soon. I was able to get her a doctor appointment Monday afternoon, and the doctor confirmed it was just a virus and Sydney would be fine. (Although they did take a urine sample to check for E. coli in her urine, just to make sure it wasn't the same deal as last September. Did I ever blog about that? I don't think I did...) By Tuesday Sydney was back to her normal self.

It's amazing how everyone getting sick throws off the "routine". Everything stops, and all efforts are put toward getting well. Laundry, shopping, blogging, cooking, cleaning...none of it matters. Then, when we're well (or at least when I'm well), it all matters again, but it is much more daunting because all of the chores have piled up. As I continue to catch up, I promise I will post more soon (including pictures)...

Mismatched Clothes and Miss America Wave

It's been quite cool in Jacksonville lately, and Sydney was dressed eclectically for a walk.

Sydney waves like Miss America (please ignore the Mommy and Daddy voices).

Happy 1st Birthday, Sydney Jo!

Happy 1st birthday to our sweet baby girl! Chet and I can't believe it's already been a year since we welcomed her into this world. She brings us so much joy every day, and I can't believe God entrusted us with raising her...but I'm glad He did!

I posted this second picture because it's the most recent one I've taken of her. But I want to mention that she's holding one of two of her baby dolls. She LOVES dolls. She cuddles them and talks to them and gives them her pacifier. She also says "ba bae"...which sometimes sounds like "ba ba" and sometimes actually sounds like "baby"! It's adorable!

Late Post: Trip to TX

I can't believe it's been a month since we visited Texas! I need to hurry and post these pictures before Sydney's first birthday outshines all of the other posts...

Chet, Sydney, and I flew to TX December 30th, and we had a blast! We celebrated Christmas, P-ma was in town, and we took a day trip to Lufkin to visit my dad's side of the family. Chet and I were also able to see a couple of movies while Didi and P-ma babysat Sydney, and we went to Cavender's Boot City, where we bought Sydney an outfit to wear at her birthday party and Chet's first pair of cowboy boots! (Unfortunately I didn't take a single picture while we were in Lufkin, and I didn't get as many pictures overall as I would have liked!)

Grant (looking a little strange) and Ashley

P-ma

Sydney and Uncle Grant

Didi and Sydney (I have no idea what they were so excited about)

Papa John and Sydney

TX Bath

Sydney and Didi

Ashley, Sydney, and Didi

Chet

Have I mentioned I'm thrilled that my wonderful, handsome husband is home? If not, I am! Here are a couple of pictures. The first was (obviously) taken while he was in Djibouti. The second is the sign he found hanging outside his office when he went back to work last week. Nice, huh?

Unpacking

When we returned from our trip from TX at the first of the year, we were all corralled in Chet's and my room unpacking. Sydney helped. Here's how:

Then she found her brush and started "brushing" her hair. This was completely unprompted. Then she brushed Daddy's hair (that was a little bit prompted):

Chet's New Truck!

Monday Chet and I were off work, so we bought a truck! Don't worry, we didn't buy it out of the blue. Chet has been wanting a truck for a long time, and has been doing lots of research. He saw this particular truck the other day while he was out running errands, and it was still on his mind a few days later. It is a 2005 F-150 King Ranch. We decided to look at it Saturday, thought/prayed about it Sunday (the dealership was closed Sunday), and bought it Monday! We love it, and it's a good replacement for his '96 Explorer (which was in great condition, but something Chet was ready to trade in). The new truck is on the left, the Explorer is on the right (perhaps I'll post better pictures later...).