Another Month Older

It is hard to believe that Sydnee is yet another month older today and before we know it she will be 1 and then off to preschool! :) I love this age that she is at, even though she is testing me getting into everything, but she listens really good. She JUST started saying "dada" after Luke and I trying to get her to say it for months now! She just decided one day she was going to and it threw me off, now it is all she wants to say...lol, but I don't mind at all.
This past month has been a hard one, but my last hard one alone. Lucas will be back from being gone for 6 weeks on training in Arizona. I never thought I could do any more time apart, but we did and now we don't have to worry about it any longer. Lucas got an early out from the military so we will be leaving California soon than we thought and heading back to Minnesota. We are excited just to spend the holidays with our families and not have to worry about when we have to leave...and it will be the first New Years we have spent together in 4 years! Life is going to be an adjustment, but one that we will gladly get use to! We are stoked on what is to come for us...hopefully a job in Texas or Colorado???!! ;) Cross your fingers for us!

Happy Halloween (a little late)

We are a little late, but we hope everyone had a safe and great Halloween! Here is the cutest kitty on the block! :)

Back On Our Own Again...

Nana has officially left town about 5 days now and the apartment doesn't seem the same. I was getting use to being "alone" (since we had for 3 weeks) and thought how nice it was going to be to have someone around! And now I am thinking how am I going to be "alone" again for another 2 weeks? I am sure it will go by fast, it just doesn't seem like that right now...it's hard being in a big city, with no friends or family to fall back on...but we manage the best we can. I am going to be hitting myself when November comes because although it will bring our daddy home, it brings on the most stress we have gone through yet. We have the stress of starting a "real life" together which means no deployments, no debts, not training, no military! This is an exciting, but scary time in our lives together because this is all we have EVER known since being together the last 8 years. It will be the next chapter in our life together and hopefully for once it will be less complicated, but more fulfilling and exciting. We are looking forward to it...just not the move back to Minnesota in the dead cold! Eeeekk! :)
I shouldn't say my time is completely boring and I don't have a lot to do. Between school and Sydnee, I barely find time to give my brain a rest and then to add working out and my new business Scentsy to it, it seems like a overwhelming now, but I think it will be good for not only me, but us. It will get me ready to put my degree to use! :)
Lots of exciting things coming our way and as long as we have each other to hold on to, we will get through this! :)

Nana Is In Town! :)

We were extremely excited to go pick up Nana from the airport! :)

She is in town for 10 days and it is great having someone to around since Lucas is gone for training for another 3 weeks. (Not to mention it is awesome having help!) It didn't take long for Sydnee to warm back up to her Nana from not seeing her for 2 whole months and now they are both attached to the hip. She absolutely loves her! We have enjoyed running around San Diego, going shopping here and there, going for walks, and to the pumpkin patch so far.

Before moving back out to San Diego, it was Nana "duty" to give Sydnee a bath as my mom enjoyed doing that every night. Sydnee loves her tubby time and she has really enjoyed Nana giving her her baths again. Nana lets her get away with a little more splishing and splashing than mommy, but that is ok! :) After all, that is what Nana's are for! Hehehe...

She even got her first "boo-boo" while Nana was her, she split her lip open pretty deep and was very upset about it...staring down her busy zoo box that was the culprit! :) She is a trooper though and decided to show it off...

We are enjoying our time with company and will hate to see her leave on Sunday, but it won't be long before we are in MN in December for a while.

Bumps, Scraps, and Bruises

Sydnee is officially on the move and boy is she determined! She has always had those accidents, but now it is really happening. I thought I would be one of those moms that wants to wrap their baby in bubble wrap to protect them from everything in sight, but I have taken the back seat of this one. I love to just sit back, watch her learn how to do this or that, and she learns very fast. I hate that she gets so frustrated when she wants to do something, but it is good that she doesn't give up (probably got that good trait from her mommy and daddy).
And the bumps, bruises, and scraps keep coming. We went to the park yesterday to get out of the house for a while. She was doing so good playing in the sand, grass, and walking across the pathway which is cement. She was walking across the cement and was so excited to reach me and just fell. He knee drug on the cement and scraped it all up. I have never seen so much blood for such a little scrap! She was SO upset and we had to leave :( and bath time was not fun either. Poor baby bear, but she is back to the old Sydnee today! :) This is just a taste of what is to come I'm sure, but I will be there with a band-aid, kisses, and hugs for her!

Next Gerber Baby?

I entered Sydnee into the next gerber baby contest as I got the link and suggestion from a friend. It took 3 weeks to start voting so the day has finally came! You are able to vote for her once a day for the next month! If she wins she will be able to win a $25,000 scholarship which will help to secure her for her education in the future. Please help for her to win! Of course she will always be my lil gerber baby despite what this websites/voting says. :) I love her and trust me I am not one of those pagent moms or stage moms so this will not be a on going thing for her! Hehehe, I am hoping for a soccer/hockey/softball star! :) Thanks again for helping! Love and miss you all!

Here is the link:
http://www.gerber.com/Photo/?entryid=129542&source=10086654&utm_source=Gerber&utm_medium=email&utm_content=PhotoAcceptedReminder&utm_campaign=GerberGeneration#/vote/
Click on the vote, then search, type in Sydnee and San Diego...and there she is! :)

Here and there, she's everywhere!

Sydnee is officially in the toddler stages, as she is on the move and there is no stopping her. She thinks she is pretty sly now that she is walking from object to object, along the wall, and even just walking around on her own. I even caught her today almost trying to run as the dogs were chasing her and she was screaming and walking as fast as she good to get away...super hilarious. I found that walking has to be on her terms though because when she feels like just being held, she will through a tempertantrum, yes, something that is also new in the Leifermann household. She is getting pretty good at this and being spoiled rotton. Many of the tantrums have been over her sippy cup and me refusing to do it for her (as I am trying to get her to do it herself and learn that she needs to tip it back), something she has been very spoiled with. :) I'll admit it!
Anyways, life will never be the same again, but that is a good thing! I enjoy being kept on my toes and watching her grow. Its sad, but exciting all in the breath. I look forward to the next stages of her growth and not to mention turning the BIG 1 in two months! Yikes! :) Party time! :)

Walking Oh My!

Sydnee has been trying to walk for a while now and it wasn't until yesterday and I realized this is going to happen pretty much any day now. She surprised me right away in the morning by crawling on all fours and all of a sudden in the middle of the room she stood up! She thought she was pretty slick and it was cute how she did it and looked at me with a HUGE smile on her face. I could tell that not only was it a proud "mommy" moment, but it was a proud moment for her as well. Let's just say she has been doing it ever since, and now brave enough to just let go and walk by herself. This is insane! Wish Lucas was here yet ago to watch this amazing thing!
We also headed to the park today where she had a blast. She had her first real "boo boo" as she face planted it on the pavement and scrapped up her chin and mouth and then did it again the sand...she got a mouth full...literally! :( She is a tough cookie though and had a moment and was back at it again. That's my girl! :) She is so fearless and ambitious it scares me!
Here is a little taste of what life is like now with an almost toddler girl on my hands!

The time is slipping away!

I promised myself I would keep this up and thought how hard would THAT be? Guess it proved to be a taller task than I imagined! :) It seems that even though you are a stay at home mom, you are constantly moving and distracted by something, whether it is poop, daughter in the dog food, or...well you get my drift! :)
It really is hard to believe that Sydnee is almost 10 months old. She is growing and learning something new everyday. Today I just saw her learn how to go from her knees to a squat, to standing on her own! Might seem like a small task, but to a lil baby it is a great accomplishment and she was so proud of herself that she kept doing it and smiling at me. :) She has also started to walk from object to object and it will only be a matter of time before she is completely on her own. This morning I tried to help her and she swatted my hand out of the way and walked herself...lol, talk about ambitious! Got to love it though! Although I miss her being a newbie, I love this stage she is at and it keeps getting better and better.
She has 6 teeth now, working on 2 more, which hasn't been rough at all. She is eating "big people food" and her favorites are grilled cheese, ravioli, banana bread, and well, pretty much everything! :) Glad she is not a picky eater like me! :) She must have got it from her daddy!
Speaking of daddy, he is gone for 5 more weeks at training in Arizona, but hopes to make trips home when he is not melting away in the 100+ degree weather. We miss him tons! But my mom is coming out in a week to keep up busy! It will be good for both of them, and me of course, as we haven't seen Nana for over 2 months.
Here's to another attempt at keeping this up!

Are we there yet?

We have finally arrived back to San Diego after a long 30+ hours in the car. I have to say that my baby is quite the traveler as she never fussed, only on the last couple hours on the road. She is a rockstar and born to travel I suppose. It is good to finally have Lucas back and be a family again, a feeling I forgot. Sydnee was not to sure about him, which was expected, but I think it hurt Lucas' feelings a little bit. However, she is all over him now and you never would have known he has been gone most of her young life...no more! Luke gets out in 4 months and we are just holding our breath that something falls into play for us finally and we can have a break in life! We have been through so much! :) For now, we are just enjoying each other!

It's Been So Long!

Hard to believe that is has been well over a month since my last post! I am getting bad at this as the times seem to be going faster (and slower at times).
Life seems to be getting more complicated than ever and it is scary to think about all the changes that are coming our way, but there are going to be some really good ones in the mix. Lucas is 5 days away from coming home and I can hardly contain my composure, excitement, anxiety, etc. This moment seemed so far away and it never occurred to me that is would come so fast. Along with this time approaching fast, that means that Sydnee is growing like a weed! Hard to believe that she is already 7 months which is so bitter sweet. She is crawling now (for quite some time), pulling herself up on things, transferring from one object to another, and I think she will be walking early! :) But thats far from my mind...and more important things are to come. I keep trying to imagine what that day will be like when I got to pick Luke up at the airport, the look on his face, Sydnee's reaction, how it feel...etc. I am patiently waiting for this to arrive and for us to be a family again...it will be the best day of my life (well a close second). I could not have done this all though without my family and friends! They have helped me lean on them in time of need, even if I didn't seem like I needed it or asked for it. Its been fun, but I am ready to head back to my life...our life.
Life keeps through us curveballs, but we are showing everyone that we are making it....so keep throwing them! :)

Blessing

I recently knew someone that lost their baby at only 25 weeks (in the womb) and it is hard to imagine what that must feel like. I keep looking at Sydnee and thank God for our lil angel. My life without her is hard to imagine as she is the reason why I wake up in the morning and why I take each breathe each day. She gives me life so much meaning! When I am tired, crabby, or whatever, I am going to think about all the times that this family should have felt this way and they never will. They will never hear their baby cry, laugh, giggle, or talk. My prayers are with them and their lil angel during this VERY difficult time! :( Be thankful for what you have as it can be taken so quickly!

6 Month Update!

Hard to believe that it was 6 months ago today that we just met our daughter! She is already starting to crawl and even have a tooth break through today! It finally hit me that my lil girl is growing, changing, and learning so much, so fast. Time really does go by fast. She had her 6 month appointment today and she is almost up to 19 pounds! She is right on the chart for growth and development which is great. Unfortunately she had to have 3 shots and was not a very happy camper! I think daddy probably heard her in Japan, she was THAT loud. She is a tough cookie though, jabbering away and playing as if nothing ever happened. That's my girl! :)
We are almost one month away from seeing daddy! It will be the best day of our lives!

Karlee Graduates!

My lil "baby" girl just graduated from preschool and it is so hard to believe that she is going to Kindergarden next year! Where did the time go? Before I know it, Sydnee will be in the same shoes...but I don't want to think about that now! :) I am so proud of Karlee, she is so very bright and wise beyond her years (both good and bad) and she will do great next year.
For now, I am just enjoying being home for once and watching her grow older and older...and not to mention Sydnee adores her! It will be hard to leave in a month, but we just will take it one day at a time.
Lucas should be home before we know it...we are down to days not months now and I NEVER thought I would make it to this point. This surely has been the hardest time of my life, but we made it! Almost done! Yippie!

Long Time, No Post

I was once good at posting on my blog, but now the time is getting away from me! I should be better, but when you are a mom, when do you find time? :)
Sydnee is sitting up on her own now and it is amazing to see how much she has grown. I keep thinking about how Lucas is going to feel when he gets home, but I just can't but myself in his shoes. It has to be the worst feeling in the world! I hate to think about it. He will be home before we know it...1 month and 2 weeks (or a little more). I remember feeling like I would never make it to this point and I feel like it has blown by at time and went slow at other times. It has been an amazing grace to have my family and his family around to help us through this hard time. I really don't remember this last deployment going so fast and smoothly...lets hope it stays that way.
Sydnee is thriving and growing like a weed. I have found that she is a human garbage disposal as she has yet to have something she does not like! :) Just like her daddy, which is a good thing! I am SUCH a picky eater, and that is an understatement. She is rolling all over the place and wanting to crawl so bad...I'm sure she will before Luke gets home. :( She is also taking up a storm and definitely is starting to get a mind of her own...what a sassy lil thin! :)
All is well here and we can't wait for the next month or so to breeze by!

Here's To 25!

It really is hard to believe that I am 25, but the many gray hairs that I have sure make me feel older! :) Nothing that a little dye job can't cover right? Anyways, my first mother's day was amazing and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life celebrating this small day out of the year with the ones that I love. Lucas sent me amazing roses (but really from Sydnee). To top the week, it was my 25th birthday yesterday, and while it was just another day, it was special to be able to spend it for once with my family since many of them in the past have been spent far away in another state! My mom was amazing and took me shopping. While I am not excited about getting another year older, 25 is going to bring on a lot of great things. Luke is coming home to name just a few and it doesn't help that I got my daughter by my side through life now. Love it! So here is to 25 and many more years after! :)

First Road Trip!

Sydnee and the family went down to Kansas for Sarah's wedding this past weekend and it was great to have our other side of our family meet her and for us to see them after 5+ years. It has been way too long! The 6 hour car trip was long, but Sydnee did way better than I thought she would do. She slept most of the way, with some fussy times, but overall I was HIGHLY impressed and her road trip skills! :) I really enjoyed this last weekend and makes me enjoy and appreciate family that much more.

Hard to believe the little peanut is already 5 months old. She is wanting to crawl so bad and is able to sit up alone (not for very long but its a start!) Seems like yesterday she was our little munchin just a couple days old. Lucas is going to not believe his eyes when he sees her! She is quite the lil lady! :)

Gramma Shirley had her birthday last night and we went over to celebrate! Happy Birthday to Gramma Shirley! I love having all this family around us and it will be hard to leave, but we are enjoying it while we can!

Another month down and Lucas should be home before we know it in 2 months! Crazy to think!

Where are my toes?

Sydnee has officially found her toes! :) It is the cutest thing to see her get her legs up and play with them. But it is getting hard to keep socks on this child and she finds the need to pull them off! :) I am glad the weather is nice and socks really are a need right now...maybe my child is trying to tell me that, lol.

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Sydney is on the move...rollin all the time now. I really have to second guess where I put her now!

She is also teething with isn't much fun at all right now! She was pretty much up all last night and I'm exhausted. I'm trying to be patient and understanding through the screaming...its hard doing this alone, but this too shall pass right? :)
Besides that she is great and starting to eat food! Banana is what we started off with...lol

On The Move! So It Begins!

Sydnee rolled over today, back to front! I was laying on the floor with her and was in shock of what I saw. So....I had to roll her back over and have her do it again...well she did it three more times! :) And so it begins...I will no longer be able to contain her...she is on the move! :) I know one day I will wish she will be at the young age where all she wants to do is lay in my arms, but I am enjoying this and what is to come! To top it off, she is starting the process of teething...yes you heard me right. She is such a joy! lol, super crabby, not long enough naps and so on and on. These are the times I wish Daddy was here for a lil break here and there! But he will be home before we know it, we are almost half way done!