Sydney's birthday

Her big day started about a week early when we went home for Julie's funeral. To lighten up the mood, I thought we could celebrate her 3rd birthday.



We had a big family get together including the immediate Aunts and Uncles but some Great Aunts and Uncles as well. Sydney has her new cousins in her life. Meagan is the beautiful one she loves. Izzy is the "adorable" one that is acceptable for mama to hold. "Cassidy, she say 'WAHH', 'WAHH'!" The party included Princess everything... from the cake, to balloons, goodie bags and presents. The big hit of the evening was the ballerina outfit for dance class.



After that party, we went home to Houston and came back out to San Diego for Labor Day weekend. The initial goal was for Nathan to see his friends. Then it turned into Sydney's birthday at the zoo. Then it became a release as Nathan recovered from the stress of the past events.



She woke up on Saturday, September first and knew immediately she was going to see Panda Bears. And boy did she. We got there early enough that there weren't a lot of people. So we actually got to hang around for about 5 minutes and watch them eat and sleep. While they had a new baby cub, no one could see him. Sydney was amazing the whole day. She loved the zoo... showing her panda and Tigger their mommy and daddy. She felt like she was taking them home.



Later that afternoon, we took her to the beach. She probably would have swimmed away if we had let her. Then that evening, we went out to dinner and celebrated her birthday with cake. She had an amazing day.



The next week I brought cupcakes to class and she was so happy to have a "celebration" of her life. She was devastated when I had to leave. Then the next day, Saturday, we opened the gifts from Nathan and me. We got her a little Baby Doll that Sydney has named Chandelier (sounds like Shawn-d'lay)... very Fancy... from her Fancy Nancy books.



Now we have a little 3 year old and I still will cradle her on my lap and snuggle her to death if she'll let me. The time has gone so fast. On her actual birthday, any moment I could, I just thought about what I was doing 3 years ago... what that date actually meant to me as a mother. How amazing of a journey it's been for our family. Everyone tells us (and while I know it, it blows me away each time) that there's something about Sydney.... something about her spirit where it's an overwhelming presence and kind and caring and funny. It's always wanting to please and is so upset when it fails. I just can't believe we have this person in our lives and that I gave birth to her.