Rhymes with smother
Sounds like bother
Entitles one to endless loves and snuggles
Synonymous with friend

{Sydney and Blair}
Let me start with saying how much I LOVE my sisters!! Growing up I was close with my little sister who played Barbies with me and dress up. We loved taking "modeling" pictures together and were obsessed with *NSYNC. In high school my older sister got me interested in sports and we played volleyball and ran track together. But it really wasn't until I went up to college in Utah that my older sister and I became BFFs. We have grown closer as we got older and our latest experience has brought us even closer. I feel SO blessed to have had sweet baby girls just weeks apart. And I hope that our little girls will also grow up to be the best of friends.This is my first niece and I can't wait to meet her and kiss on her. I feel like I have been waiting forever to be an Auntie and I am so glad sweet little Blair has finally made her entrance into the world!! Auntie Jacki loves you beautiful baby girl :)

I always think it's funny how new babies get compared to their parents and siblings and family. Who does she look like? Sometimes I think we forget that they are just their own little person and maybe they don't want to be compared. But just because it's fun...

Here's Dallen at 4 weeks:
Sydney at 4 weeks:
And a little reminder of what her parents looked like as babies:

She's definitely got my nose and my toes. Her mouth is exactly the same as her big brothers and her eyes, it's still too soon to tell. Sydney has long elegant piano playing fingers and a whole lot of dark brown hair. Even in her brothers old blue jammies, her feminine features make her look so girly. She is beautiful in every way and melts my heart with each one of her very own pretty little features :)

Having a little girl is already everything I always dreamed it would be and more. Sure its only been 3 weeks but I am loving just about every minute of it. Growing up my favorite toy of all time was Barbies. I secretly played through junior high and once in a while forced my little brother to play them with me. Now I have a life size Barbie doll to dress up whenever I want. Sure we don't go anywhere or see many people, but that's what cameras are for. Plus, these cute little newborn outfits are not going to fit her forever!!!



Love my little doll and I think Barbie ain't got nothin' on my Sydney ;)

To say that Dallen is obsessed with baby Sydney would be a huge understatement. This kid LOVES being a big brother and having a perfect little sister. Whenever referring to Sydney, Dallen says "my baby". He feels like a superhero when he gets to help her, get a binky or a diaper or a blanket, whatever it is he has a big brother to the rescue attitude. Dallen always has to be right next to her. Nearly on top of her is not close enough. He wants to sleep by her, eat by her, play by her, everything right next to her :) Dallen screeches with excitement anytime Sydney opens her eyes. He loves to kiss her, hands, feet, face all over, he just smothers her with lots and lots of kisses constantly.
These two are already like 2 peas in a pod and I am so excited to watch them grow up together and become the best of friends!!

We were blessed with just the most perfect Christmas this year. Sydney and I were released from the hospital just in time to celebrate, the day before Christmas Eve. I am so grateful that half of my family was able to be here with us to celebrate the birth of our Savior and the birth of our sweet Sydney.

On Christmas Eve we were able to go out for Korean BBQ to celebrate Christmas Day in Korea for Elder Messick. The waitress looked at me like I was nuts bringing my sleeping 4 day old to the empty restaurant, but it was totally worth it to feel close to my little brother for the holiday.
Christmas morning, for the boys, was spent just where it should be, at church. Dallen was so patient to open his presents after he attended sacrament meeting. He had the BEST reactions to his presents this year. For some reason Dallen thinks he is a teenager and asked Santa for a boat this year, yes a boat!! Since we couldn't get a real boat, Santa brought Dallen a remote control racing boat for the pool and he could not be happier. Daddy kinda likes it too ;)
Dallen wasn't the only one who got everything he wanted this year for Christmas. Not only did I get my baby girl in time for Christmas, but I also got my baby grand I have been wanting since I left home nearly a decade ago. A family friend needed a new home for their antique Kimball piano and for the price of shipping it from Texas, I got to have it in time to play some Christmas carols.
The morning was full of "that's awesome" and "this is just what I wanted" and "are you kidding me?!?!" from the excited 3 year old as he opened his gifts and pulled stuff out of his stocking. It was pure joy to watch this little boy. The rest of the day was spent watching and playing with Dallen and all of his new awesome toys. We enjoyed our time together as a family and got some precious photos with the newest member of our family.
It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone now and I feel so blessed to have had such a perfect one!!