April - 5 months old and counting

April was a month full of events. Yuri returned from Juneau (thankfully), Rory started daycare and spring has begun in Fairbanks. Rory is developing into a wonderful little girl - she is just a joy to be around, I'm not sure how we got so lucky.

We are excited for April to pass and May to now be here. One of the most exciting things happening this month is that Rory's Great Grandma and Grandpa Joyce and Bud Anderson are returning home after a winter in Arizona. Spring is here in full force and there are now tons of opportunities to get out of the house.

Following are some new pictures - I hope you enjoy them.

Love, Sydney

Rory loves to eat...here she is showing off her green beans and squash.

Yes, Yuri does have a splint on his nose and two black eyes in this picture. He broke it when one of his friends on the basketball court gave him an elbow to the nose. Because it wasn't the first time breaking it, he had to have surgery to do a little straightening. The most unfortunate part was that Yuri broke his nose just the day before he was supposed to travel to Omaha and North Carolina. He was heading to North Carolina to visit family that he hasn't seen in almost two years. In Omaha, he was scheduled to attend the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting. Yuri had been looking forward to hearing Warren & Charlie in person but will now have to wait until next year.

Rory met Ella, Simone and Meadow Bailey for the first time. Ella (1st picture) had just come back from the dentist so her smile is a little crooked.

The toys they make now are fabulous - look how many toys she gets to play with on her "jumparoo"!

Here Rory is getting ready for a springtime walk. Her glasses make her look a little like Elton John...very cute when you are little but not something that she will aspire to in her teen years.

Rory and Betty Tangeman...two beautiful girls.

Our happy baby just enjoys the heck out of life...this is how she looks most of the time.

Rory, dressed in her faux fur coat, poses with our good friend, Bruce Tangeman.

Rory and her grandfather at the pioneers home, visiting Great Grandma Emma, at Easter. Rory looks like an 80's child - you have to love the leg warmers!

Rory in her fancy dress, posing with Grandma Judy.

This little piggy

I know that I said I would only update this blog monthly but this is too funny not to share right now. Rory has begun eating cereal (no, not coco pebbles yet) and she seems to enjoy it. I have attached a video below...turn up the volume on your computer and pay special attention to the little piggy noises she makes...we definitely need to work on her table manners.

I hope you think this is as funny as I do!
Love,
Syd

March Update

I have been back at work now for a month and everything is going very well. My job was waiting for me (thankfully) and I am already back into the swing of things. Rory is growing by leaps and bounds and is really turning into a little person (instead of the "blob" she was for the first few months of her life) with a wonderful disposition.

Megan Burks and my mom have been watching Rory during the weekdays (Karen Parrish and my dad have also helped fill a few holes in childcare). Megan's daughter, Piper, has been like a big sister to Rory and is going to be missed when Rory starts attending the child care facility, Open Arms, this week.

Yuri has less than a month left in Juneau and we are super excited to get him back home. He has been a real trouper flying back to Fairbanks every weekend and taking care of Rory and me like it is his job.

Rory, Yuri and I took a trip to Anchorage last weekend to visit family, friends, and to attend the wedding of Carter Henry and Tali Birch. I grew up with Carter and he is like a brother to me. It was bitter sweet as I kept thinking that my brother Zach really should have been there to celebrate with Tali, Carter and all our childhood friends. The wedding was a blast and Fairbanks was out in full force to celebrate the wonderful occasion.

Hope you are all well - enjoy the newest pictures below.

Love, Sydney, Yuri and Rory




Rory's first outdoor outing - the parking lot at mom's glass studio. This picture is great - Rory not only looks like a bear but is growling like one too. We are looking forward to warmer weather so that we can spend more time outdoors. - Gloves courtesy of my Aunt, Trish / Knit hat courtesy of Robert Fox / Bear outfit courtesy of Rory's grandparents, Sid and Karen Morgan.



Rory had her first cold last week - poor little thing had a hard time breathing and sleeping but isn't she a cute sick kid?





My good friend Dyanne and her daughter, Natalie, meet Rory for the first time. Natalie got a kick out of Rory for a few minutes but then, like any three year old, got tired of sharing the spotlitght. I am hopefull that the two of them become great friends - just like their mothers.




Rory also got to meet Lanie - another wonderful friend of mine. It was great to get to introduce the two of them - I expect that we will get to see her a lot more often this summer.



Aunt Genevieve and Uncle Kirill threw a birthday party for Quinn Morgan. The party was a great opportunity for Rory to meet her three cousins - Addy, Quinn and Tyson - and her Aunt Danae and Uncle Leon.





We visited the Ice Art park just a few days ago. Rory was great and eventually fell asleep while we toured the park. We're looking forward to attending next year when she can partake in the kid activities - ice slides, sledding hills, spinning ice seats, etc.