...and we're back

Yes, it has been 7 months or so since I posted last and Sidney has been very busy growing, exploring, developing and talking! We have had major frustrations and the strangest technical difficulties with our photo library which have made blogging a big headache and far more challenging than it should be. Thankfully, Juan has figured out a work around. So hopefully we are good to go now...I know I've said that before!

So much has changed and happened since June, it's amazing. Here are some photo highlights since I last posted:

Sidney and her artwork

Investigating

Hannah and Lily came to visit...the first of many matching outfits for the two almost-twin cousins. It is such a treat to watch them grow up together...

Balls!

two cuties with their Nana

Down dog

Very helpful around the house

...and packing

June's big news was the welcoming of another cousin! We all gathered in Boulder to welcome Jenny and David's baby girl Raya Bina Kessem born at home 6/21/11.

New little baby B

BUT, prior to the birth, as you can see by Jenny's belly, we had some fun singing time with David playing the guitar and singing an improvised song about Sidney. David's amazing singing helped inspire me to want to play guitar as I saw again what an amazing gift it is. See more later about that. Here is a clip of "My name is Sidney".

Jenny, Nana and baby Raya

Sidney was very interested in her new cousin and immediately started imitating all the adult behaviors around babies. She especially liked to mimic the holding and rocking which she continues to do with her dolls at home.

Stylin'

Happy Nana getting lapped by Hannah and Sidney in the matching dresses she brought for them

It's true, this won't be the last time you two are put in matching clothes

Sidney goes in for a hug. She held on tight and they ended up falling. See video below.

Sidney and Saba

Investigating together

This time it was not planned, they just happened to both be in green pjs.

I love this. Hannah, "she did it". Sidney, "I don't know anything".

I'll take that

They are just so cute together I can't edit their pictures

Baby Raya

Auntie Jenny, cousin Raya and Papa

Checking out the stream...brrr

Putting all of her weight into it

Awake Sid and sleeping Hannah

The sisters Epsteinmanof with their girls!

Proud Saba and Nana with their daughters and grandaughters

Back to Portland for the summer. Sidney really enjoyed lots of time exploring outside and playing in the water. She also loved the produce bounty of summer. One of her favorite activities was picking strawberries and other fruit and popping them directly into her mouth. This was her first summer really able to eat fruit. She is a big fan!

mmmm...berries

After a day of playing in the water and eating lots of fruit TJ and Sidney spontaneously decided to kiss. They both giggled with glee.

This is one of my all time favorites

Sid finally gets to meet Eisa

at the Portland zoo

No, don't worry, it's a stationary bike. It actually feeds into the restaurant's power. Very smart, the longer people wait for their table, the more energy they provide you. Juan and Sid both thought it was pretty fun.

These are some great videos of Sidney working on jumping, dancing and moonwalking, respectively:

FALL: Fall began with a sweet Epstein gathering on the Oregon coast. Sidney had so much fun at the beach it was hard to put the camera away. Here are some of my favorites. There are a lot, but I couldn't bring myself to leave any out.

Path to the beach, she's already excited about the sand

A short inside break. Sid spent most of her time inside looking out the window and exclaiming, "BEACH!"

Mama and Sid upside down

Sid played to exhaustion. When Papa finally picked her up to carry her back to the house, she passed out in his arms almost immediately.

Short nap and we're back to the beach

Hannah and Sidney in the water together

Nana with all of her kids and grandkids

Sisters with all of our kiddos

Some inside family time where silly Auntie Lily put on a show

....and back to the beach

Sidney caught a glimpse of Nana headed onto the beach and took off running to greet her, "Nana"!

Nana and Sidney. Best of pals.

Some Auntie Jenny love

Then, back to the beach in Santa Cruz a couple weeks later for Emily and Jaime's wedding!

Best of friends since 7th grade. I hope Sidney will make such sweet friendships.

Dressed in her wedding best!

But back to naked as soon as possible.

 Back to Portland for the rest of fall. Juan couldn't wait any longer and got Sid a scoot bike. It's a little big for her still but she's growing into it

A little TJ and Sidney love as they scan the strawberry box for any missed berries.

All in a days work

Who's having a bad hair day?

We got a huge load of  compost dirt delivered for our eradicate grass project. Sid got right down to business.

At the cyclocross race

Snuggled with her "friends"

This summer/fall we started Sidney in a music class called Music Together. It has been a truly amazing experience to see how much music effects her and to watch her incredible musical development. Since starting the class she really responds to music and singing in a way we could never have imagined. It helped inspire me to take action too, and I have been taking guitar lessons in a class for parents taught by one of the music together teachers. Sidney and I have lots of fun playing and singing. She frequently requests "'tar, mama, play".

Her love for the music from class made the drive down to the bay area for thanksgiving tolerable. Sidney had lots of fun bonding with cousins Micah and Isaac (now known as Wicah and Isaax).

Mama, Sid, Micah and the 'tar

Grandma bought matching outfits for Sidney and Micah that Micah picked out.

Grandma with all of her grandchildren

Grandma came to visit Portland to celebrate Channukah and Christmas. Sidney LOVED the channukah candles (caandues) this year and continues to talk about them today. 

Grandma gave Sid a guitar which, as you can see, has been a big hit! Sid and I now get to play together and she has started singing "ya, ya, ya" while she plays.

 And with that I will wrap up this very long update and hope to keep you more regularly posted on Sidney's adventures.

And thanks to all of you who have asked me about the blog. It's very helpful to know there are people reading it!