french decor.

Late last year we fell in love with and purchased two prints on Etsy (from different designers). They seemed perfect for our family. After a few months we finally found frames, got them matted and hung. 

The first is our little man and my handy hubby painting the house - husband in sneakers. So appropriate.

{French Bulldog Works, through Etsy}

If the beach cruiser bike was pink this would be spot-on me and our late little Sydney.

{Janet Hill Studio in Canada, through Etsy}

sweet lil look.

While reading in bed the other night, I turned to see Huntie giving me this sweet look. It startled me since it's the same look Sydney was giving me in one of our favorite photos of her (which is framed in our bedroom). Luckily, Huntie stayed still long enough for me to snap a quick photo. Everything about it - the look, the pillow on the left, the blankets on the right, the way their tags are hanging... kinda errie in a good way, huh?

french pajamas.

A while ago, a surprise package showed up on my doorstep and I just happened to be on the phone with the sender - Colby the BFF - when it arrived. She told me to open it, so I did. And the I squealed and did a little dance in my dining room. We were both cracking up and screeching... frenchie pajamas with a little boy in black and white and little blonde girl... and light pink saying "Puppy Love" - I mean, come on! They were made for me and I'm obsessed with them. They were the most perfect outfit for the lazy, rainy weekend we just had.

She sent them just because and I love her for it. How sweet and how ridiculously perfect? Love ya, Colbs.

miss you everyday, baby tank.

thinking of our little lady today.

Happy 4th Birthday Miss Sydney! We're all thinking about you today. In fact, Huntie has been playing lots with your yellow soccer ball this week and he's been sleeping in your old spot next in bed - right next to dad.

We can't tell you how much we miss your sassy ways around here. We've made good on our promise and talk about you every day which always makes us laugh... your complete lack of manners and how you'd "tank" over anyone and anything to get where you were going... the way you'd get all sassy and pillow fight on the bed... how you'd patiently wait for dad to finish his popsicle and then race over for the stick... your stink eye looks back at us from the end of the couch... and Christmas just wasn't the same without you attacking every roll of wrapping paper. You definitely added a lot of humor and drama in our lives and we sure do miss it!

In honor of your birthday, we'll go on an extra short walk tonight - we know those were your favorite.

Happy Birthday, Puss! 

{the pretty framed collage of you that grandma vicky made for mom, dad & huntie}

{our sick, skinny, only one ear up, 3lb baby girl on day one}

{it was love at first sight for all of us}

{best friends from day one}

{modeling grandma sandy's overalls}

{our silly little lady. one of dad's favorite photos}

{celebrating at dad's luau birthday pool party. you loved to socialize}

{posing for aunt jenny's photo shoot}

{i haaaatteee clothes. take it off. take it off.}

{sittin' pretty and sunning that tummy of yours. nice sports bra.}

{playing with her beloved yellow soccer ball on last year's birthday}

{her 3rd birthday photo. right after hunter popped her yellow ball - she's not happy}

{helping dad drive home from grandma & grandpa's in tucson}

{i love you brother}

signs of sydney.

The past few days I've been thinking a lot about Sydney. My girlfriend Jenny put the biggest smile on my face when she told me that Miss Puss was a major topic of conversation with her and Carlye over a recent dinner. The same day I found one of her old toys tucked under couch. And all week I've seen random photos of Frenchies on blogs that aren't about dogs. She just seems to be very present.

I mentioned this to Danny last night, he looked at me and said me too. I told him that I had a mini cry at work and he said that he too welled up when a song came on and it triggered a thought about her. It's funny how the waves of emotion come at go without warning and that they come for us simultaneously. I'm not religious by any means, but consider myself to be very spiritual and I know in my heart this isn't a coincidental fluke. Is she reaching out? Letting us know she's here? Maybe. I hope so.

As much as it hurts, I'm glad for the waves of emotion. It's a strange sense of comfort for me. It's hard to explain but I'm sure anyone who's lost someone very dear to them can relate. It's only been two months but we've made good on our promise to her so far... we talk about her often, usually in "her voice" which makes us smile.

Just again this morning, I was browsing one of my favorite photography blogs, Feather Love Photography, and bumped into this photo. I mean, could she be any cuter? Looking back, I wish Huntie & Syd were at our wedding.

And yesterday, I was looking through another photographer's website Luna Photo and saw this photo from an engagement shoot. Of course the Frenchie who just happened to be walking by caught my eye.

Call it what you want. Maybe I'm just looking for signs but I'm choosing to believe it's bigger than that. 
And anyone who says, "it's just a dog" - just doesn't get it.

my morning sights.

Each morning I wake up to two cuddly, snoring men and I couldn't love it more. Yes, our dogs sleep with us. Before we got Hunter Danny proclaimed, "dogs will not sleep in the bed or be allowed on the couch" - oh how quickly that changed... now Hunter's usually the first in bed to claim a good spot. We love a good Frenchie cuddle.

I never know what morning position I'll find Hunter in but it's always guaranteed to be comical since he thinks he's a human and prefers to use a pillow and covers. I love it. It never gets old and I always sneak a camera phone photo.

{loooooves a morning stretch. mom! why are you waking me up?}

{our past sweet morning sights with miss sydney & hunter taking over the bed}

i'm a lucky girl.

angel wings.

Little Miss Sydney had white, wing-shaped markings on her back that we've forever called her angel wings. They now make more sense than ever.

Danny recently got me a beautiful necklace with a tiny gold wing, clear gem and little gold medallion that says Syd. I love it. It's so dainty. I've been thinking about her lots lately and always touch it when she pops into my head.

{from this etsy designer}

{her angel wings}

they were always something I intended to photograph but never did. a couple photos that kinda show them.

She had the angel wings and Hunter has the big black heart - see it?

giving back.

It feels good to give back. We try to do little things. Like using reusable bags at the grocery (yup, we do each time), participating in charity walks, saying yes to the extra $1 at the market, volunteering for non-profits, switching to CFL lightbulbs and donating old clothes and household items.

One of my favorite traditions are Hunter and Sydney's annual birthday gifts. Each year on their birthday, we make a donation in their honor to the French Bulldog Rescue Network, a national organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing Frenchies. We'll forever make these donations to celebrate our past, present and future pig's birthdays.


It's not birthday time but we recently made two donations to the FBRN - one for an adorable foster Frenchie with a toe-nibbling addiction (it only seemed fitting) and another in loving memory of Miss Syd that will forever stay on the Memorial & Tribute wall.

We encourage you to find the causes you're passionate about and support them how you can. There are lots of ways you can give back.

Want to give back but don't know where to start? Check out this website Volunteer Match to find volunteer opportunities in your town. 

remembering sydney.

Our sweet little Sydney peacefully passed away on September 8th.

For the past 10 weeks she fought a tough battle, but in the end it was just too much for her little body to handle and she just couldn't hold on any longer. 

We genuinely believed she'd pull through. We are heartbroken, and just not for us, but for Hunter who's lost his best friend and for our baby girl who had to go through so much at such a young age. Our hearts are heavy as we try to focus on the wonderful three and a half years we had with our special blond frenchie. Her larger-than-life personality and spunky attitude brought everyone around her tremendous amounts of laughs and joy. I recently heard this quote and think it perfectly applies to Syd... "those who burn twice as bright, burn half as long."

My dad was with us and provided tons of comfort during this difficult time. He believes Syd's short but full life was to serve as a reminder that life is truly precious and we must live our lives to the fullest. We must take photos and videos with friends, family members and loved ones when we're with them because there isn't a guaranteed next time. We're reminded to capture and cherish even ordinary days and moments. Syd reminds us to never take a healthy day for granted. We must hug, kiss, cuddle, spoil and reach out to our loved ones every day we can. We must live for the now and realize that later is a blessing. 

During our final goodbyes, we promised our Baby Tank that even if it makes us sad, we'll never stop talking about her and remembering all the little things we loved about her. That includes the blog... I've tagged this as the first "Remembering Our Syd" post and plan to keep them coming (even though they sting right now). 

Just 10 weeks ago, we wrote this post about our Sweet Sydney's favorite things and our favorite things about her. Reading it now makes us laugh, cry and so glad that we have these memories and hundreds more all captured in photographs and videos. 

We can't thank everyone enough for the prayers, love and support for Sydney and our family. The phone calls, text messages, e-mails and hugs mean a lot. To Dr. Bracken, Dr. Rosonke and Dr. Hoffman - thank you for being there for us and Syd around the clock. We know each of you formed a bond with our special little girl and did everything you could for her.

Sydney, thank you for bringing so much joy and happiness to our family.  We love you more than you know and you'll always be a part of our family and hold a special place in our hearts.  We will never forget you.
Love,
Dad, Mom & Brother

...remembering sydney lyddle...

january 23, 2007 - september 8, 2010

{her favorite sitting position. our lil hamlet}

{just another sunday morning spooning her big brother}

{san diego for our engagement photos. she was soooo cold}

{with daddy at grandma & grandpa bockting's house}

{mother's day 2010}

{do you think my ears look big?}

{happy puppy girl in 2007}

{she looooved giving kisses aka sneak attacks...}

{...and we loved giving them right back to her}

{sydney's favorite toy - squeaky alien}

{the heart tag we had designed for her}

{batman & robin. best friends}

{syd's AYSO soccer photo. her favorite yellow ball}

{lil bunny rabbit naptime after a long day hiking in pinetop}

{her first halloween ... little fairy princess}

{it was love at first sight with her and daddy}

{our teeny, tiny piglet}

{best friends on a mission}

{silly girl. so drama.}

{do you like my scarf mom?}

{her piglet we brought back from our honeymoon in london}

{big head, little head}

{loved to cuddle with her dad. hugging him so tightly}

{always a huge help with housework}

{summer sunning on the patio with mom}

{guess she's good for a headrest}

{daddy's little angel}

{french kissers}

{"the raft" where d & i swapped off sleeping with her while she was ill}

{daddy's little piglets}

{hunter showing his lil sister about his favorite spot - top step}

{she's soooo tired}

{our perfect lil walker. loved her neighborhood walks with mom}

We Love & Miss You Terribly, Syd!
xoxo