Even on her worst day...

she can make you smile and laugh ~ oh the joy she brings to my life!

My poor, sweet baby girl had a terrible TERRIBLE day at daycare yesterday :(  Of course this just HAD to happen on my first full day back at work.  So yes, I felt like a HORRIBLE mother that she was there all day unhappy, not to mention SCREAMING! Poor baby was red-faced, screaming, and had huge tears flowing from those oh so swollen eyes.  Not the happy baby I was hoping to find :(  (Did that paint a vivid enough picture to make you feel sorry for her?  Because it was supposed to!  It was the most pitiful thing I have ever seen ~ and totally broke my heart.)

Today was a little better ~ though I did leave work early to go and sit with her for a while (aka monitoring to figure out what was going on).  Turns out it was a simple fix for which I am very grateful, if not slightly annoyed at the same time.  She just needed to be burped and elevated longer after her feeds.  Acid reflux, oh how I dislike you!  Oh, and just so I am completely fair, teething I dislike you too!

Anyway, here's hoping tomorrow is a better day than the last two!  If not, Lord help us all...

But back to the topic of the post, oh how I digress.

Even on her worst day of daycare (thus far at least), this is what my sweet baby shared with her Mommy!  What a beautiful smile ~ I tell you, she is something else (um...and also very LOUD)!!!

August 30, 2010

Fight the Good Fight

I love how the Lord gives you encouragement when you need it.  I heard this song last week and loved it, and today I went back and listened to it again.  And not only was I blessed beyond measure by the words, but by the story behind the words.  If you care to listen to the story, be warned it is sad but oh so joyful!

Before the Morning (Click here for background story!)

Blessed, Sad, and Maybe Even a Little Ironic...

Yes, it may not seem that those emotions could all be felt at the same time...but they can!  Trust me ~ I have been in the midst of them all day :)

I am blessed to have an amazing, beautiful, capture your heart in an instant little girl!  A girl who lights up my life every single day, who wrinkles her little button nose while being spoon fed (even though she seems to actually like the apples), who wakes up with a smile on her face, who brings a sense of joy to our house that I've never known before, who seems to love anyone, and is certainly loved even more in return.

A year ago today, my world changed forever. In what was a single minute in my life, everything that had once seemed so very important became completely inconsequential. In that one moment, I learned I was pregnant ~ I squealed, I cried, I panicked, I laughed. It is certainly a moment in my life that I will never forget and one that I will never for one second take for granted.

That moment is still so vivid in my mind that it seems like it was yesterday ~ and yet, an entire year has passed.  I'm sorry but let me just make sure you got that ~ an ENTIRE YEAR!!!!!

And the ironic part of all of this ~ on a day when I could have been incredibly sad about returning to work, the Lord reminded me of what He blessed us with a year ago to the day. So maybe it isn't ironic at all.  Maybe this is His way of letting me know that He has a greater plan for me than what my feeble mind is capable of understanding ~ because really what are the odds these two experiences, BIG experiences, would land on the exact day one year apart??  Maybe this is His gentle reminder of the joy that is in my life, in the beautiful form of my perfect, blue-eyed angel.  Maybe this is His way of saying, it's ok to be a little sad about returning to work and hence, not being able to spend most of my day with my sweet girl ~ but also, and more importantly, to remember that I get to go home to a wonderful, super active, healthy, and happy baby!

And for that, I will always, always, always be grateful beyond measure!  What a year it has been ~ and I wouldn't trade one second of it for the entire world!!!

Sophie Grace,

I have loved you from that very moment a year ago.  And each and every day, even when I don't know how it could be possible, I love you more than the day before.  You truly are my angel!

Always and forever,
Mommy

Beware ~ You are about to be bombarded!!!

WITH VIDEOS!

Yes, some of these are a little old but it amazes me to look at these videos and see how much she has changed in such a short time! Enjoy :)

Playtime with Daddy

June 3, 2010

Chatting with Mom

June 3, 2010

Playtime with Mommy

June 12, 2010

Just Hanging Out
June 12, 2010


July 8, 2010

Cartoons!!!

Swinging (Three Month Birthday)!

July 13, 2010

Exersaucer Fun

July 31, 2010

Makes You Wanna Jump, Jump!

August 1, 2010

Just a Swingin' 

August 1, 2010 

Daddy is Funny!

August 8, 2010

What a Day I've Had (Warning: Spit up involved!)
August 9, 2010

Abby Caddaby

August 11, 2010


Jumperoo Jabbering
August 11, 2010


A is for Apples!
August 21, 2010

Revote!

Ok, so in all fairness ladybug is blowing everything else out of the water!  However, since I'm having a hard time finding a ladybug costume I love, I am invoking my motherly right to have a revote ~ this time with pictures!!!  (Side Note:  I did provide TWO ladybug options just to satisfy our voting public!)


So here we go again...

The poll options correspond with the pictures above...

Once again...what should Sophie be for Halloween?!
	Baby Blossom
	Lamb
	Lion
	Teddy Bear
	Fairy
	Rabbit
	Cow
	Monkey
	Ladybug 1
	Ladybug 2
	Elmo
	Puppy
	Butterfly
pollcode.com free polls

Four Months!

This post is a little late, but I wanted to wait until I had weight and measurements before I posted.

I cannot believe that Sophie is 1/3 of a year old (as one of my dear friends pointed out)! Where on earth does the time go? I seriously feel like I just entered the OR, that we just brought her home, that we were running on straight adrenaline and no sleep. And yet, those days are in the past. In some ways I am glad because I do so very much enjoy my sleep :) In others, I am sad at how big she is :(

Our sweet Sophie is the light of my life, my greatest joy. I love her smiles, her laughter, her talking and cooing. I am so proud of her every milestone. It won't be long before her first Halloween, first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first birthday party. Cooing will have manifested into words, her rolling over will have become crawling and walking, and eventually she will no longer be my "baby" (though, in my eyes she will never ever be anything less than my baby girl). It's like I blink and another month has literally flown by. That being said, here is my attempt to keep up with my growing girl :)

At four months, Sophie, you:

• Weigh 11 lbs 12 oz and are 25" long and have a head circumference of 16 (10th and 75th percentiles respectfully; she did not give me the percentile for the head circumference but since she said you are perfect, I assume that this is a-ok too).
• Did ok with this round of shots. One was VERY painful ~ apparently the medicine burns/stings for a little while afterwards. It was a good 5-6 minutes before you were completely calm again. Can we say RED-FACED and LOUD?! If it makes you feel any better, this was awful for Mommy too ~ you know, it actually probably doesn't make it any better but at least it's on record ;)
• Still in love with Sesame Street, particularly Elmo, and are now the proud owner of two Elmos of your very own.

• Have accidentally pulled out some of your brother's fur :( Poor Georgie! Thankfully, besides a minor yelp, he didn't do anything other than give you kisses...such a good boy!!! (George, Mommy is TERRIBLY sorry, but SO proud!)
• Eat 6 oz five times a day and a tablespoon of rice cereal in your nighttime bottle.
• Sleep in your big girl crib ~ and wildly I might add :) You are never in the same spot for long!
• Go to sleep sometime between 7:30 and 8:30 and wake up around 6:30. I think you'd actually sleep longer but we have to wake you up to get ready for daycare.
• Started daycare on August 16th :( This I do not like at all! However, I am grateful that you actually love it ~ you have great teachers, are fascinated by the other babies, and are going to learn soooo much. Such a big girl you are!
• Like to be on your tummy and are learning how to pull your knees underneath you.
• Adore the exersaucer.
• Like the jumperoo but do more spinning than jumping.
• Smile and laugh more than you cry ~ a personal Mommy favorite!
• Are infatuated with your hands and often have them in your mouth ~ sucking fingers but not thumb...not sure about this one...
• Very interested in toys ~ especially the playmat, Elmo, and your O-Ball.
• Have found your voice and make excellent use of it ;)
• Are a bubble making machine!
• Still wear Size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes. You can wear 6-month shirts though they are a little big; 3-month bottoms are still HUGE so you'll be in these for a while longer.
• Really like Stroller Strides and walking/jogging in the jogging stroller. The faster the better!
• No longer have a bassinet or bouncy seat as Mommy and Daddy put these away in storage. Not that you've even noticed...
• Are learning to sit unassisted with your hands out in front of you. Once you get the balance factor down, there won't be any stopping you!
• Like to watch yourself in mirrors ~ such a pretty girl to talk to :)
• Still LOVE car rides (thank you, thank you, thank you)
• Have tried rice cereal from a spoon but are not quite sold on the whole slow-eating process. Dr. McGrann suggested we practice more in a couple of weeks with some fruits and veggies if we wanted to. However, it's not a necessary thing since your nutrient requirements are fulfilled in your formula.
• Not so much into your paci unless it's naptime or bedtime. Yea! Here's to hoping for an easy weening process.
• Really don't understand the point of a pack and play. Maybe when you can sit up better this one will interest you a little more.
• Sleep better with your sound machine.
• Enjoy playdates with Julian ~ so glad you have friends around your age!
• Take well to new people.
• Are beyond perfect, absolutely precious, and my sweet amazing angel!

I love you Peanut!!!

Always and forever,

Mommy

P.S. With a guess of 12 lbs 2 oz and 25" long, Mimi is the winner :) In second place, Aunt Jaime, with a guess of 12 lbs 2 oz and 24" long. If you didn't win, no worries! There are no prizes, just fun times and bragging rights :) Thanks for playing!

August 13, 2010

Four Months

Love this big grin! Happy baby when she wakes up :)

August 18, 2010

On Our Way to Four Month Check-Up

My fingers are soooooo YUMMY!

Today was THE day :(

I just got home from dropping my sweet baby off at daycare ;(  Her Daddy is at work.  The dogs are outside playing.  Our house is strangely silent ~ no exersaucer, no swing, no playmat, no wonderful cooing or squealing, no crying.  Oh how I would welcome that crying right now just to know that she was with me.  Our house has been so filled with love and joy since Sophie came into this world.  Even when she is sleeping so soundly, her spirit fills this house in ways that I can't explain.  She just belongs here ~ and sitting here without her feels as if I have lost part of myself.  There is an empty place right now that I know won't be filled until I pick her up in my arms and have my baby back.  My heart is broken and yet, I know that this is going be ok.  That I will get through the tears, worry and fear eventually ~ day by day.  I'm sure today will be mostly crying and worrying ~ perhaps even a half-hearted attempt to stay busy.  There are a million things I could be doing and yet, I just don't care to do them right now.  Maybe a little later I'll pick myself up and get busy.  For now, I'm just being.  I miss my baby and I am sad.  And for now that's ok.

Yes, it's early...

Yes, I know it is two months + until Halloween.  I haven't lost my mind (just yet anyway)!  However, we have scheduled Sophie's six-month photo shoot for October 17th, and well, one of her outfit changes just has to be her Halloween costume :)

The problem is, she would be precious in ANYTHING so I have no idea where to start!  Please vote for your favorite or favorites if you happen to have more than one ;)  The poll will be open for approximately two weeks at which point I will take the top three choices and start looking for costumes.  And then, since I know myself and my inability (at times) to make decisions, there will likely be a second poll with pictures for the final costume ~ yes, I know this seems like a lot for Halloween.  But people, this will FOREVER be her FIRST Halloween costume!  We simply can't go wrong here ~ this is another of those things that could traumatize her for life!!!  (Not to mention the need for a precious scrapbook page!)

Please Note:  If you happen to choose "other", you better leave a comment with an idea!!!

What should Sophie be for Halloween???
	Princess (Daddy's Choice)
	Ladybug
	Butterfly
	Lamb
	Teddy Bear
	Angel
	Fairy
	Baby Blossom (flower)
	Puppy
	Lion
	Monkey
	Elephant
	Elmo
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

No Matter What

I'd venture to say this song will touch a lot of lives ~ it certainly did mine.  Hope you are as blessed as I was.

I think she found her voice!!!

And I think she likes the way it sounds :)  Wouldn't you agree?

August 12, 2010

Introducing...

RICE CEREAL!  Yes, my baby is already old enough to eat rice cereal in a HIGH CHAIR!  I simply have no idea where the past (almost) four months have gone, but I am absolutely certain that they have gone way too fast.

I am so in love with my little princess and continue to be amazed at every milestone she reaches.  I made the rice very soupy the first day, sort of by accident, but we have now thickened it up a little more.  She seems to like the idea of eating "real" food a lot, but definitely prefers the oatmeal rice to the brown rice. Can you blame her?  I don't think I can ~ though I'll have to take her word for which one tastes better!  I'm not quite willing to try it myself :)

Hope you enjoy our first attempt at "solids"!

August 10, 2010

Exersaucer Excitement

A little over a week ago I, yes I, put together Sophie's exersaucer :) Kevin was home sick from work for a few days and for some reason I decided this would be the time to put together her newest toy...you know, two or three parts, a click here, a screw there...how hard could this be?! Um...hours later, I realized maybe this task was a bit more time intensive than I originally thought! And, yes, I know it was a little prior to the 4+ month age range recommended on the box, but I figured we could at least give it a shot!

The end result of my hours of work ~ priceless :)

Pure Joy!

Wow Mommy! This thing lights up!!!

Having a nice chat with the iguana...wonder what secrets she was telling?!

Soooo much fun!

Coy little grin :)

Seriously Mom? Can I please play without you snapping a million pictures for once?!!!

Well, ok. One more grin if you insist!

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~ Desmond Tutu

This past week my mom (aka Mimi) took a few days of vacation, so Sophie and I took this opportunity to go back to Newton and visit family and friends. While I'm sure everyone was thrilled to see me, oh heck, who am I kidding... Sophie was the main attraction all day, every day :) I was basically a chauffeur! But who can blame them for finding her WAY more exciting than me? She is just too cute for words and that smile could melt a heart of stone and brighten anyone's day :) (Of course, I could be slightly biased!)

Sophie is a little too young to understand how blessed she is, but she is certainly one lucky girl to be so loved. I know a lot of people who never had the joy of knowing their grandparents and Sophie has soooo many ~

• Grandparents: Mimi, Pop-Pop, Grandma, Papa John, Nana, Pawpaw
• Great-Grandparents: Mimi and Papa Canty, Mema, Grandma and Grandpa Henninger
• Great-Great Grandparents: Mawmaw Richardson

Told you she had a lot!

Grandmothers are just antique little girls. ~ Author Unknown

Here are a few pictures of Sophie and Mawmaw (Great-Great Grandmother). Mawmaw Richardson will turn 100, yes ONE HUNDRED years old, next month. To me, these pictures are absolutely priceless! I cannot even begin to explain the feelings that came over me while I watched these two. Joy, pure and unexplainable joy...what a treasure...

Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. ~ Lois Wyse

Sophie with Mimi and Papa Canty. Papa has a myriad of health issues but the Lord blessed Sophie and I with a couple of really good days with him! It always brings me a bit of peace when I get just a little glimpse of who my Papa was before all of his health issues took such a toll. And, for some reason, Sophie finds him HILARIOUS! I wish I would have had the video camera with me right then because he had her cracking up :)

Nobody's family can hang out the sign, "Nothing the matter here." ~ Chinese proverb

The crazy side of the family :) Sophie's Aunt Amy, cousins Kylie and Ashton, and my now disowned brother-in-law. I'm sorry ~

Do you see what my brother-in-law DARED to wear in my presence? Um, that just cost you a future visit with your niece! We do not, I repeat, DO NOT, condone that hat and hence, the quote above is quite applicable :)

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. ~ George Eliot

And that about sums up our visit! I love my family and cherish each of you (even if you (Kelton) did get dropped on your head as a child and believe that burnt orange is an attractive color)!