Bucket List...

Well, I think a "bucket list" is a great idea ~ hence, why I have one.  And just when I am a few days from marking off "run a 5K", my bucket list item, well...it kicked the bucket!

Three days of knee pain and swelling + One trip to the orthodopedic surgeon = One diagnosis of Chondromalacia (Patellofemoral Syndrome).  And yes, that is the technical doctor term.  What is it in regular people terms?  It's runner's knee.  And the cure...you guessed it, NO RUNNING!  Oh and no squatting, three weeks of anti-inflammatory, physical therapy exercises twice a day and lots of leg rest.

Yes, I am sad that my bucket list item kicked the bucket :(  BUT I am going to look on the bright side ~ no surgery (yet anyway)!  Oh, and Sophie started crawling today! So that whole "lots of leg rest" thing, well, yeah, that's probably not going to happen :)

Wishing my fellow Moms on the Run ladies a great race on Saturday!!!  I'm running with you in spirit!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows right well." Psalm 139:14 American KJV

Our Family at Parent-Child Commitment

October 17, 2010 ~ Second Baptist Church - South Campus

Uncle James, Aunt Jaime, Sophie, Mommy and Daddy

James and Jaime, 

I wish I could put into words how grateful we are to the two of you for agreeing to be Sophie's Godparents.

When we found out we were expecting our sweet girl, there were a lot of things that went through our heads.  A lot of things we weren't sure of.  A lot of things we were nervous about.  A lot of things we couldn't decide on.  But the one thing we agreed on immediately, if the two of you were willing, there was no one else we would rather leave our sweet Sophia with should the Lord call us home.  We knew without a doubt that the two of you would raise her with the same morals, the same goals, the same Christian beliefs.  That you would always remind her about her Mommy and Daddy and how very much we loved her.  And most importantly, that you would love her as unconditionally as we do.

So while words will never be sufficient, please know that it truly does mean the world to us.  It truly is an honor to have you as our best friends, and while you will always hold that title, you are way more than that ~ you are family.  Thank you for sharing in this amazing day with us!

We love you very, very much!
Kevin, Heather & Sophie

Sophie's first trip to the zoo was...

...well, not as wonderful as Mommy initially thought it would be.  Yes, I realized the animals wouldn't interest her all that much.  But given the fact that she thinks our dogs are THE coolest thing on Earth, I did expect her to be somewhat interested. Needless to say, I was wrong!  She could have cared less about the animals. However, she did love people watching, the other kids and being outside.  That is until we started to seriously melt down.  I suppose given her allergies, that it was approaching nap time, and it was HOT (yes, it was hot in Texas during October ~ go figure), getting a full hour and a half of zoo time in with a happy, well somewhat happy baby, is pretty good!  For our first attempt, I will give ourselves a check in the "success" column.  And hey, we have a membership so there is always next time :)

October 16, 2010

Waiting on the Sea Lion Show

 

Daddy & Sophie Watching the Sea Lion Show

Sea Lion Show (which entertained Sophie for all of oh, two minutes...)

Mommy and Sophie + Her ADORABLE Capris :)  Daddy said she looked like she was going golfing!  That should make her Uncle James very happy!

 

Alice in Wonderland, Sophie and the Mad Hatter 

Sophie, Daddy and the Elephants

Sophie's First Ride on a Carousel (Her very favorite part of the zoo!  I mean who needs animals when you have a carousel?!)

 

Sophie's Second Carousel Ride (Yes, she loved it that much!)

      

 Our first family trip to the zoo = success!

Photo Perfection

Can I just say, when you find a photographer who can capture this you never, ever let her go?!  And I won't :)  Believe me, I will continue to recommend her to everyone I know, but I will only share!  You can't have her forever :) 

Sabrina (Southern Grace Photography),

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  You are beyond talented and words truly cannot begin to express how much we love our photos.  Looking forward to seeing you next month for our Christmas session...and in January for Sophie's nine-month shoot...and in April for her BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Tired of us yet?!  LOL!

With deepest gratitude,
Kevin, Heather and Sophia

         And to think, this is just the sneak peek!!!

 

Six Month Checkup

Yesterday was Sophie's six-month checkup, and let me just say...our kid is a CHAMP!  Three immunizations + one flu shot and only a second of tears.  Oh, I am a proud Mommy!  Way to go Peanut!!!

At six-months Sophie is ~

• 14.2 lbs (15th percentile)
• 26.85" (85th percentile)
• Yes, she is tall and skinny.
• No hip dysplesia!
• Definitely teething.
• Advanced in her mobility (no shocker here if you've ever met my child)!  This is also contributing to the skinny part mentioned above.
• Now taking Dimetapp and Zyrtec as needed to attempt to get rid of this constant congestion/runny nose/sneezing situation.
• Being weaned from her Prevacid!  WOOHOO!
• And the best blessing ever, overall (minus the allergies and constant snot) PERFECTLY HEALTHY!

Barring the shots, I love good doctor appointments and this one actually included a quick playdate with Julian who was there for his four-month checkup!  Wow, these kiddos are growing up fast :) 

Next stop...nine-month checkup which = NO SHOTS!!!

Look out world...

She's one step closer!

October 16, 2010

Psalm 139:13-16

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." ~ Psalm 139:13-16

This verse literally brings tears to my eyes.  It is such an amazing, perfect truth from the Word.  To think that sometimes I believe that I have known Sophie longer than anyone else...  I held her in my womb.  I felt her first movements.  Spoke with her and loved her as only a mother can.  But, the TRUTH is, that is a lie.  I wasn't the first one to know her.  HE was!  And thank you Lord for that.  Thank you for giving us this wonderful blessing.  For allowing me to be her mother.  For trusting her life to us.  To raise her and show her Your love.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And Sunday, as we commit her back to You in front of our church congregation, I pray that You will remind us daily how truly blessed we are.  Give us strength to raise her in the midst of this crazy world, to give her a foundation in You that she can stand on no matter the trials she may face.  Love us Lord as only You can.  And Lord, I pray that You will knock on the door of her heart at a young age and that she will know You and love You all of her days.  She in Your hands Lord and there is no better place than that.  We love You and commit our sweet girl to You.  In Your name I pray these words, Amen!

While distance will keep our loved ones from sharing in this special occasion with us, please keep us in your prayers this coming Sunday.  Commit with us to raise our Sweet Sophie under the ways of the Lord and know that we love you all, and are so grateful to have so many people cherish our precious baby with all their hearts.  It is an honor to share our greatest blessing with each of you.

Parent Child Commitment:

Pastor: Do you commit your child to God?

Parents: We do

Pastor: As parents, do you promise to bring up

your child in the nurture and admonition of the

Lord?

Parents: We do

Pastor: Do you promise to the best of your ability

to provide a Christian home, teaching your

child the Bible both by precept and example,

and praying for the day when this precious gift

from God will trust Jesus as Savior and Lord

and come into the fellowship and service of the

church?

Parents: We do

Pastor to the Congregation:

Do you, the gathered congregation, join me

in recognizing that the Christian nurture of

children is a privilege of both the home and the

church and do you promise to pray for these

parents and provide an atmosphere in which

these children may grow to Christian maturity?

Congregation: We do

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or more are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them." ~ Matthew 18:19-20

Happy HALF A YEAR Birthday Sweet Girl!

Today marked six-months since we welcomed our sweet Sophie into this world.  SIX MONTHS! 

Was it an exciting morning?  Did we wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her what a big girl she was becoming?  Did I tear up knowing my baby is growing up too fast?  Yes, yes, and YES!  It is simply unfathomable to me that six months has already gone by.  Six months since I walked into an operating room.  Six months since I held her for the first time.  Six months since our lives were forever changed.  Six months since we fell more head over heels in love with a person than I could even know imaginable.  Six months since our family of four (yes, the dogs count) became a family of five.  And it has been the most amazing six-month journey of my entire life.  I wouldn't trade one second of it for the entire world.

Sweet Sophie ~

How can I possibly say everything that you are doing now?  Everyday it seems like there is something new you've done or experienced!  But here goes my feeble attempt...

At SIX months (I still can't figure out why this mile marker seems to be so BIG!  Seven, eight months even ~ I don't think I will have such a difficult time with.  But this SIX month thing...it is BIG.  And yes, it requires capitalization because in my head everytime I say or think it, it is BIG!  But I digress as usual!).  So back on track, at SIX months you are...

• Wearing 3-6 month bottoms, 6-month onesies and tops, and 3-6 month dresses
• Don't have many shoes as you like your piggies to be free, so I don't know for sure what size shoe you are.
• Are in Size 2 diapers.
• Still take a 6 oz bottle every 3-4 hours.
• Have moved up from Level 1 baby food to Level 2.  This you seem to greatly appreciate and have loved everything we've tried so far (green beans and rice, sweet potato and chicken, banana and apricot medley).
• Do not like coke, lemonade or tea.  Yes, I did it ~ I gave her a taste from a straw.  So sue me!  If only I had had a camera to capture the lemonade face ~ absolutely priceless!
• Smile a huge, perfect smile when you get picked up from daycare.  I love that you recognize us and react in such a loving way.  In that split second, you make both of our hearts melt.  I'm so blessed that most of the time, it is me who gets to pick you up and witness that moment of pure joy!
• Love your exersaucer. 
• Still play on your playmat, though you typically roll away to something more interesting (aka the hearth, the tv cabinet, the dogs, Annie's toys, etc) within a few minutes.
• Have finally figured out that your Jumperoo is actually really fun and do more jumping than spinning.
• Cannot stand to sit still unless you are in the car or sleepy.  Otherwise you are a bouncing, rolling, trying to crawl machine!
• Are an excellent sleeper, though you tend to wake up a little fussy around 3:30 every morning.  Can we reset your internal alarm clock please?  Thankfully, a pacifier or getting in bed with us (last resort) seems to rectify the situation pretty quickly.
• Still sleep with your Lovey and a sound machine.
• Don't understand why George doesn't like to come around you.  While he loves you, the hair pulling hurts Sweetie!  Annie on the other hand ~ now you two are the best of friends :)  Kisses galore!
• Enjoy being around other kids at school, in the nursery, at playgroup...fascinating I tell you!  I promise I can hear you thinking..."How do they get around like that?" 
• Still love your baths and have figured out how messy much fun splashing can be!  Oh and toys, LOVE bath toys!
• Obsessed with your feet and constantly put them in your mouth.  Gross child, gross.  At least your feet are fairly clean...
• Find faces, hair, glasses, necklaces and now earrings fascinating ~ and pretty much pull on them any time you have the chance.
• Have begun trying to suck your thumb...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Please no!
• Officially had your first cold :( 
• Sit like a pro!  I am such a proud Mommy :)
• Are going to be crawling very soon ~ hence, the massive amount of child-proofing supplies recently purchased.
• Love Stroller Strides.  Would love running group too if Mommy took you.  Seemed like a good idea in theory, but running 2-3 miles is hard enough without pushing around an extra 30ish pounds.
• Experienced your first park playdate ~ happily experienced I might add.
• Wake up every morning as happy as can be! 
• Are a Cuddlebug when you want to be.
• Have a million and one nicknames, ok not that many but they do all start with Peanut.  Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Brittle.  Don't ask me why because I have no idea!  It started in the womb and has manifested into something totally crazy!  The sad part is...you sort of respond to all of them :)  Good thing you respond to Sophia and Sophie too! 
• And last but certainly not least, remind us everyday how very blessed we are to be your Mommy and Daddy :)

We love you Sweet Angel!

Always and Forever,
Mommy and Daddy

Park + Playground = FUN!

This evening we met a couple of Sunday School classmates at the park.  And I think it's safe to say the park was a hit ~ especially with one VERY special blue-eyed little girl :)

 

 

 

Can we say comfy???

Must be nice to have such a nice and relaxing ride to prop your little feet up on while Mommy does all the work!  Gotta love her :)

Where oh where...

did September go???  I cannot believe October is already here!  

   

The three of us have a crazy busy October planned ~ Piggies and Paws with our play group, ZooBoo, six-month portraits (how is she already HALF A YEAR OLD????), Parent-Child commitment at church, six-month checkup and vaccinations and Dewberry Farm.  

I think I'm going to be tired when all of this is said and done :)  Mind you this is just Sophie related scheduling!  

Throw in crazy work schedules for us both, a date night next weekend (YEA!), and a 5k for me at the end of the month and whoosh ~ we'll need a calmer November for sure!

And call me certifiably insane, but I CAN'T WAIT!  It's going to be an absolute blast!!!  Well, minus that one little trip to the doctor for shots of course :(

Hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather!  Love, love, love it!!!

A Whole Lot of Cute!

Debbie, Daniel and Julian came over last Saturday for the kiddos latest playdate. The funny thing is, before long they will actually be "playing" together!

Sophie is somewhat obsessed with other kids, faces, hair, textures, colors ~ oh just about everything right now. And for some reason, she LOVES to "pat" Julian ~ mostly on the head! I'm going to refer to this as her "love pat" :) Poor Julian!

Love pat in progress!

Exersaucer Fun :) So cute to see Julian growing up! Adorable!!! I love this little guy :)

And then comes their our FAVORITE part! The playdate photo session :) The whole playdate picture taking has become a struggle in itself. Not to call any names, but could you please sit still child!!!

Our two precious babies!

Posing for the cameras!

And then...the dialogue begins :)

Sophie ~ "Hey Julian! Whatcha doin?"

Julian ~ "Hey Sophie!"

Sophie ~ "Can, I pat you please?"

Sophie ~ "But I said please!"

Julian ~ "And I said no, Crazy Girl!"

 

Sophie ~ "Julian, are you ok?"

Sophie ~ "Sorry Julian :(" 

Julian ~ "Ok Sophie ~ sigh!"

And the best part of all,

after all that, they are still the best of friends!!!

P.S. Now do you know why I didn't call names up above?! (Uh-hum ~ Sophia Grace!)