Catching up with the Soph!

It's so crazy to think about how quickly our sweet Sophia has grown up.  I can't tell you how many times Kevin and I have looked at each other and asked the same question..."when did she get so big?"  I mean I know I've been around the last 2 3/4 years, but truly it seems like just yesterday we were standing outside the hospital taking a final 38 week baby bump picture before my scheduled c-section.  Cliche I know.  But oh so true.

Our precious baby girl stole my heart before she was even born and nothing about that fact has changed.  She is beautiful and sweet, full of laughter and love.  She adores her family and friends, and occasionally the dog.  She got her Mommy's love of animals and fear of bugs.  She even got her mother's irrational fear of cats at this particular age. Some days she is a Mommy's girl and other days she only has eyes for Daddy.  She is her sister's best friend and Mommy's little helper.  She is smart and witty, logical and questioning.  Sometimes she is a worry wart and even a tad bit compulsive.  She is stubborn and feisty, but also kind and gentle.  She is our pride and joy, one of the loves of our lives, and without a doubt, one of our greatest blessings.  We love you sweet girl...so, so, so much.

At 2 years 8 months (aka 2 3/4), our precious Sophia Grace, here are a few of my "favorite things"...

• I love your silly personality.  You can turn the most normal of every day moments into something so funny.  You have truly reminded me of what laughter really does for one's soul.
• Give the best hugs!  One of those and you can right even the worst of my days.
• You are smart as a whip and often get me on a "technicality".  I have learned to be VERY specific with my instructions.
• May be a professional chef or baker one day.  Any time I will let you help me with dinner, you are all over it!  
• I pick on you that you might be from Boston (no offense to anyone who is).  You just crack me up with your phrases..."what yooou doin?"
• Are our tiny little peanut.  You only weigh about 27 lbs and are 37-38 inches tall.  Tall and skinny.  Ideally you would wear a size 3T and you do, sort of...the shirts are the right length, but the pants fall off...even jeggings :/  At least it will be getting hot soon so you can start wearing your 18 month shorts again!
• Ask everyone's name and ask me what I'm doing 50 million times a day.  On occasion, it's a little frustrating.  But on the other hand, I love your curiosity about life and your surroundings.
• I adore your literal view of life and often have to attempt to explain certain things people say are just "expressions".  For instance, when Gamma (over video iChat) says "she's pooped" and you kindly tell her that pee-pee and poo-poo go in the potty :)  I laugh even now!  Or when I call you "princess" and you kindly tell me, "Mommy, I'm not a princess.  I'm Sophia!"  
• I am constantly amazed at how many things you remember.  Just this week you were playing with a basket in the playroom and when I asked what you were doing, you said, "It's my basket to collect eggs and feed the rabbits." Duh Mom!  By the way, for those who aren't aware, this is what she does when we visit Papa John and Gamma.
• Have really blossomed in your vocabulary and conversations.  One day, I suddenly looked up and realized we just had a real conversation.  Again, I raise the question, "WHEN did you get SO big?!"
• Like to discuss where everyone is throughout the day.  Daddy, Mimi, Gamma, Uncle Eric, Toby, Nana, Uncle James, Tia, Aunt Jaja and the list goes on.   
• Also like to discuss the color of people's eyes.  Your favorite, "Mommy, Sophia and Lilah have blues.  Daddy and Bubba have browns."  Looks like Daddy got grouped up with the dog :)  Then the list just continues.  Funny how now I pay a little more attention to people's eyes so I don't lie to you about "what they have".
• Are basically potty trained.  I say basically because we were 99% there before this AWFUL six-week and still going bout of stomach issues.  We have done every test in the book and have yet to figure out these nasty stomach issues. I will say that I hope it ends soon...1) because I want you to feel better and 2) because I am tired of "gathering samples".  Plus, I just think it's terribly sad that you even understand the concept of diarrhea at this age, and that you jumped up and down with excitement yesterday when you had normal poop. (And yes, I did just discuss poop on my blog!  I have kids people.  Enough said!)
• Are super sensitive and caring.  Today (1/11) you asked me if Uncle Eric was feeling better.  Totally out of the blue, but so sweet of you since he was sick at Christmas.
• Are very well mannered and use them most of the time without being reminded.  Please, thank you, excuse me, you're welcome, yes sir, yes mam, no sir, no mam, may I (insert request here...often "play a game on your iPad Mommy") and most recently "may I be excused" (from the table).
• You are so sweet that you even care who got you what for Christmas.  You realize different people got you things and often refer to that person when playing with something or asking me for something..."the Elmo movie Mimi got me", "the chair Nana got me", "my magnets from Gamma" (FYI, it's really a chore chart but she gets to do magnets at the end of the day for each completed item.  Don't worry, they are all easy...get dressed, brush teeth, take a bath, clear the table, share, no whining, help with the pet, keep your hands to yourself, etc.)
• Improved greatly in regards to letting me do your hair and willingly brush your teeth.  Thank you Santa for the spinning, decorate your own toothbrush stocking stuffer!
• Know all your letters and can now identify them easily on random things.  We are still working on number identifications.
• Learned to spell your name.
• Have developed a fear of cats.  And when I say fear, I mean like a guttural scream of fear.  I have no idea where this came from, but it was made quite evident at Thanksgiving.  However, apparently I had this same fear at that age, so I guess "like mother like daughter".  By the end of the trip to "the farmlet", you had your finger puppets laying across the "scary kitties" and were singing pat-a-cake to them.  Sad to say this cute moment didn't conquer your fear...  
• Rarely use a sippy cup anymore ~ mainly only on car rides.  No more baby :(  
• Enjoy MDO and adore Ms. Sara and Ms. Casee
• "Participated" in your first Christmas program.  This really means that despite knowing every word and motion, you stood and stared at yourself on the big screen.  Oh, and fell down at one point.  But hey...what do you do?  At least you were dressed cute :)  You have continued to sing both songs nearly perfectly since that day.  Go figure...
• Still love bath time and especially the new bath crayons (thanks again Santa)
• Love Bubble Guppies, Yo Gabba Gabba and Doc McStuffins
• Had an amazing time celebrating Christmas.  You loved it all and seeing the joy of Christmas through your eyes was truly a blessing.  The lights, the presents, the songs, baby Jesus, gifts from Santa, and presents in general...there wasn't anything you didn't like...oh wait, except for sitting on Santa's lap.  Even after a whole car ride of how you wanted to see Santa, waiting in line, and being so thrilled to wave at him...sitting in his lap...heck no! Are you kidding crazy woman?  You have got to be out of your mind!  Let Sissy sit with him...he can just drop off the presents later, no need to sit in his lap and smile at a camera :)
• Love your red Mustang car but aren't really the best driver.  The gas you've got down pat.  The steering part...well, let's just say it's a good thing we live in a cul-de-sac! 
• You are one of the most creative and imaginative kids I have ever known. Maybe this is partly just the age.  You are constantly playing with your "friends" (aka Big Elmo, Angelina Ballerina, Baby, Baby Doll, Little Elmo and Mr. Dog).  You feed them, bring them to the table, get them dressed, read to them, help them color (literally you hold the crayon in their hand and help them color on the page) and constantly make pretend dinners, especially pancakes, for Mommy and Daddy.
• Are finally interested in dress up clothes.
• On the way home from the park today (1/11), you wanted to pull Sissy in the wagon.  So I used this opportunity to teach you about street rules...must stop and look both ways, check for oncoming cars, and only go across when it's safe and with an adult THAT YOU KNOW!  That last part was very important to me and so we did a quiz game of a ton of adults and children ~ I am so proud that she got each one right.  Seems to me she was a quick study on this front!
• Are THE BEST big sister in the entire world.  I always knew you would love Lilah at some point, but I truly had no idea how close you two would be.  The very best of friends.  You adore her and she adores you.  When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you say is "where's Lilah?"  Nice to see you too, kiddo :)  
• Melt my heart with our "I love you" game.  It goes a little like this...Me: "I love you."  You:  "I love you, Mommy."  Me:  "I love you more, Sophia."  You: "No, I love you MORE!"  Me:  "Nope, I love you more."  You:  "I love you the most."  Me:  "Nope, I love you the most!  I love you to the moon and back." You:  "I love you to the moon and back."  Me:  "How much do I love you?" You:  "To the moon and back a million and one times."  Me:  "And who loves you even more than that?"  You:  "Baby Jesus!"  Never forget it sweet girl...not ever!
• Pray the sweetest prayers at night.  In recent nights you have prayed for pancakes, naps, friends and the playground.  It is not uncommon for you to pray for your family, teachers, Bubble Guppies and candy :)  Sure, it makes me giggle.  But it also reminds me of a childlike faith and that Jesus loves us and all that is important to us :)  Tonight (1/11), you prayed. "Dear Jesus, Thank you for a good day and for making good choices."  Can you tell we pray that frequently?!  "Thank you for donuts, Tia, Uncle Daniel and naps."  Mind you, she does not often pray for naps :)  This was only because I explained to her she had to sleep before we could go visit Tia, Uncle Daniel and Juju in the morning.
• Over the last couple of days, you have been asking me more about "baby Jesus".  Because of Christmas and learning about baby Jesus, I don't think you actually thought of him as anything other than a baby.  So now we know that baby Jesus grew up to be a man, and a perfect man at that.  You were also quite interested to know that baby Jesus had a Mommy and Daddy just like you.  Side note:  I love these talks with my sweet girl and pray daily for the most important one of all...the day she asks Jesus into her heart.  

Sweet Sophia, I am sure I am leaving off a million things.  And it is quite likely that I will go back to this post several times in the upcoming days to add something more to my list.  But know one thing sweet girl, even if I never add another word to this post, the list above is only mere words.  It will never, ever come close to explaining how absolutely amazing you are.  You are truly one incredible kid who is loved way, way more than "to the moon and back a million and one times."

We love you princess, always and forever, 

Mommy

Bumbo Double Take

I love the comparison shots...

I think it's pretty obvious they are sisters.  They even have the same shaped hairline :)

Terrific Two ~ The Bigger Version

In case you haven't yet realized it, my sweet girls are exactly two years and two months apart.  Also, in case you haven't learned by now, I am slightly obsessive about things. And so when I had to make a decision about how to update for my bigger two, of course it had to be a number that would make mathematical sense.  Hence why from one to two, it was every three months.  And now, why from two to three (insert tears), it will be every four months.

Sophia Grace, you are the epitome of wonder in my eyes. You are beautiful, funny, sweet, passionate, independent, incredibly strong-willed, and oh, so precious and loving. You have the most infectious grin, give the best hugs and force me daily to become a better Mommy.  You are the light of my life and remind me that the greatest achievements and blessings to ever come my way are wrapped up in you and your sister. You truly are my sunshine, and I could never find words to tell you how very much you are loved.

At 2 years 4 months, you:

• Weigh approximately 26 lbs and are 36" tall
• Are still in 2T bottoms and basically always need adjustable waist so I can shrink them.
• Wear 3T shirts just because of height. 
• Are in Size 5 diapers though you now rarely use them and only at night.  We are a PullUps family these days!
• Still love Elmo
• Have discovered the joys of the iPad.  Mind you all the games are educational.
• Can count to 20
• Know all your colors (well main colors...we don't know things like silver and gold just yet)
• Love singing the ABC Song though you ask me to sing "ABCD"
• Pretty much ask for Lilah the second you wake up.  I'm so glad I'm chopped liver...
• Are a WONDERFUL big sister.  You love to talk to her, will tell me when she spits up, bring us burp rags, love to play and tickle, give her paci back, crack up when she smiles at you, and generally just absolutely adore "your Lilah Bear" to bits.  It melts my heart and makes me so proud!
• Have become a little chatterbox
• Still prefer fruit and vegetables over meat any day
• Your favorite veggies are broccoli and corn (particularly when it's on the cob)
• Love tortillas and chips.  I can't imagine who you got that from :)
• Are working on potty training.  In fact, at the time I'm writing this, you are just about down to 1-2 accidents a day and had your very first completely accident free day on September 6th.
• Enjoy cuddling
• Have jealous moments
• Favorite Songs include: ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, You Are My Sunshine, Happy Birthday
• Know which finger is which thanks to Where Is Thumbkin and our own adaptations.  Mind you, I have skipped over the middle finger.  I felt that could go poorly :/
• Love, LOve, LOve, LOVE playing with your babies.  You love to sshh them, rock them, put them down for naps, and occasionally ask me to change their diaper or "wrap" them (which means swaddle them).  You are an excellent Little Momma!
• Have a bit of an obsession with taking things to bed.  At one point we had the following: Teddy, Elmo, Care Bear, Lamby, Baby, Goodnight Moon, Blankie and Pillow Pet.  Sweet girl, I love you.  BUT it is only a full size bed.  There is simply no more room in the inn.
• Don't pay much attention to the tv though you like to request cartoons and then ignore them.  I don't really mind that you don't care for tv, but do I have to watch cartoons?
• Cannot get enough strawberry milk ~ it is your absolute favorite thing to drink.
• Drink from a big girl cup but hate silverware.  This last one is tough on Mommy.  I have no idea why we have decided to hate silverware but if you could move past this stage quickly, it sure would be appreciated.
• Pick on Bubba.  Sometimes he picks back.  Enough said.
• Still want to go "bye-bye" all the time.  You are your father's child.
• Like going for runs with Mommy and Daddy.  Mind you, this makes it MUCH harder on us, but it's worth it to make you happy.
• Don't play outside much anymore.  This is not a like vs. dislike problem.  This is a "we live in Texas and it is insanely hot" problem.
• Still adore cleaning.  Give you a wet napkin and you are thrilled.
• Most often you feed George on a given day at least once.  You have made this your chore, and I will gladly let you have it.  Though to be honest, as much food as he gets from what you drop, who needs dog food?
• Have been introduced to the world of PlayDoh.  I have had to get over the fact that the colors will never be just pink, blue, purple, brown etc.  We live in a tie-dyed world of PlayDoh around here.
• I give up trying to buy you puzzles.  I buy you puzzles for older ages and it takes you two seconds to figure it out.  
• Are a serious climber :/ This must be payback from my childhood but dang woman!  Silence in this house will guarantee that I will find you climbing or already standing on something, included but not limited to, the bathtub ledge, the bathroom sink, the toilet, in Lilah's crib, and even once halfway up the kitchen counter.  How on Earth did you realize you could hook your "monkey toes" on the cut out and start to heave yourself up???  My little daredevil!
• Have hit a whiny stage...oh the joys of being two.  Also, went through a tantrum phase.  To which we nipped in the bud rather quickly.  Now if you want to whine and throw a tantrum, you do so in your room.  Hence, why they don't last long at all.
• Are sometimes too independent for your own good.
• Have been relatively healthy (fingers crossed).
• Love Ms. Kim at church nursery.  And we love her!
• Are learning to use your manners really well ~ "Thank you"," bless you", "yes mam"," no mam", "you're welcome".  All those wonderful southern niceties :)  I promise they will get you far in life later on.
• Still adore and ask on a regular basis for: Harper Anne, JuJu, Aunt JaJa, Emi, Avi, Mimi and Gamma
• Can't possibly have enough jewelry and will wear every last piece you have at one time.
• Officially got a slinky stuck on your foot.  Daddy had to deal with this as Mommy was just too flustered.  What goes on, must come off!
• Relive days frequently.  By this I mean you will discuss and need assurance about things that happened days ago.  And on a completely random basis.  I think this is just an age thing.
• Also, have learned the annoying answer, and I am sorry for ever saying this to my parents...Me: "Sophia, why did you do that?"  Sophia:  "Because."  Me: "Because is not a valid answer."  Sophia:  "Just because."  As if adding "just" in front of it makes it oh so much better!
• Another funny phrase right now..."What yoooouuu doin?"  Are we from Jersey?
• And yet another adorable moment...You will walk up to us, take our hand, and say "What's your name?"  It's beyond precious!
• Know the days of the week, the months of the year, about half the pledge, and a few of the fruits of the Spirit
• Recognize the American flag and most of the time put your hand over your heart and say "Mommy, the flag.  Say the pledge."
• Now realize that Mommy and Daddy have "real" names and occasionally call us by them.
• Crack me up about 99 times a day.
• Have the cutest laugh in the world.  And I love that it comes so easily :)  Enjoy the rest of life sweet girl like you do now and you will be way ahead of most people.
• Are a little fish and love swim lessons and the pool.  In fact, pool is a spell only word around here.  That is unless you are ready to go to the "p-o-o-l" that very instant.
• Like to play the car game (saying the color of cars around us while we are driving)
• Really want to sit by your sister in the car, but I can see this going VERY badly if you are having a "moment"
• Have become a little less of a great sleeper :/  Though I still think you are pretty good so I shouldn't complain.
• Still nap for about 1-2 hours.  Thank you for this!
• Can't stand that Bubba sits under you while you eat.  Can I just remind you that if you didn't feed him, this wouldn't happen.
• Cried when we left Bubba at the groomers.  Sweet, but it sure did make for a long 10 minute drive home.
• Share fairly well
• Like to play with my hair and no longer despise me doing your hair each morning.
• Detest me brushing your teeth.  I appreciate that you like to brush your front teeth.  However, you seem to have problems remembering to brush the others.
• Still love bath time and your Yo Gabba Gabba toys.
• Are super in to chop-choo trains and want your own.  
• Request hair cuts rather often.  It took me a while to associate why you always made this request.  Then I remembered the lollipops.  For the record, we do not go at each request :)
• When you "hold me" at bedtime it is the sweetest of moments.  You stroke my hair, pat my back, and wrap your arm around my neck.  It melts my heart for you to imitate the things that I do for you.  At least I know, in some small way, my actions are showing you how much my heart loves you.  Because I can assure you words will never be sufficient.
• I'm sure I am leaving off a million other things.  But here is what is important. You are beyond beautiful, amazingly sweet, love life, and just generally make this world a better place.  You are one piece to the puzzle of my heart and I love you to the moon and back a million times over.  My cup overfloweth sweet baby.

I heard "our" song the other day, and I knew it was true then, but now, it means so much more.

From "The Words I would Say" by The Sidewalk Prophets:

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,

God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

Thank God for each day,

His love will find a way,

These are the words I would say.

You really are going to do amazing things in this life sweet girl.  So thanks for letting me tag along as your Mommy.  The honor is all mine.

I love you, forever and always,
Mommy

Welcome Home!

On June 16, 2012, we brought our sweet Lilah Bear home and it just seemed so perfect, just as it should have been, just as the Lord had planned.  Another sweet angel added to our lives to bring us joy, laughter and love for a lifetime!

First car ride ~ sooooo tiny!

I think it's safe to say she enjoys being a big sister :)

First time in her swing (aka entertainment so Mommy can eat)!

Lilah bought Soph a "great big sister" present!

Perhaps this could be referred to as bribery ~ but it's sweet bribery :)

And the cake was AMAZING!

And a few pics from our favorite, very talented "Untle" Joe!

How very blessed I am to have such sweet, precious angels to call my daughters.  I certainly hope one day they will feel even half as blessed to call me their Mom.  

I love you girls.  To the moon and back a million times over ~ always and forever!

My Little Fish!

Kevin and I finally enrolled Sophia in swim lessons a couple months ago.  I won't lie. Mommy was nervous.  One of those, "I am not in control" situations which make me realize I can't protect my child from everything.  But the truth is, I was more nervous about NOT enrolling her.

You see, my kid has no fear of water...and when I say no fear, I literally mean NO fear. Even when she was barely a year old and we took her to Port Aransas, she went straight for the water.  Who needs Mom and Dad?  She had this!  

So with all the pools in our neighborhood and her love of water, I knew it was time to make sure that she learn the basic survival skills.  How to climb out, how to float, how to hold her breath.  And if I was lucky, maybe she would develop at least a healthy fear of water.  Note the word healthy.  I don't want her to be scared of water.  I just want her to realize that it can be dangerous. That she can't simply leap in and take off.  It just doesn't work like that.  So lessons it is ;)

I knew she would love it.  That I didn't question.  But boy, does she LOVE it!!!

I think it's safe to say that Daddy has a little water buddy on his hands.  Maybe even a future scuba diving buddy!  Mommy will just wave from the beach and enjoy a little R&R :)  Now to start convincing Lilah to be my beach bum buddy...

Doing a Little Rewind...

Funny how quickly I can get behind on blogging :/

So now that I've blogged the most important thing in our lives recently ~ you know, that adorable, precious, perfect, little blue-eyed girl I just can't get enough of ~ yea, so now, we are going to do a little retro rewind...all the way back to April!

And truly the entire month of April can be summed up rather easily ~ birthday parties!  Several of Soph's friends have birthdays right around hers.  Sweet Haylie lives a few houses down and was born a week before Sophia.  Precious Lauryn (aka Lala) lives next door and is exactly one year younger than Soph ~ birthday besties!  And darling Avarie (our Pearland Avarie) is a week younger than SoSo.  

I clarify "our Pearland Avarie" because we have several :)  We have our Pearland Avarie, our Katy Avery and then our beloved Avari (aka Avi).  It's a good thing they are all spelled differently or it could get REALLY confusing around here :)

I bet now you can see why come April we were some partying fools!  And we love it :)  Sure it's hectic!  But I am so glad that Soph has such amazing friends who we love dearly!  

Sorry Haylie, I didn't actually take pictures at your party.  Blame it on a forgetful pregnancy moment.  Or the fact that it was HOT, and I was a little too lazy to walk the three houses it would have taken me to go back for the stinking camera!

But here are a few from our precious Lala's party evening!

Birthday Girl!

Playtime :)

Sweet Family 

And of course some serious Little Gym fun courtesy of Miss Avarie :)

Birthday Girl Running Wild :)

Soph having fun!

Parachute!

BFFs :)

Happy Birthday Avarie!  We love you sweet girl!!!