pool

I think I have this blogger issue figured out. Hoping to finish up Florida and update you on some really fun things Sophia has been up to lately over the next few days!

The pool was a big part of our Florida trip. We spent a lot of time, in between relaxing and reading, playing in the pool. Just like the beach, Sophia was hesitant about the pool at first. By the second day she had warmed up to it and really enjoyed the big pool and the kiddy pool!

I am sure it helped that she was getting passed around by all these super, awesome people who love her.


Being the only kid on a trip with two sets of grandparents has some major perks.

Sophia was very fascinated by the waterfall. Lucky girl has an awesome dad who made sure she got to experience it up close.

blogger issues

sorry for the funky posts. blogger is giving me issues..... deleting photos...not letting me type.... so more on florida to come and hopefully in a more organized fashion

the beach

Right after Sophia's first birthday we headed south to spend a week in Florida with Carl's family and my parents. Carl's parents invited us all down to stay at a resort that is part of their time share. It as a wonderful week with lots of new experiences for Sophia.

It was amazing to watch her take in the ocean for the first time. She just pointed and stared! I wish I could read her mind. What does one think the first time they see the vast, blue ocean?

She was interested in the sand but not interested enough to actually touch it. She played with her sand toys from the safety of the beach blanket :)

The second time we went to the beach Sophia had warmed up to the sand and was digging, dumping, squeezing......

we're alive!

We've been home from Florida for almost two weeks now :O and I still haven't done a post! I promise at least one post about our fabulous week in sunny Florida is coming! We've been really busy around here... I started a new job the day after we got back...I'm heading up the search and hiring process for my old position... Sophia's naps/sleep is in a funky place...plus just the usual day to day stuff that needs to get done. Plus I was inspired by Emily to clean out our house and donate all the stuff cluttering our closets...

What I would really like to be doing is walking along the beach with my two favorite people.

12 months

One more post about this little lady turning 1! This will probably be the last of the monthly posts. I've enjoyed keeping track of this little ladies milestones each month so we'll see :)

Sophia's actual birthday was a great day!! She had fun playing with all the toys at the doctor's office and didn't mind having her blood drawn one bit! In the afternoon we went to one of her favorite play spots, the library. In the evening we had a birthday cake picnic in the living room and Aunt Annalynn and cousin Jenny sang Sophia 'Happy Birthday' over FaceTime.




Sophia is at such a sweet stage right now. Her play is much more toddler like these days and she laughs and laughs.




Sophia is working really hard on walking these days and loves pushing her babies around in the rocking chair. No independent steps yet but we expect them any day now!

At 12 months Sophia:

• weighs 19lbs 2.5 oz (25%) and is 29" tall (50%)
• wears size 12 month clothes
• eats 3 meals a day, nurses in the morning, and has 3 cups/bottles of milk/formula a day
• takes 2 naps a day (most of the time...) and sleeps from 7pm-7am
• cruises and walks with a push toy
• has one tooth (bottom left)
• loves to give kisses especially to her baby dolls
• loves unloading things (especially my drawers) and is starting to load
• points and babbles
• stands for brief periods on her own
• scrunches up her face when she doesn't like something or is unsure of someone
• is very loved!
  

One Year

A year ago today we welcomed a sweet baby girl into the world. A year ago we became parents.



"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11



This year has brought us happiness, tears, joy filled moments and challenging ones. Sophia grew from a sleepy little infant to an energetic, curious almost toddler.




Today, we celebrate the day Sophia was born, the day we became a family of three and above all we give thanks that God has so richly blessed our family.


Sophia, we love you sweet girl! You made us mommy and daddy. We cherish each smile, each kiss, each moment when you look to us to teach you something new. We pray that you will know the love Christ has for you and follow him. Never forget that you are special.

party decorations

What's a first birthday bash without awesome decorations?! Okay so I may have gone a little overboard but I loved doing it! :) Sorry the pictures are in sort of a random order. I blame blogger.

First up, tissue paper pompoms! So easy to make and they really add a lot of fun to the space. I made five and hung them in clumps around the dining room. I was going for 8 until my husband intervened. 8 probably would have been a bit excessive......


The picture banner was probably one of my favorite decorations. It was incredible to see how much Sophia had grown in just 1 year.



The food table with the beautiful cake made by Sophia's grandma. The picture isn't great but I forgot to take one until right before the party...

I bought a birthday banner from etsy. The rest of the decorations were based off the colors and theme from the banner. If you haven't picked up on it, I went with a 'sweet shop' theme. I didn't go too crazy with it. We had lollipop cookies for favors and lollipops on the cake. That was really the extent of the theme. Sophia's Nana made the cookies and her mom helped decorate them.

I really liked how it all turned out! Unfortunately the pictures don't really do it justice.

the Birthday Bash

This past Sunday we threw a party for a very special little girl who will be 1 on Wednesday! Gasp! I know! I can't believe it either! 1 already! I insisted we do this first birthday thing up right and have a party! So party we did with our family and close friends.


The guest of honor had a blast and we even managed to get some great pictures of the three of us!

Sophia was very dainty with her smash cake. There was absolutely no smashing but a lot of carefully picking up sprinkles and small pieces of cake. Mom had to cut into it with a fork to show Sophia there was more to it than icing and sprinkles.

Sophia loved 'opening' gifts. After Christmas I wasn't sure she'd really be into it but she really liked checking everything out. She was very good about 'reading' the cards before opening the gifts.

Sophia entertained everyone by kissing her new baby doll before we could get her out of the box. This little lady is not shy! She apparently didn't inherit a fear of doing anything in front of large groups from her parents. The more the crowd laughed the more Sophia kissed the doll. :)

We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating our little girl. We feel so blessed by our family and friends who were their to share this special time with us.

big changes

We've been seeing some big changes in our little baby girl recently. Changes that are letting us know very clearly that she is quickly leaving babyhood behind.

Toddler hood here we come!

Our first sign that she is on the fast track to toddler hood has been the end of her morning nap... most of you may be thinking that we're sad about this, but I am actually welcoming it. As I write this Sophia is chatting and rolling around in her crib, not taking her morning nap. This is day 4. The last 3 days have brought one nap in the afternoon and one very happy, energetic, easy going girl. PLEASE don't fall asleep Sophia! ;) The transition from 2 - 1 naps has been going on for about a month and it has not been easy. So I am rejoicing at it being over (please please please).

Another big change we've seen is in personality. Sophia is bubbling with personality recently. Games of peek a boo with her bib, "so big", pat a cake..are abundant. All the things I've been doing with her the last almost year she is suddenly demonstrating back to me. So fun!

There is so much more! I'll leave you with a little teaser for upcoming posts...think teeth, utensils, cars.....

I have a feeling this is only the beginning of rapid changes over the coming weeks as we approach 1 year. I am sad but also enjoying every moment of watching her grow!

new wheels

Sophia got a new ride for Christmas from her Aunt Laura and Uncle Mark. She's now riding in style around our basement (with a little help from mom).

Now she just has to practice her princess wave. :)

before the tree comes down

One last Christmas post before the tree comes down. I am so sad to take the tree down this year. It has been the highlight of Sophia's first Christmas. She doesn't understand presents or the real reason for the season yet but she does get that there is a super awesome, beautiful tree in her living room and she loves it. As in L.O.V.E.S. it. Every time we walk into the living room she points to the tree and goes "ah ah ah" or some other babble. Which we can only assume means "look mom! there's a beautiful tree in our living room!" If you ask her where the Christmas tree is she will point to it right away. It is so wonderful to see the tree through Sophia's eyes. What a magical thing to be seeing one for the first time ever.