I'm back!

I've decided to revive my little piece of cyberspace.  I'm not sure how long it's going to last or what will come of it but here it goes!

I've been thinking a lot about my online presence and what it communicates about me and my family in this season of life.  I want to use it for good. To create change. To support others, other moms, other families similar to mine.

I want to share a little bit about a struggle we are going through with our oldest in case there are others out there with a child like our Sophia.  Here it goes. Hoping this helps someone else and maybe provides us with some help and some support.

Our Sophia is determined, persistent, perceptive, SMART.  She is in what our pediatrician calls "the 10%."  The 10% of kids who don't fall for much. Who won't do things if it's not their idea.  The 10% who are often labeled strong-willed or stubborn.  Very early on we saw this in our little girl.  At 4 months she would cry if other people held her.  She just wanted her mama. She still just wants her mama.  At 12 months she decided she wanted to wear her fancy shoes and only her fancy shoes.  She's been opinionated about clothes since 18 months. She had no use for the potty until she was 3 and even then it took awhile before she made up her mind it was a good thing.  Ask her to smile for a picture, she's far too busy.

We decided early on that we could either try and break this will in her. Force her to obey (ha!). Engage in a battle of wills.  Or we could embrace this.  In an adult we value determination and persistence.  So why do we label them as negatives in children?  I will not, I will embrace my daughter's will power (iron clad).  Some day she will change the world because she will not take no for an answer.  She will fight for what is good and right.

This is not without it's frustrations and challenges.  There are days (lots of them) when I wish she was "easier."  I see other children happily line up for the class picture or bound off to school with no problem while my daughter flat out refuses.  She has no use for pictures.  She wants to stay home with her mom.

Currently, our biggest struggle is school.  Sophia doesn't separate easily.  She wants her mommy there. She will fight, negotiate, persist, until she gets what she wants. Unfortunately, this is one things she can't have. Mommy has to work, Sophia has to go to school. We've tried slow separation on her hardest days.  It just doesn't work for Sophia.  At this point, with the support of her teachers and school, we are going to try tough love.  I'm not without my worries. What will this teach her?  What impact will it have?  Why won't she play while I'm in the room and eventually say goodbye like other children?

We'll see how this goes.  And I will continue to remind myself that determination and persistence are a good thing.   The world needs people willing to fight for what is good and right.  Now if we can just get her to go to preschool without a fight.....

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.