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.

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.

2011 looking back

Happy New Year!!!

I can't believe how much has changed over one year.

We rang in 2011 waiting for our baby girl to arrive.

and just a few weeks into the new year we welcomed sweet little Sophia.

We celebrate the beginning of 2012 with a very busy, almost toddler keeping our days full and filled with smiles.

We can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!

Christmas!

Christmas morning arrived and we ran downstairs to check out what Santa brought. Sophia wanted to bring one of her favorite books with her ;)

Sophia still had a cold but it didn't bother her one bit. She was very excited to get her hands on her stocking that has been hanging by the fireplace for weeks.

We helped Sophia unwrap her gifts. She enjoyed exploring everyone's new things. She loved these little egg balls that rattle and daddy's hand lotion.

After we had our little Christmas just the three of us, we had my family over for brunch (no one took pictures!) and then went to Nana and Pappy's for a few more gifts. We spread the unwrapping out some because it was too overwhelming for Sophia.

She received lots of wonderful toys (more pictures to come). A favorite was the doll she received from Nana and Pappy. She loves this doll. Nana told her to "kiss the baby" and she put it right up to her mouth with a great big grin on her face. Love.

We had a wonderful Christmas day. Unfortunately, that night Sophia's cold turned into Croup. Poor thing was so upset and couldn't sleep until midnight (after a walk around the block in her snowsuit...). We're just thankful she was able to enjoy her first Christmas!

Christmas Eve- Part 2

After her nap Sophia got all dressed up and ready for Christmas Eve services (she was wearing shoes....she preferred bare feet. ha). Sophia wore my Christmas dress from when I was just a little older than her.

We went to the live pageant service at our church. Sophia loved being in church. She hasn't been to a service since she was just a few months old, as she is far to noisy for a normal church service. The pageant service was the perfect one to take her to. There were lots of kids and even live animals so no one minded that Sophia was a chatterbox. She enjoyed pointing out everything to mom and dad. "Look mom lights!" "look a donkey!" "look windows!" "look people!" or at least this is what I imagine she was saying.

After the service we headed to Nana and Pappy's for dinner.

Pointing to the Christmas tree. Making sure everyone sees it.

Pappy Clark showing Ms. S a few special ornaments on the tree.

Sophia enjoyed every minute of Christmas Eve despite her cold. I am pretty sure her favorite part was throwing her sippy cup on the floor and watching Pappy pick it up all through dinner. After an early dinner we rushed home to get Ms. S in bed so Santa could come! (with hopes that the cold would be gone by morning)

Christmas Eve-Part 1

We had a very busy, fun filled, first Christmas with Sophia! Unfortunately, Ms. S woke up on the 23rd with a cold that only got worse until it turned into Croup on Christmas day :( Despite that we still enjoyed our Christmas!

The morning of Christmas Eve we had our Christmas with Carl's parents. They were heading to Virginia to be with Carl's sister on Christmas so we got together a day early.

Sophia doesn't "get" gifts quite yet and really is not very interested in the unwrapping process at all. So with a little help from mom and Grandma all of her gifts were opened.

Inspecting her new shopping cart. She was very interested in the little girl on the box.

We then spent some time with the salin spray so our sweet girl could take a good nap before church and Christmas Eve dinner at Nana and Pappy's. Sophia loves the salin spray bottle (don't worry, she's always supervised when holding it ;)). More on our Christmas Eve and Christmas day to come.....

first snow

We had our first real snowfall last weekend. We've had light sprinkles once or twice before but never anything that stuck. On Saturday we got a few inches, so we decided it was time to introduce Ms. S to the wonderful white stuff!

Looking cute in her snowsuit.

I think it's safe to say that Sophia wasn't sold on the cold white fluffy stuff....

Probably didn't help that mom was behind the camera and not with her. We lasted all of one minute. haha We plan to take her out a few more times to help her get used to the white stuff and hopefully one day turn those tears into squeals of delight! ;)

11 months!

11 months! Only one more month until Sophia is 1, oh my! Sophia is becoming less and less of an baby each day. If I thought I had trouble taking pictures of her before...these days I'm lucky if I get a picture of the back of her head!

I bribed her to sit still with an empty applesauce packet (anyone know how to photoshop that thing out?!)....


It worked for all of two seconds...

but I got some cute shots anyways :)

Sophia at 11 months:

• wears size 6-9 month clothes and some 12 months



• eats 3 solid meals a day of all table food (ground turkey, peas, carrots, blueberries, rice cakes etc)



• nurses 3 times a day and gets a bottle at bedtime



• takes 2 naps, sometimes very reluctantly and sleeps from about 7-7 (though we've been having some early mornings the last few days!)



• loves to point at things so we can name them for her



• can stand very briefly on her own



• loves to walk around using furniture or her push toy for support



• loves to play with the toys at the library



• is busy busy busy!

Sophia, you are so curious! From the moment you wake up in the morning you are pointing at things and "asking" mommy and daddy to tell you what they are. You are on the move and going places fast! We love watching you grow and learn new things each day. We love you sweet girl!

O Christmas Tree

Last Saturday we kicked off the Advent season by cutting down our Christmas tree!

Cutting down our tree is a tradition my dad and I started when I was in high school. I am so excited to share this family tradition with Sophia!

Pappy Clark and Sophia trying to find 2 perfect trees (one for Nana and Pappy and one for Sophia).

The Carter family (I have to hunt down last year's picture, lets just say things have changed! and we love it!)

Sophia taking a ride in the tree sled before the tree was cut. She was far more interested in the pine needles than the fact that she was in a sled that was moving...

Daddy doing the hard work cutting down the tree.

Once we get the tree up (it is still in our garage....baking 6 batches of cookies and night classes have postponed that part of the story) I will post pictures!