Here's What's New

Sorry it's been a while since the last post, but there hasn't been a whole lot going on. Lee returned to work at Bobcat in mid-February to work only 2 full weeks and then be told they were going to a partial layoff. This week he works 4 days, then the rest of March only 2 days a week. And, so it goes. There isn't anything we can do about so we'll just carry on.

Sofia is doing well. She's got all her first molars in now. Oddly she still hasn't cut her 2nd set of bottom teeth or any of her incisors. I think the 2nd bottom ones are starting to make their appearance, but it's hard to tell. Nothing about her teeth has been normal, other than they're healthy, which is always good. She's saying more words, more than I can count really. She's pretty good at counting to 10 and saying A, B, C. She's always on the go, talking a mile a minute usually.

Last Wednesday we had to deal with her first bout with a stomach virus. It was so unexpected. She acted fine until lunchtime. Then the projectile vomiting began which scared the both of us. It only lasted about 10 hours, but that was quite enough to last me for a long time. Through it all she kept up her bubbly personality, talking and smiling in between bouts of throwing up. She's a trooper. :)

This last weekend, we finally got to take a mini-vacation. My cousin Deb's son Patrick played in a baseball tournament in the Metrodome. So, their family (minus Mitch) from California and my aunt Loretta and uncle Arnold from Wyoming all flew into Minneapolis. Then, members of my family drove there to meet up with them. Although we didn't get to see Patrick play (he played Friday night before we got there), it was so good to see them and spend a little time with them. Sofia had so much fun with the twins, Hayley and Kelsey, and I got to try ice skating again for the first time in a very long time (I now remember why I don't skate). Furthermore, it was just nice to get away. Hopefully, we'll see them in May for Jessie's wedding and Grandma's 100th birthday.

Basically that's what we've been up to lately. Not a whole lot, but with Spring coming (soon, I hope) it will get a lot busier. Hopefully, I'll post sometime before then though. :)

Sofia


Composing a song with lyrics (Oh Toodles!)


Perfecting her crayon masterpiece (Notice the use of the left hand, she's after her left-handed mother's heart)


Getting ready to clip her nails - Personal hygiene is so important


Playing on her stroller


Watching cartoons in Mom's chair


Kelsey, Hayley, Me, and Jessie at the hotel skating rink


At the dome after Patrick's game on Sunday


Again

18-Month Checkup

On Wednesday, we went to Fargo for Sofia's 18-month well-baby check. Although it has become pretty routine to me, Sofia begs to differ. She doesn't like it when they measure and weigh her, take her blood pressure, or do anything they need to do to record her statistics. My easygoing baby has become a stubborn toddler. *Sigh* It had to happen, she is my child after all. I just hoped that more of Lee's personality would hang on for a little while more. :)

But, I digress. After it was all said and done, she now weighs 26 pounds 13 ounces and is 33 1/4 inches long. She grew taller! I say that with a bit of sarcasm, because the last time we went she "shrunk" between her 12 month and 15 month checkup. And, I thought the nurse had gotten it wrong last time. Turns out, I might have been right. But, I won't gloat...too much. The rest of the appointment went smoothly. Sofia is a perfectly (ahem) normal 19-month old, which is always good to hear. So, we're good to go until her 2-year checkup. I cannot believe that is coming up so fast. She's just growing up too quickly for my taste. But, then again, I love watching her learn and do new things. You can't stop time, so I guess you just hang on for the ride and enjoy it while you can.

What We've Been Up To

Where do I begin? Since I've last posted Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone. As has Sofia's 18-month birthday. My sister turned 30, and Sofia saw Mickey Mouse in person. I turned 32, and we welcomed in a new year. There's been snow, snow, and more snow. Then there's the usual mundane, daily things that are always a little different when dealing with a toddler, who has a streak of independence, the stubborness of a bull, and lungs and a voice that defy definition.

I truly didn't mean to neglect this site for as long as I did. Every day I would think about doing an update, then tell myself I'd get to it tomorrow. Unfortunately, two months of tomorrows passed before I actually sat myself down and told myself to write.

We are all doing well. Sofia is great! She has something new to show us every day. She loves music, Mickey Mouse, her blankie, and socializing...not necessarily in that order. She "talks" with real words, but most of the time it's her conversing in her own language with a random English word thrown in every now and then. She loves to dance, do the dishes, and give hugs and kisses. She is a social butterfly. As soon as we walk into a room full of people, she announces she's there with a very loud "Hi!" and proceeds to walk up to just about anyone to introduce herself. She loves other children and accosts them with a hug as soon as she sees them. Gotta love her! :) She does occasionally break down with a tantrum, but for the most part, she's usually quite happy.

I guess the two most important things that have happened to her since I last wrote were that she turned 18-months old, and she visited the dentist for the first time. The dental appointment went so well. She allowed the nurse to brush her teeth and let the dentist take a look inside her mouth. She loves to show off her teeth. Just ask her. I was worried at first, but everything went wonderfully. She now has 6 full teeth in, with the 1-year molars on the top beginning to break through. She's a late teeth bloomer, but they are coming in slowly but surely.

I know I've glossed over many things that have happened, but I would end up writing a book if I kept on. So, I'll quit now. On the 21st we go to the pediatrician for Sofia's 18-month appointment, so I'll try to update after that with weight and height. Until then, here's some pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!

Winne the Pooh Live: Mickey and Minne were the hosts. Sofia shook with excitement when saw Mickey in person


Winnie the Pooh - Sorry the pic is so dark


All the rest of the pics are of Sofia over the last 2 months

Happy 2009!

I know that we've been absent for quite awhile, and this post isn't so much a new post but more of a "hey we're still here". I do plan on doing an update with pictures, but right now I just wanted to let you know that all the snow we've received hasn't done us in yet. A complete update will come later, I promise.

Hanging Out with Sofia

Just a few pictures of Sofia I took this afternoon. She was playing around under the chairs and was having a little trouble finding her way out. It didn't take her long to figure it out.

Happy Halloween 2008!

Happy Halloween a day late! Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. I know we did. After I picked up Sofia, we came home so I could change her into her costume. She was a witch this year. After taking a bit of video and a few photos, it was off for trick-or-treating. We made a few stops in town, got more candy than she can eat (Mommy may help her out with that), and finished up the night at Grandma and Grandpa's. Since we only made a few stops, we got to visit with everyone for more than a couple of seconds, which was nice. Sofia enjoyed her costume, and I think she had fun. She was pretty pooped by the time we got home. Here are some pictures from Halloween night:

Showing off her candy bucket


Taking a peek at her Jack 'O Lantern


She really wanted to get off the steps and run around.


I did get her to pause and look for a picture.


Now for some with Mommy


She decided that she wanted to run again.


As you can see, she wasn't too happy about more pictures.


C'mon Mommy, let's go trick-or-treating.


Sofia with her Great-Grandma Emma


Getting ready to climb up onto the footstool


Checking out her loot


Taking a break


One final picture of Sofia in her costume