Eleven and Still a Little Piece of Heaven

11 months have gone by so quickly it is really hard to believe our little girl will be a year old next month.   At this stage she has been very busy but a lot of fun.  Every day you never know what she is going to get into and want to explore.  She is definitely a little social butterfly who loves to wave at people and smile at them whether we are at the grocery store or at church.  She has a smile that can definitely light up a room and brighten even the craziest of days.  She now has approximately five teeth and is chewing on everything including her own arm. 

She's starting to eat a little bit of table food and enjoys drinking out of her new big girl Minnie Mouse sippy cup without the handles. Sophie also loves other kids...most of the kids she is around are under the age of five and play right along with her.  She enjoys reading her books and listening to music through CD's, her toys, the television, and when we sing to her.  So far she still enjoys car rides and loves being outside.  Probably one of the newer things is she wants you to help her walk to the front door, she lets go of one finger and points to the windows along the side of the door, like come on lets go outside.  Her new sneaks have definitely got the workout and I'm pretty sure by her 1st birthday she'll be walking on her own because she has pretty good balance and is starting to hold onto us with only one hand.  

She is now at the stage where she does not like to get dressed, undressed, or have her diaper changed..it's much like trying to catch a pig at a scramble. She is also starting to really recognize family faces in pictures, and cartoon characters such as Elmo, Mickey and Minnie on things she sees at stores or on television..keep in mind we do not just let her sit in front of the television.  She is also now more comfortable with both sets of grandparents and her aunts and uncles..she's not quite a clingy unless she's tired or her teeth are hurting her.  Overall she's a really good little girl, she does at moments challenge us but isn't that what children are supposed to do?

Sleepy Cakes

So I put her in the pack n play so I could put some laundry in the dryer.  I did not hear her making any noise and when I returned to the living room this is why she was so quiet...little sleepy cakes decided to put herself down for a nap.  I guess she's trying to make my life a little easier, maybe this is her earlybirthday gift to me..

My Buddies

This past weekend we spent time with Daddy's family celebrating Mommy's birthday early.  Sophie had a great time playing with her cousins and I think the biggest hit had to have been riding in the wagon with Aaron while Austin pulled them.   She did not want him to stop and she definitely did not want out.

Crazy Week

I know my postings have been far and few between recently.  The last few weeks have been a bit crazy..1st our sitter was on vacation so Daddy stayed home in the mornings with Sophie Friday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday..then Grandma B watched her Thursday and Friday, while I worked and I'm home with her today.  Secondly in the midst of that Daddy has been working long hours on a project at work so we really haven't seen a whole lot of him during the day and most of the evening.  Some nights he works from home until 9 or 10 and some nights he's been at the office until 8 or so.  

She is at a very busy stage so days can be exhausting..I was very thankful for my mom last week who came Wednesday and stayed until Friday babysitting her in the morning and hanging out as a reinforcement in the afternoon and evening since my regular sidekick was working.  So my time has been a little limited...it has been fun though..she's really into flipping through the pages in her books, watching the Mickey Mouse Club, taking walks both in her stroller and out...and swinging at the park.   She has also started giving us kisses and hugs..gotta love those.

Teething Bites

Last week I noticed a few teeth starting to show themselves in the top of Sophie's mouth.  Little did I know a few days later I counted five..  At first she was not too bad with them..but over the last two days the pain these teeth are causing her is starting to rear it's ugly face.  Lots of whining..lots of tylenol..and yet mommy and daddy are still pretty calm.  I guess I'm just looking at it as poor Sophie five teeth coming in at once has to hurt and if she verbalize in words to us how much they hurt she would but since she can't she just whines about letting us know in her own little way.  Hopefully they will all be in soon and she'll be her happy little self again.

These Shoes are Made for Walkin..

So Saturday while were were at the mall we went to Stride Rite and purchased Sophie's first pair of good tennis shoes.

At first she was not too sure of them..but now she gets upset when you take them off her feet.

With the movement these shoes are getting in less than a week into it she's already practically worn them out we've done so much walking.  Understand she's not walking on her own quite yet..but once she figures it out..she'll be running.

Labor Day

We had a busy labor day weekend.  We spent Friday afternoon visiting Grandpa at the bank and meeting my good friend Julie's little guy Dexyn which Sophie was very fond of, then Sophie played with Grandma and Grandpa at their house.   Saturday Grandpa had to work so Grandma, Daddy, Mommy, and Sophie headed to the labor day festivities and parade in my hometown and watched the band, fire trucks and tractors from one of my childhood friends parents house along with her and her husband and daughter.

Later Saturday afternoon we went to the mall and walked around and had dinner and then back to Grandma and Grandpa's house so Sophie and Grandpa could watch Lawerence Welk at 7 pm

Then Sunday morning we headed to Daddy's family reunion...lots of people to see and Sophie liked to walk with help around the park exploring. She also did quite a bit of swinging with Grammy and teeter totting with Aaron.

Later that evening we went to the park and the kids rode the carousel, cars, and train.  Then Monday we went and took a tour of Tastee Apple where Poppy works.  Monday night we were all pretty tired, but had a wonderful weekend with both families and Sophie was sound asleep by 7:30.

What a Zoo

A few weekends ago it was a cooler sunny morning.. just the right temperature to venture to the zoo, so we decided since we were home on a weekend that we would take Sophie.  We had a blast and so did she.  Her favorite animals were mostly aquatic, so anything that swam was right up her alley.  

The new polar bear exhibit was awesome but taking pictures was hard since the glass was so thick so stay tuned for video we took.

Sophie enjoyed the penguins taking a swim

and watching all the fish and the manatees swim in the big tanks...

She was some what interested in the elephants and monkeys. 

 We finished up around 2 pm and headed home around nap time.. Great day had by all three of us.