Cupcake Jammies

Recently Sophie started outgrowing her pjs so we bought her these cute cupcake jammies cause after all she's daddy's little Sophie Cakes.

Story Book Lane

The weekend before Christmas we went up North to see Daddy's parents.  Grammy and Poppy watched Sophie so Daddy and Mommy could have a date night out to dinner and to see the nutcracker.  We had a wonderful time, Saturday we spent the day shopping and playing.  Saturday evening after dinner we went to the park and Sophie got to experience Story Book Lane for the first time.  She loved what she could see out of the car window.  She is the third generation of Herberts to enjoy the family tradition.

Talkin Up a Storm

Several weeks ago Sophie really had been talking up a storm and had started repeating us on a  few words.  Here is the list that you can really understand Bye Bye, Hat, Manana (for Banana), Yeah, Book, Bath, More, Baby, Goggie (for Doggie), and Thank You.  Sometimes I'll say these words over and over again just to hear her repeat them, since her little voice is just adorable.  I know people keep telling me someday I'll wish she would not talk so much....have you met me..we'll see ;)  

Since I never got this posted and we are about a month more into her talking she has learned a lot of new words...she is saying Good Girl more fluently, Lambie, Bear, Diaty, Mine, Hug, Juice, Blue, ellow (Yellow), Mommy, Daddy, hi-o (Hello), Yes, and has started shaking her head no.  When she gets excited her voice gets louder and more passionate when she is trying to tell us about something....this includes when Daddy comes home from work...she is so excited she nearly runs to him...they are buddies and it is adorable..to say the least she's a lot of fun and we are enjoying her as her vocabulary expands .

Still Smiling

Most of us would not be smiling with a double ear infection, cold and a cough but my baby girl is.  She somehow even with a low grade fever and pain in both of her ears is still running around reading her books, playing with her blocks, and smiling from ear to ear.  However,  we've had a few nights of outburst crying in the middle of the night....which means mommy and daddy are pretty tired and Sophie has been taking longer naps during the day because she is so sleepy she just lays down in the middle of the floor with her blankie, lambie, and monkey and looks like she is about to pass out.

Like we've said though we have been blessed in having gone pretty much a little over a year without her being sick enough for antibotics...guess those sleepless nights of feedings the first three months from Mommy did the trick.

Let It Snow..Let it Snow..Let it Snow

So last year Sophie was much too little to notice the snow..but this year...she's not missing a heartbeat...she's pointing out the window...practically jumping up and down and is trying to say the word snow even.   I really wish I loved snow as much as she does...maybe it's because it is so cold this year already here in Ohio...however I used to love the snow when we did not have to go to school and Mom would bundle my brother and I up tightly and send us outside to build a snowman, or have Dad pull us behind the tractor in our sleds..or go to the top of the big hill to sled with the other neighborhood kids..okay snow is fun...It's just been a few years since I've enjoyed it..hopefully we will get to take Sophie out in her sled and let her play and make some fun memories with her too..who wouldn't want to...look at that little face and that big grin saying "oh please mommy"...

A visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Sunday after church Grandma and Grandpa dropped by to see Sophie since they had not seen her since the week before Thanksgiving.  We had some homemade chili for lunch and some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Afterwards Sophie showed them the Christmas tree, her nativity scene specifically baby Jesus, and the camel, and then they did some playing and reading with her.  

 Nap time was in order, we relaxed and visited with my parents and when she woke up from nap we had dinner and then bundled up and went to the Alum Creek Lights display which you can ride through in the car...by the time we were done Sophie had removed her hat, socks, and shoes..nothing like making yourself comfortable in your car seat.

Zoo Lights

Monday night since the temperatures were in the 40's we decided to venture to the zoo lights.  Sophie was mezmorized by all the different radiant colors of the lights that she just kept pointing.

Our first stop was to see Santa...

 as you can tell she did not care a whole lot for him.   She was fine looking at him from a distance but once I kneeled down with him she decided we were too close.  So we had a mini fit.  Oh well.

Next we made a stop at the reindeer...She loved them..no tears here..she even petted him and laughed and smiled.  Sorry Santa Sophie likes your reindeer better.

We then sat down and had a bite to eat and after we were finished we walked the entire zoo to view the lights here are some of the pictures we captured.  They even had a light show with music that went with it.  Sophie was in heaven...lots of smiles and big bright eyes checking it all out.  Now this is what the holidays are all about.

Turkey Day

This year for Thanksgiving we headed North to Grammy and Poppy's house.  We arrived Wednesday night to celebrate our oldest nephew Austin's 6th birthday with a pizza party and cake and presents.  

Thursday we spent the day inside relaxing and playing with the kids, while Grammy whipped up a roast, potatoes, cranberry mold, rolls, green beans, and pumpkin pie for dessert. 

 Poppy also took some family pictures which turned out great.

Then he took some pictures of the kids....

Later Bob snagged the camera and got one of Poppy with Sophie...

On Friday morning Bob and I braved the Black Friday Sales while everyone else slept in except Grammy who had to work.  We got some great deals on Christmas gifts and the crowds were not as heavy.  Sophie spent the morning playing with her cousins and Aunt Becky and Uncle Eric.

Later in the day we joined our friends Ryan and Carla for lunch at the Mexican restaurant and had a great time visiting with them since we only see them a few times a year.  Then when we returned I played a few rounds of Twister with Austin while Sophie and Aaron napped.  Poppy, Uncle Bob and Austin also took a quick walk.

Saturday morning we had breakfast and headed home to put up our Christmas decorations.  We had a great time, but as always glad to be back at home.

Early Thanksgiving

A week before Thanksgiving, we packed up and headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate Thanksgiving with them since they were headed South to spend the holiday with Uncle Michael, Aunt Lisa, and Scarlet and Gray.  Sophie spent some good quality time playing, reading books with Grandma, and watching her special show with Grandpa.  We had a scrumptious meal and enjoyed relaxing for a few days.

Baby Jesus

This past weekend we put up the Christmas decorations.  She loves the Christmas Tree and all the lights...but her absolute favorite thing currently is her little manger scene that Grandma and Grandpa bought her last year.  She loves all the animals, but her favorite is baby Jesus.  She carries him around in his little bed...saying his name "gsus"

Reading Time..

Over the past few weeks Sophie has really developed a love for sitting and looking at her books on her own..but she also really likes to pick them out of her bin and climb up in my lap while I'm sitting her chair  and be read to.

On most days this could last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.  I love it and treasure this time with her because it gives me snuggle time with her without her realizing she is sitting still, since there is very little time doing that these days.

Time with Grammy and Poppy...

Last weekend Grammy and Poppy came for a short visit to watch and play with Sophie while we went and got a new microwave since the old one blew up.  When we got back from Sears they had been out for a walk with her wagon which she fell asleep in.  After lunch Poppy helped Daddy install the new microwave while Sophie took a nap...and when I say our child can sleep through anything I mean anything.  They drilled through ceramic tiles to install the new one and it sounded like they were going to tear down the house...but Sophie slept right on through it.  Afterwards we went out to dinner and Poppy and Grammy headed home.  (Note froggy needed to be in the picture, this is Sophie's new found friend).

Rubba Dub Dub...

Sophie and her cousins are in the tub.   About a month ago we decided all three kids needed baths so we put them in the tub together...Poppy took some pictures, they did a little playing, within ten minutes they were all ready to get out..   Short lived...but they had a good time.

Sophie's First Haircut

This past Sunday we went to my best friend Julie's house for me and Sophie to get our hair cut.  I went first so she could see that is was a piece of cake.  Then I sat on a stool Julie talked to her and tried to get her attention focused on books and her talking rather than what she was doing.  She was successful in cutting Sophie's hair. She did really well sitting still and there were no tears, but still wasn't quite sure of what was going on.  When all was said and done she looked adorable and even more like a one year old.

Trick or Treat....

 Smell my feet, give me some yummy treats, and a good time with my cousins and Mommy and Daddy.  Okay so this year we headed down to our nephews house to trick or treat with them..we decided what better fun then to dress up too.   So the Herberts went as the Flintstone family and the nephews went at Darth Vader and Yoda...priceless.  The kids had fun and so did we.  Sophie really enjoyed taking her candy out of her pumpkin and putting it back in one piece at a time.