It's me, I'm still here.

Sophi weighs 23 lbs 7 oz. She did a big jump in weight since her 15 month apt. Sophi also grew 2 inches!
Sophi is talking more and more. It cracks us up with all the little conversations she's having with us. I will miss her "baby talk!"
We have entered a new leaf in discipline. I've encountered some meltdowns in public and have left in tears (Yes, both Sophi and I). She is a very independent girl, so telling her "NO" does not make her happy! (Wait, "NO" doesn't make anyone happy!) But, Deric and I have gained some parental strength and know there may be more tears, but we are ready! This is an area in parenting I need the most patience in. I'm sure all moms can relate when all you want to do is buy some TP and avoid a screaming child!

Well, as for me, between watching kids during the day, Bible Studies and Small Group at nights, AND trying to keep a clean house while having time for myself, life is busy!
I have found a new love....
I started in late July from the beginning and currently am in the middle of season 6. I'm seriously crazy about this show and know I watch it too much! :)
Well this is all for now.. trying to type and keep Sophi entertained....

3 weeks to DISNEYLAND!!!

Upside down!

It seems like my life truly has been UPSIDE DOWN! I'm the biggest blog slacker, I know. I find it funny how my last post was saying Sophi was 14 months. She's now 18 months!
Sophi is going to her well-check apt. this week, so (if I remember) I will post all her little updates.
Until then...

Sophi at 14 months.. almost 15.

Our little Jelly Bean is now 14 months old. Here are some things she has been busy doing:
*Sophi walks everywhere. We are now at the stage where riding in the stroller is brief. It makes our mall trips very quick or we spend half the time chasing her around the stores.
*Sophi continues her love (can I say "obsession") for Big Bird. Thanks to her Aunt Shelby, Deric and I had to put pictures of Big Bird on our cell phones. It is all she ever asks for. "BA BAHH!"
*Sophi now can sign the word "PLEASE." She has even gotten to where she will sign "PLEASE" without us having to ask her. Now we have to teach her that even though she uses "PLEASE" doesn't mean she will get whatever she wants. That's a lot for her 14 months old brain to understand.
*Sophi takes 1 nap/day. Usually 2hrs. I still give her rest time in the morning. Currently, 3 of her molars are coming in, so she has been falling asleep in the morning some days. When I tell her, "Time for Night-Nights" she marches right to her room and stands by her crib. SO CUTE!!
*Sophi still sleeps awesome at night! 7pm-7:30. One morning she even woke up at 9am!!! (Yes I let her sleep! It was the weekend and I enjoyed sleeping in too!)
*She loves to clean, just not taking baths.
*Sophi LOVES jewelry. She can make anything a bracelet.
*Sophi LOVES outside. Here new word this weeks is "OUTSIDE". I'm glad we are going to Nebraska this summer so she can enjoy the outdoors.
*Sophi continues to love reading books. She must have Big Bird or Oscar in every book. She enjoys saying "THIS" and pointing while I name whatever she is pointing to. Her little "THIS" is so cute. It makes me smile. :)


It's been so fun watching her these past couple months understand more and discover new things!!
We are looking forward to a busy summer. I am taking the summer off from watching kiddos. Sophi and I will be taking swim lessons and enjoying spending time together!!!
I am taking a vacation in 1 week for my 5 year college reunion. No baby for 5 days! It will be hard, but really fun!! Wisconsin here I come! :)
In late June we are headed to Nebraska. We will be spending half the time with my family and the other half with my best friend Jan and her husband. I am SO, SO excited!! Fireworks, the farm, parks, ballgames, grilling, and Runza!!!!!!
We will be home for about a week, then in middle July, all of us will be headed to Colorado. Deric will be at Jr. High camp and Sophi and I will be staying with my friend Stephanie and her 3 kiddos. I also am VERY excited for that. Sophi won't know what's going on with all the traveling!

We are looking forward to a very busy, hot summer. I am excited to be spending some one-on-one time with my sweet Sophi Jean and maybe get a bit of a tan. :)

A new love

Sophi is in love with Big Bird. Not just a little crush, but IN LOVE!!!

She wakes up saying "BA BA" (which actually could mean many a things, but she points at her books and her little Big Bird figure on her shelf).

Her new favorite movie is "Follow That Bird" where she says "BA BA" a million times. If I don't acknowledge Big Bird on the screen, she will repeat and repeat until you say, "Yeah, Big Bird."

She also says "Ah" for Oscar. She enjoys singing while Oscar sings.
It is quite cute having her love Big Bird. He's one guy I know won't break her heart! :)

Amazing Video

What's been going on?? Sophi now 13 months!

We've been going to the zoo!

Sophi is now a walker. Little steps between 2 places of interest. I can't believe it!!

Loving making the "VROOM" sound for the cars.

Here we are with my family at Easter.

Sophi had her first Easter egg hunt. She found all but 3 that morning, and found the rest the next day. The plastic eggs are her new favorite toy.

My Snuggle Bunny and I after a HOT Easter service.

Sophi playing with her palm branch we made for Palm Sunday.

Sophi has mastered her shape sorter. She has discovered they are the perfect size to whistle out of. :)

Sophi loves walking her baby stroller around the house.

Lovin' babies!

Sophi has become a pro-cup drinker. She nurses just 1 time/day. We are almost done!!

12 month update

Sophi's party was a big success! We had 30+ people in our house. It was fun and Sophi loved it! We are glad our family and friends could join us!

Here are some of Sophi's updates:

Weight= 18lb 12 oz *She did lose weight. Which I was shocked! But the dr. wasn't concerned. The dr. thinks it a mix between genetics and weaning (not getting as much from me anymore). I just need to give her a morning snack in addition to her afternoon snack. *
Height= 28.5 in

I'm in the slow process of weaning her. Over the past couple weeks she has started liking the sippy cup more and more. I'm currently nursing twice a day (7am and 7pm). My goal is to be done nursing by the end of May. (The first week in June is when I'm taking a girl's vacation, so she'll have to be done!) The morning feeding will be my most challenging! On a more mommy note- I will miss nursing her. It's crazy to think I've been doing this for a year and for it to not be in my daily routine will be strange. I will have to really watch my weight- I need to start working out more so I can burn those calories I would have burned with nursing. (Although I am currently happy with my weight. I've lost 50lbs, but only gained 30lbs when I was pregnant. I just need to tone.)

Sophi eats and eats. She loves pinapple, bread, and any veggie. She is started to be picky at foods- will eat it one day, not the the next. I'm glad she still likes the majority of foods. I'm always trying to be creative with her foods. She makes me a healthier eater!

Sophi still takes 2 naps. There have been a few days when I think she's going down to 1 nap, but the next day she definitely needs 2. I'm in no rush to make her drop the morning nap.
She continues to sleep great at night 7pm-7am. :)

Sophi's new word is "ball." Anything round like a balloon, circle, etc is called a "ball." It's fun to see her pic out a ball in a book!

She continues to be a book worm. Sophi loves looking at all her books. To keep her happy while changing her diaper, a book is required!

Sophi is starting to stand w/o holding on to anything. She also has taking joy in pushing her new baby stroller around the room. It's fun to watch her try to walk!

Sophi can sign "more" in sign language. She often says "ba" with the sign. The sign can mean "I want", "milk", and "more." It's super cute!!! It's really helped her not yell to get something.

Sophi continues to make us laugh, loves to laugh, and keeps us amazed. I'm ready for baby #2!!! (Don't freak out! We are not trying! Mommy has to wait for another year.)