Making a list, checking it twice!

Here's my Sophi Jean at 20 months!!!!

Yes, I've already have started listening to Christmas music. I've even watched Frosty the Snowman and read Sophi some Christmas books. I may have bought her a bell necklace so she can sing, "Jingle Bells."
I'm glad I've started celebrating! My days and nights are super crazy. With my brother's wedding on Dec. 30th, I have so much on my plate. Not to mention planning/baking/wrapping/shopping for my family!! Just to add to the craziness, I got a job at Children's Place. Some have told me, I'm crazy! Which today is my first day, so I feel crazy!! But with all the extra expenses going on, (not to mention my HUGE car bill needing to be paid off ASAP), I am giving up some of my week nights and my Sundays. I am excited about my discount on Sophi's clothes and that I can get a pretzel during my break. I will be at the PV Mall on Black Friday at 4am working like a crazy girl while Deric and Sophi put up our tree. I do feel a bit of that mommy guilt and hope and PRAY that I will enjoy this season with my family. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger, even if I'm living off coffee and peppermint bark!

Speaking of my list... I'm so glad Shutterfly makes fast and inexpensive Holiday cards. I've picked this card:
With Love Chartreuse
I love how I can use different pics! I'm excited to use some pics from Sophi's pictures in her flower girl dress! :)
Shutterfly has made my life so much easier! I've made photo books for gifts, posted pics online, and printed pictures needed for Sophi's baby book. I love how their books are in "SCRAPBOOK" design. It's fun to change color, font, and add little embellishments. If you are looking for a gift or to send out holiday cards, check out their website! I plan on making a Disneyland book once the Holidays are over.
Here's 3 links to check out:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards
OR http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements
AND http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

BTW, I'm getting an awesome deal just for writing about them on this blog, so that is the meaning behind that. :)
You can get it to, just be clicking here: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the arrow à http://bit.ly/sfly2010

I may be busy, but I won't be a GRINCH!

Disneyland!!!!!!!!

*In Minnie's House* Here's my short version of our adventure to Disneyland:

The rides:
We had so much fun at Disneyland. (Who wouldn't??) It was cold and rainy most of the day, so it felt just like Fall. We rode Peter Pan and Dumbo first. Then met our friends, the Rices (from Big Bear), at City Hall so we could get Sophi's "1st Visit" pin.
We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, which totally freaked Sophi out. She buried her head in our shoulders during the ride. Then, just b/c scaring our toddler once wasn't enough, we took her on the Haunted Mansion. What were we thinking??
After that we did not take her several rides b/c we knew she'd be scared.

Character Update:

She was so excited to see them, only if they were at a distance. Once it was our turn in line, she did NOT want to touch them. She kept saying, "NO!"
We met Winnie the Pooh, Mickey and Minnie. All the times she was scared. Today she will tell you, "Scared. Pooh."

The day went by so fast. Between Toon Town, the Tiki Room, and all the other toddler friendly rides, we were tired. I sure love the singing birds in the Tiki Room!! If you want a song stuck in your head, go to this place!

I go to Disney to eat and to imagine what it would be like to live so close to Disney that you could go get a cup of coffee with a girlfriend one evening and ride a few rides too!:
Many of you know I was looking forward to an endless number of churros. That was my main reason for having my garage sale the week before. However, when I got to Disney I wasn't that excited. I ate my Pineapple Sorbet right before lunch, ate TOO much at the Pizza Port, and just wasn't hungry. So.....
I only ate half of a churro. (I know, right?) I was really in the mood for other treats, such as a Pumpkin Latte and pumpkin muffin. With all the Fall decor and my long-sleeves, those treats really hit the spot. Deric enjoyed his mint ice cream and Sophi enjoyed her goldfish.

How long did we stay:
The park closed at 7pm due to Mickey's Halloween Party, which at first I was so bummed about. But, it ended up being the perfect amount of time- 11 hours at the park is plenty with a 19 month old.
Totally random, but, we were SUPER impressed at people's costumes. We had to do a double-take at some of them to make sure they weren't characters. People are very creative!

Sleeping with a toddler in the same room:
I was also so shocked how easy Sophi went to sleep in the hotel room. Deric and I just hid in the bathroom for a bit until she fell asleep. No crying at all. We were thinking, "This is way TOO easy!!" I'm sure next time we stay in a hotel she'll throw us for a loop and cry the entire night!

My overall rating:
9 out of 10
To all my friends, Disneyland is SO different when you have a toddler with you. You move at a much slower pace and really take in each moment. You find yourself not racing to be first in line for the best ride.
Your toddler will sit where there's the most dirt and then try to eat it. Plus, it's tough moving through the crowds with a stroller, and most of the time your toddler may want to get out. But it's nice to not have to carry a big backpack on your back for 11 hours.
And yeah, it kind of stinks that you can't ride Splash Mountain or Indiana Jones, but watching your child's face light up at seeing Goofy, will totally be worth it!

A big perk- your toddler is FREE! Why NOT go?? :)

I'm glad we took Sophi. I hope she remembers it, but if not, we will treasure telling her all about her first visit to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!

Now when can we go again????????? :)

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