Tonight I was tucking Emily in bed, and after I gave her a hug she told me:
"I like it when you put your arms around me because it's like a hammock in my daddy's arms."
What else could a father want for Christmas?
I love you Emily,
Daddy
Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Twelve Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
On your birthday, there are a few things I want you to know. First, we feel so lucky to have welcomed you into our family exactly one year ago. Maybe it's because you have the benefit of having an older sister (and we made all of our mistakes on her - just kidding, Emmie!), but almost everything about your first year has seemed to go pretty well. Yes, there were hiccups along the way, and yes, there were days that most certainly wouldn't qualify as easy by anyone's definition, but by and large I will always look back on your first year of life with a smile.
Second, I want you to know how much you are loved. For me, it has been especially fun to watch Emily grow to love you. And someday - maybe ten years from now - you may not believe me, but you are one of her very favorite people. She adores you, she takes great pride in the fact that you are her sister, and she is always on your side. She loves making you laugh, and you don't disappoint. Your infectious smile and giggle are so much a part of your personality, and we are thankful that you are often such a happy child. You have an entire extended family - aunts, uncles, and grandparents - that think you're pretty great. You have a mom and dad who delight in you each and every day, and you have a God who will always watch over you.
Third, I want you to know some of specific things you do that make you unique. You love to cuddle any and all things soft, and you give phenomenal hugs. You don't like being cooped up, and are always on the go. You have begun pointing to things you want to see, touch, and grab and you squeal like a stuck pig when you don't get your way. You enjoy being read to for short periods of time, and will help turn the pages. You must also believe that every book is supposed to be a "touch and feel" book, and will spend forever combing your fingers over the pictures. You were an early walker, and are pretty athletic. You can go up and down stairs with great ease. You like being outside, in new places, and around people. You have amazingly beautiful eyes, and I can never decide what color they are. You seem to detest getting new teeth, and sometimes will stuff your entire little fist in your mouth to see if that will make everything feel better. You are quick to cry, but easily comforted. You have flaws, of course, but to me you are perfect because you are you.
I love you so much, and I celebrate you today, Sophie Grace.
Love,
Mommy
On your birthday, there are a few things I want you to know. First, we feel so lucky to have welcomed you into our family exactly one year ago. Maybe it's because you have the benefit of having an older sister (and we made all of our mistakes on her - just kidding, Emmie!), but almost everything about your first year has seemed to go pretty well. Yes, there were hiccups along the way, and yes, there were days that most certainly wouldn't qualify as easy by anyone's definition, but by and large I will always look back on your first year of life with a smile.
Second, I want you to know how much you are loved. For me, it has been especially fun to watch Emily grow to love you. And someday - maybe ten years from now - you may not believe me, but you are one of her very favorite people. She adores you, she takes great pride in the fact that you are her sister, and she is always on your side. She loves making you laugh, and you don't disappoint. Your infectious smile and giggle are so much a part of your personality, and we are thankful that you are often such a happy child. You have an entire extended family - aunts, uncles, and grandparents - that think you're pretty great. You have a mom and dad who delight in you each and every day, and you have a God who will always watch over you.
Third, I want you to know some of specific things you do that make you unique. You love to cuddle any and all things soft, and you give phenomenal hugs. You don't like being cooped up, and are always on the go. You have begun pointing to things you want to see, touch, and grab and you squeal like a stuck pig when you don't get your way. You enjoy being read to for short periods of time, and will help turn the pages. You must also believe that every book is supposed to be a "touch and feel" book, and will spend forever combing your fingers over the pictures. You were an early walker, and are pretty athletic. You can go up and down stairs with great ease. You like being outside, in new places, and around people. You have amazingly beautiful eyes, and I can never decide what color they are. You seem to detest getting new teeth, and sometimes will stuff your entire little fist in your mouth to see if that will make everything feel better. You are quick to cry, but easily comforted. You have flaws, of course, but to me you are perfect because you are you.
I love you so much, and I celebrate you today, Sophie Grace.Love,
Mommy
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Frustrations
After listening to several minutes of Sarah venting her frustrations
about trying to order a Christmas gift online, Emily steps in to help:
about trying to order a Christmas gift online, Emily steps in to help:
EMILY: Momma, what's wrong?
SARAH: Oh nothing, Emmy. Mommy's just frustrated about ordering
something with the computer.
EMILY: Oh. One time I was frustrated when I was trying to play the
game I got at the chicken nugget store.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Playing School With Emily
EMILY: Everyone sit down please, it's time for school!
ME: Am I one of your students?
EMILY: Yes, you sit right here.
ME: OK
EMILY: Now it's time for the story.
ME: I want a snack! I want goldfish crackers please! Can I have
goldfish? Can I?
EMILY: Well, you just can't have what you want all the time.
ME: I can't?
EMILY: No, different people bring the snack every time. It's not just
goldfish, goldfish, goldfish all the time Daddy!
ME: Am I one of your students?
EMILY: Yes, you sit right here.
ME: OK
EMILY: Now it's time for the story.
ME: I want a snack! I want goldfish crackers please! Can I have
goldfish? Can I?
EMILY: Well, you just can't have what you want all the time.
ME: I can't?
EMILY: No, different people bring the snack every time. It's not just
goldfish, goldfish, goldfish all the time Daddy!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Halloween
While trick-or-treating last night, we noticed Emily wasn't saying "trick or treat".
ME: Emmy, don't forget to say "trick or treat" when someone opens the door.
EMILY: But they already know!
ME: Emmy, don't forget to say "trick or treat" when someone opens the door.
EMILY: But they already know!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Eleven Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
You are now eleven months old, and so close to reaching the huge milestone that is your first birthday. You decided to celebrate eleven months by taking your first steps - about five - yesterday, but you definitely aren't walking yet. If I hold my arms out to you from a couple feet away, you'll make your way over, usually falling into my arms on that last step. You want to be walking so badly, but I think it will be a few more weeks before you get there. And that's okay with me because I enjoy watching you speed crawl your way through our entire house. If they had crawling races for babies, my money would be on you every time.
Your days follow a mostly predictable pattern. You enjoy three bottles each day, gobble up finger foods at each meal, and on good days, will tolerate some baby food. You nap very well each morning, but often cry for awhile before your afternoon nap. You are quite happy on most days, but the last hour before bedtime is often hard. You've just plumb tuckered yourself out and start to lose the ability to keep it together. So we take walks, we read books, we cuddle, we have dance parties and somehow, day after day, we make it until 8:00.
You're quite mischievous, just today finding your father's secret stash of dark chocolate and going to town until I found you and promptly put an end to your fun. You have an almost constant gleam in your eye, telling me that you're enjoying life to the fullest. But this gleam also lets me know - in a way that I can't fully explain - that you're going to be trouble sometimes. You're going to test limits and push boundaries, but you'll do it with a happy grin the whole time.
I absolutely adore watching you grow and change into the little person you will become. Sometimes the days are long, but the months and years are short, Sophie Bear. So very soon you will turn one, changing more and more from my baby precious baby into my precocious toddler. And I can't wait to be there with you every step of the way.
I love you lots and lots,
Mommy
You are now eleven months old, and so close to reaching the huge milestone that is your first birthday. You decided to celebrate eleven months by taking your first steps - about five - yesterday, but you definitely aren't walking yet. If I hold my arms out to you from a couple feet away, you'll make your way over, usually falling into my arms on that last step. You want to be walking so badly, but I think it will be a few more weeks before you get there. And that's okay with me because I enjoy watching you speed crawl your way through our entire house. If they had crawling races for babies, my money would be on you every time.
Your days follow a mostly predictable pattern. You enjoy three bottles each day, gobble up finger foods at each meal, and on good days, will tolerate some baby food. You nap very well each morning, but often cry for awhile before your afternoon nap. You are quite happy on most days, but the last hour before bedtime is often hard. You've just plumb tuckered yourself out and start to lose the ability to keep it together. So we take walks, we read books, we cuddle, we have dance parties and somehow, day after day, we make it until 8:00.
You're quite mischievous, just today finding your father's secret stash of dark chocolate and going to town until I found you and promptly put an end to your fun. You have an almost constant gleam in your eye, telling me that you're enjoying life to the fullest. But this gleam also lets me know - in a way that I can't fully explain - that you're going to be trouble sometimes. You're going to test limits and push boundaries, but you'll do it with a happy grin the whole time.
I absolutely adore watching you grow and change into the little person you will become. Sometimes the days are long, but the months and years are short, Sophie Bear. So very soon you will turn one, changing more and more from my baby precious baby into my precocious toddler. And I can't wait to be there with you every step of the way.
I love you lots and lots,
Mommy
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Traditions
One of the things I had really looked forward to when Eric and I started a family was creating traditions. I love looking back fondly upon some of my family traditions, from Christmas pajamas opened every year on the 24th of December to my mom's homemade pecan pie every Thanksgiving to eating the same wonderful casserole on most every special occasion. And these days, here in Pittsburgh with two young girls, it's hard to find time or energy to create traditions. Most nights, it's hard not to fall over in exhaustion as soon as the kids are asleep.
But still, when I look back and remember these years, here is one thing I desperately want to remember: making muffins from scratch with my girls. It's an easy recipe, one that my husband and his college roommates made all the time. One that these boys - now men - now all make with their own families from time to time. When I make the muffins, I remember these friends and how our lives intertwine, both then and now, and it makes me smile.
It also makes me smile to watch Emily's excitement at getting to help, at insisting that she can dump in the ingredients by herself. It makes me smile how she asks approximately 28 times if she can lick the spoon yet. It makes me smile to see how she wants to share the experience with her sister, and how she's the first one to suggest that Sophie should get a taste too. It cracks me up that she spends the entire time the muffins are baking "washing" the bowl and measuring cups in the sink. It amazes me that she says, "Guess what mom? The sponge can float. That means it can stay on top of the water." It delights me to watch Sophie take it all in, to know that someday, she too will help us make these same muffins.
Yes, these days are crazy. And hard, so very hard. But these small traditions, like making muffins, are the things I want to remember about these days. And I think I will.
But still, when I look back and remember these years, here is one thing I desperately want to remember: making muffins from scratch with my girls. It's an easy recipe, one that my husband and his college roommates made all the time. One that these boys - now men - now all make with their own families from time to time. When I make the muffins, I remember these friends and how our lives intertwine, both then and now, and it makes me smile.
It also makes me smile to watch Emily's excitement at getting to help, at insisting that she can dump in the ingredients by herself. It makes me smile how she asks approximately 28 times if she can lick the spoon yet. It makes me smile to see how she wants to share the experience with her sister, and how she's the first one to suggest that Sophie should get a taste too. It cracks me up that she spends the entire time the muffins are baking "washing" the bowl and measuring cups in the sink. It amazes me that she says, "Guess what mom? The sponge can float. That means it can stay on top of the water." It delights me to watch Sophie take it all in, to know that someday, she too will help us make these same muffins.
Yes, these days are crazy. And hard, so very hard. But these small traditions, like making muffins, are the things I want to remember about these days. And I think I will.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ten Months Old!
Sophie,
Here's something I've learned about parenting - you can never trust what other people tell you about raising children. Everyone always told me that raising a second child would be completely different than the first. But so far, your similarities to your older sister are far greater than your differences. At this age, you both couldn't stand to be left alone in a room, were always, ALWAYS on the go, and had very little interest in age appropriate toys while always angling for ways to get the things I didn't want you to have. You and Emily were/are both social babies: perfect angels when we're out on the go, but often very whiny at home. But Sophie, in little ways, you are definitely your own little person. You're tender, and will almost always give me a cuddle, albeit often brief. Your smile is big, bright, and so frequently on display. And not to knock your sister, but let's just say I have a hunch that the natural athletic ability was more greatly bestowed to you.
You're such a good sleeper, my darling baby. This needing more sleep is both a blessing and a curse though because if you miss a nap you fall apart so quickly it's pathetic. When I started working three mornings a week and at first you weren't napping in the morning- well, let's just say it was a rough transition. But we've found a solution, you seem to adore your caretakers at the nursery while I work, and all is well.
You're still very much attached to your bottles, but slowly warming up to the idea that liquids can also come from a sippy cup. You let us know that you can feed yourself, thank you very much. Baby food fed from a spoon doesn't go over very well with you, but you will pick up cheerios and banana pieces until we decide you can't possibly need any more food. You are finally getting your first tooth popping through, which leaves me feeling relieved that you will indeed have at least one tooth by the time we're celebrating your first birthday.
Unfortunately, Sophie, I am finding it to be true again that this is often a frustrating age. You are very much aware of what you want but can't yet vocalize it with words. You very much want to follow but can't quite keep up by crawling. You desire to be held and explore at the same time and why can't I just figure out a way to let you do both? Still my darling girl, I cuddle up with you before bedtime, you rest your little head on my shoulder, and for a few moments, absolutely all is right with the world.
Love,
Mommy
Here's something I've learned about parenting - you can never trust what other people tell you about raising children. Everyone always told me that raising a second child would be completely different than the first. But so far, your similarities to your older sister are far greater than your differences. At this age, you both couldn't stand to be left alone in a room, were always, ALWAYS on the go, and had very little interest in age appropriate toys while always angling for ways to get the things I didn't want you to have. You and Emily were/are both social babies: perfect angels when we're out on the go, but often very whiny at home. But Sophie, in little ways, you are definitely your own little person. You're tender, and will almost always give me a cuddle, albeit often brief. Your smile is big, bright, and so frequently on display. And not to knock your sister, but let's just say I have a hunch that the natural athletic ability was more greatly bestowed to you.
You're such a good sleeper, my darling baby. This needing more sleep is both a blessing and a curse though because if you miss a nap you fall apart so quickly it's pathetic. When I started working three mornings a week and at first you weren't napping in the morning- well, let's just say it was a rough transition. But we've found a solution, you seem to adore your caretakers at the nursery while I work, and all is well.
You're still very much attached to your bottles, but slowly warming up to the idea that liquids can also come from a sippy cup. You let us know that you can feed yourself, thank you very much. Baby food fed from a spoon doesn't go over very well with you, but you will pick up cheerios and banana pieces until we decide you can't possibly need any more food. You are finally getting your first tooth popping through, which leaves me feeling relieved that you will indeed have at least one tooth by the time we're celebrating your first birthday.
Unfortunately, Sophie, I am finding it to be true again that this is often a frustrating age. You are very much aware of what you want but can't yet vocalize it with words. You very much want to follow but can't quite keep up by crawling. You desire to be held and explore at the same time and why can't I just figure out a way to let you do both? Still my darling girl, I cuddle up with you before bedtime, you rest your little head on my shoulder, and for a few moments, absolutely all is right with the world.
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Our New Normal
I'm so thankful that the Lord knows me so well. When we moved to Pittsburgh for Eric to go to school - with a spirited three year old and an infant - I didn't imagine working was in the cards for me. Not because we wouldn't need the money (we sure do!) but because there didn't seem to be any scenario that would prove to be financially beneficial while simultaneously not completely overwhelming. Put another way, I may have been able to find a full-time job that would net us enough money to justify childcare expenses for two children for 40+ hours, but there was no way that I was comfortable leaving them for that long each day. As I found with Emily, part-time work is what sits best with me as a mom. It allows me enough of a break to miss my kids, to engage in adult conversation, to challenge parts of my brain that aren't normally used in parenting, etc. But at the same time, it's not so much that I feel like I'm missing out on milestones or bonding time with my girls.
I was given the gift of a job opportunity a few weeks ago when I was asked to interview for a part-time position in our church. I now work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with a great group of people. I feel challenged to do my work well, and I get to hear words of affirmation in a way that my little ones aren't able to provide me for me. I work in the same building on the same days that Emily goes to pre-school and Sophie is in the lovings arms of childcare providers just down the hallway from me. All in all, I couldn't imagine it working out any better. Our new normal routine is taking a bit of adjustment, but I praise God that "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord!" (Psalm 139:4).
I was given the gift of a job opportunity a few weeks ago when I was asked to interview for a part-time position in our church. I now work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with a great group of people. I feel challenged to do my work well, and I get to hear words of affirmation in a way that my little ones aren't able to provide me for me. I work in the same building on the same days that Emily goes to pre-school and Sophie is in the lovings arms of childcare providers just down the hallway from me. All in all, I couldn't imagine it working out any better. Our new normal routine is taking a bit of adjustment, but I praise God that "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord!" (Psalm 139:4).
Monday, August 22, 2011
Growing Up Tech Savvy
The other day, Emily and I had the following conversation on the way home from picking up our take-out food for dinner:
Emily: I think we should get Pap Pap Barry a Blues Clues placemat. He would like that.
Me: You think? Hmmm. I don't know where we would get one of those.
Emily: At the Blues Clues store, mom!
Me: Oh course, why didn't I think of that? But Emmie, I don't know where that store is.
Emily: That's okay, mom. Just plug it in there (pointing to the Garmin).
Emily: I think we should get Pap Pap Barry a Blues Clues placemat. He would like that.
Me: You think? Hmmm. I don't know where we would get one of those.
Emily: At the Blues Clues store, mom!
Me: Oh course, why didn't I think of that? But Emmie, I don't know where that store is.
Emily: That's okay, mom. Just plug it in there (pointing to the Garmin).
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Nine Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
Today you turn nine months old, my littlest girl! You have left infancy behind, and I fear it will be all too soon before you are saying goodbye to babyhood. Don't get me wrong, I love watching you develop and change, and truth be told, I'm a much bigger fan of most stages after the first year of life. But at the same time you are such a joy right now, just as you are, that sometimes I do want to just press the pause button. It's so easy to get a smile and a giggle out of you, and I know that's not always going to be the case.
You're a crawling fool, having abandoned the army crawl in favor of the more traditional (and faster!) style. After a few strikes, you are finally starting to get the hang of the sippy cup. You are sleeping wonderfully, so much so that I almost didn't want to write that down lest I jinx myself. When it's time for a nap, you will lay your head on my shoulder as I sing a few verses of Silent Night (don't remember how that particular song was started, but it's your cue that it's time for sleeping). It's the ONLY time that you are still in my arms, and I cherish those moments in our days. You have taken a particular liking to a white bunny blanket, and now sleep with it at all times. You terrorize Oscar, pulling out fur whenever you can (but between you and me, he has plenty of extra - I know because I vacuum it up all the time). You are eating many more solids, and just yesterday took a particular liking to graham crackers. You love to play peek-a-boo and perform well when I ask you, how big is Sophie?! (Answer: SO BIG! and you'll raise your arms proudly).
In short, ladybug (or, stinkbug, if you are being naughty), you are becoming such a fun, smart, energetic and spirited girl. You make me smile every day, and though you may not believe me if you read this when you're, say, 12 and your sister is almost 15, Emily adores you. We often go around the table at dinnertime after we've said our prayer and share one thing we're thankful for. Emily will normally say ice cream, or Dora, or something equally profound. But the other night, she paused, looking thoughtful and serious and said: "I'm really thankful for my sister". And I, Sophie, am really thankful for my youngest daughter.
Love you,
Mommy
Today you turn nine months old, my littlest girl! You have left infancy behind, and I fear it will be all too soon before you are saying goodbye to babyhood. Don't get me wrong, I love watching you develop and change, and truth be told, I'm a much bigger fan of most stages after the first year of life. But at the same time you are such a joy right now, just as you are, that sometimes I do want to just press the pause button. It's so easy to get a smile and a giggle out of you, and I know that's not always going to be the case.
You're a crawling fool, having abandoned the army crawl in favor of the more traditional (and faster!) style. After a few strikes, you are finally starting to get the hang of the sippy cup. You are sleeping wonderfully, so much so that I almost didn't want to write that down lest I jinx myself. When it's time for a nap, you will lay your head on my shoulder as I sing a few verses of Silent Night (don't remember how that particular song was started, but it's your cue that it's time for sleeping). It's the ONLY time that you are still in my arms, and I cherish those moments in our days. You have taken a particular liking to a white bunny blanket, and now sleep with it at all times. You terrorize Oscar, pulling out fur whenever you can (but between you and me, he has plenty of extra - I know because I vacuum it up all the time). You are eating many more solids, and just yesterday took a particular liking to graham crackers. You love to play peek-a-boo and perform well when I ask you, how big is Sophie?! (Answer: SO BIG! and you'll raise your arms proudly).
In short, ladybug (or, stinkbug, if you are being naughty), you are becoming such a fun, smart, energetic and spirited girl. You make me smile every day, and though you may not believe me if you read this when you're, say, 12 and your sister is almost 15, Emily adores you. We often go around the table at dinnertime after we've said our prayer and share one thing we're thankful for. Emily will normally say ice cream, or Dora, or something equally profound. But the other night, she paused, looking thoughtful and serious and said: "I'm really thankful for my sister". And I, Sophie, am really thankful for my youngest daughter.
Love you,
Mommy
Monday, July 18, 2011
Eight Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
In only eight short months, you have managed to make yourself the center of this family in so many ways! And not in bad ways. I am just trying to tell you how much we all love you and can't imagine what it would be like without you. For example, the relationship you already have with your sister is amazing. She just adores you, and has pretty much from the moment you were born. She always seems to know just what you need. In fact, she often anticipates my moves and will hand you a different toy when you begin to fuss, or tell me she thinks you want to eat when I just went to the kitchen to make you some solids (sidenote: why do they call it beginning solids for babies when everything is still pureed and clearly a LIQUID? Sorry, that's always bothered me a little). In short, your older sister is pretty amazing to you. You seem to adore her right back though, and I swear on occasion you look first to her for comfort when things aren't going your way. The growing relationship you two have - and the ways that you can make each other giggle - has been my single biggest parenting joy this month.
You enjoyed your first vacation recently, as we ventured to Michigan to visit Grandma Evonne and Grandpa Don, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kara, and many of our old friends. You did pretty well, all things considered. The biggest discovery was that you love the water. And not in a "hey, this is kind of fun" way, but more of a "oh. my. goodness. why don't we live in here ALL the time!?" kind of way. Splashing in the water just didn't seem to get old for you. Perhaps you'll be a little more adventurous than Emily, who still acts as though life as we know it will come to an end if the water gets anywhere near her eyes. Oh the drama!
You're sleeping well (only waking in the middle of the night on rare occasion), and pretty much regularly taking two 1.5 hour naps. Seriously, I can pretty much set my watch by you. Not that I'm complaining because only recently 45 minute naps were the norm, but it's a little strange. You're eating well, trying pretty much everything we give you though you have recently vetoed carrots, which at first you seemed to enjoy. But Sophie, we need to talk about how loud you are when you eat. It's as though you are having an entire conversation with your food, and I can't decide if you're frustrated, happy, annoyed, or maybe all of the above. It sounds a little like a baby soap opera. Let's just say that between your noise levels and our constant negotiations with Emily about how many more bites of dinner she must eat, our meals aren't quite as relaxing as they once were.
You're always on the go, always ready for a laugh, and very eager to find new ways to entertain yourself. I am predicting that your spirit will be a bit more adventurous than I've grown accustomed to, and that gleam in your eyes assures me that we're in for a fun ride over the coming months and years. We love you BABY Sophie!
Love,
Mommy
In only eight short months, you have managed to make yourself the center of this family in so many ways! And not in bad ways. I am just trying to tell you how much we all love you and can't imagine what it would be like without you. For example, the relationship you already have with your sister is amazing. She just adores you, and has pretty much from the moment you were born. She always seems to know just what you need. In fact, she often anticipates my moves and will hand you a different toy when you begin to fuss, or tell me she thinks you want to eat when I just went to the kitchen to make you some solids (sidenote: why do they call it beginning solids for babies when everything is still pureed and clearly a LIQUID? Sorry, that's always bothered me a little). In short, your older sister is pretty amazing to you. You seem to adore her right back though, and I swear on occasion you look first to her for comfort when things aren't going your way. The growing relationship you two have - and the ways that you can make each other giggle - has been my single biggest parenting joy this month.
You enjoyed your first vacation recently, as we ventured to Michigan to visit Grandma Evonne and Grandpa Don, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kara, and many of our old friends. You did pretty well, all things considered. The biggest discovery was that you love the water. And not in a "hey, this is kind of fun" way, but more of a "oh. my. goodness. why don't we live in here ALL the time!?" kind of way. Splashing in the water just didn't seem to get old for you. Perhaps you'll be a little more adventurous than Emily, who still acts as though life as we know it will come to an end if the water gets anywhere near her eyes. Oh the drama!
You're sleeping well (only waking in the middle of the night on rare occasion), and pretty much regularly taking two 1.5 hour naps. Seriously, I can pretty much set my watch by you. Not that I'm complaining because only recently 45 minute naps were the norm, but it's a little strange. You're eating well, trying pretty much everything we give you though you have recently vetoed carrots, which at first you seemed to enjoy. But Sophie, we need to talk about how loud you are when you eat. It's as though you are having an entire conversation with your food, and I can't decide if you're frustrated, happy, annoyed, or maybe all of the above. It sounds a little like a baby soap opera. Let's just say that between your noise levels and our constant negotiations with Emily about how many more bites of dinner she must eat, our meals aren't quite as relaxing as they once were.
You're always on the go, always ready for a laugh, and very eager to find new ways to entertain yourself. I am predicting that your spirit will be a bit more adventurous than I've grown accustomed to, and that gleam in your eyes assures me that we're in for a fun ride over the coming months and years. We love you BABY Sophie!
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sleepover at Grandma Ruth's House
Setting: Emily is getting ready to go to bed at Grandma's house.
Grandma: OK, Emily, it's time for bed. Now you get to sleep on this fancy new sofa-bed, so I want to make sure you don't have an accident. I need you to wear this pull-up please.
Emily: Grandma, I'm 3. I wore those when I was 2.
[PAUSE]
But....I'll wear it for you.
Grandma: OK, Emily, it's time for bed. Now you get to sleep on this fancy new sofa-bed, so I want to make sure you don't have an accident. I need you to wear this pull-up please.
Emily: Grandma, I'm 3. I wore those when I was 2.
[PAUSE]
But....I'll wear it for you.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Seven Months Old!
Sophie,
You are seven months old now, and whenever I see you in recently taken pictures, you look so big to me. Maybe that's because your head really is giant (95th percentile last we checked), or maybe it's because I simply can't understand how you changed so fast from the tiny, skinny newborn that we brought home from the hospital. But whatever the case may be, you are learning and growing and changing everyday, and occasionally I struggle to keep up.
You can crawl now, not the classic style only hands and knees crawling, but the just as effective army crawl style. It gets you (much too quickly, in my opinion) from one side of a room to the other. We've started to hear cries from Emily along the lines of "Mom, Sophie's eating/slobbering on/tearing apart my (fill in the blank)!"
You're eating so many different kinds of solids now, and love them all. At least, I think you do because you don't spit anything out. You are, however, a very vocal eater! You had your first taste of puffs (aka cheerios that dissolve slightly easier), and did very well getting them into your mouth all by yourself. You love to sit and take out every toy from a box or bin. You look at each object, put in your mouth, turn it around in your hands, studying it the way that only someone who is discovering new things can do.
You're sleeping pretty great, most days still taking two naps, unless they are exceptionally long and then it's just two. You sleep 11 to 12 hours at night, waking up by talking to yourself or shrieking happily. You're always a little disgruntled when you're left alone in a room for any length of time, but other than that, you're really pretty darn happy. I love you little ladybug!
Love,
Mommy
You are seven months old now, and whenever I see you in recently taken pictures, you look so big to me. Maybe that's because your head really is giant (95th percentile last we checked), or maybe it's because I simply can't understand how you changed so fast from the tiny, skinny newborn that we brought home from the hospital. But whatever the case may be, you are learning and growing and changing everyday, and occasionally I struggle to keep up.
You can crawl now, not the classic style only hands and knees crawling, but the just as effective army crawl style. It gets you (much too quickly, in my opinion) from one side of a room to the other. We've started to hear cries from Emily along the lines of "Mom, Sophie's eating/slobbering on/tearing apart my (fill in the blank)!"
You're eating so many different kinds of solids now, and love them all. At least, I think you do because you don't spit anything out. You are, however, a very vocal eater! You had your first taste of puffs (aka cheerios that dissolve slightly easier), and did very well getting them into your mouth all by yourself. You love to sit and take out every toy from a box or bin. You look at each object, put in your mouth, turn it around in your hands, studying it the way that only someone who is discovering new things can do.
You're sleeping pretty great, most days still taking two naps, unless they are exceptionally long and then it's just two. You sleep 11 to 12 hours at night, waking up by talking to yourself or shrieking happily. You're always a little disgruntled when you're left alone in a room for any length of time, but other than that, you're really pretty darn happy. I love you little ladybug!
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
P is for Perfectionist
Emily has been going through a little bit of preschool withdrawal since school let out a few weeks ago. Thus, we've been working our way through a bunch of preschool level activity books, and she loves it. One day when she was finished with one page in the book I suggested that we practice writing her name. She's been good with the letters, E, I, and L for awhile now, but still asks for help with the M and the Y.
Almost immediately after we started, she burst into tears, truly upset because her "M" didn't look like a perfect "M". Glancing down, I could have guessed which letter it was, but agreed it wasn't quite right. I assured her that was okay, that she'd get better the more we practiced, that lots of people struggle with learning new things, etc. The angst in her eyes did not improve. Instead, she told me that she HAD to be able to write her name. After some more prodding, she said that this was because when the teacher asked everyone to write their names on their papers, she wanted to do it. Now, I'm not quite sure which teachers asked her this (all her preschool classmates had adult handwriting on their projects) but I told her I'd help. After several more attempts, experimenting with which lines to draw first, uppercase or lowercase, etc. something clicked and she got it.
Instead of being excited, she just looked relieved. I feel badly for my perfectionist daughter, not sure where this internal pressure is coming from (I have deliberately not pushed letter writing yet), and a little nervous about this tendency as she grows older and struggles with more things. At the same time, I'm proud - she worked really hard at this until she got it and didn't give up. Once we mastered the "M" we worked on the "Y" and she can write her name flawlessly now. Way to go, Em! Just don't be so hard on yourself, okay? You're a pretty terrific, very perceptive little three year old.
Almost immediately after we started, she burst into tears, truly upset because her "M" didn't look like a perfect "M". Glancing down, I could have guessed which letter it was, but agreed it wasn't quite right. I assured her that was okay, that she'd get better the more we practiced, that lots of people struggle with learning new things, etc. The angst in her eyes did not improve. Instead, she told me that she HAD to be able to write her name. After some more prodding, she said that this was because when the teacher asked everyone to write their names on their papers, she wanted to do it. Now, I'm not quite sure which teachers asked her this (all her preschool classmates had adult handwriting on their projects) but I told her I'd help. After several more attempts, experimenting with which lines to draw first, uppercase or lowercase, etc. something clicked and she got it.
Instead of being excited, she just looked relieved. I feel badly for my perfectionist daughter, not sure where this internal pressure is coming from (I have deliberately not pushed letter writing yet), and a little nervous about this tendency as she grows older and struggles with more things. At the same time, I'm proud - she worked really hard at this until she got it and didn't give up. Once we mastered the "M" we worked on the "Y" and she can write her name flawlessly now. Way to go, Em! Just don't be so hard on yourself, okay? You're a pretty terrific, very perceptive little three year old.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Oh, The Places We Go!
We enjoyed a gorgeous day in the city of Pittsburgh today. The kind of day that you can't see a single cloud in the sky. The kind of day where you could wear just about anything and be comfortable. The kind of day where you can't bear to go inside if you don't have to. And the kind of day that makes me wonder why we don't live somewhere that has these kind of days more frequently. The girls and I took full advantage. Here's a snapshot:
10:45 a.m. - Jogged - for the first time in our double jogging stroller - to the supermarket to get some fruit and bread.
12:30 p.m. - Spent a considerable amount of time swinging outside. Emily learned some new tricks at preschool this spring, her favorite being the one where you wind the swing up and then get dizzy as it unwinds. It makes me dizzy just watching her, so I don't.
3:06 p.m. - Rode our bike around an entire block for the first time, and got some scooter action in too. Sophie chilled in the baby bjorn, but then demanded her shot at the action.
3:44 p.m. - The cutest baby in a toy car that you'll ever see!
Who knows what the evening will hold? I see a trip to the DQ for some I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M (we now spell that so Emily can't weigh in if we're talking about going).
10:45 a.m. - Jogged - for the first time in our double jogging stroller - to the supermarket to get some fruit and bread.
12:30 p.m. - Spent a considerable amount of time swinging outside. Emily learned some new tricks at preschool this spring, her favorite being the one where you wind the swing up and then get dizzy as it unwinds. It makes me dizzy just watching her, so I don't.
3:06 p.m. - Rode our bike around an entire block for the first time, and got some scooter action in too. Sophie chilled in the baby bjorn, but then demanded her shot at the action.
3:44 p.m. - The cutest baby in a toy car that you'll ever see!
Who knows what the evening will hold? I see a trip to the DQ for some I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M (we now spell that so Emily can't weigh in if we're talking about going).
Saturday, May 21, 2011
On Waking Up
The other day it was time to wake Sophie up from one of her naps, so Sarah found Emily and the following conversation ensued.
Sarah: Hey Emily, it's time to wake up your sister. Do you want to help?
Emily: Yeah! I'll do the waking, you do the smiling.
Sure enough, Emily ran up to the crib, woke up baby Sophie, and then looked over expectantly at Sarah, waiting for the agreed-upon smiles.
Sarah: Hey Emily, it's time to wake up your sister. Do you want to help?
Emily: Yeah! I'll do the waking, you do the smiling.
Sure enough, Emily ran up to the crib, woke up baby Sophie, and then looked over expectantly at Sarah, waiting for the agreed-upon smiles.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Six Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
You have been a part of this family for half a year now! (And on a related note, yes, I realize that is a sufficient amount of time to change our blog header to include you. This is one of the many things you can hang over my head as proof that I'm a terrible parent when you are a teenager.) What a difference a month makes. It is amazing how pleasant you can be when you aren't busy trying to fight off all of those viruses. You're sleeping better, eating better, and for the most are a lot happier. For that I'm so thankful! I praise God that you were born with a good, strong, healthy set of lungs that fought so hard for so long.
We went on our first road trip this month to Baltimore to visit Susan and Peter and your future best friend, baby Lydia. The two of you hit it off pretty well, though I did have to remind you on more than one occasion that it wasn't okay to grab her face with the same enthusiasm that you grab mine. Still, I think you enjoyed it. And you did very well during the car ride, so that made for an easier trip for everyone.
You're sleeping through the night again for the most part. For the past few nights though, you've decided you need an extra snack at some point in the middle of the night. Growth spurt perhaps? You're eating lots of solids now - from pears to peas to sweet potatoes. Currently we have not found a food that you don't like. I'm trying not to get my hopes up that you'll be a less picky eater than your sister. Though, in fairness to her, she is getting much, much better at trying new foods. Except for hamburgers. Clearly those are still too much to handle.
You still laugh and smile with ease at just about anything. Your smile is one of the best smiles I've ever seen. You get this glint in your eyes that makes your whole face light up. It's really one of your best features and someday you are gonna break some boys heart with that smile, I'm quite sure. You are so active when you're awake, always kicking or trying to grab the nearest thing in sight. It's fun to watch how curious you are, and how big your eyes get when something surprises you. You still adore being in the baby bjorn and going for walks, having your sister sing to you and dance around you, and listening to all kinds of music. You're an absolute joy and I'm so thankful you're my little ladybug.
Love,
Mommy
You have been a part of this family for half a year now! (And on a related note, yes, I realize that is a sufficient amount of time to change our blog header to include you. This is one of the many things you can hang over my head as proof that I'm a terrible parent when you are a teenager.) What a difference a month makes. It is amazing how pleasant you can be when you aren't busy trying to fight off all of those viruses. You're sleeping better, eating better, and for the most are a lot happier. For that I'm so thankful! I praise God that you were born with a good, strong, healthy set of lungs that fought so hard for so long.
We went on our first road trip this month to Baltimore to visit Susan and Peter and your future best friend, baby Lydia. The two of you hit it off pretty well, though I did have to remind you on more than one occasion that it wasn't okay to grab her face with the same enthusiasm that you grab mine. Still, I think you enjoyed it. And you did very well during the car ride, so that made for an easier trip for everyone.
You're sleeping through the night again for the most part. For the past few nights though, you've decided you need an extra snack at some point in the middle of the night. Growth spurt perhaps? You're eating lots of solids now - from pears to peas to sweet potatoes. Currently we have not found a food that you don't like. I'm trying not to get my hopes up that you'll be a less picky eater than your sister. Though, in fairness to her, she is getting much, much better at trying new foods. Except for hamburgers. Clearly those are still too much to handle.
You still laugh and smile with ease at just about anything. Your smile is one of the best smiles I've ever seen. You get this glint in your eyes that makes your whole face light up. It's really one of your best features and someday you are gonna break some boys heart with that smile, I'm quite sure. You are so active when you're awake, always kicking or trying to grab the nearest thing in sight. It's fun to watch how curious you are, and how big your eyes get when something surprises you. You still adore being in the baby bjorn and going for walks, having your sister sing to you and dance around you, and listening to all kinds of music. You're an absolute joy and I'm so thankful you're my little ladybug.
Love,
Mommy
Monday, April 18, 2011
Five Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
Where to start this month? It's been a rough few weeks kiddo. You've been sick for the better part of the past four weeks with RSV and bronchiolitis, and it hasn't been pretty. There were a few days where you seemed to be better (and I think actually were better, before you re-infected yourself somehow), and I was so happy to have you and your fabulous personality back! And then we regressed, and it's back to wheezing when you breathe, coughing round the clock, using the snot sucker several times a day, and putting that mask over your face for the nebulizer breathing treatment on the off chance that it actually provides some relief for you. You don't know this, Sophie, but when your dad and I were in college, he and his friends used to play this computer game called "worms" a LOT. Each player got a team of little worms, and an arsenal of weapons. The point of the game was to kill the other team's worms and one of the weapons you could use made the other team's worms sick. I remember hating it because for several minutes all you could hear were these cute little sneezes and coughs, and I felt so bad. For the animated bugs. So you can imagine that hearing you cry so often and seeing you unhappy has just about killed me this month. Plus we haven't been sleeping that great. It's been a little emotional around here lately.
But, despite this, you are still an amazing, lovely little girl. You'll still shower most people with smiles, and are still often content. I think you're generally feeling worse than you let on. You really like the exersaucer these days, and are bearing more and more weight on those little legs while you're in it. You grip toys much better, and for longer periods. Everything you can get your little fingers on - from toys to clothes to our hands - goes straight into your mouth. I'm pretty sure this doesn't help us control the germs that we're trying to keep away from you, but there's just no reasoning with you.
We're really trying to successfully get you on a schedule of three naps per day, and for the week that you were healthy, you were pretty amenable to this. You're eating rice cereal with more regularity, and have also tried pears and sweet potatoes. You are becoming more and more squirmy, which I can't tell is just because you're uncomfortable lately, or just not really interested in being still but rather want to see how quickly you can wave those arms and legs.
My absolute favorite part about you lately is that when I pick you up after a nap, or after you've been crying, you burrow your little head into my shoulder. You don't stay there for long, but it's as though that's your way of saying "oh good, I'm so glad you came back. I love you." Perhaps I'm reading a little too much into that, but I don't think so.
I love you too, Sophie.
Mommy
Where to start this month? It's been a rough few weeks kiddo. You've been sick for the better part of the past four weeks with RSV and bronchiolitis, and it hasn't been pretty. There were a few days where you seemed to be better (and I think actually were better, before you re-infected yourself somehow), and I was so happy to have you and your fabulous personality back! And then we regressed, and it's back to wheezing when you breathe, coughing round the clock, using the snot sucker several times a day, and putting that mask over your face for the nebulizer breathing treatment on the off chance that it actually provides some relief for you. You don't know this, Sophie, but when your dad and I were in college, he and his friends used to play this computer game called "worms" a LOT. Each player got a team of little worms, and an arsenal of weapons. The point of the game was to kill the other team's worms and one of the weapons you could use made the other team's worms sick. I remember hating it because for several minutes all you could hear were these cute little sneezes and coughs, and I felt so bad. For the animated bugs. So you can imagine that hearing you cry so often and seeing you unhappy has just about killed me this month. Plus we haven't been sleeping that great. It's been a little emotional around here lately.
But, despite this, you are still an amazing, lovely little girl. You'll still shower most people with smiles, and are still often content. I think you're generally feeling worse than you let on. You really like the exersaucer these days, and are bearing more and more weight on those little legs while you're in it. You grip toys much better, and for longer periods. Everything you can get your little fingers on - from toys to clothes to our hands - goes straight into your mouth. I'm pretty sure this doesn't help us control the germs that we're trying to keep away from you, but there's just no reasoning with you.
We're really trying to successfully get you on a schedule of three naps per day, and for the week that you were healthy, you were pretty amenable to this. You're eating rice cereal with more regularity, and have also tried pears and sweet potatoes. You are becoming more and more squirmy, which I can't tell is just because you're uncomfortable lately, or just not really interested in being still but rather want to see how quickly you can wave those arms and legs.
My absolute favorite part about you lately is that when I pick you up after a nap, or after you've been crying, you burrow your little head into my shoulder. You don't stay there for long, but it's as though that's your way of saying "oh good, I'm so glad you came back. I love you." Perhaps I'm reading a little too much into that, but I don't think so.
I love you too, Sophie.
Mommy
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
March Projects
Here's what Emily has been up to this month with crafts and projects! (Sorry if these are boring, but it's the only way I can recycle things without feeling guilty).
Friday, April 1, 2011
Photographic Evidence
Sarah was looking through some of Emily's baby pictures recently, and discovered photographic evidence that Emily and Sophie are sisters. Can you guess which is which in the picture below?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
So long, tummy time!
I've mentioned before that Sophie isn't a big fan of being on her stomach for any amount of time. Still, I've persisted in giving her small quantities of tummy time whenever she'll tolerate it, even this past week when we've been fighting the evil, nasty virus. But it looks like that is a thing of the past because Sophie has learned how to consistently turn from her stomach to her back. Generally this maneuver is called rolling over, but to me, it looks more like Sophie has figured out how to throw her giant head around in order to achieve the desired effect. And she does it pretty much the second you place her on her stomach. I had to reposition her three times just to be quick enough to capture this milestone on camera. So long, tummy time!
Untitled from Eric Plantinga on Vimeo.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Baptism
ME: Hey Emily, do you know what's going to happen next time we go to church?
EMILY: What?
ME: Baby Sophie is going to be baptized! Do you know what that means?
EMILY: No
ME: That means baby Sophie is going to be welcomed into God's family.
EMILY: [slightly sad] Oh. But I just want to be in God's family too.
ME: Well, you know what Emmy? You're already in God's family, because you were baptized too!
EMILY: [giggling] That's excited!
EMILY: What?
ME: Baby Sophie is going to be baptized! Do you know what that means?
EMILY: No
ME: That means baby Sophie is going to be welcomed into God's family.
EMILY: [slightly sad] Oh. But I just want to be in God's family too.
ME: Well, you know what Emmy? You're already in God's family, because you were baptized too!
EMILY: [giggling] That's excited!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The One Where Emily Wants to Sing!
Sophie's been a little sick recently, and I must have not been lavishing Emily with enough attention because yesterday she said "Mom, I can sing! I can sing Keeping My Eyes on Jesus! Want to make a video?!" It added a little entertainment to my day!
Emily Sings Keeping My Eyes on Jesus from Eric Plantinga on Vimeo.
Sophie's First Haircut
I just walked back into the room where Emily and Sophie are hanging out, and the following conversation ensued:
Emily: Oh, hi Daddy!
Me: Hi, Emmy
Baby Sophie: coo
Emily: (excitedly) I just gave Baby Sophie a little haircut, Daddy!
Me: Oh! That's interesting, Emily, why did you do that?
Emily: Because she didn't already have a haircut yet today.
Me: Oh, I see. Well, Emily....[insert lesson on appropriate use of scissors]
Fortunately, she only cut one or two hairs that were "sticking out".
Emily: Oh, hi Daddy!
Me: Hi, Emmy
Baby Sophie: coo
Emily: (excitedly) I just gave Baby Sophie a little haircut, Daddy!
Me: Oh! That's interesting, Emily, why did you do that?
Emily: Because she didn't already have a haircut yet today.
Me: Oh, I see. Well, Emily....[insert lesson on appropriate use of scissors]
Fortunately, she only cut one or two hairs that were "sticking out".
Friday, March 18, 2011
Vocation
Emily and I were just discussing one's calling in life, and she seemed to be getting the idea of how jobs work, so I thought I'd go a little further.
Me: Emily, what does Daddy do? Am I a doctor just like the one baby Sophie visited today?
Emily: No, you're a nesthetist!
Me: Very good Emmy, Daddy takes care of people at the hospital. Emily, what do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor? A nesthetist? A teacher? A bus driver? A fireman?
Emily: Hmmm.......a kitty!
Everyone's gotta have a dream...
Me: Emily, what does Daddy do? Am I a doctor just like the one baby Sophie visited today?
Emily: No, you're a nesthetist!
Me: Very good Emmy, Daddy takes care of people at the hospital. Emily, what do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor? A nesthetist? A teacher? A bus driver? A fireman?
Emily: Hmmm.......a kitty!
Everyone's gotta have a dream...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Four Months Old!
Sophie,
Four months old already?! Boy oh boy, time just keeps moving right along. You're still a happy girl, and are still content to do just about anything. Your favorite things to do right now are try and stuff every possible object into your mouth, roll onto our side as often as possible, and giggle hysterically when we bounce you up and down or fly you around the room. Your sister continues to adore you, and I just can't wait until you can actually move around or talk. If she loves you now, she's going to go completely nuts over you in a few more months.
Your sleeping is going pretty well. But you have this thing with 45 minute naps. You almost always wake up 45 minutes into your sleep, whether it be a nap or at night, and cry. At first I'd rescue you pretty regularly, but then that got old so we moved into a little bit of cry-it-out bootcamp this week. You're getting better at putting yourself back to sleep now, which is great. And if you're really struggling, I move you to your swing to finish out your naps. Keep up the good work. I anticipate that you'll drop down to three naps soon, and will probably start eating some rice cereal and other foods in the next couple of weeks. You are still consistently sleeping through the night with no problems, and you and your sister generally wake up around the same time each morning, both bright eyed and ready to start the day.
When we take you to church, we get swarmed by old ladies telling me you are the cutest baby they have every seen. Truly, they do. And you probably are. Cute and content as can be most of the time. As I said, you enjoy being on your side, but have yet to roll all the way over by yourself regularly. You've done it once or twice, but I think it was an accident. My theory on why you're a little slow to master this particular skill is that you don't care enough. If I put you on your back, you're happy. If I put you on your tummy, you're now happy too. There's no reason you need to change anything, so why bother trying to roll?!
Anyway, we love you like crazy Sophie. Thanks for being a part of our family.
Love,
Mommy
Four months old already?! Boy oh boy, time just keeps moving right along. You're still a happy girl, and are still content to do just about anything. Your favorite things to do right now are try and stuff every possible object into your mouth, roll onto our side as often as possible, and giggle hysterically when we bounce you up and down or fly you around the room. Your sister continues to adore you, and I just can't wait until you can actually move around or talk. If she loves you now, she's going to go completely nuts over you in a few more months.
Your sleeping is going pretty well. But you have this thing with 45 minute naps. You almost always wake up 45 minutes into your sleep, whether it be a nap or at night, and cry. At first I'd rescue you pretty regularly, but then that got old so we moved into a little bit of cry-it-out bootcamp this week. You're getting better at putting yourself back to sleep now, which is great. And if you're really struggling, I move you to your swing to finish out your naps. Keep up the good work. I anticipate that you'll drop down to three naps soon, and will probably start eating some rice cereal and other foods in the next couple of weeks. You are still consistently sleeping through the night with no problems, and you and your sister generally wake up around the same time each morning, both bright eyed and ready to start the day.
When we take you to church, we get swarmed by old ladies telling me you are the cutest baby they have every seen. Truly, they do. And you probably are. Cute and content as can be most of the time. As I said, you enjoy being on your side, but have yet to roll all the way over by yourself regularly. You've done it once or twice, but I think it was an accident. My theory on why you're a little slow to master this particular skill is that you don't care enough. If I put you on your back, you're happy. If I put you on your tummy, you're now happy too. There's no reason you need to change anything, so why bother trying to roll?!
Anyway, we love you like crazy Sophie. Thanks for being a part of our family.
Love,
Mommy
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