Toys

We were playing with the Eric Carle flash cards today. Sofia likes all of the colors.

Zzzzzzzzzzz......

This is the second time we've gone to playgroup and Sofia has fallen asleep while everyone else is playing.

Lap Dog

Molly is the most jealous dog on the planet. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but sometimes we are aghast at her behavior. She follows Dan around the house, not letting more than two feet between her nose and his foot. She sits on the sofa practically on top of him, she sits under his chair, she rides in the front seat of his car (okay, I never said Dan didn't perpetuate the problem), she even lays next to the shower door...just waiting for him. Waiting for what I'm not sure, but her co-dependance is unbelievable.

At Dan's office one day last week Sofia was getting all of the attention. Molly decided she just couldn't handle the situation, so she sat on Sofia, (in hopes I suppose that Dan would begin to pay less attention to Sofia and more to her). Thankfully, Sofia found this quite amusing and played drums on Molly's back. It was a win/win, Molly got a back-rub, Sofia had a fuzzy puppy in her lap, and Dan paid attention to both of them.

My Little Angel

Sofia was so sweet today. I love being a mom.

Laughing Out Loud

Could I possibly be this funny?!

No Excuses

After 3 months of deliberation, I finally decided on the Baby Jogger jogging stroller. It has a great hand brake, so I can run down Temescal. ("Can" being the operative word.) We tested it out on Sunday, I am SOOooooo out of shape!

Oh Brother!

I wasn't sure when it would happen exactly, but I knew that one day Sofia would fall for Max. As she became more alert and responsive I waited for the sign. A few months ago I was bouncing Sofia on the yoga ball and Max was sitting with his back to us about two feet away. After a few minutes a very loud “Eehhhh” emanated from Sofia’s tiny mouth. Max did not look. Another loud, “Eehhhh”. No look from Max. Finally after the third and loudest, “Eehhhh” (and a little prodding from me) Max turned around. Sofia laughed, she was clearly proud that she finally caught Max’s attention. Sofia loves her brother. Every time he walks into the room she smiles one of those ear to ear, “you’ve made me the happiest person on the planet” smiles. It’s priceless. Max and Sofia are still a few years away from hide and seek, name that cloud animal, or tag, but I just know they will be friends.

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see the two of them connecting. This reminds me of my brother and those early childhood memories that I will cherish until I’m old and grey. I miss you John.

Sofia's First Cheerio

I have been nervous about giving Sofia bites of, well, anything. I guess the whole gagging thing scares me. A few days back, surrounded by other moms, I decided to give Sofia her first Cheerio. At the time we were discussing strawberries and whether it is okay to give children under 1 year of age berries of any kind. Enjoy!

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

Poor Corbu, her days are numbered. She will likely go back to being the recluse she was when we first found her.

Newly Added Post

Round and round she goes...

When Sofia is finished playing at the stations on her exersaucer, she runs. Her pause for approval is what I love most.

First Watermelon

When Sofia really likes something she grabs it with both hands and she gets this really serious look on her face. How fascinating it must be to discover so many new sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes each day.

Pool Party

We joined a few of our playgroup mommy friends at Rachel's pool. Sofia napped instead of swimming, she doesn't look very tired here though does she?!

Upside Down

It is almost a given that when I turn Sofia upside down I can get a smile...and sometimes even a laugh!

MMM

"Bad dogs eat Mentos when their owners go away." This is what I told Molly as I took her picture. She HATES to have her picture taken, the punishment seemed to suit the crime. Molly could care less if I come or go, but when Dan leaves she acts like someone ate all her dog food. She acts out by either peeing inside the house or by snooping around Dan's night stand for yummy treats. She must really like Mentos because this was her second time stealing them. I warned her about the three strikes law!

First Shopping Cart Ride

This may not seem like a big deal BUT for seven and a half months I have grocery shopped using the storage basket in Sofia's infant stroller instead of a shopping cart. It always seemed easier to me to use her stroller instead of putting her car seat in the shopping cart. This stroller has a big basket so I am able to get most of our weekly groceries; the only exceptions have been larger items like paper towels, cases of soda or cat litter. Today, Sofia used her new shopping cart/high chair cover and I filled my grocery cart so full the girl bagging my groceries said, "Are you kidding?". No ma'am.

All Gone

I found these flash cards in with Max's books and thought it would be fun to put them on Sofia's shelf. Right now they are just decoration, but someday she'll actually be interested in them. Clearly not today!

Standing

Sofia has started standing unassisted. I typically sit behind her - just in case she decides to let go.

Baby Steps

Sofia has been blossoming, I feel like so much has happened in such a short period of time. Over the past two weeks her bottom two teeth came in and one week ago she proved that she is able to sit up by herself; no more wobbling or instantly tipping over. She has also been standing, with assistance, for weeks now. In the Pisa airport Sofia shrieked with excitement when she saw a baby boy her age. (A sure sign that she really missed her mom's group friends back home!) The second I put her tiny feet on the floor so she could stand Sofia placed one foot in front of the other and tried as hard as she could to get to that little boy. Our dearest kitty cat Corbu garnered the same reaction Tuesday. I asked Max if he would capture it on video for us.

We're Home!

This year’s Italy trip was a wonderful reminder of how great it is to go away, but how much more fantastic it can be to arrive home. We spent two and a half weeks in France and Italy. Amazing wine and wonderful friends…it just doesn’t get any better. We had 11 people this year and Sofia loved every single one of them. The attention she received each day was mind blowing. I wish I could explain to her why all 11 people were not coming home with us, but I suspect this will sink in some day.

Our itinerary went something like this: 2 nights in Paris, 4 nights in Nice, 6 days in Tuscany, 1 night in Rome and Venice, and then one night in Paris at the end of the trip. Our time spent in Nice this year was one of the best I can recall. We spent hours at the beach, loafing in the sun, carefully shading Sofia under blue umbrellas the entire day. I collected sea-glass while Dan and Max looked after Sofia, we took mini-naps, and we enjoyed a crisp Sancerre. After two days at the beach we were relaxed.





Our dinner in Rome was also memorable, but the walk back to our hotel, by the impromptu night concert and past the coliseum, will remain unforgettable.

The villa this year was the nicest one yet, with traditional interiors, beautiful grounds and a to-die-for pool. This is the first villa we’ve stayed in that actually had screens on the windows to keep the insects away and sprinklers for the lawn - both luxury items inTuscany. Our mini trips to Florence and Venice were fun and Sofia did very well on every mode of transport. I have tons of video so that someday many years from now Sofia will be able to enjoy her first Italy trip.

At the end of this trip I felt as if I had seen everything I wanted to see, ate as much food as my stomach would hold, and spent as much time as possible with the people I love most. This is why when that last day of vacation was upon us, I was pleased to be returning to the comfort of our home.