Today

Our conversation this morning while driving to Sofia’s My Gym class:
“Mommy”?
“Yes Sofia”
“To-choo”
“Wow! Did you see a choo-choo train”?
“No” (long pause)
“To-choo”
“I don’t see a choo-choo train either Sofia”.
“TO_CHOO”
“OH, you would like a tissue!”

Park

Each time we get in the car and pull out of our driveway Sofia says, "Park?"
Here are a few pictures of what she likes to do at our local haunt.

Dinner party...

I couldn't pass up sharing this...

Is it my imagination or is one baby starting to look like the lack of oxygen is beginning to get to him?

Mmm, Ice Cream

How I managed to forget to post this back in June I will never know, but Sofia devouring her first FULL Italian gelato cone is well worth documenting. We were having lunch in town and after most of us had finished Dan took Sofia to the gelateria next door. They came back and Sofia's wide, sparkling eyes told the whole story. She had no interest in sharing the cone and basically had her lips pressed to it until the gelato disappeared. The concept of licking the cone didn't seem to interest her, hence why the ice cream is smeared all over her face.

Diaz Lake

Convict Lake

Yosemite

We finally made it. After years of talking about our beloved national parks, we not only visited Sequoia in May, but yesterday we made it to Yosemite. We camped at Diaz lake one night, then a few nights at Convict Lake, and then drove through Yosemite to scout our next adventure.

Camping

Busy Mommy

I have a zillion things to do. Who doesn’t?
But, somewhere in my cerebral hemisphere the itsybitsy blog is droning away about how I haven’t paid enough attention to it lately, and how rapidly the center of my universe is changing, and because I’m busy I’m not documenting the priceless moments and happily-ever-after days, which are currently vanishing into the ether.

We have dinner guests coming over tomorrow and I’m in that crazed late night state, trying to do too much in too little time. This table needs to be cleaned. That pile of books needs to go downstairs. Change the hand towels in the guest bath. Fold the laundry. Water the plants. Despite vacuuming and mopping the floors today, they will need to be done again tomorrow. Ugh. I’m tired just thinking about my list.

My car….my car is still not fixed. My accident was May 12th. The other driver has accepted FULL liability. The other insurance company has reimbursed me for a portion of the out of pocket expenses. But, at the end of the day, my car just isn’t done. Which means another week of hassle.

I am also having a garage sale this Saturday. How is it that we keep having garage sales? I thought we had rid ourselves of all excess clutter after the LAST sale (which at the end of any given day would have left even a packrat exhausted from the mountainous scads of junk). Alas, here I am again with a garage full of “another man’s treasures”.

Enough venting! Life is very good. I feel fortunate for each day.

Sofia, Sofia, Sofia. With so much to do it’s amazing that I have zero guilt at dropping my entire list to spend time with you. You are almost 21 months, just 3 short months until you hit the big 2…and then I think we stop counting.

Your words entertain me and surprise me daily. Hea-vy. Ho-m. Bebe water? “Blu”. “One, two, tree”. “See you momo” (elmo- which you can say very well but choose not to). “Hi daddy”. “Hi mommy”. “Hi Maaaa” (Max). “Hi Mol-Mol” (Molly). “Oops”. “Ut Oh”. “Potty”. “Pee-pee” (after you have gone). “Boba” (because I drink way too much of it). And I’m sure there are 20 more, I just need to start writing them down!

Your expressions are priceless and I love watching you work through problems. You’ve mastered opening the cupboard, pulling out a cup, and pouring yourself a cup of water. You buckle yourself into your highchair. You can untie your shoes and loosen the laces to pull your shoes off. You can take off your own top (and do so every day no matter where we are). If you spill your water you point it out to me and then promptly clean it up. You can work my iphone better than most adults (and you can also call long distance and babble on about daddy to whoever answers). You like all kinds of foods, but love our minestrone soup, carrots, zucchini, brussels sprouts, pees, chicken apple sausage, and eggs with cheese.

Somehow remembering all of the things I love about you and all of the accomplishments you’ve managed this month makes my above list of things to do seem quite trivial. I think I will go to bed!

Puppy

I am sure I will tell this story 1000 times. I told our housekeeper I would help her find a home for one of her five puppies and that she should bring me a picture.

Instead of a picture she brought the puppy.

If I had been home alone I would have kindly re-explained the concept, however, as soon as Dan saw her he very enthusiastically said, "we'll take her"! I think we went back and forth a little and, well, now said puppy is whimpering away in Max's room and potty training 101 begins tomorrow. The boys might not be able to hang in through this experience so if you know of anyone looking for a puppy - keep this one in mind - just in case.

Do I smell poo?

Italy 2009

We're back!
I have no fewer than a million photos to sort through and each one seems to be more special than the last. I have a few photos to share right now and the rest will come slowly over the next few days. I will sort them into three categories: Paris, Tuscany, and Rome. So keep checking back and scroll through those three posts.

We had a wonderful vacation. We started with 3 days in Paris, then a week in Tuscany and ended with 3 days in Rome. This year's trip was SO much more relaxing than 2008. Part of this was having a few extra hands, but mostly, Sofia's independence helped a great deal. She slept at night and took one-hour naps during the day. She also gave me a break from time to time and would walk as opposed to me carrying her everywhere. I found if I explained to her that I was tired she was much more amenable to walking. Sofia was in LOVE with Max’s friend Chase, so if all else failed, “Chease” would come to the rescue and occupy her for a bit of time. In fact, Sofia was so fond of Chase that by mid-trip she started calling Max by the name Chase (…if only to annoy him). We decided that Chase was really playing with Sofia, whereas Max would play a little and then stop, so this was Sofia’s way of making a point. When we dropped Chase off at his home last night Sofia cried and today she said his name no fewer than four times.

Sofia did well on the flights; I don’t think she cried once on the way over. The last two hours on the way home were difficult because everyone was fast asleep, except for Sofia (I know this from my many trips up and down the aisle). Little wide-eyed Sofia managed to eek out only two small fits of restlessness, which given the non-stop attention I was providing, seemed like a success.

I have had a few people ask me what we do on the long flights to keep Sofia busy. The flight out has always seemed easier to me than the flight back because the toys and books on the flight home are old news. SO, my new big tip is to actually take a few toys or books, which you won’t give your child (under any painstaking circumstance) until the flight home. I always pack a few things for the flight home, and I always break down and give them to Sofia before the trip has finished. Don’t do this! The single best occupier of Sofia’s time on this trip was a close tie between my iphone and its plethora of toddler apps, and a book of 1000 stickers, which subsequently have been left like a trail of breadcrumbs from France to Pacific Palisades. Seriously, I have found stickers EVERYWHERE.

Food was my most difficult challenge. I hadn’t realized how hard it would be to try and balance Sofia’s meals. Milk wasn’t easy to come by at the hotels, and do you think they have any vegetables in Paris other than haricot vert? A girl can only eat so many green beans. Basically Sofia ate a lot of bread and gelato, why else go to France and Italy?

As much fun as this trip was, I am glad to be home. I missed our routine and our friends. And, right now I am missing my bed.

Good night.

Paris

Tuscany

Rome

Dear Precious Sofia

You are going to be 19 months soon. You are officially over the one and a half year mark and are quickly heading to TWO.

As you grow I am trying to keep up with your accomplishments but I know I am behind. This month you are already perfecting your colors and shapes, you have been using a spoon and fork for a few months now, you run non-stop, you can throw a ball under and over hand, you enjoy helping us when we ask for help, you wipe your mouth and hands when they are dirty, when we call out a picture or object you point to it, you tell me when you have gone potty, you feed and clean your dolls, and you throw your garbage away without asking.

I am constantly astonished at how much you know. At this point you are very aware of our discussions and you are taking them all in. I watch as you study Max and daddy when they speak. You watch me too, and have continued to mimic everything from putting on lipstick and combing your hair, to putting on shoes or reading. I love watching you open a book to “read” all by yourself, but even more, I enjoy those days when we sit on your bed and read for an hour. (I am always astonished at how much time has passed, and that you are still as interested as you were when we began.) You like to scribble with your crayons and you enjoy playing ball. You enjoy playing with your iphone toddler apps. You will pose for a picture when asked, okay, okay, you will only do that for five seconds, but it still makes me proud. And our favorite thing you are doing right now is dancing. You have been dancing for a few months, but now you have song recognition and when Beyonce’s song, Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) plays, you dance like crazy. I have a video and will post soon.

You are intelligent, sweet, independent, curious and you make me laugh.

I love you,
Ma Ma

Dancing

I'm using a new camera and have not edited this video. It is long...but it captures little, Sofia's personality. What you don't see is that Sofia typically watches Beyonce and tries to mimic her moves! What is almost more amusing is Dan or me trying to mimic Beyonce's moves to show Sofia, not pretty, just embarrassing. (Not included on this video.)

Happy Mother's Day

Mommy got a new lens!
Mommy likes!

Hats, Sunglasses and Scarves, Oh My!

Sofia is just now becoming comfortable with her accessories. She will put on a hat, sunglasses and scarf when she feels like it. And, I can never predict these times, they just happen.
Not only is Sofia forming an opinion about what she likes, she is also finding ways to express how she thinks I should look. Last week I was getting ready to go to the store and she grabbed my bandana, which I wear when I go to the gym. She stood in front of me and held it up, firmly stating, “Gym!” It is quite possible she just wanted me to take her to the gym so she could play, but maybe, just maybe, she really didn’t like my hair and wanted me to cover it up before embarrassing her in public. Could it possibly start this early?

Abma's Family Farm

This is one of those images that will make me cry one day: my grandparents showing Sofia the ropes at Abma's farm. Just like they did with Aidan and Ross and just like they did with me.

The very first thing you do when you get to Abma's farm is feed the already to pudgy rabbits. You then trek up the hill to visit the fancy birds, goats, lamas ponies, piglets and chicks. When I was young the goats roamed free and Abma's didn't have the ponies or piglets. A mere year ago they had lamas, (and anyone close to us knows how Dan feels about the lamas). But, they too are now gone. These are minor changes to the big picture. For me, visiting Abma's still feels the same; Grandpa holds my arm and we laugh at how quickly those bunny rabbits pull the greens through their cage. We reminisce about the old, mean goat who attacked me and of course, we relive every step of Dan's lama run-in. There is a special place in my heart for this place, I'm so glad I can share it with Sofia.

Here pig, pig, pig...

Maybe those of you out there who have dealt with this can weigh in...as kids are growing up and we teach them about animals, what is the best way to communicate that this sweet, little, piglet is actually your breakfast? Or how about the confusing notion that the chicken with colorful feathers and a beak who says "cock-a doodle-doo" is the same chicken sitting on your plate, featherless and white? Do children question this? If so, when? What is the delicate way to tell them we eat everything on Old MacDonald's farm? (OKay, not everything!) Maybe it's time to consider a change in diet?

Child Prodigy

What more is there to say...don't we ALL think our kids are the amazing?!

Happy Easter

Our friend Gianni hosted an Easter egg hunt for all of the mom's group toddlers, it was so much fun to watch the kids try to figure out what to do. Dan and I couldn't help but to laugh when we realized Sofia had spent the first 20 minutes of the party sitting by herself, in this tiny little chair, overlooking the crowd. I had encouraged her to play in the yard below the deck with the other children, but she really didn't want anything to do with them, she wanted to explore and watch from afar. Hmm, like father like daughter? Sofia collected 6 eggs and then was distracted by the toys.

Giggling

Is there anything better on the planet than a giggle which explodes into a hearty 17 month old laugh?

Walking

When does allowance start?
Sofia insisted on holding Molly's leash this morning, it was so cute!

Shot Day

At the doctor's office today you found a Barbie to help make your visit more manageable. Dr. Roberts was so sweet, first she examined Barbie's eyes, then yours, then she listened to Barbie's heart, then yours and finally she looked in Barbie's ears, and then yours. You were so still and patient for the entire appointment, Dr Roberts said you were the best 16 month old check up she had ever had. You cried when you were vaccinated, those needles hurt! and then you, Barbie and I went out to the front desk where you were urged to take Barbie with you because she needed a good home. By the time I had you buckled into your car seat you had torn the band-aids from your own legs and stuck them on Barbie. How could I have missed that Barbie had shots too and OF COURSE needed band-aids?!

Dear Sofia,
I took you in for your 15-month check up today, a few colds prevented us from going in earlier than now, but never fear you are on schedule and are fully vaccinated. You weigh 23lbs and are 31.5 inches tall. You are still in the 75th percentile for height and you’ve pulled your numbers for weight WAY up and are now in the 50th percentile. WAY TO GO!

Thankfully you really do like a variety of foods. Our routine for breakfast has been, a bowl of cereal, a piece of fruit, and then something warm like a few bites of eggs, pancakes or French toast with butter, not syrup. Speaking of syrup, I had an interesting conversation with Renee about sugar the other day. I believe that parents enable their children’s desire for sugar. For example, YOU LOVE your French toast and pancakes plain. If I were to put syrup on your French toast of course you would like that too, but is that the healthiest choice for you right now at the age 1 year 4 months? No. Would you like ice cream right now, of course, would you eat cookies…sure. I guess the bottom line is that I’m trying to give your taste buds a chance before you decide that foods have to have sugar on them to taste delicious. Our foods are already loaded with so much added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup that for me to give you “extra” seems like overload. I also have to say that being conscious of this for you has made me more conscious of food choices for myself. Thank you! You have a mid-morning snack consisting of yogurt or a cheese sandwich and then you have lunch around 12:00pm. For lunches and dinners you love carrots, peas, your dad’s meatloaf, chicken, turkey, and pasta with red sauce. You are drinking 8-10 ounces of milk everyday, along with water and sometimes apple juice.

Everyone always asks about your words. There are days when you come barreling into the bedroom with a fervent and insistent chatter which makes your dad and I laugh and there are other days when you seem much more observant and quiet. I love watching you think through a problem. I also love when you come bobbling over, grab my hand, and pull me to see or fix what you are working on. At this stage you like to stack blocks with me and you ask for help when you would like to straighten your dolly’s blanket so she can lay down, each day brings a new moment to cherish. I like being able to help you and as silly as this sounds, I like that you want my help. I know the day will come where it is the other way around. Until then and always after my sweet, little cherub, you have my undivided attention.

Dada
All done
Dit dat = Kitty cat
Mama
Maah = Max
Mol mol = Molly
Bebe
Up
Down
Thank you
Where’d it…(always said with the gesture: open hands, palm facing up, elbows bent and tucked at sides)
Where’s dada?
Whoa
Wow
Truck
Moo
Meow
Aaooooooooo (molly howling)
Ho ho ho (when asked what Santa Claus says)
Bye-bye

You are doing so many new things it is hard to keep track of them all. I think Max is most impressed that you will turn the light on for him when he asks, and I love that you gladly pull a book off the shelf for us to read or throw your diaper away when I ask you to. You understand that we put shoes on to go outside and you are an excellent companion for morning walks with Molly. The little dog across the street will see us go for a walk and you will stop to wave at him. It goes without saying that you love catching people’s attention by waving hello, especially in the grocery store. As soon as people see you they say how beautiful you are (they instant remark on your eyes) and then they tell me you are the most friendly and social baby they’ve met.

You are just a dream, one that could go on forever. I love spending each day with you because you make me smile and you fill my heart.

With love,
Mama

Next We'll Play Dress Up!!

Sofia has decided that Molly is her BFF. The enthusiasm in Molly's expression really sums it all up.

Today, maybe because Dan is traveling, maybe because Max isn't home, maybe because we didn't have a play date, or we didn't hit the gym or maybe because Sofia is fast realizing that Molly has a greater level of tolerance than that of an Irishman on St. Patrick's Day...today Molly let Sofia dress her up in scarves, put a necklace on her nose and then as if that wasn't enough, made her play Barbie. All I could do was sit by Molly's side and run interference. I wish I could say, no egos were hurt during the capturing of these moments, but I'm afraid (judging by Molly's expressions) it's too late.

Guilty

Like the game Clue, it's always hard to determine, "who did it"? Did Molly put her nose up on Sofia's tray? Did Sofia throw pasta at Molly? The strange case of mysterious food bits appearing on Molly's nose continues...

Hi Mommy

Sofia seems so big to me these days. Her personality is changing, she has 16 teeth, her hair is past her shoulders (when wet), her feet are growing out of her size 4.5 shoes, and each day she seems to say something new. Today she "clucked" like a chicken. While not the most perspicacious sound to emanate from her lips (I recall her saying blackberry last week or buttercup yesterday) today, when asked what the chicken says she replied, "Cluck, cluck, cluck", and it made me smile.

Hugs

Sofia gives the best hugs; Molly's expression doesn't necessarily support my statement.

Sweeter than chocolate...

I had the best day with Sofia yesterday. It was one of those magical days where she ate well, took her nap on time, was happy and laughing upon waking from her nap, had fun with her friend Evan, played well at the gym and then fell asleep promptly after reading two stories. She slept until 7am. Now, if only I had gone to bed earlier than midnight…when will I learn?

Max and Sofia

I scheduled a facial and asked Dan if he would watch Sofia, I was so excited when he happily agreed. So, let me break it down, Dan and Max watched Sofia, and Max and Sofia watched TV.
Oh don't worry, I'm sure it was educational. lol.

Time

As I laid Sofia down for sleep tonight I was struck with that familiar feeling, the one that pulls at my heart and causes tears to fill my eyes and roll down my cheeks. It’s the heart-whole feeling of unconditional love that causes me to feel complete anguish over the persistent threat of Time. I have taken it for granted again and this is Times way of rearing its persistent, ugly head and in one fell swoop taking little Sofia and forcing her into toddlerhood.

How did it happen? How did she get so big? How did she grow so quickly…just yesterday she was the size of a raspberry and now she is nearing 32” long. She signs and talks, she will get books off her shelf for me to read, she places her diapers in the diaper pail, she opens and closes anything with a lid or hinge, she stuffs empty bags full of random objects (like when I found one of her shoes in my insulated lunch bag), she holds my hand, she runs, she gets undressed (partially), she completes my sentences (stay with me here):
Brandie: “where is…”
Sofia: “….Dada?”
Brandie: “Do you want…”
Sofia: “…Dada?”

She is quite simply…amazing.