Now she climbs stairs! Thanks Daddy.
Bring out the other baby gate....she now can get everywhere!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
She keeps going, and going and going...
And going...
Two weeks ago, Sophia discovered freedom. She learned that she could walk, and that this new mode of transportation could get her more places and into more things than before. She has progressed from the tentative first independent steps with arms straight up in the air for balance, to the almost running arms much lower down of her current state. It's been fun to watch, it really has. There are still days that I wish she were still crawling. But she was too fast when she crawled. Now I have a chance to close doors and move things when she's aiming towards them. We also have significantly more bruises on the head than before. Balance is a tricky thing. These past few hot days have offered me a little stress, because this kid doesn't know when to sit down and chill. She just walks and walks and walks around the kitchen and living room. Honestly, it was exhausting --for me!
Even though this new freedom is a little frustrating for me, there is a reward. There is nothing, NOTHING better in this world, than to have a beaming, child walking to you with her eyes full of love and pride, looking for a hug and a snuggle. Cuz really, in the end, even the most independent soul needs a good cuddle from her mama.
Two weeks ago, Sophia discovered freedom. She learned that she could walk, and that this new mode of transportation could get her more places and into more things than before. She has progressed from the tentative first independent steps with arms straight up in the air for balance, to the almost running arms much lower down of her current state. It's been fun to watch, it really has. There are still days that I wish she were still crawling. But she was too fast when she crawled. Now I have a chance to close doors and move things when she's aiming towards them. We also have significantly more bruises on the head than before. Balance is a tricky thing. These past few hot days have offered me a little stress, because this kid doesn't know when to sit down and chill. She just walks and walks and walks around the kitchen and living room. Honestly, it was exhausting --for me!
Even though this new freedom is a little frustrating for me, there is a reward. There is nothing, NOTHING better in this world, than to have a beaming, child walking to you with her eyes full of love and pride, looking for a hug and a snuggle. Cuz really, in the end, even the most independent soul needs a good cuddle from her mama.
Muwah!
We've been teaching Sophia how to throw kisses. She gets it, kind of. When we ask, and if she decides she wants to do it, she brings her little hand up to her mouth. Fully open, both hand and mouth, she flings her hand away. At the same time she says: "muwah!" because that's the sound you make when you blow a kiss to someone. Try it. You'll see what I mean! Recieving a blown kiss is a whole lot drier than the fully open, wet, sometimes there are teeth involved mouth kisses that she offers me. You can have one if you want one. They come with kleenex.
This is her in the act. It's way cuter in person! She's in her bike stroller, if you are wondering!
This is her in the act. It's way cuter in person! She's in her bike stroller, if you are wondering!
The Dog Days of Summer
It's been hot here. Too hot. I am not sure how many of you check the Saskatchewan weather but let me tell you this...it's boiling. We hit 45 degrees with the humidex the other day. It was 31 degrees IN THE HOUSE!!! Needless to say, we are in the process of procuring a air conditioning unit for the house. Not soon enough, but soon. Anyway, we've got to beat the heat, and trips to the mall are getting pricy. We've hit all the consignment stores, a couple of the malls, Costco and Chapters.
When it hasn't been too stifling outside and the risk of immediate heat stroke isn't high, Sophia, Haley and I head outside. We play with water. Well, okay, I sit and encourage Sophia to explore the water and what it can do, and she splashes around and gets everything in a six foot radius really wet. It's fun! Really!
This is a little water play table that Sophia recieved for her birthday. It's great, it has things that move and pump water. There's even a little boat. Mostly Sophia pulls those things out of the table and drops them on the deck. She then proceeds to just splash around with her hands. Whatever keeps her happy!
At one point, she thought it was just a big glass. Getting a suitable mouthful of water proved challenging!
We got a kiddie pool. And I love it! It keeps my feet cool while Sophia walks circle around the inside edge. I don't think she's enitrely sure of what to do, because usually there are other people in the water with her. But she didn't complain. Okay, she did, but it was about the hat I was trying to get her to keep on. Eventually it just ended up in the pool. Sigh.
Pool baby!
When it hasn't been too stifling outside and the risk of immediate heat stroke isn't high, Sophia, Haley and I head outside. We play with water. Well, okay, I sit and encourage Sophia to explore the water and what it can do, and she splashes around and gets everything in a six foot radius really wet. It's fun! Really!
This is a little water play table that Sophia recieved for her birthday. It's great, it has things that move and pump water. There's even a little boat. Mostly Sophia pulls those things out of the table and drops them on the deck. She then proceeds to just splash around with her hands. Whatever keeps her happy!
At one point, she thought it was just a big glass. Getting a suitable mouthful of water proved challenging!
We got a kiddie pool. And I love it! It keeps my feet cool while Sophia walks circle around the inside edge. I don't think she's enitrely sure of what to do, because usually there are other people in the water with her. But she didn't complain. Okay, she did, but it was about the hat I was trying to get her to keep on. Eventually it just ended up in the pool. Sigh.
Pool baby!
Science Center outing
While the grandparents were here for a visit, it was discovered that the Saskatchewan Science Center was holding a special display: Ancient Egypt in Lego! Well, if you know David, then you would know that there was no question that this was the exhibit to go see. So, one day both grandparents Gerhard, Grandpa Hank, David, and Sophia piled into the car and headed off for the center. It was amazing from what I heard. The things people can do with Lego would knock your socks off. And what better way to initiate dear Sophia into the world of Lego building?
This sarcophagus was built entirely out of Lego! Cool, eh?
Throughout the center there are little hands on experience stations. Here Sophia is having a little one on one time with the big Lego blocks. I think she liked it.
The human body display, with a convenient seat for a little body.
Now toddlers are innately curious, wanting to know how everything works, especially the most mysterious thing they own: their bodies. This might just be taking it a little too far.
What do you do with this?
This sarcophagus was built entirely out of Lego! Cool, eh?
Throughout the center there are little hands on experience stations. Here Sophia is having a little one on one time with the big Lego blocks. I think she liked it. 
The human body display, with a convenient seat for a little body.
Now toddlers are innately curious, wanting to know how everything works, especially the most mysterious thing they own: their bodies. This might just be taking it a little too far.
What do you do with this?
Grandpa time
Grandpa Arthur and Sophia took some much needed rest time from their supervision roles during the gardening bonanza that took place here. Why pull weeds and get dirty when you can play?
Can you tell how windy it was that day? Check out the blowing hair!
I really hope that Arthur was imparting some deep piece of grandpa wisdom. I should probably find out what he was telling her!
Can you tell how windy it was that day? Check out the blowing hair!
I really hope that Arthur was imparting some deep piece of grandpa wisdom. I should probably find out what he was telling her!
Pure Bliss
Flying through the air with the greatest of ease...no trapeze here. Just a toddler swing, which Sophia absolutely loves. When ever she gets the chance to swing the air fills with her giggles and babbles, and she smiles her biggest smiles. It is a delight to behold, and pretty good for the soul.
She looks pretty happy, wouldn't you agree?
Wind in her hair and a smile on her face!
Some swinging help from buddies, Finn and Madelaine.
Happy girl on a swing within walking distance of our place! Woo hoo!
Okay Daddy, let's go higher!
She looks pretty happy, wouldn't you agree?
Wind in her hair and a smile on her face!
Some swinging help from buddies, Finn and Madelaine.
Happy girl on a swing within walking distance of our place! Woo hoo!
Okay Daddy, let's go higher!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
A quick photo update
Each morning, Sophia likes to read the paper to keep up with the events of the day.
After a long day, Sophia likes to relax in her easy chair with a good book.
Sophia has taken to sticking out her bottom lip. Not to be defiant, just to see what happens.
Sophia has started to experiment with different hairstyles. This is, I think, better than the single pony tail she had going before.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
The Birthday Party Part 2: The Cake!
The cake is, of course, always the highlight of the party. Tricia made a cupcake-cake, making portioning much easier. It is becoming very popular at weddings, I hear. So anyway, this photo-montage begins with the undisturbed cake, in the shape of a number 1, with beautiful, neon-coloured, stain-everything-in-sight polkadots.
the cake, pre-mess
Tricia gave one of the cupcakes, slathered in icing, to Sophia. Sophia was not entirely sure what to do with it. Here is the result
Umm... for me? I do what now?
Here. Mommy will help you. You eat it. See? Mmmm... tasty!
Well, I can mash it up with my hands but I'm still not quite sure.
In my eyes? probably not, but it's fun
Oh MAN that was good. You were right.
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
the cake, pre-mess
Tricia gave one of the cupcakes, slathered in icing, to Sophia. Sophia was not entirely sure what to do with it. Here is the result
Umm... for me? I do what now?
Here. Mommy will help you. You eat it. See? Mmmm... tasty!
Well, I can mash it up with my hands but I'm still not quite sure.
In my eyes? probably not, but it's fun
Oh MAN that was good. You were right.
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Friday, July 06, 2007
The Birthday Party
Sophia's party was not even a week ago now but it feels alternately like it was yesterday and months ago. I know it's cliche, and none of you will believe me, but she actually does look and act older now that her first birthday has come and gone.
Everyone says the first birthday party is for the parents, but I know Sophia had a wonderful time even though she probably didn't quite get that all these people were in the house to celebrate her life. The dog wasn't even that concerned with the influx of new humans, although she did kind of stick to herself for most of the time.
It was a beautiful day, hot and sunny, so we were able to have people out on the deck (under a shade-tent type thing) and the kids playing in the grass. It was the first big summer party we have had at the house, and it felt very good - people were milling about and there was lots of room and people didn't seem to feel crowded or bored or overwhelmed.
Daryl and Jennifer and Madeline and Finn came down, as did Marie-Eve and William. Ruth and Don and Ev came out from Wolseley, and got briefly lost in the maze that is Wascana Heights. And of course my parents and Tricia's parents and Aunt Pat (all the way from Washington State) were in town visiting as well, so it was a well attended party. Now to pictures.
Preparations began many days in advance - Tricia made a cupcake cake, bison burgers, salads and other fixings before the day arrived so we could concentrate on decorating and having fun with friends. She is so motivated and anti-procrastinating, it's hard to believe. They say that in University, she frequently had papers finished and handed in before the deadline. Can you imagine?
Tricia furiously polka-dotting the cake the day before the party. She actually stained her hands in preparing the bright icing. This mommy is willing to make sacrifices for her kid!
Tricia chose a theme of polka-dots for the party, and everything was polkadots. From the brightly coloured paper plates (round, hence polkadot) to the cake (cupcakes = round = polkadots, with neon polkadots of icing) to the goodies in the goodie bags (bubble stuff, floam, and other cool stuff), it was a cohesive theme. you could even consider the buffalo burgers as polkadots, and the turkey wieners (if viewed end-on) but this may be a stretch.
The food was, of course, masterfully cooked...
and enjoyed by all, both out on the deck...
and inside the house where it was a little cooler.
And then came the cake. We sang happy birthday to Sophia as the cake came out and she looked kind of shy and coy as we were singing, almost as if to say "Aw shucks guys, you shouldn't have" Very cute, and she had done the same thing when we sang to her at our little family party a couple days before!
Happy birthday to me? really?
Stay tuned for "Birthday Party part 2: the Cake!
Everyone says the first birthday party is for the parents, but I know Sophia had a wonderful time even though she probably didn't quite get that all these people were in the house to celebrate her life. The dog wasn't even that concerned with the influx of new humans, although she did kind of stick to herself for most of the time.
It was a beautiful day, hot and sunny, so we were able to have people out on the deck (under a shade-tent type thing) and the kids playing in the grass. It was the first big summer party we have had at the house, and it felt very good - people were milling about and there was lots of room and people didn't seem to feel crowded or bored or overwhelmed.
Daryl and Jennifer and Madeline and Finn came down, as did Marie-Eve and William. Ruth and Don and Ev came out from Wolseley, and got briefly lost in the maze that is Wascana Heights. And of course my parents and Tricia's parents and Aunt Pat (all the way from Washington State) were in town visiting as well, so it was a well attended party. Now to pictures.
Preparations began many days in advance - Tricia made a cupcake cake, bison burgers, salads and other fixings before the day arrived so we could concentrate on decorating and having fun with friends. She is so motivated and anti-procrastinating, it's hard to believe. They say that in University, she frequently had papers finished and handed in before the deadline. Can you imagine?
Tricia furiously polka-dotting the cake the day before the party. She actually stained her hands in preparing the bright icing. This mommy is willing to make sacrifices for her kid!
Tricia chose a theme of polka-dots for the party, and everything was polkadots. From the brightly coloured paper plates (round, hence polkadot) to the cake (cupcakes = round = polkadots, with neon polkadots of icing) to the goodies in the goodie bags (bubble stuff, floam, and other cool stuff), it was a cohesive theme. you could even consider the buffalo burgers as polkadots, and the turkey wieners (if viewed end-on) but this may be a stretch.
The food was, of course, masterfully cooked...
and enjoyed by all, both out on the deck...
and inside the house where it was a little cooler.
And then came the cake. We sang happy birthday to Sophia as the cake came out and she looked kind of shy and coy as we were singing, almost as if to say "Aw shucks guys, you shouldn't have" Very cute, and she had done the same thing when we sang to her at our little family party a couple days before!
Happy birthday to me? really?
Stay tuned for "Birthday Party part 2: the Cake!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Sitting Pretty
Sophia got her very own Adirondack chair for her birthday from Grandpa and Grandma M. I think she likes it!
hello, hello?
Most toddlers and infants love phones. Sophia is mesmerized by our cordless phones and spends lots of time pressing buttons and trying to phone far off places (oh the lights and sounds!). She was dumbfounded once when a West Jet employee handed her a phone receiver to play with... it had, of all things, a CORD?! She just looked and pulled, trying to get the handset away from the cord...it certainly wasn't something she had seen before! Crazy eh?
When Sophia visits her Grandparents in Vancouver, she spends time playing with the vintage chatter phone that I once played with. She drags it around and hangs the handset over her shoulder. In fact, we have a picture of David doing the exact same thing when he was her age. Too funny.
Anyway, we don't have such a toy at our house. Poor deprived Sophia. To remedy the problem, and to keep Sophia from trying to eat our cellphones (yet another toy of choice for Sophia) David gave her his old cell to play with. Now, when you say "bring, bring...hello, Sophia?" She takes the phone and holds it up to her ear. Now all we have to do is teach her to hold the speaker side to her ear instead of the back or side! :)
Is it for me? Really?
Hello? Hello, anyone there?
Oh, that's better...the reception is so clear!
Is this the number for Beijing? Raffi said something about calling Beijing? If Raffi said it, I gotta do it!
When Sophia visits her Grandparents in Vancouver, she spends time playing with the vintage chatter phone that I once played with. She drags it around and hangs the handset over her shoulder. In fact, we have a picture of David doing the exact same thing when he was her age. Too funny.
Anyway, we don't have such a toy at our house. Poor deprived Sophia. To remedy the problem, and to keep Sophia from trying to eat our cellphones (yet another toy of choice for Sophia) David gave her his old cell to play with. Now, when you say "bring, bring...hello, Sophia?" She takes the phone and holds it up to her ear. Now all we have to do is teach her to hold the speaker side to her ear instead of the back or side! :)
Is it for me? Really?
Hello? Hello, anyone there?
Oh, that's better...the reception is so clear!
Is this the number for Beijing? Raffi said something about calling Beijing? If Raffi said it, I gotta do it!
Our Tomato Loving Toddler
I don't like tomatoes...I never have and I doubt that I ever will (much to my mother's chagrin --she figured I would grow out of it). But just because I don't like them, it doesn't mean that I will deprive Sophia of the chance to develop a taste for them. Her Uncle Todd first exposed her to the cherry tomato some months ago, just before she had teeth. All she could do was suck it until it became a squishy mess. Now that she has teeth, she enjoys tearing into a fresh cherry tomato and eating the whole thing. This makes her daddy happy as he is growing tomatoes on our porch. So Sophia gets fresh ones when they are ready. Actually, she likes to stand on the deck and point to them when we are playing outside. She doesn't understand that the green ones aren't ready to eat yet. But it's still fun to watch.
For those of you looking for first birthday pics and blog, its coming. David is in charge of it, so they'll be up when he has some time!
For those of you looking for first birthday pics and blog, its coming. David is in charge of it, so they'll be up when he has some time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)