Walking!

Well, it looks like we have got a walker on our hands...her first steps were officially a couple of weeks ago but today she took a good solid 5-6 steps towards Baxter and I've been making her do it ever since :) And then I thought for a second how my life is now going to change. yikes...she doesn't seem to be wanting to do it all the time yet. I still have to coax her into it. But, it's still pretty fun to watch her stumble around like a drunken sailor once I let go of her hands.

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We had a fabulous weekend at the lake. Even though the weather was not great for the majority of the time, we got to spend some good times with the family. I really have been blessed by marrying into this family. I know not a lot of people can say how much they love their in-laws but I truly do. We have such a great time together and it's also so wonderful for Sofia to get to spend time with her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and best of all cousins. Being able to go to this lake house as often as we do has been SO AMAZING. We love it and it's definitely my happy place! Thanks Mom and Dad S :)

The weather did not cooperate, but that didn't stop us from having fun. It was still a relaxing weekend with some true quality time. The sun finally came out today so we all stayed a little longer than we normally would have. We did go to the beach on Sunday and Sofia had a ball with Grandma splashing in the water. Later that day, she had a giggle fit with Daddy in the swing. Videos below!

May

Just had to share a few adorable pics of the Sof.

Gorgeous Spring day playing outside with Daddy. They went around the entire block with Sofia pushing and then I guess she needed a break :)

bathtime - bubble goatee - what happens when she tries to drink the bath water

We had a neighborhood garage sale this morning and Daddy bought her an Elmo. She held on TIGHT in her stroller the whole morning and kept holding on through diaper change and then had to nap with him. "Ummuh" I really would have preferred throwing him in the wash before giving him to her but oh well! I don't think she's going to let him go for a long time.

Milestones

Sofia is certainly surprising us with all of her 'speaking' abilities. So, Mike and I were talking over dinner and he said I needed to be sure and write all of her words down. ALSO - she's so close to walking. She took her first official "step". A very wobbly one step followed by a collapse into my arms :) It was Thursday, May 12th. She's also standing very solidly on her own. She just does not want to move! She does think it's hilarious though. Must get a video up soon.

As for her words, she's parroting a lot, and she says quite a few things on her own. She's still doing great with her signs (food, more, all done, banana, diaper, and bath). I'm trying to teach her more and more bc it's so nice to allow her that ability to communicate.

She's saying these words regularly and will very often try and repeat lots of other words...

Mama

Daeyyyy!! (Daddy)

Baca (Baxter)

Book

Duck

Baby

Duh-puh (diaper)

Keh-Key (kitty cat) - said in Des Moines every time Dexter came around

Muk (milk)

puk (cup)

Bana (banana)

Ummuh (Elmo)

Up

Bee

Bzzz

Ah Ah (for a monkey noise)

A couple of things have actually amazed me - she says AB when she gets one of her ABC books in her hand. I was seriously in awe! Then, today she pooped and looked at me and said "dupuh" It took me a while to get why she was saying it and then I figured I should change her! I mean - totally could have been a fluke but I'd like to think she's a little baby genius :)

Mother's Day

So I'm a little behind... but wanted to be sure and share a Mother's Day post :) Mother's Day was perfect. We were in Chicago for a wedding with Adam and Jes so all the cousins got to hang out while Grandma and Grandpa watched them over night! So much fun :) It had been almost a year since Mike and I had an over night away from Sofia so it was quite nice. Especially the sleeping in part. Ahhh....8:30 never felt so great.

We woke up on Sunday morning, grabbed Starbucks and headed back to Grayslake for a delicious family Mother's Day brunch. Then, we drove back home to Milwaukee and sat out on the patio at Bar Louie for a YUMMY bloody mary. The rest of the day was pretty much lazy for me but exactly what I wanted. Quality time with my family and not having to do anything ;)

Right before we all hit the road, we had an impromptu photo shoot with the beautiful spring tulips and gorgeous weather in Grayslake. So sweet!

I never appreciated the importance of Mother's Day until I became a Mom myself. Now I know how special a day it is. I told Mike it's even more special than my birthday b/c I actually DID something to warrant celebrating this day. Definitely an honor to be called a mother.

Drake Relays weekend

Last weekend we took a road trip to Des Moines to visit Mike's brother and family. We had such a great time, I just had to share a few pics! It was Drake Relays which is a big alumni weekend but our version was a little different than years past :) We arrived on Thursday night and had dinner and hung out. Then, on Friday the boys played golf while the girls had a "girls trip" (Addison's words) to the zoo. It was a PERFECT day out and actually the whole weekend turned out to be amazing weather despite terrible forecasts!

Friday night, Adam and Jes had lots of friends over for a barbecue and Sofia enjoyed it so much she threw a FIT when it was bedtime. On Saturday we headed out to campus for brunch and for some relays action. Another phenomenal day....then, we came home and rested up a bit before the sitters came over and we all got a night out to celebrate relays. Talk about a fun weekend. To top things off, Adam and Jes have an amazing house and Sofia had such a great time there with her cousins. She also was a champ on both (6 hour) drives. Thank goodness for the McDonald's playland at the exact halfway point! Although disgusting (maybe I'm a slight germaphobe :)), it was a lifesaver b/c she got some energy out. we hope to make this an annual trip!

naptime - rest up before heading to campus!

On Daddy's shoulders watching the races

cheese! partying at the barbecue

girls at the zoo