Project #4

Since our old house was small, the table and chair set that we bought for our kitchen fit perfectly. However, we needed to upgrade! We were on the hunt for the perfect table and chairs since for a solid 5 months. I guess it pays off to have a bit of patience because we are so happy with what we bought. Once again, Josh worked his magic and refinished our tables and chairs.

Before...


Here is the finished product...



I can't put into words how great of a job Josh did on everything! I absolutely love, love, love our kitchen table set!!!!

Project #3

Found this old dresser on Craigslist and bought it for $30. Josh refinished it and now it looks like this....



Pretty great, huh?!?!

HELLO SUMMER!!!!!

We are so glad that you are finally here!!!!!!

Thursday was our last day of school with our kids! It is amazing how fast the year flew by. I had the greatest group of third graders and parents this year. I was amazed at how well they supported and cared about one another. They were more like a family than just classmates. Next year, I won't be teaching third... I am heading back to first grade! I am excited to be working with some great ladies and also to be working with 1st graders again. On Friday, I moved into my new room and had so much fun pulling out some of my old stuff. I can't wait to teach 1st again but more than anything I can't wait to spend this summer with Josh and Sophie! We have so many fun things planned like play dates, swimming lessons, library time, naps, and a trip to NEW JERSEY!!!

12 Month Update

* Sophie is a walker (ish)! She has taken up to 6 steps on her own. We have been practicing for about a month now. The Thursday before her birthday she took a couple steps all by herself. She was standing up next to our ottoman, grabbed the remote, turned to face me, and took a 3 steps. The next time she decided to walk on her own she took another 3 steps and stopped got her balance and then took 2 more steps.
* Sophie loves to dance to any beat!
* Soph's new sounds of choices are "ga" and "pop". However her reply to anything we say is "ga". (We recently switched doctors and a couple weeks ago he cleaned out her ears. Ever since then she has been much more vocal. )
* When she wants something she will point to it and then point back to herself. Multiple times!
* Sophie has fully switched over to whole milk and drinks it out of a sippy cup! We are all BIG fans of the Tommy Teepee Brand.
* She is learning how to climb! Ack!
* Sophie has been practicing rolling a ball back and forth with us.
* Soph loves to take blocks out of a container and then puts them back in.
* She has got the "I don't know?" arm motions down.
* Sometimes Sophie helps me get ready in the morning! She loves playing with my makeup and jewelry.
* At Sophie's 12 month dr. apt. she weighed 22lbs and 8oz and measured 29 3/4in. Which puts her in the 75th percentile for her weight and height. Her head circumference is 47.5cm which is in the 95 percentile.
* We have started weaning her off her paci. The only time she really uses it is when she is going to sleep. Car rides are still a bit tough but she is getting the hang of how to live without it.
* If we ask her to get her toys or her milk she will go and get them.
* She loves to go outside and help water the garden with her daddy!

She is at such a fun age and entertaining us all of the time! Everyone always says that it just gets better but I don't know if it can!

Flashback Friday!

One year ago, we took Sophie to meet all of our friends at school. This was one of her first BIG outings. I can't believe how tiny she was!

Sophie is ONE!

Yesterday, Sophie girl celebrated her first brithday! She started her day by eating a special breakfast, banana pancakes and blackberries. Yum! Yum! After her morning nap she got ready to PARRRRRTAAAAYYY!!! We invited friends and family to a little park in our neighborhood for a picnic and lots of fun. Grama, Grammie, Auntie Sarah, and Auntie Janae all chipped in to help make Sophie's party special. Grama made Sophie's adorable outfit, Grammie and Auntie Janae made the cute smash cake and cupcakes and Auntie Sarah made delicious oreo cake pops! Soph's party was a complete success, we feel so blessed to have our wonderful friends and family to celebrate with.

Thank you everyone who came and for spoiling our little ladybug, Sophie Lee!

Sophie's Art Work

Sophie is already a little artist. Here are some of her masterpieces that we have hanging up...

Our Garden

A few weekends ago, Josh finally put together our garden. We picked out tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, onions, and cilantro to plant. So far, everything is doing well and we have even had some flowers bloom on our tomato plants. We are hoping we will get some tomatoes growing soon.

Swingin' Soph

Last night we got together with our friends Tim, April, Andrew, and their new dog, Fitz. We met up at Freestone Park to let the kids and dogs play, while we chatted. While we were there Sophie went on a swing for the first time. She smiled and enjoyed herself while Tim and Andy pushed her.

Mother's Day

I had a very nice mother's day. Our day wasn't spent doing anything out of the ordinary but the just the fact that we got to spend time together meant the world to me. Being a mommy is the best and I love every minute of it!

I love...
being able to comfort Sophie in the middle of the night and to snuggle with her until she falls back to sleep

the big hugs and sweet kisses I get in the morning when I go to wake her up.

watching her face light up when she sees Lucy and especially her daddy.

listening to her read stories to me or herself.

her belly laugh

watching her learn new things and figure things out on her own

holding her when she is asleep, she is so peaceful

singing songs with her and listening to her join along

the many faces she makes

the fact that she is my daughter and that GOD blessed me with such a beautiful little girl.

The list of things that I love about Sophie is endless and I am so proud to be her mom!

EASTER 2011

Easter was really enjoyable this year. We kicked off the weekend with a photo shoot with the one and only Steph Barber. Then we headed to my parents house and had fun spending the day with them. At dinner time, my parents gave Soph an "Easter basket." She got a Mr. Potato Head and the movie, Bambi.



Family Easter Picture

On Easter morning, we went to Josh's grandma's nursing home to celebrate with Josh's family. We went to a church service and then we had a little picnic and egg hunt afterwards. It was so nice spending Easter morning with Josh's family and watching Aiden and Sophie hunt for eggs.

Sophie's Easter dress from Grammie




That afternoon, we went to our family friend's house for a delicious dinner. It was so nice to see friends that we hadn't seen in while and celebrate Easter with them.