Whirlwind Weeks

Yes. That's right, I didn't update the blog last week. Life has been crazy here, and it's kicking my butt. Ok, well it's not, but it's making a valiant effort. Last week when I was supposed to update, I was working on making Sophia's birthday party invitations. Well, then the following night we got hit with a horrible nor'easter. Our power was only out for a few hours, but we didn't really have the internet going for two days. On top of all that, I've been busy with babysitting, party & Thanksgiving planning, cleaning, and oh yeah, LIFE. A few key events/happenings: starting to make a chair slipcover, hung picture shelf in guest bedroom (no, I don't have a picture in this blog. woops.), worked the church nursery for the first time, got our leaky roof (courtesy of the nor'easter) fixed, fixed our water pump that must have died during the nor'easter (our backyard was under about 4" of water), went to a baby shower, dyed my hair (still have yet to decide if I should cut it....it hasn't seen scissors since New Year's Eve last year), made and mailed Sophia's invitations, etc.
Sophia has been trying more table foods over the past two weeks: different kinds of breads/rolls, scrambled eggs, lasagna, homemade pancakes, etc. Some new things Sophia's been doing: smacking her lips...almost like a fish sorta, pulling herself to stand up to everything - crib, table, chairs, etc, crawling like a maniac, spinning around on her butt, very interested in MY eyelashes, bashful/shy around anyone she doesn't really know, and giving me lots and lots of love. She nestles and rubs her face onto me and gives me kisses. It is such a wonderful feeling, almost makes me cry just thinking about how awesome she is. She is such a blessing. I could not have dreamed up a daughter even an ounce of what she is. God is great.
Read on and the pictures will have a little bit more of an explanation this week.

Unwrapping her first birthday present from Mama Coop...chasing after the tissue paper.

Birthday goodies: polka dot dress & headband, birthday girl t-shirt, book, and legwarmers. The first few days we read that book (bedtime kiss for little fish) - I honestly read it like 8 times in a row. She is infatuated with it. Funniest part is - we found out Sam's mom has it at her house too! Lol.

Looking adorable in her striped, button bow and headband.

Testing out the grocery cart walker with Daddy. She can push it all by herself if she has on grippy socks or shoes. If she doesn't have those on her feet - the floor is too slippery for her. We got this as a hand-me-down from Leanne Green at church. Thanks, Leanne!!!!!

Close-up of her cute self

Spending time with her cousins before they go to school in the morning. Kristin's been working a lot more at Little Bay Canvas since the nor'easter hit and damaged boats. Therefore, the boys come over to my house in the morning and hang out for a while before walking to school. Sophia gets SOOOO excited when she sees them. She smiles really big, laughs, claps her hands, and the whole nine yards. Then the boys leave for school and she doesn't want to play with me on the floor. Hmmm....lol.

Sophia crawls over to the console and opens the doors to where her books and toys are. She almost always goes for a book instead of a toy. She loves the Eric Carle books.

Here she is again on another day, getting into "her" cabinet.

Here's my big girl, standing in her crib, waiting for me to get her out. Putting her down for bedtime and naps has been a challenge since she learned to pull herself to standing position. She stands up and just cries, and screams, and cries for a very long time. I wonder if part of it is separation anxiety because when I pick her up, she usually just lays her head down on me and closes her eyes. I will definitely be talking to my pediatrician about this for some suggestions.

Pulling herself up to the coffee table so she can peek at me.

Sleepy girl on a wonderful fall afternoon walk.

Splashing in some water I put on her high chair tray.

On the move in her dress from Mama Coop.

"Who me? No, I didn't do it."

Such a cutie patootie!

I could just eat her up....everyday.

Projects I've been working on:

Making a slipcover pattern, so that I can sew the slipcover for our chair. Kristin is the brains and skill in this project, but I did sew the entire pattern together. We then cut the pieces apart at the seams so we could lay them directly onto the slipcover fabric. All the pieces are cut out. The chair will be finished later this week. Kristin has been too busy with work to help me finish it up, but I am excited! This is only the second thing I've ever sewn...the first was when I was in 6th grade! Lol.

Baby shower card and envelope for Laura Muntzer. The envelope says "new baby" and the card says "she's expecting"

A close up of the cards and envelopes I did for Sophia's party. I made 25 invitations. Whew. It was a lot of work, but I figured the opportunity to do this will become less and less as time goes by.

The first batch of invitations ready to be put in their envelopes and mailed!

A birthday card for Jackson - the son of a college friend. Jackson was born the day after Sophia!

Sophia's birthday card and envelope. I hope she likes it! ...at least when she's older and looks at all the things I saved for her. If she doesn't, I know I at least will cherish it.