A Year & A Half + Some

I meant to do an update at 18 months...and here we are approaching 20 months. It's not easy to blog (or even get near the computer) when Sofia wants nothing more than to pound on the keyboard while sitting in a big person chair.

While there are many recent blog posts to share (Christmas, anyone?) I thought I'd skip ahead and provide an update since she's growing and changing so fast - I know I'll forget if I wait much longer.

Busy. That's the only word to describe her. Always moving, always looking for the next thing to do, always jabbering. Toddler-hood is upon us in full force. We've even encountered a few little tantrums which make me nervous for what is around the corner. My mild mannered, easy-going, lovey little girl has proven that she does have horns. This likely does not surprise ALL other parents out there, but I thought maybe we'd get lucky.

Here's some of the latest:

*She's been saying a fair amount of words in the past 6 months, but just recently the "language explosion" has been evident. She's finally really starting to mimic, somewhat correctly, what we're saying. Some new words: bubble, Buddy (in reference to Auntie Jen), airplane. When an airplane is spotted in the sky she's say "Airplane!! Bye-bye." and wave as it flies away. We're still using sign language for a lot of stuff and it definitely helps her get her point across.

While watching this great will.i.am song on Sesame Street, she correctly identified all of the characters. This most definitely does not mean she's watching too much TV. It just means she's a genius. Favorites are Elmo & Abby, but recently Cookie Monster and Zoe have been popular. Fun fact: Grover and Miss Piggy = same voice. Ok, maybe we're both watching too much Sesame Street.

We've been keeping busy with lots of fun activities -
*Regular babysitting by Grammy ("Mimi") Marcia. Sofia adores this time and hollers MIMI anytime there is a knock at the door or a blond woman is walking down the street. This time is treasured by mommy too...

*Sit N' Play every Tuesday which is a 2-hour play date where 5 moms switch off hosting. When you aren't hosting or helping, you are free to go. It's a win-win. The kids are getting some great play time and making friends and mommy gets to run a few errands or eat lunch in peace! We've made some wonderful friends through this group.

*Classes - We're going to The Little Gym which is kinds like Gymboree or My Gym but more gymnastics oriented. She loves it and runs around like a banshee from one thing to the next. It's exhausting for everyone. We've also continued with swimming lessons and she's finally getting into the swing of it. After taking a few months off, this last session she wasn't loving it. But now she's much more comfortable. We've been taking the class with our friends Claire & Grant, who's just a few months older. Such fun!

*Occasional grunts and whining aside, she's still super lovey and is generous with her hugs and kisses...even to strangers, which could be a problem. She LOVES babies and anytime she sees a real baby or a picture of a baby she reaches out like she wants to hold it. And is disappointed when the photo in the book doesn't jump out of the book into her arms.

*She's been a pretty good eater as of late. If anyone has some new foods I can try to bring into the mix, do share. We pretty much have been successful with: scrambled eggs, hot dogs, pb&j, grilled cheese and turkey, mushrooms carrots, pancakes and waffles, smoothies, the occasional pasta or mac and cheese will strike her fancy.

*She's finally on one nap a day. I was resistant to it because often when we did try it, she would only sleep for 1.5 hours max and that just wasn't cutting it. But today she's been asleep for almost 3 hours, and that I'll take!

Here's are some fun recent pictures:

Eating a Nutri Grain bar (at her "desk"). She asks for a "ba!" and reaches up to the pantry door about 10 times a day.

Discovering that the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum is very fun...and very wet.

Huge fan of the jumpy house. Even on her bottom.

Always wants to walk, even if transportation is provided.

You Are The Sun...

Inspired by the Mother-Son dance at Meghan & Craig's wedding (blog post to come soon) on New Year's Eve, I downloaded the song "You Are" by Lionel Richie. Sofia enjoyed it and was sad when I informed her that Soul Train is no longer on the air.

Fall Firsts

Recently Sofia experienced a couple of very important milestones. Well, one very important (at least in Steve's family) and the other not that important unless she decides to become an equestrian (highly unlikely considering mommy's aversion to manure). But both very cute.

She has attended her fair share of Stanford pre-game tailgates over the past two seasons, but for the Stanford vs. Arizona game on November 4th she actually was allowed into the stadium. For about an 1/8th of the first quarter, but still...Once the novelty of everyone cheering wore off, she was content to make her way back and forth in our row for about 10 minutes. Then it was time for mommy and Sofia to make the trek back to the car and San Jose where we could watch Stanford pummel Arizona in the comfort of the living room.

Visiting with Noni, Andrea & Marissa.

Cheering on the Cardinal with Grammy.

Earlier that same day we attended our friend Emma's 3rd birthday party in her grandparent's backyard. The company Once Upon a Pony brought Blue, the very old and gentle pony for the kids to ride as well as a pen full of cool looking chickens, rabbits and a pigmy goat. Sofia was very tentative towards Blue in the beginning, but warmed up and started following him. It took a couple of tries, but finally she sat and rode around the driveway and then refused to dismount.

It certainly wasn't a look of pure joy, but it wasn't terror!

Don't Hurry Down the Chimney

Despite visiting Santa (from the stroller) earlier in the week to try to "warm up" to him,
this is exactly what I was expecting. Needless to say, she forgot to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.

Compare to last year when she was blissfully unaware of the dude behind her.
Didn't realize until now (comparing to cool mall Santa above) how fake his beard looks.
The lawn chair doesn't help!

For Safe Keeping...

Back when Sofia was just a child of 15 months (September) she had a brief period of infatuation with the diaper pail. One evening while we were hanging out in the living room, she kept disappearing into her bedroom. She'd be playing with a toy, then leave, and come back without the toy. I went into her room and looked for the toys and they were nowhere to be found. Finally, it dawned on me. I opened the diaper pail to find 6 toys stuffed in there with the dirty diapers. I quickly figured out there is a lock on the pail!

Caught in the act.

Where else would I keep my pumpkin?

The Cupcake Wears Converse

Keeping with the food Halloween costume tradition (if you can call two years in a row tradition), we decided to go a little sweeter this year. Last year the chili pepper sleeping bag was the costume of choice, but this year I looked for something a little more "girly." I think I succeeded. Next year I may not have a say in the costume, so I'm exerting my authority for as long as possible. Luckily she had many occasions to wear it.

The Halloween season was kicked off with my mom's group (Las Madres Willow Glen '09) party on October 24th. We rented out a space at Emma Prusch Farm Park which is an oasis of preserved farmland at the intersection of highways 280/680/101. I've lived here nearly my entire life and never knew it existed until this year! It was so fun to see all the kids in their costumes and watch them chase after chickens.

Cupcake and Kitty harass the chickens.

Las Madres Halloween chaos.

Another "Mom's Group" that I'm a part of is known to Steve as the "Yoga Girls" because we all met while taking pre-natal yoga. The difference with this group is that our kids rarely see each other, instead we meet every couple months for mom's nights out. It's such a treat to see the little ones, especially all dressed up in their adorable costumes. Thanks to Sara, Manny & Payton for hosting!

Dads and the menagerie.

Dominic and Sofia practicing for adolescence by texting each other while 2 feet apart.

Sofia missed the "animal" memo.

Game 4 of the World Series fell on Halloween, so Auntie Jen and Uncle Nick came over to watch the game and help pass out candy. Jen and I took Sofia for a quick loop of trick or treating, which consisted of dragging Sofia around in the wagon and gently pushing her up to front doors so we could ask the score of the game.

Cutest Cupcake.

Auntie Jen with roadie and cupcake.

While Nono tries to explain the albino pumpkin, Sofia decides that she can get everything she needs at this house. No need to travel further.

VERY skeptical of the whiskers on Mom.

I got them ALL cut!

We've been talking about taking Sofia to get her first haircut for many months now. My issue was: bangs or no bangs? I decided in the car on the way to Balloon Cuts. No bangs. I just wasn't ready for that yet. I think I'm worried they will make her look like a three year old.

We hopped in the car and Sofia was in a great mood after a super long nap and a snack. I had her bag packed with all things of comfort: paci, baby doll, milk sippy, Cheerios. She appeared vaguely interested in the cute yellow car we sat her in. But as soon as the stylist to the kids appeared with comb and scissors, you would have thought she was cutting off Sofia's fingers and not her hair. In the end, not even the coveted iPhone or car keys would comfort her.

Before: Scraggly haired and very dubious.

During: Pacifier and iPhone are not saving her from the trauma.
Thankfully the stylist was quick. The whole ordeal was over in under 10 minutes.

After: Cuteness!
While we're digging the new 'do, the curly ribbon they tied in her hair kinda makes her look like we just picked her up from the groomer.

Yes, those are locks of her hair. And yes, I find it a little creepy. Too much CSI:?

Tutu much fun

Check out Sofia's latest photo shoot with photog extraordinaire, Andrea Heyfron. Our last session of the "Watch Me Grow" package (a gift from my parents, thanks Peg & Dick!) was supposed to be around Sofia's 1st birthday, but I wanted to wait until she was walking to capture cute shots like this:

We've referred Andrea to lots of friends, like the Imelli Family. Check out their shoot that was the same day as ours at the beach in SF. Too cute.

It doesn't mean she can't enjoy Led Zeppelin too

Well, I think it's obvious. She's inherited my love for hip hop.

Last night while I was showing String the fabulous history of rap performed by Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots on Jimmy's show, Sofia got her groove on.

She seems to have a special affinity for Eminem.

For the full video from the Jimmy Fallon show, click here.

Skipping Ahead. Literally.

Lots of other events to catch up on, but thought I'd skip to the most notable change in our lives:

We witnessed the first couple of steps, but when we returned from our 5 day trip to Seattle and Omak, Washington there was a full fledged walker in the house.

I've got wheels, they're multiplyin'

You would think Sofia had just turned 16. Why does a one year old need so many modes of transportation? Because she has places to be, people to see.

Grammy and Nono's birthday gift to Sofia was this awesome take on the old school Radio Flyer.

These wheels are best for trips to Grammy's when she needs to bring lots of "stuff." (i.e. Mom and Dad need to cart alcohol somewhere)

Uncle Michael had this special speedster on the radar for many months before Sofia's birthday and he unveiled it at her party. It's so stylish and retro, we're sure Sofia will love it...as soon as her feet touch the ground.

The current favorite mode of transport is the Push Around car. This was a gift from Sofia's buddy Meghan. The best part was that Meghan came over and put the car together! Sofia assisted.
Everyday, multiple times a day, Sofia makes the sign for "car" and points out the back door. Sometimes we can get away with just wheeling her around the yard, but most days it's a full lap around the block.
She keeps her hat in the boot.

Then there is the iconic Cozy Coupe that I bought on sale at Toys R Us many months ago. It sat in its box in the garage until the Cozy Coupe Engineer/Angel arrived from Denver last week. Uncle Jim spotted the box and offered. And who am I to turn down free labor?

Steve practically did cartwheels when he came home from work.

This kid knows how to relax.

I know, it's surprising.

Red, White and Sof

We gave Sofia a week to get used to being one year old and then threw her a party. To accommodate the family's busy travel schedules, it worked out that the most convenient time to celebrate the big O-N-E was on the fourth. And who am I to argue with a built-in party theme? Our little firecracker embraced her shared party by sporting some glitter and tulle. Never have the stars and stripes been cuter.

Dancing with Grandpa.

Decor.

The cooks, the cigars, the ribs and the smoker.

Yummies. And the adorable Sofia look-alike cake topper, a gift from Susie. When it arrived in the mail, there was no card, but it looked very much like another great cake topper I'd seen somewhere before...

Family photo with the finger making sure that molar is still on its way.

Girlfriends!
Gabriella (2.5) & Lauren (3.5)

G Man (15 mos)

Dominic (14 mos) doing laps in the pool.

Before

After - Hooray for blue frosting!

Happy Birthday to the Little Firecracker and America!

Happy 11 Months!

Once again Sofia is pushing the envelope with her fashion sense.
White pants the week before Memorial Day? What a renegade!

Some excitement from the past month...

*To celebrate her 11 month birthday, she took her first legitimate crawling "scoots!" Life as we know it will soon be over.

*Fiesty! That's the best word to describe Sofia these days. In particular, when it comes to diaper and clothing changes. The words "wrestling a pig" often comes to mind when trying to quickly complete these tasks! Her new favorite thing to do while getting her diaper changed is to roll over and bite the edge of the table.

*She is sleeping through the night more often these days, which is a wonderful thing! If she does wake up, it's usually just once.

*Nursing was swiftly cut short when Sofia decided that biting is fun! I tried all the tricks to make her stop, to no avail. So, we're supplementing with formula until we can introduce milk. I have mixed feelings about stopping...I'm thrilled to have stopped pumping, but I admit I'll miss the time with her.

*We completed a 6 week course in baby sign language a couple weeks ago. Now the trick will be actually using it.

*She's begun to mimic loud noises like the vacuum, blender and the grinder at Starbucks. I think it's hilarious. I'm not sure if the other customers agree.

*She's giving hugs now, but they are really just a ploy to get closer to her favorite thing of all - HAIR.

"Helping" Mommy pack for her trip to LA.

I heart waffles.

The End.