Binky

So about 3 weeks ago we took the binky away from Sophia. We mainly only gave it to her at nap and bedtimes and at church to keep her quiet. I thought it was going to be a difficult transition but it was like she never had it in the first place! She hasn't once cried for it and when she found one the other day I just took it and she didn't make a peep. I am so glad to not have to worry about finding a binky and making sure we always have one with us! I am also so proud of Sophie for letting it go so easily.

Sophie in the snow

About a week ago Sophie and I went out and played in the snow. She loved to be out there but wanted to go in to the street instead of the snow. I was chasing her down the driveway while trying to shovel it. When I took her out a couple of days ago she did not enjoy it at all. We came in after about 15 minutes. She won't lay down to make a snow angel. She wasn't interested in building a snow castle. I think we will try sledding next. With the 17 inches we are in the process of getting right now!

crawling down the driveway to the street

coming back up the driveway

on the front porch

let me in, let me in

attempt at making a snow angel. 

Happy birthday grandma!

Sophie wanted to get in on the birthday gift giving so her gift to grandma is learning about the things on her face. She had gotten pretty good at pointing to mine and daddy's noses but hadn't put it together that she had a nose too. Well, tonight she got it! It started with her sticking her wet finger in my eye and saying "eye". Then daddy said where's your nose? She pointed to her own nose. Then she just laughed and laughed. We did the same with her eye and mouth. She got each of those too. It was a very funny game for her. Then daddy asked about her ears. We haven't gotten to that one yet. So grandma, your granddaughter is a genius! Happy birthday to you! She gets smarter every day and is still able to make us laugh, even when we are sick! We love her so much!!!!

On another note, she is saying more words. While on vacation over Christmas she started saying "hi" and "no, no, no" while pointing her finger. We have added "bye bye" with the wave and "night night" to the list. An occasional "thank you" will come out too. She has also been saying "woof woof" when she hears a dog bark. She mocks other words that we will say but it's more the tones than the words.

A Christmas Story

Does this picture remind you of any particular scene in A Christmas Story? Such a classic. 

Hyperventilating

We took a drive down to Omaha over the weekend to visit TJ's brother. We had a lot of fun visiting with his family. But, Saturday night after I put Sophie to bed she woke up screaming after an hour. This was by far the worst scream she has ever done and we couldn't calm her down. Then she started hyperventilating. I have never been so scared with her. We took her temperature and that was normal. So we decided that she must be teething and gave her tylenol. After about 15 minutes we were able to calm her down (or the tylenol was). It took a bit longer to get her breathing back to normal. I didn't want to go to sleep for fear that she would stop breathing. When she fell back asleep she slept the rest of the night and woke up just as happy as could be. Her molars have definitely come in more than just the tips so I hope that was the problem. I can't imagine how it feels to teeth but I am sure glad that she won't remember it!!!

Walking

On November 1st as TJ and I were relaxing on the couch, he looked over and saw our daughter walking! 6+ steps all throughout the day. We make it a game by having her walk back and forth between us. When she gets close to one of us she basically throws herself into our chests for a hug. So sweet. She has also been running all over the house with her little walker. She is very good at maneuvering it wherever she wants it to go.  She has also figured out that she can take an extra toy along by putting it in the hole between the handle and the car. She is sure a smart little cookie.

We also have a climber on our hands. It started with her climbing on the ottoman to the couch, climbing up the couch onto the knick knack table behind the couch. Next she figured out how to pull herself up onto the kitchen table chairs and then onto the table. Oi! are we in for it!!!

Oh and the tantrums! Can the terrible twos start at 14 months??? Sophie is proof that it can! If she doesn't get to do what she wants she kicks and twists and throws herself on the ground as she screams. Then her head hits the hard floor and she screams louder.

Even though she is mischievous, we love her soooo soooo much. She keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh everyday.

Resident Retreat

The weekend of September 17th we went to Grafton, Illinois for a retreat with TJ's fellow residents. On our way to the Pere Marquette Lodge, driving in the dark, we came very close to hitting a deer (like swerved into the other lane and practically had a heart attack) and a racoon. To get there we had to drive on this tiny road next to the river. It was a two way road but I highly doubt that two vehicles could fit side by side! The lodge was actually very cute and the grounds were pretty. There was a huge chess set in the great room. TJ played a few games. We had a great time. Saturday we ate breakfast in the lodge restaurant and then headed into town, which took about 1 minute to drive from one end to the other. I thought it would be fun to go kayaking so we found a place that rented kayaks and canoes and went in on one with two other families. I had never been canoeing and it was so much fun! The kids had a blast too! TJ and I canoed Sophie and two other kids over to a little island where we searched for seashells (the island smelled like poop so we didn't stay very long).

Then we headed back for a bbq with everyone. That night we went on a hayride. We uncomfortably fit about 30 people on the wagon. We thought that we were going to break the tractor that was pulling us. Sophie absolutely LOVED the hay!

After the hayride we had a bonfire. We roasted hotdogs and made the best smores we have ever had!

When we got back to the lodge we went swimming which Sophie loved then put her to bed and all played games. There was a beautiful storm that we watched too. The drive home on Sunday was much better than the drive there. We actually got to enjoy the scenery and even saw some tin building destroyed from the wind and possible tornado. Crazy! We had a lot of fun and look forward to the next retreat!!!