Sophia's favorite things!

Sophia and I both napped yesterday and it was glorious. A storm system moved through Huntsville for most of the afternoon so we made our way upstairs to snuggle in Mom and Dad's big bed with one window cracked open so that we could listen to the rain. As I watched Sophia begin to fall asleep, her eyelids getting heavier and heavier by the blink, I thought to myself...how could capture her and take a snapshot in my mind of just how she is, all two and a half years of her. How I could put in a tiny, little imaginary capsule all of her likes and dislikes so that I could look back a month, 6 months or a year from now and see just how much she has grown. So again...this may be more of a post for me, the mama, trying so desperately to remember every single second of watching Sophia grow up. I'll title it, Sophia's Favorite Things!

Favorite way to wear her hair: DOWN where she marvels at just how pretty her long, curly hair is. Any attempt to put it up, she adamantly refuses so most of the time she looks like she just woke up. I love it. I so often have people ask me if her curls are 'natural' which always makes me laugh. We have yet to cut it and I don't want to. Call me smitten but I just adore her long, curly hair so perfectly out of place.

Favorite thing to wear: DRESSES! Apart from the loads of adorable shorts and capri's I've stocked the little love's closet with, I wouldn't mind staying in this phase forever. Lately it has been the first thing she's asked for in the morning, to put on a 'pretty dress' and it's difficult to get her out of them. It might be just about the time for a cute little nightgown and dress-up clothes!

Favorite snack: Apples! The more I have them cut, the more she eats them so needless to say, I try to slice a bunch of apples! It has been my goal ever since she's been eating actual food to try and expose her to as many different fruits and vegetables as I can. I still remember Chris coming home from work one day in California to a 9 month old Sophia chomping on a yellow bell pepper. She definitely has her likes and dislikes but is a very good little eater which I hope will be a great example for her baby sister one day.

Favorite dinner: This one I'll have to say is a tie between my Chicken Potpie and broiled Salmon. I always jump-up-and-down in my head to see how Sophia manages to pick out only the vegetables from her potpie to eat, even stealing some of her favorite green beans from a very generous Dad. ;) And the same goes for salmon...she can't ever get enough.

Favorite activity: Nature walks, rain walks, sunshine walks...any way she can get outside! We pick up leaves, check out cool mailboxes, jump over the cracks in the concrete and steer clear of holes in the road! Sometimes we take the puppies with us but most of the time it's just Sophia and I, strolling around the block talking about the weather!

Favorite cartoon character: By goodness, Dora the Explorer wins hands down. The cartoon is rather annoying but Sophia has learned so much from little repetitive Dora, that I can stand an episode or two. We've also invented our own Dora games as we try and find her everywhere we go. Lately, the dairy section of the grocery store where Dora seems to be on every children's yogurt and string cheese keeps her occupied for a good three minutes while I scoop up my yogurts and cheeses.

Favorite saying: Well, we've been hearing a lot of interesting things lately from our little chatterbox but two really stick out in my head. Sophia loves talking about her baby sister and every so often will rub my stomach and say 'Baby in mom's tummy!!' as if I needed a reminder! It is cute to hear her expand on the oh-so-lovely topic saying things like 'Baby sister is Phia's best friend' or 'Love you baby sister' or 'Baby sister coming in three months!'. Sophia has now discovered that some shopping carts have TWO seats and heaven forbid I put my purse or any groceries in baby sister's seat. I adore each and every conversation I have with Sophia about baby sister and am itching to get my girls together and see the magic unfold.
Sophia's other big phrase of the moment is a sassy...'Aw, maaaaannnnn'...responding to something that she does not want to hear. And she truly draws the whole little phrase out with a snap of her fingers and everything. It makes me laugh every time! It's such a challenging yet wonderful age, two and a half and it is so fun to see her express herself in different ways.

Favorite special treat: Ice cream! Come on, who doesn't love ice cream! I got the biggest kick out of sending Mary and Papa out with Sophia to Baskin Robins while in Florida and hearing about the mess she made with a chocolate ice cream cone. Now why the two chaperones gave a toddler not only an ice cream cone but a chocolate one, to eat all by herself in her car seat on the ride home is beyond me. However, I saw nothing of the mess and Sophia had a wonderful trip to the ice cream shop with Papa and Auntie Mar!

Alas, my pregnant brain as come to a standstill and as I read this post back over, I'm smiling thinking about the many facets of Sophia's personality. I look forward to updating this list for my 'Mama Records' in the not so distant future and see how she's growing more and more into a little lady. There are times these days when my belly seems just too big where I think to myself, how am I going to do this all by myself when baby sister arrives? How will I be a mama of two with a husband overseas and give them everything they so desperately deserve? I find comfort in believing in the power of great friends and family and the fact that God would never give me anything He didn't think I could handle. It'll all be so worth the effort in due time when I have two different lists to make, of both my girls' favorite things!

When I count all my blessings, I get a smile on my face.

And there goes another month, the last month of summer and oh, what a fantastic month it has been. Our whirlwind month of August, the big shibang to the long and hot summer here in Alabama, has been greater than I could have ever planned. As I sit here tired as all hell with my belly growing by the second, I can't help but think of all the lovely things the Fall has in store for us and how I could possibly thank the Big Man Upstairs enough for his oh-so-many blessings.

From the beaches of Florida to the bustle of Boston to the charm of coastal Maine, we have taken our last vacation as a family of three and soaked up every second. We started our two week journey up the east coast in Jacksonville Beach, Florida where my parents have a house by the water. It has been my parent's dream to own a home by the water and by gosh, everything about the beach cottage is practically perfect. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing Sophia so happy, totally in her element with Papa, Gama, and Auntie's to follow her every move. Sophia is a true beach baby spending the first two years of her life by the beaches of San Diego but this beach trip was even better. To have the beach AND her own personal pool in the backyard...well, let's just say she was one happy little fish! We did absolutely nothing of importance, going nowhere fast and planned absolutely nothing to fill our days but isn't that the best way to spend a vacation? No plans and no problems! I always enjoy any amount of time spent with my family and it was an extra treat to be in such a beautiful and relaxing setting. I'm itching to go back and I just can't wait until next summer when my two girls and I can take our Marine, back from his third tour, on a much needed vacation as a family of four! :)

Next stop on our vacation train...Medway, Massachusetts's where we were welcomed by loads of extended family itching to get their hands on little miss Sophia! It was a joy! The whole week was just as I'd hoped! We spent time laughing, catching up, sharing stories and marveling at the fact that yes, it had REALLY been THAT long since we'd been together last!

Something I always do with my Auntie Tisa when up in the northeast is take a trip to Wells Beach, Maine. My grandparents used to own a condo .less than a mile from the icy cold waters of Wells Beach and some of my fondest memories from when I was little are spending time with my Grammy and Grandpi on the beach. So I took my Sophia there. I took her to the same beaches where I played as a little girl. We spent our days soaking up the sun on the beach and our evenings enjoying all the seafood Maine had to offer to then walk around the beautiful coastal cities.

From one end of the coast to the other, our vacation was lovely.

And then it was home. Home to the humidity that I had practically forgotten could even exist. I had a day and a half to putz around the house and get myself reacquainted with Sophia and I's routine before we welcomed the Auntie's for their SECOND visit of the summer! A perfect way to end the summer...with my sisters, my Marine and my Sophia.

And tonight it all came to an end. Everything has settled down and all we have left of summer is some wonderful pictures and priceless memories. My little lovebug has been an absolute joy through it all. The way that she loves is so remarkable and never ceases to inspire me. She holds a place in her heart for all of her family, near and far, and remembers them all by name and favorite memory. As I tucked her in to bed tonight, she told me with this light in her eyes that 'Mar, Annie, Grama and Papa were at home and that we'd see them again in three months (holding up three fingers)when baby sister comes (rubbing my tummy)'. In the thoughts of a child, it is comforting to remember that this is the end of the summer only. We will all be together again soon to make new memories. I know I say this often and sometimes I think it's more of a written reminder for me when the deployment days ahead get tough, but this military life has made me appreciate the treasure of family so much more than I ever could have on my own. I'll take a million heart wrenching goodbye's for just as many wonderful hello's.

I will sleep tonight with a smile on my face, for all of my many blessings.

My beautiful little lovebug getting her first pedicure! I sat with great friends marveling at the fact that we're actually here, at the point where Sophia can get a pedicure and I can think back to the day that made me a Mama where I only dreamed of this. Do you know that I've waited for this day? I've dreamt of all the little things I will do with my girl and this was one of them! Oh, the joy.

One might say that this isn't the greatest picture of my little sweetheart but my oh my does this sum up one side of Sophia's personality...little Miss Attitude! I've been pleasantly surprised at how we have so seamlessly avoided any bouts with the 'terrible two's' until only recently. And it isn't so much anything terrible, it is more of what I'll call a refinement of her stubbornness, seeing more and more what she can get away with. She's very smart, so smart that she keeps Mama on her toes and Dad chuckling. Of course Chris and I do our best to keep up and not let her get away with things but to hear her so politely tell someone 'please' and 'thank-you', I suppose the 'terrible-two's' could be worse.

And then there's my goofball who loves to laugh and be silly. Who finds the splendor in all the little things of life and makes sure to always tell Mama and Dad how much she loves us. So with the stubbornness comes the joy and to appreciate one you must have the other. I can't complain. It is so lovely being Sophia's mama...oh-so-lovely.

An update for my Mama! :)

Only ten days into July and already so much to share! :) Chris' 'man room' is just about 95% complete after his new 'futon' addition and it's a pretty cool futon, if I do say so myself. It extends into a full size bed and the chaise lifts up for a whole tub of storage (you know how I LOVE my hidden storage spaces!). Sophia's had her fun in the super-duper on sale sprinkler I found her at Marshall's and I've enjoyed seeing things come together for my loves! Only something like 140 days left being pregnant! I say only because take into consideration life with a toddler, being married to the Marine Corps and an OCD Mama who wants everything to be perfect...well, I see the time just flying by! Ah, the joys of motherhood! Happy weekend everyone!

Bear with me and my motherly reflections.

I've never really allowed myself to regret anything in life. To me, regret is a huge waste of time...a waste of precious energy that I just don't have extra to give away. These past few months in my times of reflection, I find myself looking back though, over the things in my life that have impacted me greatly and the things that have taught me some of life's greatest lessons, more often than not the hard way. I play a tug-of-war in my head, sometimes believing one hundred and ten percent that everything that happened in my past, has led me to this point, to this wonderful life with my amazing husband and beautiful daughter(s). And then there are some times, where I'm slightly more pensive where I think about my daughters as I take a look back over my life before them. It is in these times that I wish on a million shooting stars that they travel on a path that is a little less treacherous than mine still arriving at the same comforting place. Isn't that a wish that all mother's have? Don't we all wish we could stand beside our children on their paths through life sifting through the experiences that may cause too much pain and guiding them to the ones that will bring joy and happiness? But I can't can I? And no matter how hard I try, my little girls will grow up to want to sow their own paths probably even more independently than I. They need that. They need to feel some heartache to appreciate real love. They need to make a few mistakes that will test their resilience and to learn how to scrape off their pretty little knees and try again. So I think and I think and I think...I think of what it was that grounded me during my most rebellious times, what made me stop and think and I come to one end....love. Now that is something that I can give my little girls. That is something that I can show them every single moment of every single day through things so little to those much more grand. Through holiday traditions at home with our family, through home-cooked meals, bedtime stories, notes in their lunchboxes, through warm chocolate chip cookies, and through an ear always there to listen. Through stressing the importance of family and showing them what can be accomplished through faith in the Big Man Upstairs. Through showing them that no matter what they do, I will always love them and that I understand they need to spread their wings without their mama's constant guidance. I can show them the many facets of love whether that be the selfless love in my relationship with their father or through the oftentimes difficult, tough love when I see them falling into a place that might scar their naive hearts. I can show them that love holds no bounds and that when their Dad is far far away, we will always be connected even when we're missing such a huge part of our whole. I can't stop their heartaches but I can pray to the good Lord that they find meaning in this life through Him and hope with all my might that I see them one day as happy and as content as I feel now. It's my job, my one true job in this life to show them the way and I'll be damned if I let anything stand in front of me.

So here's to having daughters and the great love that comes with seeing them grow into little ladies. Thanks Mama and Pops for showing me how to teach my girls the love of a family and never giving up on me. I may have given you a run for your money but I turned out alright I think? ;)

I love the south, I really do. I love the people, I love the big, beautiful natural trees, I love the small-town feel of this Rocket City yet big name shopping and beautiful parks that the town boasts. I am so happy that Sophia has been able to experience a different part of the country and will develop memories (and maybe even an accent) of one of the many sides of American culture. But she is my California girl through and through. She talks about the beach at least once a day and is convinced that all the 'rockets' she 'sees' around town are flying to the coast, to the comfort of where she called home her whole little life. She takes one step outside and says, "Mama, it's hot' but never lets that keep her from running in her big, beautiful backyard or playing at her favorite new park next to Daddy's work. I must admit that as hard as this military life is at times with the constant moving and uncertainty, I feel very lucky to be able to call new places around the country home. There are days where I miss the beach and the palm trees but it is comforting to know that they are still there, just the way I remember them and I will have them close again one day with an added appreciation for what I too often took for granted.

This past June has been wonderful and it's hard to believe that we've been here almost two months. Amidst the crazyness of moving into a new house, we've found time to brave the heat and take walks, to sit on our front porch and watch thunderstorms as they brew, sunbathe on our back deck until one of us complains we can't take the heat anymore, barbecue on our new 'manly' bbq, and celebrate birthdays, holidays and little milestones in our daughters lives! I'm really settling into life here and feeling confident that Sophia and I will be able to take wonderful care of her baby sister while Chris is gone. I very rarely get lost around town anymore and I can find all the things we need with ease, finally settling into a routine that I so desperately needed to keep me sane. I'm growing, growing and GROWING but to say 'like a weed' doesn't sound very pretty (ha) and as I hit the halfway point in my pregnancy, my daydreams of this baby have become more detailed as I so anxiously anticipate her arrival. Chris has been working long hours but has had the past two weekends off and we've soaked up every second of his 'free' time. As always, he's wrapped around Miss Sophia's finger and I don't see that ever changing. I overheard him saying to Sophia yesterday while I was cooking dinner...'Little one, what are you going to do when your little sister wants to cuddle with Dad?' to which she responded in her semi-audible Sophia-language, 'she sit with mama'. Ha! I laughed. I can see him relaxing very comfortably with his two little girls in the not so distant future and my goodness, if you know Chris, well the thought of him surrounded by beautiful baby girls makes anyone smile! We celebrated his birthday this past week starting with a candle in his must-have fried egg and hash brown breakfast (with tortillas of course, I will refrain from a joke here) and ended with some presents which Sophia picked out all by herself! :) Chris is a man of few wants and very rarely asks for anything come birthday and Christmas time but come on, who can resist some blow pops and a screwdriver from an overjoyed Sophia! I think he's working on a couple purchases to complete the house so we'll keep his birthday going throughout the summer. It is such a treat to have him home, something we never take for granted.

Have I mentioned that I love holidays? I'm the girl that counts down to Christmas on December 26th and as I get older and watch Sophia grow, I appreciate and look forward to Holidays so much more. This Fourth of July was wonderful, spending time with t
he type of friends that are more like family. A lovely day!

We're all settling into the summer nicely and I am trying to soak up every second of being pregnant. The months are flying by and I have so much that I want to do with my Sophia before the summer is over and fall sets in. I see water park visits, rain walks with our new 'wellies', park visits with Dad, cuddles with Nani and Papa and some serious Auntie time in the near future with lots and lots of pictures taken capturing all these wonderful memories. Happy Fourth of July to you all and a heartfelt 'We miss you' to all our friends and family around the country...scratch that, around the world! :)

Finally, Sophia's new room is finished and it looks fantastic! Sophia's 'big girl bed' is exactly what I imagined and the storage capabilities make me squeal every time I set foot in her adorable little room. I think I might update a few of the pictures in the frames and see if I can find some more knick-nacks for her dressers but I think it looks so sweet and is perfect for a growing girl! :)

I'm also still on the lookout for the perfect duvet cover which I'm thinking would look darling in a shade of light yellow but being the bargain hunter that I am...patience is a virtue! It's such a treat seeing Sophia enjoying her new room but what put an even bigger smile
on my face was hearing Chris tell me how much he loves it! Now I've got to start working on color schemes for our new little love's room. We've already got her crib, a dresser (which I think I'll change out the knobs for something very classicly girly), and a bookcase but I'm frantically brainstorming a color scheme. I'm not big on themes in a girl's
room but am a firm believer in buying 'baby' decor that can grow with her. Am I nesting already? As my mama said last night while we were chit-chatting away, now is the stage in my pregnancy where I'm glowing and growing so I'm going to take advantage of all the blessings that come with the second trimester, and get some work done! :) I look forward to
including Sophia in decorating her baby sister's room and am anxiously anticipating the moment where they meet and she truly becomes a big sister. Yesterday afternoon Sophia kissed my especially round belly and said 'I love you baby sister'. Does life get any sweeter? Now off to sit with Sophia in her new room and daydream about my two daughters!