Thursday, March 22, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Eating
Sofia now enjoys eating snacks at the island, standing in her learning tower. I like it because I can chop and prep and we can keep each other company.
Lucas is taking more initiative in preparing his own snacks. His signature sandwich is jam and cheese on Ezekial bread. This morning he taught Chris how to make it and they sat on the bench together and enjoyed their breakfast. "I'm so glad you like my sandwich Daddy!" followed by a proud lion's chomp.
Lucas is taking more initiative in preparing his own snacks. His signature sandwich is jam and cheese on Ezekial bread. This morning he taught Chris how to make it and they sat on the bench together and enjoyed their breakfast. "I'm so glad you like my sandwich Daddy!" followed by a proud lion's chomp.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Walking
I think the official date that my baby became a toddler was Wednesday February 1 (or was it the 8th?) Well, it was a Wednesday and Sofia was just around 13 months. In recent days, she has completely abandoned crawling and walks all over the house. She has really improved, but still falls a lot. It's very cute!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Lucas and Sofia's Birthday Party 2012
Lucas and Sofia's birthdays are seven days apart. This year we decided to have more than just a family party and invite a few friends. Here are some pictures that give an idea of the atmosphere. Many of them were taken by Elizabeth Poole, a best friend for almost thirty years and soon to be mom! Thanks Liz!
The themes happened to be "Lucas Oil" and "Flowers/Sofia Coppola Sparkling Wine." There was Lucas Oil Stadium paraphernalia placed throughout the party rooms that I purchased on-line or nabbed from my mechanic. Very fitting considering that is where the Superbowl was played this year!
The themes happened to be "Lucas Oil" and "Flowers/Sofia Coppola Sparkling Wine." There was Lucas Oil Stadium paraphernalia placed throughout the party rooms that I purchased on-line or nabbed from my mechanic. Very fitting considering that is where the Superbowl was played this year!
Another amazing cake by Chris's mom, "Gigi"
I got a wild hair and made "trips around the sun" posters.
These are used "Lucas Oil" bottles from our mechanic Greg (Appollon Auto Repair, Chamblee) with branches from the yard. It's a high-performance oil used often used by race cars. There is a stadium named for it too.
Sofia Coppola sparkling wine
Kids' Table
Hanging above the kids' table
Sofia, a.k.a. Ruffle-stiltskin...
...getting a kiss from Dyedushka (my dad.)
Maria and my brother Sasha :)
Lucas and Benton acting natural
Harris scoping out the scene
Elizabeth's husband Jason practicing with Jody & Britt's baby Troy
Elizabeth taking a turn practicing
The Potts minus Britt
Chris's Dad B.J., his bro Matt and Ryan a coworker
Melinda and her and Ryan's baby Lawson - beyond edible
Gabriel, politely requesting if he can dig in the big pot of dirt - also Sofia's favorite pastime.
Digging in!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lucas, you are 5!
Dear Lucas,
Happy birthday! We can't believe that you are five. Thank you for bringing so much joy and excitement to our lives! You are fun, smart, handsome and engaging and you certainly keep us on our toes. People often tell us how much they enjoy your company and that does not surprise us.
Even at this young age, you have shown a tremendous capacity for loving and understanding your creator. Keep the questions coming and we will keep racing to grow alongside you. We love you with all of our hearts!
You have taken five trips all the way around the sun and they have been filled with many great adventures and accomplishments. Here are a few...
In your first trip around the sun you learned to smile, laugh, crawl, walk and run. You got your first teeth and your first shoes. You learned to climb stairs and other things that are easy for you now. When you were a baby, you also learned how to be a good traveler. You took your first trip in a car when you were six weeks old and we traveled to Ben and Sarita's wedding in Tampa, Florida.
Your first plane trip was when you were five months old and we flew to Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. We were hoping that the three hour time difference would take care of your midnight bedtime, but you showed yourself to be a true party animal and stayed up until 3am west coast time with no problems (6am Atlanta time.) We continued to party late into the night, first with Devin Reynolds and his family in Seattle and then with the family in Vancouver. "Look at the face on that little guy!" said our cousin Oleg with a beaming smile. Those late nights led to some serious naps in the stroller allowing mommy and daddy quiet sushi lunches and leisurely shopping in Vancouver's downtown stores. One of your first foods was green tea ice cream. On the way back from Vancouver, we were delayed and later diverted through Tennessee so we were on the plane for nine hours. Luckily there were some cute teenaged girls behind us for you to flirt with. You didn't fuss the whole time!
That year you also traveled to Gulf Shores Alabama, Lake Hartwell, Portland Oregon, Fort Worth TX and Winnipeg, Manitoba. And then you were 1.
In your second trip around the sun you learned to do many things with your hands. You taught yourself how to eat with a spoon, pet dogs and play with cars and trains. You rode in a boat for the first time and learned how to rock in a rocking chair and slide down slides. You learned to be an even better traveler and visited some new places: Boston Massachusetts, Providence Rhode Island, and St. Augustine Florida (the oldest city in the United States of America.) And then you were 2.
In your third trip around the sun, you learned to have tons of fun playing. You learned to ride a little motorcycle (like a balance bike only smaller.) You learned to go on see-saws, make things with play-dough and splash in puddles with your rainboots. During this year you explored puddles and many other things in Prague and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic as well as Amsterdam, Holland and London, England. We lived in Europe for three months while Daddy worked there. This is also the year that you started school at Arbor Montessori! In this picture you are trying three different fresh juices in a vegetarian restaurant in Prague where we went twice a week. Every time we ate there, the waitress gave you a suitcase filled with fun things to do while you were at the restaurant. And then you were 3.
In your fourth trip around the sun, you learned how to play soccer and ride really fast on your balance bike (that is a bike that has no pedals and no training wheels.) You learned to rake leaves and write your name. This year we visited our family in Denver, Colorado for the first time. We also stayed at the Unicoi Lodge in Helen, GA where I stayed when I was a little girl. There was a kids space for sleeping and playing that was so high up you had to climb a ladder to get there. That’s what you are doing in this picture. I taught you how to jump from that ladder and onto the hotel bed. You did that over and over again! But the most important thing that happened this year is that your baby sister Sofia was born seven days before your fourth birthday. And then you were 4.
In your 5th trip around the sun, you learned to do many amazing things. You learned to swing by yourself, swim without floaties, play mini-golf and ride a pedal bike with no training wheels. During the summer, you learned to make salad people. You just took different types of food and made it look like a person but with macaroni for hair and carrot sticks for arms. You traveled to two new places this year: Savannah, GA and Navarre Beach in Florida where you spent many days jumping in waves and digging in sand. This year you also got to know your baby sister. You are a great big brother! And now you are 5!
Happy birthday! We can't believe that you are five. Thank you for bringing so much joy and excitement to our lives! You are fun, smart, handsome and engaging and you certainly keep us on our toes. People often tell us how much they enjoy your company and that does not surprise us.
Even at this young age, you have shown a tremendous capacity for loving and understanding your creator. Keep the questions coming and we will keep racing to grow alongside you. We love you with all of our hearts!
You have taken five trips all the way around the sun and they have been filled with many great adventures and accomplishments. Here are a few...
First trip around the sun
In your first trip around the sun you learned to smile, laugh, crawl, walk and run. You got your first teeth and your first shoes. You learned to climb stairs and other things that are easy for you now. When you were a baby, you also learned how to be a good traveler. You took your first trip in a car when you were six weeks old and we traveled to Ben and Sarita's wedding in Tampa, Florida.
Your first plane trip was when you were five months old and we flew to Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. We were hoping that the three hour time difference would take care of your midnight bedtime, but you showed yourself to be a true party animal and stayed up until 3am west coast time with no problems (6am Atlanta time.) We continued to party late into the night, first with Devin Reynolds and his family in Seattle and then with the family in Vancouver. "Look at the face on that little guy!" said our cousin Oleg with a beaming smile. Those late nights led to some serious naps in the stroller allowing mommy and daddy quiet sushi lunches and leisurely shopping in Vancouver's downtown stores. One of your first foods was green tea ice cream. On the way back from Vancouver, we were delayed and later diverted through Tennessee so we were on the plane for nine hours. Luckily there were some cute teenaged girls behind us for you to flirt with. You didn't fuss the whole time!
That year you also traveled to Gulf Shores Alabama, Lake Hartwell, Portland Oregon, Fort Worth TX and Winnipeg, Manitoba. And then you were 1.
Second trip around the sun
In your second trip around the sun you learned to do many things with your hands. You taught yourself how to eat with a spoon, pet dogs and play with cars and trains. You rode in a boat for the first time and learned how to rock in a rocking chair and slide down slides. You learned to be an even better traveler and visited some new places: Boston Massachusetts, Providence Rhode Island, and St. Augustine Florida (the oldest city in the United States of America.) And then you were 2.
Third trip around the sun
In your third trip around the sun, you learned to have tons of fun playing. You learned to ride a little motorcycle (like a balance bike only smaller.) You learned to go on see-saws, make things with play-dough and splash in puddles with your rainboots. During this year you explored puddles and many other things in Prague and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic as well as Amsterdam, Holland and London, England. We lived in Europe for three months while Daddy worked there. This is also the year that you started school at Arbor Montessori! In this picture you are trying three different fresh juices in a vegetarian restaurant in Prague where we went twice a week. Every time we ate there, the waitress gave you a suitcase filled with fun things to do while you were at the restaurant. And then you were 3.
Fourth trip around the sun
In your fourth trip around the sun, you learned how to play soccer and ride really fast on your balance bike (that is a bike that has no pedals and no training wheels.) You learned to rake leaves and write your name. This year we visited our family in Denver, Colorado for the first time. We also stayed at the Unicoi Lodge in Helen, GA where I stayed when I was a little girl. There was a kids space for sleeping and playing that was so high up you had to climb a ladder to get there. That’s what you are doing in this picture. I taught you how to jump from that ladder and onto the hotel bed. You did that over and over again! But the most important thing that happened this year is that your baby sister Sofia was born seven days before your fourth birthday. And then you were 4.
Fifth trip around the sun
In your 5th trip around the sun, you learned to do many amazing things. You learned to swing by yourself, swim without floaties, play mini-golf and ride a pedal bike with no training wheels. During the summer, you learned to make salad people. You just took different types of food and made it look like a person but with macaroni for hair and carrot sticks for arms. You traveled to two new places this year: Savannah, GA and Navarre Beach in Florida where you spent many days jumping in waves and digging in sand. This year you also got to know your baby sister. You are a great big brother! And now you are 5!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Teething Status Correction
I hadn't felt the top of her mouth until today. Sofia has not one, but three molars plus the lower left incisor cutting through. The fourth molar is bulging and about to make it's debut. Sheesh!
According to baby center, the top two molars usually show up between 13-19 months and the bottom ones between 14-18 months. This is a cool little set of diagrams. So she is definitely on the early end of things. At this rate she will be eating T-bones before she takes her first steps!
According to baby center, the top two molars usually show up between 13-19 months and the bottom ones between 14-18 months. This is a cool little set of diagrams. So she is definitely on the early end of things. At this rate she will be eating T-bones before she takes her first steps!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sofia is One!
Morning birthday activity: unloading the dishwasher.
Ah, Sofia. Where would we be without you. You have brought so many smiles to your daddy and me and a million giggles to Lucas. You are smart and magnetic, and the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.
Now that you are one, you are communicating well in your own language. You make no effort to speak English (it seems so rudimentary to speak one word at a time) so you babble on with confidence and wisdom, the old soul that you are. Occasionally, however, you make us do a double take. We do believe you have said "bye-bye, thank you, and goodness" with clarity although by the time we turn to see your face you just look at us innocently with those chubby cheeks and pouty lips.
You are a great eater. Your favorite is chunks of plain dark meat chicken. But you also love cheese, peas, pureed fruit and buttered toast. You love chicken pot pie, broth and oatmeal too.
Your favorite activities are transferring seashells from container to container and placing cloths into bowls - disorganization and organization are passions of yours. In the bath you like placing your washcloth in the built-in soap tray. You sit down and admire your work - hands folded proudly and a small sigh to signify a job well done. Then you get up again and take the washcloth down and repeat. Up, down, up, down ... you are very industrious.
Right now you are going through some trauma with two teeth coming through and a bad cold. I don't know why your molar is making an appearance so early! According to baby center, it is two steps ahead of itself. The second lower lateral incisor just yesterday made it's appearance and it is a doozy! I am sleeping with you and settling you back down several times a night. Naps and meals do not appeal to you. But if you are out of the crib and occupied, you are happy as usual and I am so thankful for that. You are being spoiled, sleeping with mommy and spending late evenings eating O's on the couch with daddy, and the crib is quickly becoming an insult to your intelligence.
You are still the biggest wiggle worm around. From a young age you've had a fierce drive for exploration and as long as I'm around you will confidently explore everything in your vicinity and way beyond. Maybe that's one reason your first birthday does not come as a shock to me. You have always been a free spirit and I "let you go" not long after you were born.
You rarely get too upset, because you know you can "talk" your way into anything (or at least a reasonable alternative.) Though sometimes you are impatient and insistent in your quest to conquer the world. We will support you as best we can.
Your brother loves you like crazy! He likes being silly with you and especially loves it when you push your walking toy through the house. He grabs one and joins you and it's all I can do to keep my brain from short-circuiting during these wild times!
You LOVE to swing and your rhythmic (very loud) screeches once caused people to think the swing at Mason Mill was desperately in need of some oil!
Here are some pictures from our family celebration the evening of your birthday. (January sixth fell on a Friday this year.) We celebrated with "Applekaka," one of our favorite desserts from IKEA (for several reasons.)
Happy birthday my beloved daughter, Sofia!
"Mama, this is alright, but are you sure we don't have any chicken?"
Here you are opening gifts. Your proud brother took many pictures! We gave you a handmade skirt from Etsy and a water-filled teether shaped like a fish.
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