So Big Girl!

In typical "slacker" fashion, Sofia had her 9 month well child check up today- just 7 days shy of the 10 month mark.

The entire process provided enough material for a blog all it's own. But, in an attempt not to bore you with the lengthy description of the idiocy of the medical assistants at the pediatrician's office, I will avoid any further commentary on the subject.

On a happier note, I am pleased to report that we have a perfectly healthy, albeit rather large headed, baby girl.

Sofia weighed in at a featherweight 18lbs 6 oz and measured 28 inches long. Her 18 inch cranium, placed her well above average for head size, and earned her a respectable spot in the 95 percentile. Poor baby has to have a head that large to accommodate her beautifully colossal eyes and eyelashes!

She was such a trooper as she endured another round of immunizations as well as all the poking and prodding that accompanies a trip to the doctor.

Sofia is officially on the move and refuses to sit still for any amount of time. She loves to clap, say "mama" and "dada" indiscriminately, and giggle at her brother. She is now pulling herself up like a pro and loves to stand. She also manages to find the most random, and often, prohibited objects to play with- including, but not limited to any and all electronic equipment, power cords, trash cans, DVDs, and shoes. But nothing compares to the joy she finds by looking at herself in the mirror.

Our sweet girl is full of smiles and just as sweet as she can be, with rarely a complaint. She sleeps like a champ- thank goodness- and is a willing eater (shocking!).

We are so blessed to watch her grow!

Happy Birthday to Me

...and a happy birthday it was! I'm so lucky to be married to a man who determines to make my birthday special each year and make sure that I feel loved and appreciated. He always succeeds! Thanks babe!

This year, I was treated to having my house cleaned professionally. What a way to start the weekend! My birthday morning, I received the second gift, a Chi- something I've wanted for what seems like forever, but NEVER would have purchased for myself. (incidentally, my 3rd gift was the ability to do my hair in about 5 minutes!) We then headed over to my parent's house for an amazing birthday breakfast, which included egg & green chile casserole, crispy bacon, home style potatoes, bagels and cream cheese, fresh berries, and coffee cake. A pregnant woman's dream! Gift #4 was the offer to stay home with the kids so that my mom and I could spend the day shopping. One of the things I missed the most about being away from home was our "girl's days out". Mom and I haven't gotten to have many since we returned, so that was a special part of the day.

The party continued today when Fernando's family came over for lunch and cake. It was really the first time we've all been together since the holidays and a blessing that everyone was healthy enough to be there. Fernando did all the shopping, prepared and served the food, and cleaned up. What a sweet guy to spoil me so much! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday, and more, importantly, a better hubby.

Let the Slacking Begin...

Truthfully, it began about 48 hours after I found out I was pregnant for the 2nd time in 12 months. :) As we get closer and closer to welcoming our newest addition and temperatures continue to rise (is it really going to be close to 90 degrees this weekend?), I become lazier and lazier and so does my mind. My baby girl reached the 9 month mark last week and I failed to recognize it. Not only that, but she still has not visited her doctor for her "well-child" check-up since she was 6 months old. Sad, but true. I did manage to make an appointment and we will be going in a couple of weeks, just shy of her 10 month birthday. :) Better late than never, right??? That's what I keep telling myself. In my defense, I did manage to get the dog to the groomer this week (which was LONG overdue) and help Daniel finish his school project. I even finished a few loads of laundry and cleaned a bathroom (insert momentary pause for applause here). It's amazing what you can accomplish when you set the bar pretty low.

My New Favorite Song

Anyone who knows me well is aware of the fact that my all-time favorite musician is Sting. He has a style that no one can duplicate and a purity to his voice that is second to none (not to mention his amazing vocal control and freakishly vast range). All that to say, it should come as no surprise that I've listened to each of his albums more than a few times. But, the other day, I actually "heard" one of his songs for the very first time. Perhaps that's because I was able to steal away some time alone and the music wasn't drowned out by a crying baby or a 3 year old constantly demanding snacks. For the first time I was able to pay attention to the lyrics of the song and I was amazed at what I heard.

I'm familiar with some details of Sting's background after having read his book, "Broken Music" , and none of it aligns with the words he wrote to this song. It left me wondering what personal experience prompted him to pen these lyrics as they are such a beautiful picture of life without Christ and the freedom that comes with the salvation that only He can give.

(I recommend opening the following link in another window)

http://www.esnips.com/doc/80649d4f-dabb-4237-8409-3e86dd555e2d/Sting---Dead-Mans-Rope

Dead Man's Rope

A million footsteps, this left foot drags behind my right
But I keep walking, from daybreak 'til the falling night
As days turn into weeks and years
And years turn into lifetimes
I just keep walking, like I've been walking for a thousand years

Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,

If you're walking to escape, to escape from your affliction
You'd be walking in a great circle, a circle of addiction

Did you ever wonder what you'd been carrying since the world was black?
You see yourself in a looking glass with a tombstone on your back.

Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain,
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain .

All this wandering has led me to this place

Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space

Now I'm suspended between my darkest fears and dearest hope
Yes I've been walking, now I'm hanging from a dead man's rope

With Hell below me, and Heaven in the sky above
I've been walking,
I've been walking away from Jesus' love

Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain

All this wandering has led me to this place

Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space

The shadows fall
Around my bed
When the hand of an angel,
The hand of an angel is reaching down above my head

All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness

Now I'm walking in His grace

Now I'm walking in His grace

I'm walking in his footsteps , walking in his footsteps,
Walking in his footsteps, walking in his footsteps,

All the days of my life I will walk with You
All the days of my life I will talk with You
All the days of my life I will share with You
All the days of my life I will bear with You

Walk away from anger, walk away from pain
Walk away from anguish, walk into the rain.

Valentine's Fun!

This morning was fun, fun, fun as we headed to Daniel's preschool for his first Valentine party. Daniel had fun decorating a cookie, making a craft, and passing out valentines to his new friends. He left with a red balloon and a bag FULL of goodies. I left with even more appreciation and respect for his teachers- two very sweet, patient, and brave women! Thanks Miss Heidi and Miss Nikki for such a fun day!

Here are some highlights...

Where Do You Place Your Hope?

Few words have been tossed around these days as much as the word "Hope". We have been inundated with messages that hope is finally a possibility (some have gone so far as to say it's a reality) with the election of our new president. Why are we so quick to put hope in an individual who has yet to prove himself? Talk is cheap and so many have made promises that they haven't been able to, or never intended to keep. We don't put that much hope in newly purchased appliances or vehicles. That's why we spend money on extended warranties. Things don't always work out the way they are "supposed" to and we readily accept that as if it is the norm, unless it comes to political leadership. Then we are quick to place blame and point fingers. Suddenly, for some reason, this man is our answer. Really? Don't we realize that men are fallible? Why do seemingly intelligent people put HOPE in men? Our hope shouldn't be in any president- past, present, or future. Until we realize this, America, our future is hopeless.

Hope, by definition, is "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best". Only One can give us that guarantee- someone who's proven Himself time and time again.

Psalm 33:18-22

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us. Lord, four our hope is in you alone.

Growing Up!

It's happening, whether I want it to or not! Our little boy is growing up. Today was Daniel's first official day of preschool, something I was looking forward to...until I dropped him off. He was so excited and ran to give hugs to his teachers, Miss Nicole and Miss Heidi, both of whom are friends of ours from church and probably the best teachers he could have in the world! Backpack and water bottle in hand, he waved goodbye and I turned to head back to the car. Initially, I was looking forward to a quiet morning at home alone with Sofia, who would be napping most of the time. But I found the quiet surprisingly disturbing as I realized my little boy is growing up and, little by little, needing me less.

The best part of the day, for me anyway, was pulling up outside his school and seeing his little happy face. He told me all about the games he played, the songs he sang, the stories he heard, and the friends he made. He can't wait until Thursday...that makes one of us.