Sophie: Eleven Months

Ahhh she's almost a year already! Slow down, please! She did not want to sit still for these pictures. :)











At eleven months, Sophie loves to move! She can crawl fast to get wherever she wants to go. She has started pulling up, too. She likes to clap and enjoys music. She lifts her arms when she wants to be picked up. Sophie is trying out her voice more and more. She says "mama" and "dada" a lot but I'm not sure if we've had a real "first word" moment yet. Although last week we were playing with bubbles and she definitely tried to say it. Sophie is really getting into books now, especially books that rhyme or have textures to feel. I took her for a weight check two weeks ago and she weighed 14 lbs, 15 oz. When I nicknamed her Peanut in the womb I didn't know she was going to take it so literally. ;) Sophie loves to eat, especially baby cereal (the only thing I spoon feed her), any kind of fruit, and green peas. She is wearing 9-12 month clothing and size 2 diapers. She is a happy, giggly, adorable little girl--a joy to be around! We thank God for blessing us with sweet Sophie.

Still here!

I'm still here...will try to be back to blogging Wednesday. Life has just kept me away lately. Windows 8 on my new computer hates anything to do with photos and I'm still trying to straighten that out. Two foster babies have come and gone. Annie and JJ are being especially...challenging. I did finally finish sewing four nightgowns for Annie, so I can mark that off my list. Be back with more to share soon.

Zion and Resurrection Sunday

What a beautiful Easter we enjoyed this year! The weather was perfect. We went to church with Honey, Poppa, Uncle Tyler, and Aunt Kayla. Then we had a scrumptious lunch on the porch and soaked up the sunshine and spring flowers. Here are a few photos for your enjoyment...


(couldn't show you JJ's face, so this sticker will have to do!)





Each year I enjoy celebrating Easter more and more--this extended pause in the calendar as we observe the Lenten season. Even when all hope seems lost, to remember that Resurrection Sunday is coming. This year held special significance as Easter fell on the same day as Zion's heavenly anniversary. To sing hymns of Christ's victory over death and His promise of eternal life is a joyous way to remember.

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O Death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O Grave? Alleluia!

When it seems like you're stuck in Friday, remember that Sunday is coming.

The Word for Good Friday

1 Peter 2:22-25 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Starting to think about a few easy tasks for Annie and JJ to complete each day. Found this great link to get me started. If you have any other suggestions, please share!

The best cookies + bread tips

Today's recipe post inspired by Bebe. :) She introduced me to these chocolate chip cookies and they are truly scrumptious.

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 oz milk chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs. Then add flour, soda, and salt. Mix in chocolate chips. Spoon cookies on ungreased tray. Bake at 375 for about 8-10 minutes. Makes four dozen.

Note: don't use self-rising flour. The cookies will rise too much. Stick with the plain flour, soda, and salt combo.


An a couple of Bebe-discovered updates to my basic sandwich bread recipe (you can find that link here). Put the water, yeast, and sugar into the mixing bowl and let sit for 10 minutes before stirring and continuing on with remainder of recipe. This helps the dough rise better. Also, add 1/4 cup of melted butter if you want the bread to stay soft over a few days (not necessary if you will eat it all in one day!).

A Long Week

It has been one of those weeks where I had to just keep telling myself to do the next thing.

Monday we woke up to almost six feet of water in our basement (from rain) and our hot water heater ruptured. Because we couldn't get to the hot water heater to shut it off we had to shut off water to the whole house for a couple of days until the basement was pumped out. The plumber is coming today to install a tankless hot water heater upstairs so we won't be without hot water in the case of future floods. The waterproofing company is getting ready to tie the spring under our house directly into the city stormwater drains, so that should get most of the water out of our house. I don't know if our water problem will ever truly be fixed but this sounds like a plausible solution. Of course, it involves digging up our yard and flowerbeds and the sidewalk and the street...we will probably be laying sod (again).

JJ had court Tuesday. It went okay, but things are just moving so slowly (he has been with us for 20 months) and any permanent decisions are still a year off. Very frustrating. We spent the first year trying to help his birth mom and move to reunification, but that turned out to be a disaster. So now we are in limbo. This foster parenting stuff is exhausting and honestly there are times I don't want to do it. Why do this to ourselves and our own children? But the Gent and I know that this is what God has called us to do so we are pressing on.

Sophie had to see a pediatric ophthalmologist yesterday. Her initial screening at the pediatrician's office indicated her pupils were different sizes and she was far-sighted in one eye. Thankfully yesterday's visit ruled most of that out. She does have a bit of astigmatism and possible far-sightedness in one eye, but nothing that needs treatment now. We will return in one year to see if she's outgrown it or if she needs glasses.

On top of all that, Annie and JJ are struggling big time with obedience this week and Mama has just not felt like dealing with that. But I had to because I don't want my children to grow up to be brats. :) It is exhausting enforcing that you mean what you say.

Anyway, it is finally Friday! The kids and I are going to the Y. I'm going to get in a good cardio workout before their swim lesson. Then I plan to celebrate the end of this week with Graeter's ice cream. And the Gent and I have a date Saturday night and we have small group Sunday night. It's going to be a good weekend.

Today you get a link

We are definitely having a Monday over here. No brain power to put together anything of my own today. Instead, try this link to a very thought provoking essay by Andree Seu Peterson.

Sophie: Ten Months

Ten months! Sophie is crawling all over the place and pulling up to her knees. She's still a long way from standing without help, so walking is not in our immediate future, whew! Sophie loves to play with her toys, but really loves to play with the big kids' toys. If she sees one of theirs, she will chuck hers over her shoulder and make her way to it as quick as she can. She has also figured out how to reach through the slats on her crib and pull toys from her toy basket into the bed. I find her asleep surrounded by toys. She loves to wave and stretch out her arms to be picked up and play peek-a-boo. Sophie also loves to eat. Cheese, puffs, cereal, sweet potatoes, and any kind of fruit are her favorites. She tolerates other vegetables and meats. She is nursing five times a day, sleeping from 8pm til 6am, then back to sleep till 8 or 9am after nursing. One long afternoon nap. Sophie is transitioning to 9-12 month clothing (my long and lean baby) and is wearing size two diapers. Sophie is tolerating the church nursery, finally. I still usually get paged but not until the service is almost over, so we are making progress. Other than being very attached to Mama (which I don't mind one bit), Sophie continues to be a happy, easy, and sweet baby girl!

P.S. Think I got the photo uploading figured out on the new computer. The watermarks are messed up but I'll fix those in the future.

Weekend Visit!

We spent the weekend visiting with family. We all enjoyed ourselves, Annie and JJ especially!

Reading with Granny


At Bass Pro Shops with Bebe


Decorating Mama's birthday cake


Eating said cake


Really enjoying said cake


Granny and Sophie


Learning video games with Daddy


Twirling


Playing ball


Papa Rick and Sophie


Dancing with Papa Rick


Block castles


Daddy's little girl