Sophie's First Two-Wheeler...

...with training wheels, that is. She was so excited about getting her new bike (an extremely early birthday present because Daddy can't wait that long to give it to her) we had to go straight to the elementary school and try it out. She jumped on without a problem and was practically a pro by the end of the trip.
She looks like a giant on this thing, but I swear she just reached the pedals perfectly. Sierra, as always, is never far behind.
I'm asking her to look up and pose for me in this pic. Sophie knew better and stayed focused on the task at hand.
Noah was pretty content in his stroller and let Sophie do her thing without making a fuss.

Funny How Things Change

I vividly remember when Tim and I used to discuss the dreams and plans we had for our future children. Particularly when Sophie was growing inside of me, we would talk about the things she would like, the places she would enjoy, and the personality she would take on. Little did we know how insignificant this would be after our children were actually born.

Before, we used to joke (in a very serious kind of way) how devastated we would be if our kids decided not to go to Ohio State. We would talk about how it would totally suck if our kids were more into soccer rather than baseball and softball. I'd silently pray my kids didn't inherit my horrible eyesight (maybe I still do that) and I hoped my children wouldn't throw a fit when I insisted they study some form of art. But, once they finally entered our lives our priorities and values shifted. Yes, we still place a very high value in obtaining an education, but we're okay if they choose to obtain it somewhere other than Ohio State. Yeah, it would be fantastic if our kids shared our love for baseball/softball, but if soccer or volleyball is their sport of choice, then we'll still be there to cheer them on. And if they just aren't artistically or musically inclined, that's okay too....maybe they can at least learn to appreciate it.

I think we've learned how important it is to pass on our values and beliefs, but that these values and beliefs can be expressed and lived in so many different ways.

My Little Munchkins

A part of me wants Noah to get bigger so he can run around and play with Sophie and the other part wants him to stay nice and small. Sophie is a great big sister and loves to give Noah tons of kisses and hugs. Sometimes she is a little rough but she's learning to be gentle.
It's beanie day in our house. Sophie typically likes to pair her hat with spring attire....shorts, dresses, skirts, etc.

Tuffi

Tim and his family's chocolate lab, Tuffi, was put to sleep this morning after a brief battle with cancer. She lived a long, luxurious life and will be missed by all of us. She was just a couple years old when I met her way back in 1995. She had so much energy and just loved playing with everyone. She never seemed to tire and always craved attention. Dogs don't seem to care about our flaws, faults, and misgivings. They don't point out our mistakes, criticize the way we look, or judge our every move. All they have room to give is love....and I know that is what Tuffi gave to her family. Rest in peace, Tuffi. We will miss you.

The Goofy Family

I don't know if Noah is aware of what he signed up for. Sometimes I wonder if he's up to the task of dealing with our crazy family...and I mean Tim and Sophie when I say this.
I guess there's the slight possibility this child is mine. Try to overlook my daughter's hair....we're trying to grow out her bangs, okay???

Tim's Favorite Thing to Do

I've given up on asking Tim to not rile up Sophie right before bed. I honestly don't understand how he doesn't get it. It's like clockwork with these two...about ten minutes before her bedtime, Tim decides to tickle, chase her around, roughhouse, whatever it is that causes her to scream, laugh and beg for more. And then of course there's bad cop Mommy who must be the grown up and put a stop to the circus taking place in my living room. I also find it quite baffling that Tim has the instinct to immediately place blame on his two-year-old daughter when I have to actually put a stop to it. His usual and favorite response is, "It's not me, it's Sophie!"

And now it's 9:30 and Sophie is wide awake. At least she's in bed, but I can hear her talking to her baby. And what is Tim doing? Oh yes, the pot stirrer is sound asleep. Seriously???

Jaws...and Other Stuff

Not quite sure how to explain what's on this clip....a little bit of Noah, a little of Sophie, a little more of Noah. Just hanging out one evening and was hoping to get a few laughs and smiles out of Noah. Instead, as usual, Tim and I end up entertaining ourselves!

Cannot believe how quickly this weekend went by. Gosh, this work thing is going to take some getting used to! Now that my days off count and I want to make the most of them, they go by in a flash. Of course, Tim and I tackled a third of what was on our "to-do" list. Actually, Tim seemed to get a lot done. I, on the other hand, was paralyzed by a complete lack of motivation. Like I mentioned before, this work thing is going to take some time!!!

http://www.vimeo.com/clip:175138
password: sono

Where Has the Time Gone?

Noah just recently turned 3 months old. I am in absolute shock at how quickly the time has flown by. This experience with my second child is certainly a bit different than the first. I don't know if it's because we probably won't have more children, but instead of anticipating milestones and celebrating them, I'm finding myself feeling a bit sad because it means my little baby boy is growing up and it may be our last time experiencing these amazing milestones. Noah can now roll over and hold his head up. He's already doing the Superman pose while he's on his tummy and he laughs like crazy all the time (except when the camera is on, that is). He has learned to love his bathtime and sleeps like a champ (I'm knocking on wood). He's outgrown his 3-6 month clothes and is already wearing his 6-9 month outfits. I was practically in tears when I packed away his newborn clothes!!!

I know it's not possible, but time seemed to go by much slower with Sophie....probably different now because our household is chaotic all the time and we also have a 2 1/2 year old on our hands. At the same time, I so look forward to taking the kids to Disneyland for the first time. I look forward to watching them play together and make new friends. I look forward to all the little things I found so memorable when I was a child. So sentimental!!!

As Noah experiences the many milestones ahead of him, I hope I can enjoy each process in the moment. And if things get to be too emotional for me, maybe Tim and I will have another one! Or maybe not....

Daddy the Disciplinarian

For those of you who know Tim really well, you would understand why it can be difficult to take him seriously sometimes. I definitely know when he's serious and when he's joking, but Sophie is still trying to figure it out. So, we're in the car and Tim and I are desperately trying to have an adult conversation and Sophie feels the need to always interrupt, grab our attention, yell our names over and over until we respond. When we're quiet, she'll be quiet and happily look out the window. It's like the second we start conversing, she has to throw in her two cents. Anyway, after doing our very best to ignore, Tim finally turns around and tells Sophie to please be quiet because he is talking to Mommy. Sophie, as usual, finds this option to be unacceptable and continues to yell and scream for our attention. Tim turns around several more times to tell her to be quiet or she will serve a time-out when we get home. He might as well have been singing his ABC's the way she was listening to us. For the last time, Tim turns around and says very sternly but not yelling, "YOU NEED TO BE QUIET." To which Sophie replies just as seriously, "I'll NEVER be quiet, Daddy."

Meanwhile, I am sitting up front and refuse to turn around because I'm laughing so hard. I'm trying my best to be supportive of Daddy's role and be as serious as possible and the best way I could do this was to just face forward and keep my shoulders from shaking because I can't stop laughing. Of course, Sophie figures it out because I'm out of control at this point and she says, "What's so funny?" And of course, she starts laughing. I guess there are some drawbacks to being Mr. Funny all the time!!! I forgave myself (quite easily) after this incident for not presenting a unified front since Sophie usually believes Daddy can do no wrong!

Sophie's Favorite Spot

Sophie and Sierra are inseparable these days. Especially since Sophie feels it is her duty to make sure Sierra is well fed. Before you know it, Sierra will be carrying Sophie AND Noah on her back!