Elmo's Potty Time

With Sophia's 2nd birthday quickly approaching and a new baby on the way, we've been encouraging Sophia to use the "big girl potty" more and more. As part of this effort, I bought her a DVD called Elmo's Potty Time.
The video was an instant hit and the next day she asked to watch it first thing in the morning. After it was over, she wanted to use the potty, and although it wasn't a successful trip to the potty, we were encouraged by her interest. An hour or so later, Sophia became really quiet which is a red flag for all parents. After a short search of the house, this is what we found:

Sophia had put her Elmo doll on the potty and was reading to him just like we do with her! While I'm glad she's showing so much interest in the potty, I was hoping she would apply the lessons from the video a little differently! At least she used the Elmo doll that is washable!

A Special Project

Last week, my dad was hospitalized for 2 days to have an internal radiation procedure done for prostate cancer. Because of the radiation, I didn't think it'd be a good idea for me to visit him in the hospital, so Sophia and I decided to make a special art project for him to take to the hospital. Sophia and I had a great time working together and the finished product turned out really cute.


The procedure went great without any complications or side effects, but he still has to go through 6 weeks of external radation and 6 months of hormone therapy. We're praying that Grandpa has a complete remission of his cancer.

A Big Announcement!

We are thrilled to introduce our newest family member "Junior":

That's right: Sophia is going to be a big sister!!! Junior is due July 30th and we are just ecstatic! We should find out by early March whether Junior is a boy or girl, but we really can't decide which we'd prefer more.

Sophia loves to tell everyone about the "mamy" in Mommy's belly. She lovingly hugs my belly and even offers the baby sips of her drinks by holding her straw up to my belly button!

And it is so true that you tend to get a belly much sooner with the second kiddo. I'm 14 weeks along and am already in maternity clothes! I've also been able to feel some kicks and punches much sooner, and Will is impatiently waiting to be able to feel them too.

I'm already so excited to meet this little person. I hope July gets here quickly!!

Winter Games

It can be challenging to entertain a toddler all day long, but the task can be even more daunting during the cold dreary winter months. Here are a few winter time activities that Sophia enjoys:

1. Playing under the covers in Mommy and Daddy's bed

2. Blowing spit bubbles in the mirror

3. Making funny faces in the mirror and then trying to get Mommy and Daddy to imitate you (she's good at this one)

4. And you can always bundle up and brave the cold

It's been a great winter, but I think we're all coming down with a little spring fever already!

Snow Day

Last month we decided to spend a day at the condo before our winter leasers moved in. A good storm had just past through leaving about 1 1/2 feet of fresh snow, so we brought a sled and lots of warm clothes. Since it was Sophia's first time sledding, we decided to stick to the bunny slope (aka our driveway) but it worked great!

Sophia was so bundled up that she had a hard time getting around in all the snow, but we got a good laugh watching her!

The snow was so light and fluffy that it wouldn't stick together to make a snow man, so that'll definitely be at the top of our list for our next trip to the snow.

Gingerbread House

This year I decided to build a gingerbread house with Sophia. I'd never built one before, but I saw a kit and thought it looked like fun. While Sophia napped, I put the house together, and when she woke up, I let her do the decorating. She actually did a great job and was really focused on placing each piece of candy in just the right spot.

But once she realized that her building materials were really candy, construction came to a halt!

And here's our finished product:
We had so much fun that I think this will become an annual Christmas tradition.

Dancing Queen

Here's a video Will took of Sophia showing off her best moves.(I apologize for his funky camera work.)