Fa-La-La-La-Laaaa---La-La-La-La

Looks like Santa visited!

Christmas music has been playing in the Taylor household since the day after Thanksgiving! In fact, I heard it on the radio the day before Thanksgiving. My initial thought was, "No way! We have to get through Thanksgiving first...let's just enjoy one thing at a time!" But then in the same instant I was struck with the memories and magical times of Christmas, and go SO excited for Sophia's first Christmas.

So, still bulging from the double-Thanksgivings on Thursday and Friday, Matthew hauled all of our Christmas boxes in on Saturday night, and started our Christmas play list from the iPod. (However, I know I'm not going to the get the "stamp of approval" on this post unless I tell you the name of the play list that Matthew so cleverly created- "My Chestnuts Are Roasting".) So we decorated, while listening to our seasonal favorites. This year decorating took on a whole new challenge! Instead of just placing our decorations around the house where they have sat for the two previous Christmases in our house, we had to have strategies. Strategies that would keep little hands and fingers off of the undoubtedly-breakable Christmas decor.

The Christmas tree also became a challenge this year. Instead of looking for "empty" spots on the tree, we strategically searched for places to put all of the soft, and unbreakable ornaments- that way they would be within the reach of a certain curious little Sophia. While the goal was for her to understand that the tree was for looking at, it was obvious that there would be some grabbing of the ornaments, as she learned about this new monstrosity taking the place of her toy box!

So the next morning we had these grand plans to "unveil" the Christmas tree for Sophia first thing in the morning. And like the excited new parents we are, we wanted to document her reaction on video. So, we get her up and out of the crib, and bring her up front. TEARS...SCREAMING, CRYING, TEARS! What could we have been thinking trying this BEFORE her bottle?! So, rewind. We bring her back to her high-chair, fix her a bottle and then try again. 2nd time was a hit. This time was exactly as we had pictured. She strolled up slowly to the tree, ever-so cautiously, and looked at the lights and ornaments, and smiled the biggest, toothless smile up her Daddy. It made all of the efforts of decorating worth every second.

That's not to say that she kept her hands off of the tree though. In fact, "No," "The tree is for looking at.", and "This is not for you." have been staple statements throughout the Taylor home. But Sophia has begun little bouts of pushing our buttons already. Before one year?! Yep...she can be a little stinker! About the 3rd night with the tree, Sophia had been told to keep her hands off of the tree several times. She had been playing with some toys and got up suddenly, put her hands behind her back, and headed right for the tree. Before getting to the tree, she kept her hands behind her, glanced over her shoulder at us, and then leaned in and bit a branch! Seriously! It was like, "Watch me, mom! I'm not TOUCHING the tree!" This was something that Matthew and I have not been ready for. We thought this came sometime closer to the age of 2. So as quickly as Sophia is picking up new things, we're picking up new parenting strategies.

Being Sophia's first Christmas, she got to participate in many of the annual traditions that happen this time of year. The first was at daycare. Sophia got to meet Santa Claus who brought her her first Christmas gift. Matthew was able to get off of work early that evening. We met at Sherlane's Daycare and we were both pretty sure that Sophia would be shedding some tears when she was placed on Santa's lap. So we were prepared for the tears and screams as she realized she was sitting on a stranger's lap. But she didn't shed a tear! Instead, she was very curious about him. She just sat, looking up at him. It was pretty funny actually. She helped us open her gift, and she absolutely loves it. It's a little snail that giggles and laughs when you push him around on the floor. She will giggle with it, and carry it everywhere!

The next tradition that Sophia got to participate in, is a Taylor Family tradition. Every year, Grandma Sue and Grandpa Whit's prayer group gets together and goes caroling to older friends and relatives. Matthew was out of town enjoying his early Christmas present, a Denver Bronco's football game, (No, he didn't travel to Denver, they were playing in Oakland, and Raiders being one of Uncle Josh's favorite teams, Carly and I sent the boys on a football day.) So Sophia and I joined in the annual caroling adventure. Grandma Sue had began singing Deck the Halls with Sophia one afternoon. She would repeat the fa-la-la-la-laaa-la-la-la-la, so we were all hopeful that she would join in singing the carols this night as well. Sure enough, at our first stop, Sophia joined in! All of us singing cracked up, and the elderly people we sang to, just thought it was adorable. Of course, they all wanted to meet her after showing off her singing skills, so we wished each and every person a Merry Christmas.

Grandpa Don also shared a tradition with Sophia. When we were growing up, Dad would always get Carly and I in the "CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE" hyper mode a day before most people. I think it really hits most people ON Christmas Eve. But Dad got Carly and I just as excited the day BEFORE this, and the 23rd has always been The Eve of Christmas Eve in the Sterk household. So, when Dad sent me a text on the morning of the 23rd, asking, "Do you know what day it is?" There was no hesitation, it was The Eve of Christmas Eve, and I began sharing with Sophia what that meant, and what big events would happen in the next couple of days. Though she is much too young to communicate her excitement, Matthew and I like to think that she knew something big was coming.

Matthew and I both grew up with a family tradition of driving around town and admiring all of the Christmas decorations that families had put on their homes. It was something that we started doing our first Christmas together, and make a point not to miss out on. So we were super excited to take Sophia on this outing this year! It couldn't have come at a better time either! Sophia had just graduated to her "big girl" car seat, which means she gets to face forward now! We weren't sure that she would understand the concept of looking out the windows and looking at the lights, but she did! And she was as excited about her sippy cup of apple juice as we were with our peppermint mochas.

Sophia gazing at the Christmas lights around town

Happy with her sippy cup!

Matthew and I also started a tradition of our own, something that we look forward to each year. On Christmas Eve, we watch The Polar Express. For me, maybe it has something to do with teaching 1st grade, and seeing the kids get so excited about Santa Claus, or just remembering exactly what it felt like to wake up on Christmas morning and feel the magic of what Santa had brought, or even the year that we began to question how he really does it...But something about this movie strikes a cord with us every year. So we attempted to watch it with Sophia. I say attempted, because watching a movie with a 1 year old isn't something that goes over very well. The attention span is about 10 seconds long. So after the attempt, and Sophia going down for a nap, Matthew and I enjoyed this tradition. Even at (almost) 28 years old, I still get teary eyed during the last scene of this movie. I just love the message, about believing in the magic.

And Christmas Eve service at Church. Every year we go to the Christmas Eve service at Cornerstone, and this year, Mae-Mae and Grandpa Don joined us. Sophia was all decked out in her Christmas dress that Auntie Carly had made for her! She looked so cute all dressed up in her fancy dress, and shiny black-patent-leather shoes. Because she is too young (and much to vocal & mobile) to stay with us, she joined all the other dressed-up kiddos in the nursery. We can't wait to share the story of Christmas with Sophia as she grows older and begins to understand more. Just like we grew up knowing that the day was special for the birth of Jesus that we celebrate, we want Sophia to know the real meaning behind the big day too.

And before we knew it, our month full of traditions brought us up to the night of Christmas Eve. We had done nothing in the way of being prepared for the next day! So after getting Sophia some dinner, a bath, and setting out cookies for Santa, (which Sophia wanted to taste-test) Matthew and I were up until 1am, wrapping and preparing for the big morning ahead.

Sophia's taste-testing the cookies we left for Santa

Christmas morning was everything that you would expect it to be! We kept Sophia in her room for her morning bottle so we could catch her first expressions upon finding her gifts from Santa on video. (As a child, I remember sitting in my room while the final touches were being put out, and feeling that those minutes of waiting were like hours!) Sophia was so stinking cute! She loved the farm, and immediately began pushing the buttons to make the chicken sing, and the cow moo. She loved the old fashioned Popcorn Popper toy, and carried it everywhere she went that morning. Though she wanted to carry it up in the air, rather than push it around! (A week into playing with toys and she's mastered it!)

Christmas morning...She just wants her bottle!

Excited about the new farm!

We continued with a busy morning, going over to Granny & Papa Joe's for Christmas afternoon, and then on to Mae-Mae & Grandpa Don's. Sophia, trying to fight a double ear-infection and a sinus infection (all while breaking 3 new teeth) was a trooper. She napped as best as she could given that she wasn't in her own crib, and somewhat tried to help open her gifts. Mostly, she just wandered around the house, moving, moving, always moving. Which means that we are ALWAYS on the move, and we have to try and anticipate what she's going to get into next! :)

Playing with the musical table from Granny & Papa Joe

Carrying around the purse at Mae-Mae & Grandpa Don's

Family Picture

Because we spent Christmas with the Sterk Family on Saturday, we spent Sunday with the Taylor Family celebrating Christmas again! :) Sophia got to try her first cinnamon roll, a tradition that the Taylor's have every Christmas. And she got to eat lasagna too! Which she gobbled up!

Sophia's first taste of cinnamon rolls!

Trying to open her gift!

Enjoying a gingerbread cookie....which lead to her first temper tantrum :)

Cruising around the living room in her new car!

So with Christmas all wrapped up, and heading into the New Year, and 1st birthday planning, we want to wish all of our family and friends a very Happy 2011!

Happy 11 Months...unbelievable...

Dear Sophia,

You turned eleven months old on Sunday. Eleven. You are so bright and cheerful, so willing to give hugs and you try your best to give us kisses. You are so full of adventure that it seems only fitting that you are growing up into a wonderful little girl. But even as we watch you laugh and explore your way through these days and weeks, we still can't believe that we have been blessed to spend eleven whole months with you.

This month you learned to say “Thank You” and you try to use it on a regular basis. Funny thing is, you say it when you give something to us, and we tell you “Thank You” but we’re working on you saying it when we give something to you. You have also come to find a good friend in Bandit. You try so hard to say his name when you see him, and we’re certain that at times you utter “og” and repeat “ad-it-it-it” or more recently "ba-ba-ban" for his name. You know just the way to his heart, as you are so willing to share your snacks of cheerios, crackers and bananas with him. (In fact, his vet told us to put him on diet due to your willingness to share!) The two of you are good buddies. At night he will run circles around you, and you fall to the ground squealing with excitement. You know that the blue chew toy is his. And while sometimes you still try to chew on it yourself, you mostly just enjoy picking it up and having him gently take it from you.

As for reaching milestones…we’re enjoying every single day as it seems something new becomes part of your vocabulary or routines. It just melts our hearts when you lift your arms to be picked up, or when we smile at you, and you smile so big that your eyes get all tiny and squinty. You are just exactly as your nickname fits…our little LoveBug. In the mornings when we pick you up and you rest your head on our shoulder, we want nothing more than for time to stop so we can cherish that moment forever. Or when we begin patting your back and you reach back and pat ours…We know that you can’t say the words “I Love You” yet, but you are showing us in the best ways you can.

You can't say "no" to this face! Pick me up please!

These past eleven months have been the most exciting times of our lives, but we often find ourselves wondering where the time has gone. It seems like some sort of time warp when we think of how quickly this year has flown by. One moment we were in the hospital, cradling you in our arms, and the next you're walking and learning to talk. Somehow, we thought that the little baby stage would last longer. We thought that you would be content to snuggle in our arms for more than just a bottle. But even as we discover that we were wrong, we can't help but to be excited with each new adventure you take on.

Happy girl

We love you tons and tons,
Love Mama & Daddy

Watching Daddy rake leaves in the front yard.

And the dress-up begins...trying to figure out how to wear mom's shoe.

Bubble Baths

Monday Night made for some fun in the Taylor house as Sophia took her first bubble bath! She was so curious about the little white bubbles, all she wanted to do was eat them! :) It was really cute

Splish splish, Sophia was takin' a bath

All about a Monday night

A rub-a-dub, just relaxin' in the tub

Thinkin' everything was alright

She was a-splishin' and a'splashin'

Reelin' with the feelin', movin' and a'groovin'

Rockin' and a'rollin'

What We've Been Up To & Where We've Been In The Last Month

Sophia playing with a box of Cheerios, one of her favorite snacks!

We Know, We Know, Sophia is now over 10 months and there hasn't been an update, New things have been happening with Sophia, and in our lives, and you don't have a clue because we haven't been blogging...We've been neglecting the blog...But give us some slack, we literally do not sit in the Taylor home anymore! Therefore, blogs were pushed to the back burner...

Lessons from Living with a 10 month old:
In the last month, we have not had much time to sit down, as 99% of our home life now consists of chasing Sophia around the house. She is such an explorer; She literally gets into EVERYTHING! It's just amazing to follow her around and watch her explore our home. She has gotten into some mischief...but it's all so cute and innocent that it's really hard to be upset with her when we were the ones who took our eyes off of her! Like last week...Matt had just got home from work, was greeted at the door by a Running-Smiling-Sophia. Since he was home, I knew this was my chance to escape for a second to run and grab my school things from the car. (They didn't make it in when we got home, as with a baby and diaper bag and purse in tow, my hands were full) So I ran out to the garage for a second. Literally a second. I assumed Matt was watching Sophia. Well Matt went to the back to get changed and assumed Sophia was with me. Upon coming inside, I can hear Matthew saying, "No Sophia" so I head to the back. Only to find a little girl with sleeves soaking wet. I could only imagine what she had been up to in the seconds that I was gone. Matt had found her dunking the toilet paper roll into the toilet. That's right...the toilet. YUCK!!!! So we bathed her, and changed her, and giggled....but then really thought about how bad the situation could have been....and have since vowed to keep toilet seats down, and bathroom doors closed. :) Parenting is a learning process my friends!

Busy Katie, Busy Matthew & Our Busy Little Bee:
As many of you know, Carly and I decided back in August that it would be fun to participate in the Colusa County Christmas Craft Faire this year. So, we got to crafting! :) I started off by making a bunch of French Memo Boards, and framing them. After doing that, I got into making Hair Flowers by the dozen. Then, the craftiness passed down from my Grandma Jean got the best of me. Sewing. Sewing was something I had not done in years. Grandma Jean had taught me to sew when I was very young, and it was something I always enjoyed doing. So I got to thinking about what I could make to sell at the craft fair, and Carly came up with a fun idea. Coffee Cup Cozies! :) Carly, in the meantime was super busy sewing up some Nerf Dart Belts, Crayon Rolls and Bibs.

We set up our booth (with the help of our Dad and Uncle Bill) on Friday evening and were set for the weekend. We had so much fun and we were really surprised by the outcome! People just loved Carly's dart belts, the hair flowers and the coffee cozies! We even had several people tell us about other fairs we would do well in, because they had never seen the things we had before! So, we'll see where this takes us. But maybe the best part of all, was the booth competition. On Saturday, the Fair Board and Miss Colusa judged the booths, and ours won! It must have been thanks to the awesome "fire" that Uncle Bill put into our fireplace! So this means that next year, we get free booth rental! :) Can't beat that! So check us out online, and remember those co-workers, friends with kids, and that there will be some stockings to fill very soon!!!
Click Here to visit our website! (we just went today to sign up for the Gridley Craft Fair on December 4th, so if you didn't have a chance to see us in Colusa, come on out to Gridley!!!)

While I was busy getting ready for the craft fair, Matthew was busy himself. As we mentioned in the past, our home has very little storage space. And I am so thankful to have a husband who listens to me when I say things like, "I wish I had space for this." or "This cupboard has no more room" or "Where am I going to put this?" And Matthew listens so well, he gets ideas and plans and begins drawing and measuring. And the next thing I know...We have NEW SHELVES in the garage!!! This is something I am so super excited about. If you know me well, you know I am an organizer, so I can't wait to get a free Saturday to get out in the garage and organize! :) But when we're going to find a free Saturday....I'm not sure. So in the meantime, I get to look at the empty shelving and dream about how organized it will be, and how much more space I will have in our cupboards very soon!

Grandpa Whit and Matthew building the 2nd set of shelves

In the midst of all the sewing and shelf building, we took a day off on Halloween. Sophia, aka our little Love Bug, was a Bumble Bee for Halloween this year! ( I know it feels very weird to be reading about Halloween while looking at this Christmas themed blog, but we've already established...we're very behind on our updates!) We were a little worried about how she would do in her costume, would she hate it? would she rip the hood off? would she scream and throw a fit? But, she did none of those things. She was adorable. The costume went all the way down to her ankles and when she walked, she looked like she was waddling; it was the cutest thing! She did such a great job in her costume and while we hauled her around to visit all of the family. Great Grandma even snuck in a chocolate treat...which somehow managed to stay on her face and hands and not get even a speck on her costume. But after making our rounds, she was tuckered out. We didn't even make it to Auntie Carly and Uncle Josh's before she fell asleep!

Sophia carrying the pumpkin Grandma Sue picked out for her

Checking out the insides of a pumpkin

Uncle Josh's, Aunt Carly's and Our Pumpkins

Daddy and the Bumble Bee

Great Papa and GG (Great Grandma) on Halloween...just before they snuck her a kit-kat!!!!

Passed out on the way home from visiting all the family

10 Months with our Love Bug:
Dear Sophia,
On November 12th you turned 10 months old. Every time we look at you we are amazed and overwhelmed by our love for you. You are one amazing little girl. Always watching, learning and imitating just about everything you see us doing. Which is just so cute, mind-boggling, and scary all at the same time. It's like we can literally see you growing up, right in front of our eyes.

Just this week, I followed you, as I have been for the past month, as you walked into your bedroom. On this day, you walked in, looked at your toy basket and decided to pick up the plug to your humidifier, and began poking it at the wall. At the same instant I was amazed and full of fear. Your innocent little acts of imitation show us that you are constantly learning. But they also show us just how much you pick up from the environment around you.

This latest discovery, on our behalf, has us both excited and scared for you. There are so many things in this world that you will be exposed to. Some of those things we are anxious for you to discover and experience, and we can't wait to be there when you do. Like all of the the interests you will have, and all of the hobbies you will be into, and the fads you will want to follow. But there are other things in life that we just want to shield you from, to keep you safe and protected.

We know that as we go through this adventure called parenthood, not only do you learn something new everyday; But we do too. It's definately a process of learning, one day at a time. And each day our love for you grows and grows. This past month, we had your Baby Dedication at church. It was such a special day, and you were showered with love from all of your family. But most importantly, your Daddy and I have made the decision to raise you to know Jesus. We know that we can set as best of an example for your life as possible, but nothing is as important to us as knowing that we are raising you in a Christian home. There are many times in life that we will do our best to help you, but mostly, there will be times that you will have to make your own choices. All we can do is raise you to make the best choices and follow your convictions and leave it up to you. But we're confident that as you grow, you will make some mistakes and learn from them. We promise to be there to guide you when you need it, and to let you make your own choices in life when you are ready. We love you more than you'll ever know.
Love Mommy & Daddy

2 Thanksgiving Dinners
(Thursday with the Taylor Family and Friday with the Sterk Family)

9 Month Photo Shoot!

They're In!

Check them out! :)

Amanda Marian Photo (Click here!)

Find the box labeled "Sophia T. 9 Mos."
and click on it.

Password: babyfifi

Enjoy!

9 Months

Dear Sophia,

Today, you are nine months old and I can't believe my eyes. Just a short while ago, you were a tiny little baby snuggled up in my arms, content to stare up into my eyes for hours on end. Today, the world is full of excitement for you, a place ready to be explored and conquered, one drawer or cupboard at a time!

No corner of the house is safe now that you have discovered your ability to walk! That's right, the day before you turned 9 months you began walking! We are still amazed at your desire to get from place to place, however wobbly it may be, you get there!

Your love of exploring has been made easier since you discovered that you aren't limited to the floor. Several days ago just as Daddy and I were leaving for our small group, you stood up in the living room. Something you have been doing since you learned to crawl. But watching you, and the look on your face, we just knew you were going to take your first step. And you did. Right towards Bandit! We were so excited at your accomplishment!

These days, trouble is never far from those hands as you wobble and explore our home. Countless times each day, you hear me utter the word "That is not for Sophia" as you attempt to demolish the floor lamp, pull electrical cords from the outlets, or swan dive from your high chair. And you have a lot to say about things too. Just two weeks ago, you began the oh-so-fun routine of dropping your toys and bottles while in your highchair, just to watch us pick them up for you. And then you said it, "Uh-Oh!" And so that has continued, about 100 times a day! And as tiring as it gets to bend down and pick up every item that is dropped, hearing you use those words, "Uh-oh" in the right context, just blows our minds!

We know that we are going to be busy from here on out, and have pretty much given up all hope of sitting for the next 18 years. And while that sounds terribly exhausting, we really can't wait to see what things you find of interest while exploring your world.

We love you tons,
Mommy & Daddy

Look at me! I'm 9 Months Old! My shirt says so!

And just like everything these days...the shirt goes in the mouth!

Sophia and Mommy before bedtime!

Changing time of year...

Sophia in a barrel of pumpkins!

Sunflower Labyrinth

It's finally Fall! Though some days it is still feeling like summer around these parts! All the clues are here to tell us it really is Fall; The leaves are beginning to change color, the pumpkin candles are burning, we can finally leave the doors open during the day to let in the nice fresh air(without melting), and when we wake up in the morning, the air is so crisp and cold I just want to cuddle under the blankets a little longer. But the biggest clue that Fall is here: Trips to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.

Sophia, and I, have been lucky enough to experience this Fall Wonderland two times already in the past couple weeks! The first time, a few weeks ago, was opening weekend! Grandma Mary had Bishop's Bucks and we couldn't let them go to waste! So Grandma Mary, Aunt Carly, Sophia and I headed out bright and early on opening day. Upon arriving, we trudged the stroller through the field parking lot, and were immediately greeted at the gates by barrels full of pumpkins of all colors, bright orange, almost pink, green and even white.

Sophia picking her sunflower

Sophia, Mommy and Auntie Carly

We first found the sunflower labyrinth. A brightly colored maze full of yellow, orange and red sunflowers, and buzzing with bees. After roaming around the flowers, we each got to cut one and bring it home with us. They made a perfect autumn bouquet for Aunt Carly's kitchen! Next we wandered over to the gift shops. The gift shops make me want to decorate my home with all of the cute decorations and wall hangings, for EVERY season. Such cute things...but the price tags bring me back to reality. So we wandered around, savoring in the fact that Sophia is in a stroller this year, sure that next year we will be having entirely different conversations while in there...probably something along the lines of "Keep your hands down. These brightly colored beautiful things do not belong to Sophia!"

Stepping out of the gift shop we could smell all the tell-tale smells of Fall; Cinnamon, carmel, pumpkin and apple sweetness. So we wandered over to Mrs. B's Bakery, where we watched the women in the bakery rolling the giant balls of caramel corn, pulling the pumpkin loafs out of the oven, placing cookies on trays for the windows, and we just had to have a taste! So we got a couple of the pumpkin-apple muffins, thanks to Grandma Mary's Bishop Bucks. Sophia had her first taste of pumpkin muffin and loved it!

From there, we wandered over to the train and took a ride. Sophia did such a good job sitting on my lap through the whole ride. We rode the train around the farm, and the only time I sensed a little nervousness from Sophia was when we entered the tunnel. She gripped both of my hands tight and sat still. Then we were in the clear. She watched as we passed the walnut orchard, the ponies, the pumpkin fields, and scarecrow contests, very inquisitive to each of the approaching scenes.

And then we were done. But I know the obvious question is looming. "Why go to Bishop's if you're not getting a pumpkin? And you missed the baby animals." But we didn't. Matthew was participating in the Craftsman for Christ Golf Tournament that morning and wasn't able to join us. So, we promised no pumpkins, and no petting the animals without him. That was to wait for another time!Measuring how tall Sophia is!

Mae-Mae & Sophia

So, we waited! And Sophia and I got our second trip to Bishop's this weekend! After having such an easy time going in the morning, we decided we'd do the same this weekend. So we packed up bright and early, and waited for Grandma Sue, Grandpa Whit and Auntie Alisha (aka-our photographer for the day!). This morning, the parking lot had their signs up so we would remember where we parked, and we were guided to Goose Bump Lane! So we loaded up the stroller, and again trudged through the field to the entrance. We took almost the same course, going first to the sunflower labyrinth. But with two full weeks between the first trip and this, the sunflowers had lost their brilliance. They were still there, and still beautiful, but beginning to wilt, and not swarming with as many bees! So we hunted and hunted for our flowers, looking for just the right color combination to make the beautiful fall bouquet! There's just something about fresh flowers on the table that make me feel happy!

Grandpa Whit, Sophia and Daddy looking for the perfect sunflower!

Exploring the petals!

We then strolled over to train ride, and took some pictures with a big pumpkin while Matthew got our tickets for the train. Sophia was so interested in the grass that it was hard to get her attention, but she finally discovered the giant pumpkin! We parked the stroller and boarded the train. This time, Sophia sat with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Whit. And just as before, she was very content watching each new scene as it approached.

On the train ride

Playing with the giant pumpkin

From the train we wondered over to the farm animal petting area. Mama pig had her piglets about two weeks ago so we watched the babies lounging in a big pile on top of eachother! They were so cute. And we saw the baby goats jumping into the feeding troughs chowing down on the straw. But the animal that caught Sophia's attention the most were the two geese. I know, geese?! Not the cutest, but watching her sit up in the stroller and stare at these geese was so cute. And then it was apparent at why she liked these strange animals. She began her talking, her mouth tried so hard, and she muttered "dck" That's right, her love for the rubber ducky transfered to these strange, long necked birds. And how she made that association, I will never know...I'm constantly amazed at how her brain works!

And then it was pumpkin time! So we headed over to the hay ride! I was a little nervous about how Sophia would do on the back of the flatbed, hay covered tractor. So we grabbed the whole diaper bag in case of a meltdown. She sat very content in my lap, bouncing her legs up and down in the hay. She was totally calm the whole way out to the field; bouncing past all of the orchards, past the fields of pumpkins not quite ready for pickin' and then it happened; She concked out. That's right, just as we came rolling to a stop, her head flopped over and she was out. So...the pumpkin hunting was left up to Matthew as I held Sophia trudging through the field. (But I'll be honest, I soaked up every second of it, becuase, as we all know, the times that she will sit still in our arms are long, long gone!) Auntie Alisha, Grandma Sue and Grandpa Whit all hunted through the thousands of pumpkins to find the right "Sophia Pumpkin." Which sounds like an easy task, but after a little bit of rain earlier in the week, many of the pumpkins had softened from sitting on the wet ground, and were deceiving until you rolled them over! But the hunt was successful, Auntie found a big one acorss the patch and carried the big thing back to us! So, Sophia got a big pumpkin for our house and a tiny, baby sized pumpkin for Grandma Sue and Grandpa Whit's house. Even Auntie found a pumpkin to bring home.

So, I'm sure you'll be seeing pictures of Sophia and the pumpkin carving in the coming weeks! Stay tuned!