Sofia at 21 months....

Today Sofia is celebrating her 21st month in California on our last day at Mimi's house. Her teeth continue to sprout up and she is still a little parrot, repeating just about everything said to her. Her favorite book right now is a Curious George series Mimi got her when we first arrived, although she still loves all of her other books that we brought with us (especially "If the Moon Could Talk" and "Baboon"). She wakes up every morning saying "Mommy," which is quickly followed by "Mimi, Grandpa Joe, Max and Maggie." She likes the idea of Max but not so sure of getting too close to him. She has warmed up to Maggie and they have fun running around together (Maggie barking and Sofia screeching and laughing).

Sitting with monkey and my Grandpa McConnell's doll (Sofia's Great Grandpa)


Playing with the doll - Sofia loved her porcelain head


Close up of our big girl!


Smiling at Mimi


Playing with the doll's cloth legs

Sofia's big day...

On Wednesday Sofia had a big day! In the morning, Mimi took us to Irvine Park which has a large pond with ducks and turtles, a small zoo, a petting zoo, train rides, pony rides, and peacocks! She loved it all! First we visited with the ducks and then chased after a peacock before going to the zoo and petting zoo. After brushing the goats and having our fingers nibbled we went for a train ride and finally rode a pony! The lady wrangler in charge of the ponies was impressed that Sofia was comfortable and used to riding a pony. After all that fun, Sofia fell asleep in the car and had a nice nap. After her nap, we headed to visit my college friend, Sian, and her two girls. Sofia was quickly big buddies with Holland and Danielle, especially since they were up for any kind of entertainment!

Chasing a peacock! This is as close as Sofia got that day to the real thing! She's used to watching them on Youtube, but this was a lot better.


Petting a goat in the petting zoo


Brushing a goat (who thanked Sofia by nibbling on her fingers after)


On the train with Mimi!


In front of the train after our ride around the park


Riding on the pony


Riding with Mimi


With Danielle and Holland


Eyeing Danielle's spaghetti


With Sian and Holland

Teeth!!

During the last week of March/first part of April, we noticed Sofia was developing little teeth buds (FINALLY). Not only were her eye teeth making an appearance but her lower front teeth were threatening to break through. Until now, she has only had two lower front teeth and two molars on the bottom. While all other kids her age seem to have all of their front teeth, we've had a little rabbit all this time! At every pediatrician visit over the past eight months I've raised Sofia's lack of teeth, which our doctor has always laughed off and told us not to worry. So, I guess she is right! Sofia is finally getting her teeth! When we ask her to show us her teeth, she's pretty good, but then usually shows us her tongue after a few seconds. I tried to take some pictures and think I may have captured them.....

Showing off her tongue....


Teeth! Those on her left side are actually up a good bit, while those on her right are barely breaking through now


This is probably the best picture of her new teeth


Happy gal

Meeting Hootie

Sofia loved meeting Mimi's turtle, Hootie who lives in a lush corner pen with everything a little turtle could want. She is so used to getting food that she comes to the fence when Mimi calls her name! Hootie's pen also had a lot of ladybugs, which were fun for Sofia to watch.

Seeing Hootie in her pen


Feeling her bumpy shell


Mimi shows Sofia how Hootie likes to be scratched under her neck


Looking at Hootie's shell

Swimming (sort of)

Sofia loves to 'swim' in the waterfall that feeds the fish pond. She has a new friend - her "beup, beup" (frog) which is Max's toy. She loved to place him on top of the waterfall and watch him flow down to the little bridge, where he would get caught and Sofia could pick him up once again.

Mimi shows Sofia the waterfall and river


Carrying her "beup, beup" to the top of the waterfall


Laying in the water (it was 100 degrees)


Ahhh! Our little swimmer


The next day in her Mimi-made peacock outfit


So excited!


Playing with the 'gator" - Sofia hardly says "ahh-yoo-yoo" anymore....


One tired little girl after her swim - we watched airplanes fly overhead

Visiting California

Sofia and I left for California on Monday morning to hang out with Mimi, Grandpa Joe, Max and Maggie for just over a week. Papa dropped us off at DFW early and we roamed around the airport, had a snack of pretzels and walked back and forth on the moving walkway at least a dozen times. She loved stepping on and off of the walkway and was puzzled at how she kept moving without walking!

Watching all the airplanes at the airport


A little mid-morning snack of milk and pretzels before our flight


Sofia's favorite at the airport - the moving walkway!


Seeing Max


Getting kisses!


With Maggie - Sofia was trying to eat off the floor like Maggie

Returning to Texas

We had a surprisingly nice flight back to Texas, given the terrible weather that caused us to remain in Florida for a few extra days. It was clear and smooth the entire trip and Sofia enjoyed it as usual. She enjoyed looking out the window at cars and at "mommy" and "baby" clouds, reading, sitting up with Papa to help him fly, and napping.

Looking down on the landscape and watching the cars


Reading her new farm book from Grandma and Grandpa


Helping Papa fly


Napping on Mommy


Streets in Bay Minette, Alabama- the BEST fried shrimp ever!


With Mommy


Playing with her headset


All set to go!

Random Sofia Pictures

Here are a few additional pictures of Sofia from our time in Florida.

KeJuan reads to Sofia and Wayne. He read Sofia's "Madeline" book, which isn't an easy read either!


Eating her first Peep (she spit it out!!)


Playing with her Thomas the Train - Grandma bought it for her and she loved pushing it around


Carrying the duck around the house. She also carried the "goose" from out in the yard and the goose would end up in the strangest places throughout the house and yard!


The duck