The rearranged and redecorated room

As an update to the post from January 24th, I've finally redecorated Sofia's room, which included hanging shelves (I'm proud they haven't fallen off the walls!), and adding stuffed animals and other goodies that she's received and other cool things. Now that she's going to be three in a few months, I wanted to get away from the 'baby' feel of her room and wanted to decorate so that it can grow with her. I'm now thinking of repainting her room, but that will probably take me another few years to get around to doing. So, here is her rearranged and redecorated room. I'm still wanting to get a nicer bed-side table for her and maybe a lamp, but am otherwise done!

The entrance


Her bed


Monet's "Meadow Road to Pourville" above her bed


The small shelf to the left of her bed includes a handmade teddy bear my Mom made for my college graduation, a silver bank that we got at our baby shower, an adorable baby album that we got from my friend Sandy for my baby shower, a carved wood hippo that we got on our honeymoon, and a vase of flowers to add some color.


The far wall in her room - the two new shelves above her book case


The top shelf includes a ballerina clock Sofia got from her Grandparents for her second birthday, my favorite ceramic dog I made in college art class, a cool photo box given to us by CK's friend in DC, a really old "Bambi" book from Chris and Tommy, and a Raggety Andy doll handmade by my Mom's friend Nina (he is amazing!).
The bottom shelf includes Raggety Ann also made by Nina, the blue monkey I gave to CK when I told him we were expecting, Madeline and Pepito paper dolls from Sandy and Emily, a 6-month old photo of Sofia, a framed invitation to one of our baby showers, silver cup, spoon and fork from Chris and Tommy, a set of booties made by Mimi, and a Mirano glass flower that Mom and I got on our trip to Italy many years ago.


Her stuffed animals on her 'birthday chair'


A close-up


Her dresser, which I bought off Craig's List and had refinished


The wall above her changing table (which is unfortunately still there......). Sofia knows nearly all of her states and she and her Papa point them out when he changes her diaper.


This is a film cell that I've had since I was a little girl


More stuffed animals - sitting on the handmade box from Maxine. The table needs to be replaced, but it works for now and lately she's wanted us to leave her sippy cup of water on it so she can have a drink just before bed.


Green Beup-Beup

Home!

On Wednesday April 14th, CK flew us home. It was a relatively quick flight and Sofia took a very long nap after we stopped for lunch. She actually slept through the entire landing and only woke up as CK was taxiing to ask "are we landing?" She had the start of a chest cold, so it was very amazing that she slept through it all! We unpacked all of our stuff from the Baron and couldn't believe we were only gone two weeks - we had enough stuff for at least a month!

Once we arrived home, Sofia ran into her room and played with all of her toys and books as if she'd never seen them before! It was great to be home, but even more fun to watch Sofia enjoy all of her things as if they were new!

Watching the take off at Lee Farms


Enjoying a lollipop after lunch


Getting back in the Baron to head home


Sofia and ALL of our stuff!

Uncle Donald's Farm

On Tuesday April 13th, CK Sr and CK headed to Sun N Fun air show while Connie (aka Grandma) took Sofia on a fun day out! First we had a fabulous lunch sitting out on the veranda and then headed to a petting zoo called Uncle Donald's Farm. Sofia had SO much fun! We actually arrived at the Farm just before it closed so we had the entire place to ourselves. Sofia started out by having a pony ride, which she smiled for the entire time and waved at us each time she went by. Then we headed over to feed the chickens and ended up feeding a deer and a turkey, that unfortunately got a hold of Sofia's finger instead of just the food! She was trying to drop the food on the ground, but the turkey got a little impatient. We were both impressed by how quickly Sofia recovered from her pain, and especially her fear of the bite. She was soon walking around, feeding the sheep, petting the cats and very ready to go on the hay ride - her very favorite part of the Farm! Sofia had such a fun day and was a real trouper!

Checking out the cut-out cow


Pony ride!


Waving to us!


Petting the pony


Feeding the chickens..


and more chickens


Feeding the sheep


Feeding the deer (the biter is just above Sofia's head....)


On the hay ride! Weeee!


Feeding the cows

Picking Flowers

On Monday April 12th we somehow packed everything into the Baron and headed from Destin to Lee Farms (aka Grandma and Grandpa's house). It was a quick and beautiful trip made that much quicker by the nap enjoyed by both passengers....

After we got settled at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we headed out to look at the flowers in the field next to the runway. It was such a beautiful day with big billowy clouds and I tried to get some cute pics of the girl. It was a little windy for her hair, but I think I was able to capture some decent pictures of Sofia. She also picked a few flowers to give to Grandma.

Heading out across the runway to the flowers - walking with purpose, as usual!


Feeling the flower pedals


Pretty girl


Picking the best flowers for Grandma








Flowers for Grandma

Potty Training

So, I can't obviously post pictures about this, but we have officially started potty training! A few weeks ago we decided to put Sofia on the potty after waking up, before and after her nap and before bed. Sounded simple enough.....Well, it wasn't! She would go on command for her Papa but would fight me every step when I took her. I could convince her to sit on the potty, but nothing ever happened - EVER! So, frankly, I gave up and we decided to go nuclear! Actually one of my Facebook friends told me about a columnist in his area that advocates letting the child decide for himself/herself that going potty is in his/her best interest. So, we decided to do it. Yep, no diapers (except at night and during naps) and only panties and regular clothes during the day. Without too much detail, Sofia just didn't care. She's go potty and just keep right on playing....I started to feel like we had a puppy!

We decided to take a break and try again some other time....

Our last day at the beach

On our last day at the beach, the day threatened to be like the previous two - cool, a little windy and a bit too cloudy for my pool/beach loving tastes! So, we all dressed up in too many clothes and headed out. We finally made our way to the Destin pier, by which time it was a beautiful, clear, mid-80s day! So, we walked on the beach in our jeans and headed over to grab lunch before we returned to our place to switch into swimsuits. The little place we picked to eat had a great little playground in the sand, so Sofia played for a while before we headed upstairs to eat on the base of the pier. We later enjoyed the day at the pool (post nap, of course) and thought about our next trip to Destin! It was such a fun time!

Checking out the "crashed" plane outside one of the restaurants


Heading to the beach. The girl is in her element in the sand! Too bad she's afraid of the ocean....


Shark Attack!!


Playing - what Sofia does best!

Playing in the fountain

On one of our last days of vacation we found a shopping center that had CK's favorite store, Orvis, so we went there so he could shop around. While he was busy buying clothes, Sofia and I went next door and had a small bowl of ice cream with rainbow sprinkles! They even added a set of sugar eyes! After a little more shopping and walking around, we had lunch across from a set of fountains that Sofia couldn't resist after her belly was filled up! The fountain changed regularly from being very small to shooting very high into the air, so she wasn't so sure about running around in it, but once she got her courage up she ran back and forth dodging the fountains. She had a lot of fun and got pretty wet in the process.

The scoop of ice cream with eyes!


She plunges into the fountain!


Splashing through the water


Running through the water - weeee!


After this picture she started crawling around on her knees in the water...

Our days on vacation...

I had a lot of additional pictures that capture what we did when we weren't at the beach, pool, taking a nap or reading.

Sofia had a fever for a few days when we were in Destin, but mainly at night. One afternoon I had her lay down on the couch and "get cozy" and every day after she wanted to do it (even when she felt fine). Here she is with her books, water and a blanket - what more could a girl want?!


We found this great place called Shakes that sells frozen custard, milkshakes, concretes, and everything frozen custard related. It was fabulous! The best part is their kid's size was really perfect. Here are Sofia and her Papa enjoying their milkshakes (chocolate for both of them).


Yum!


One morning we went to The Donut Hole Cafe for breakfast - it was wonderful! Sofia played with her Thomas Train (a new battery-operated one) while we waited. She also played with this Thomas Train every other minute she could - it's a happy addition to her growing Thomas Train set.


Enjoying the donut holes at the The Donut Hole!


Snack time! Pineapple and peanut butter inside celery - yum! She's helping herself to my ice tea!


What's summer vacation without a popsicle?


Or a fudgesicle?


We stayed outside on the balcony to eat our treats since they were pretty messy!


Playing at the park - weeee!


On the teeter totter with Papa