Aunt Becky and Cousin Megan Visit

On Wednesday before Easter, my sister Becky and 16-year old niece Megan arrived for a visit! I was so excited to have them visit for a few days, show them around, and just hang out and catch up! I didn't tell Sofia about their visit until a few hours before picking them up, because otherwise she questions when they are arriving every five minutes. She hadn't seen Becky and Megan since July, but remembered them really well and started telling stories of our time together at Knott's Berry Farm, etc. Of course, Sofia was completely taken with Megan and wanted to spend every waking moment playing with her and being with her. Every morning I'd have to convince her to wait until Megan came downstairs before she could "check on her" in her room. Aunt Becky was equally as fun and loved reading stories (Sofia's very favorite things to do), so she was in Heaven!

The first night they arrived we hung out at the house, ate dinner and got settled. Unfortunately the weather wasn't terrific while they visited, but we still made time to drive to Dallas and visit Dealey Plaza and walk around and also visited Ft Worth for a few hours before we took them to the airport. The best part of their visit though, was staying up late each night and just talking. It was fun to relive childhood memories, but also great to hear about stories of times when I was too young to completely remember events. It was such a great way to catch up and I'd love to visit them next year!

Megan and her shadow in Dallas, near Dealey Plaza


Horsing around with Megan


Saturday morning's feast! Becky made the most amazing sausage and gravy and I made homemade biscuits - they were delicious together (and very filling!!)


In Ft Worth


Two cowgirls!!

Easter Fun!

About a week before Easter, Sofia received several packages in the mail that were complete surprises and were all for her! Her first surprise came from my college friend Sian and her family who sent a package that included a coloring book, markers, Thomas train stickers (those went fast!), and an adorable frog hat! She was SO excited when I told her that the large envelope was for her and she tore into it as fast as she could. After taking everything out of the envelope, she immediately went through the stickers and added them to her arms (I guess as tattoos like at Day out with Thomas). Next she opened up the new coloring book and went to town. It was so thoughtful and Sofia spent every day working on a new drawing.

On Sunday April 17th we went to an Easter egg hunt put on by the Lion's Club that was held at a local winery. Unfortunately, we missed Sofia's age group egg hunt (which was a section of grass where literally hundreds of plastic Easter eggs were tossed and then different age groups could "hunt." However, after getting a free t-shirt and other goodies, the volunteers gave Sofia several handfuls of eggs! We immediately went to the grass and opened each one to discover a different candy. From there we went to visit the Easter Bunny, and as usual, Sofia ran to him and gave him a huge hug before sitting on his lap for a picture. She hasn't seen a large furry animal or character she doesn't love. We then went to the bounce house before getting a "ladybug" painted on her face. I think she really wanted her entire face painted as a lady bug, but instead got a little critter that sort of looked like a ladybug....

The next day, Sofia received a box from Kari and family - another huge surprise and she basically couldn't get it open fast enough! Inside was the cutest stacking rabbit boxes of candy. Sofia was so happy and took her time opening each of the three levels of goodies. On the first two were candies and cookies and the third included a little bucket and garden tools, which she still uses in the garden with me. She uses her bucket to collect rocks and carry them around. Of course, the candy she found quick use of too! The best part was that she slept with the bunny box for a few nights and carried him around the house playing with him. It was adorable and such a wonderful surprise.

Opening the package from Sian and going through her goodies


Thomas Train Stickers!!


At the Lion's Club Easter Egg hunt with Papa


Opening all of her Easter eggs.


With Mommy


With the Easter Bunny


Her new ladybug


Opening her package from Kari


So excited!


Her new bunny friend filled with goodies!

Baby Bump!

When I was pregnant with Sofia, we were rather lazy with taking pictures of me with my growing belly, which I regret now since I only have a few pictures from my pregnancy. So, I've sworn that this time around I'd be better at getting regular belly shots so I can remember what I looked like with a baby bump. So, when I was in Gulfport, MS for my gal's weekend I asked one of my friends to take a side photo to highlight my belly.

Another big difference between this pregnancy and Sofia's is that I slipped into pregnancy clothes much faster this time. With Sofia I think I was well into my fifth month before I really had to wear my "stretchy" pants, but this time around it was right around 3 months! I just couldn't button those pants, and let's admit it, pregnancy clothes are just comfortable. I feel great and actually forget that I'm pregnant each morning. When I walk by the mirror I initially think "WOW, my belly is really bloated..." before I remember. So, it's been a very easy pregnancy so far.

So, here I am at 18 weeks:

Sofia's photo shoot....

On Saturday morning, I gathered up Sofia and a few new dresses and headed over to our friend, Annie's house. Annie is a professional photographer and asked if she could use Sofia as her "model" to add to her portfolio. Sofia and followed Annie and her daughter to a field in Grapevine that I've probably driven by a million times but never noticed that it's completely covered with bluebonnets! Right now the bluebonnets are in full bloom and beautiful! Annie did an amazing job getting Sofia to smile and pose for her, which was impressive! From there, we headed to Nash Farm and Annie set up Sofia near a barn and brought out the big 'surprise'...live ducklings that they bought earlier that day for the shoot. Sofia first asked if they were turkeys and if they would bite, since she still remembers when a turkey bit her back in April 2010 when we visited Uncle Donald's Farm with her Grandma. After assuring her that they were ducklings and not turkeys, she loved holding onto them and was very gentle. Annie got absolutely amazing photos and we can't wait to order prints!!

At the bluebonnets....


The amazingly beautiful bluebonnets!


Walking among the bluebonnets...


At Nash Farm, preparing for her first photos.


Holding the duckling, Donald...she loved it!


Looking at Donald.


This is one of the fantastic photos Annie captured which is far better than this one....

Thomas Train!

On Friday morning, Sofia and I headed to Grapevine in time to play a little before boarding Thomas Train at 9:45am. I made the mistake of telling Sofia the night before of our Friday adventure with Thomas Train......which meant at 7:15am she was in my room telling me she was ready to go. We arrived around 9am which was perfect because hardly anyone was there yet, and Sofia ran immediately into the train tent to play with the Thomas Train tables. Before we knew it, it was time to stand in line for Thomas Train and we were soon aboard! Last year, Sofia was far more interested in seeing Thomas and playing with all the other things they had to offer, but this year she loved riding Thomas, although she wondered why he was pulling Grapevine passenger cars and not Annie and Clarabel. She also asked me why he wasn't pulling us down the track, but instead pushing us backwards....which was a good question really. The ride lasted about 30 minutes and she had a ball!

When we got off the train, we met Thelma and Isabella and posed in front of Thomas for a picture together. About an hour later, our friend Michelle and her daughter Milani met us and we rotated between the two bounce houses, the petting zoo, the sand box, the train tent, and the model train before we headed to lunch. After lunch, Michelle, Milani, Sofia and I headed back to the fun while Thelma and Isabella headed home Throughout the day, Sofia also got seven train "tattoos" on her arms, starting with Diesel. All said, we ended up spending seven hours there and Sofia had more fun than I thought possible. Needless to say, we were both beyond exhausted and after sucking down a huge lemonade (all of our water was long gone), Sofia passed out in the car seat minutes after leaving. That night in the bath, when we removed all the train tattoos, she had white outlines because she'd gotten so much sun!

On Saturday afternoon, after we both took a 2.5 hour nap, which was much needed for both of us, we headed back to the fun of Thomas Train. Sofia loved visiting the bounce houses, the train tables, the tattoos, and the sand lot and we even stayed to watch as they put Thomas away in the shed, which was a huge highlight! After the fun afternoon, we headed to Fireside Pies for a delicious pizza and salad!

Her very first sighting of Thomas - I could hardly get her to look at me for this picture!


Playing with the Thomas Train tables...


Getting her first, of many, tattoos.


On the train (yep, that's a baby bump)


A happy girl!


Checking out her certificate given to her by the conductor.


At the petting zoo...


Playing (for hours) in the sand lot.


In the bounce house with Isabella.


Enjoying some frozen yogurt together after lunch....


Showing off her many "tattoos"...hopefully this isn't a sign of her future.


Saying "Hi" to Sir Topham Hat..she ran up to him and gave him a big hug before posing...


A very tired gal after a long, fun day.


On Saturday, Sofia rode the ponies...one of the only things she didn't do on Friday.


Thomas Train leggo...


Goodbye, Thomas Train!!

And it's a GIRL!!!

Today we found out that Sofia will "get" a little sister after all! During the ultrasound follow-up, the doctor confirmed our suspicions and we're excited to meet our new little one! I'm excited to be able to reuse Sofia's clothes, especially since I've saved basically every stitch she's ever worn. More importantly, I love that this little one will be able to enjoy Mimi's wonderful creations and they will all be worn and enjoyed once again. Of course, we still have to decide on baby rooms. I've always thought that the baby could be upstairs, but after visiting our neighbors who have their baby room upstairs, I'm reminded of all those diaper changes and trips up and down stairs. Plus, since Sofia is more than able to go up and down stairs without help, we are now leaning on moving her upstairs. It sort of makes me sad, since I really think of the room she's in now as "her's" and can't imagine sending her upstairs. I guess we have time to decide and are in no hurry to rush a decision, but I find myself thinking about it more than I should.

The other day I asked Sofia if she planned to share her toys with her new sister and she said she is. However, when I asked if she would share her trains and train track, she said "No. The baby will be too little to play with my train set," which is a good point really. She also agreed begrudgingly to sharing her books - as long as I read them to the baby. She said she was afraid the baby would rip the pages of her books. She even agreed to share Green Beup Beup with the baby, which shocked me. We'll see how the sharing goes when the time comes though.....

Our Garden

Sofia and I planted our spring garden a few weeks ago, tempting fate really since last year we had our last freeze (complete with a little snow) on the first day of Spring. So far, we had one night below freezing since planting but covered all of the veggies, and only had to replace one tomato plant. Also, CK moved our Satsuma tangerine tree and Meyer lemon tree out of the garage and back onto our patio. Both trees were looking pretty dismal in the garage during the winter, but they are both looking very happy and ready to bloom now. In the garden, we planted one heirloom tomato, squash, bell pepper, broccoli, peas, radishes, carrots, and beets. We also planted three raspberry bushes that I hope take and produce lots of fruit. In pots on the patio, we planted several strawberries and two patio tomatoes as well as basil and thyme. Our mint is coming back from last year and we are looking forward to some delicious veggies (hopefully)!

Sofia and the first strawberry! It probably could have used another day on the vine, but was good.


Checking on our patio tomatoes


Checking on the peas....they grow so fast, it's amazing!


Our little garden plot


Radishes starting to come up....the carrots have also started to come up since this picture a few days ago.


Our Satsuma tangerine tree very happy to be outside


Meyer lemon blossoms ready to bloom


One of the three raspberry bushes


Flowers....