11 months

it feels like life is going by to fast. matt and i were commenting that we wish we had the ability to make time stand still. almost at a year...all her friends starting to try out walking. birthday parties and the mourning of babyhood all around us. while it is going fast, we continue to savor all that sophia is.

she is contented, happy, thoughtful and the definition of a lovie-dovie.

as promised, in a matter of two weeks sophia got 5 teeth. about every 4 days she would pop a new one. she was a trooper though, and we didn't have to many sleepless nights. her toothy grin is all the more fun to see.

she's a chatty kathy (as her grandma dubbed her). she babbles, sings and laughs. she has figured out intonation and uses it well. we're pretty sure that 'ba' is brother as she will call for him when he's not around. and she makes a mix between a 'th' and 'sh' sound for sister. she has started to repeat sounds that you make if you ask her to.


the mama word is a little more hard to come by, so one night while feeding her i just asked, 'sophia, can you please say mama? mama' i stated. she looked at me, paused for dramatic effect and then said, 'mom'. slow and clear.

i haven't pushed sign language with her as i did the others. but she started grunting to get more food and i said, 'sophia, can you say more please?' and did the motions. i did it several times, while repeating it. she watched, studied and then did the motions. that's all it took and she's got the hang of it.

she is a true water baby. we went to a water park last week and she spent the entire time splashing, crawling and sliding in the water.


she's been loving having her grandparents around the last few weeks too....


next up...the big #1.

fourth of july

we hosted a big party last night for the fourth of july. we had over 30 people here for food, swimming, corn hole tournament and fireworks. it was like part of my soul opened up last night. finally having the ability to host things in my home, and watching my kids make memories like i have as a kid.

i grew up with people around all the time. our house was (and my parents house still is) an open door for people. there was always food and being together, we never needed an excuse to celebrate. i learned from my mom how to host people, how to feed people, how to be hospitable. and i love doing. but since moving to kentucky, we just have not had a home that is conducive to having people over. i have felt stifled, frustrated and like a big part of who i am just couldn't be expressed.

all weekend as we were getting ready for the party, i was overwhelmed with thankfulness once again for this house. as we finished getting ready and i looked around i felt a part of my soul come back to life. as people arrived and i watched the kids play in the two pools we had, as i watched the adults relax, as i helped the babies play with toys in the playroom...my heart overflowed. all felt right.

i kept thanking people again and again for coming over. they were helping me come back to life.

when it came time for fireworks....


there were bucket loads of kids,

the girls clapping in approval,

the boys dancing smoke dances around the fire

and wrestling in between.

just as i remember it being when i was little.

they were surrounded with a large group of people - with their friends. it was so fulfilling to give my kids some of the favorite memories i have as a kid.


it was a good day...a fulfilling day...a day to be thankful for so much. for abundance and a rich life.

together

we did it. all the kids have transitioned into sleeping together in one room. sophia has been sleeping really well and everyone is healthy right now. we have visitors coming in a week. even though sleep was coming easy, we took the chance and made the change.

that room has become my favorite room in the house.

i love seeing our crib. we have not had it set up since we moved to kentucky - i have missed it. we picked it out before isaiah was born, and it now has held all my babies. their are teeth marks from when isaiah would bite it, there are bumps and scratches from each move. it's not pristine anymore, it shows the wear and tear of being used and moved. but it's ours. i can picture each baby with their face popping over the side. and sophia is no different. sophia loves her big bed and especially loves seeing her brother and sister across the room who are all to willing to coo and comfort her.

i love to walk into the room at night after they all are asleep. by only the light of the night light i can study their soft faces, see their bodies sprawled every which way, watch their chests rise and fall in rhythm. peaceful, rejuvenating sleep. and i love the smell. warm and sweet. a mixture of each of their own individual smells.

i love to lay in bed and know that they all are in one room - together. my life all safe and secure. for some reason it has made me think of the day when they won't all be asleep under my roof. when i won't go to sleep knowing exactly where they are...just feet from me. and it has made me thankful. thankful for this time of life.