Visit From Grandpa Tom and Grandma Barbie

Sophia loved her time with Grandma Barbie and Grandpa Tom. It was so nice to have a break and get lots of naps. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Thanksgiving

My parents came for a few days and spent Thanksgiving with us. Sophia loved all the social interaction, but didn't sleep that well because she wanted to be in on all of it.

On Thanksgiving we went to Mike's Mom's house and then the day after we spent time with his Dad, Step-mom and her family. Great food and great company.

Housewarming Party

We got to go to a housewarming party at Marshall and Kristi's new place. It was great to catch-up with old friends and eat yummy food! Sophia spent a few minutes quietly taking it all in and then she got very lively and talkative.

Thanks for the great party, Marshall and Kristi. Kristi, you will notice I didn't put the picture Mike took of you on here. You're welcome:).

Just Because She's Cute

Random Pics

The girl cousins

Hanging with Popsi

Up, but not moving

All clean

7 Months

Sophia is 7 months today. I can't believe it! She just keeps getting more and more fun. Everything interests her and she gives the greatest looks. Walks, swinging, jumping and baths are some of her favorite things. If you haven't met Sophia, you are missing out! Come and visit!


New Things This Month:

Officially sleeping through the night (my favorite)
Trying to crawl
Starting to wave bye-bye
Babbling a lot
Eating 3 meals a day
Jumping all the time
Taking 2 longer naps (my other favorite)
Splashing a lot in the bathtub

Think On These Things

The transition from being a married lady with no kids and a part-time job to being a mom has been quite a life change for me. If I stop and dwell on the things I no longer have (mostly time for myself and inadequate rest) I tend to get a little down in the dumps and stuck on myself. This is not to say that I am not glad to have Sophia. It's just been a big shift for little scheduled me. So, because of my tendency towards selfishness, I've been trying to dwell on what I am thankful for. Here are some of the things. Hopefully the list will continue in later blog posts.

1. A very loving husband who works hard and always comes home and helps me willingly
2. A content and happy baby
3. A home
4. Other mommy friends and non-mommy friends
5. A dad who is a pediatrician that can reassure me when I think something is wrong with Sophia
6. San Diego weather
7. Food blogs
8. The fact that Jesus has taken my place and I don't have to pretend to be able to cover my sin myself
9. Sophia's laugh
10. Free 8x10 photos and sitting fees at JC Penny
11. Cookbooks
12. Naps
13. A generous mother
14. Visitors during the day who keep me from being lonely
15. Going to the grocery store with Sophia, having people talk to her and watching her light-up when they do

Beef Barley Soup

I made this the other night. It was cheap, delicious, and even better the next day.

BEEF BARLEY SOUP

2 lb. lean beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes
1 Tbsp. olive oil
6 c. water
5 celery ribs, chopped
6 medium carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
4 Tbsp. tomato paste (about 1/2 a 4 0z can)
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. pearl barley

In a big sauce pan, brown meat in oil on all sides and sautee the onions with the meat. Add the water, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes, barley, tomato paste, bouillon and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 50 minutes

Loving the Swing

Sophia loves to swing and gets very agitated when I don't start pushing her right after I get her into the swing. You'll see the video below of just how much she enjoys it.

6 Month Stats

We went to the Dr. yesterday and Sophia looks good. She is 16 lbs. 6.9 oz (48th percentile) and 27.5 inches long (91st percentile). She was a trooper since our appointment was right at her nap time and she had to get 5 shots. The poor girl was toast by the end of the day.

1st (Out of Utero) Trip to Tucson

We took a trip to Tucson to see Grandma Barbie and Grandpa Tom. Sophia did pretty well in the car as long as she was fed and able to sleep. She loved seeing her grandparents as well as the many people they invited over to check their granddaughter out. We loved showing her off and she pulled out all of her tricks for everyone. We're excited to go back for Christmas!

Car ride

Hugging Grandma Barbie

She loves necklaces

Love that belly

What WASN'T Sophia for Halloween

Bumble Bee

Piglet

Banana Girl