Halloween....BOO!

It should be said that ravenous, polyester-clad little people running about the neighborhood accepting candy for the favor of not covering your house in cheap single-ply toilet paper is not really all I hoped my little baby would grow up to be- but that said, I'm no scrooge (or the Halloween equivalent of) so, Of course, we dressed the baby up. *For real this year, not just the orange and white striped onsie that one gets away with on the first Halloween, but an actual outfit that actually resembles something other than a 13mth old little person. To be fair, I should state up-front that I had no part in the costume buying process- all credit goes to Grams. If left up to me, I'm sure I would have come up with something extra creative... like, a 13mth old little person in an orange and white striped onsie, or ... OR maybe a 13mth old little girl who was on her way to bed dressed in her finest footed pj's (though that one might have required a little more effort and likely wouldn't have happened). So, our little girl was a little can-can dancing lady-bug... that looks a little something like this...



There was no actual trick-or-treating involved this year, as- well, let's face it, -she's got 6 teeth and I've had more than my fair share of the kiddo's candy for one year* (*I buy candy each year for the trick-r-treaters that NEVER show = I buy candy each year for... ME) But we did at least make it out of the house... We went to the last farmer's market of the season and saw all the other little ghouls and goblins (more accurately, all the other little spidermen and princesses) on parade. And later 'over the river and through the woods to great-grandmother's house' we went.



Lots of fun and yet, no cavities to speak of... we'll see how many years we can keep this up.

The Pumpkin Patch

I LOVE AUTUMN! We had the perfect fall day for a visit to the pumpkin patch- so that's just where Grams, Sofie and I headed! Sophia got to experience her very first hay-ride (which was a bit more of a tractor ride, as there was no hay to be found) as well as a number of pumpkins far larger than she. We had a lovely picnic-style lunch and enjoyed the various attractions, but mostly it was just a great day out with Grams!

Finger-Lickin' Apple-Pickin'

Using numerous techniques (including bribery, blackmail and a little bit of pregnant lady whining) I was able to successfully talk Patton into taking the family apple picking this weekend. We drove down RT66 to Markham, VA to an adorable family run establishment called Stribling Orchard. It was not only a beautiful place; nestled in the foothills of the Blueridge and complete with generations-old stone farmhouse, but also a gorgeous day- blue skies, crisp air and autumnal colors everywhere!

Sofie had a blast! Pat wore her in the backpack for the majority of the outing so she could see over his shoulders and watch him use the apple-picker to get only the best apples from the tree. Toward the end of our visit, we found a perfect little spot (overlooking the orchard, valley and some precious little barns and buildings) to take Sophia out and have a mini-apple-picnic. Mostly for the purpose of taking a cute picture, we gave Sof's an apple to hold and she immediately (and with intention- I might add) bit straight into it. We didn't dare wrestle it away from her, and about 20 minutes later- it was almost gone!! She was seriously cracking us up! She LOVED the thing, and was so proud to eat it all by herself!

Needless to say, we all had a great time. I informed Patton on the ride home that we had, in fact, just started an annual family tradition.... and he may even be on board :)

Baby Steps...

It happened today- Sofie took her first 5 real unassisted steps! Complete with a pivot turn and everything. It was unbelievable- and to make the moment more magical than I could have imagined it, Patton and I were both present and actually paying attention. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Sofie just let go of the leg of my pants, turned and walked, no, W-A-L-K-E-D to the ottoman. Amazing.

I think this is one of those mom-moments that you just can't help but have... Overwhelming pride and excitement and sheer joy simultaneously smushed together with the "oh, shit-knock her down quick- we've created a monster" feeling that comes with realizing that she's broken the code and life as we know it is now over.But still- Amazing.

Also amazing; we're gonna have a whole new one of these crazy creatures in about 8 weeks. The time is simply flying by and (this week) I'm both giddy with anticipation and freaking out. But mostly I'm just glad he's got a name [READ: a name that I picked out months ago, and was secretly holding out hope for, all the while trying not to let on that I was COMPLETELY bias in the decision making process]. I love my husband.In other news, It is well past my normal 10 o'clock bedtime and this is, what I imagine to be, the first of many MANY nights this little guy will be keeping me up. Tivo is my hero.

My Big Girl Turns ONE!

It's official- my baby is a big kid! Sophia turned the big O-N-E on Thursday, and had her first birthday party Saturday.


Thursday was a great day- we eased into the day with the normal activities: diapers, breakfast, playtime and the like. Then Grams stopped by to see her grand baby for the first time in a MONTH (she's been in FL helping out Elaine). We opened the presents Grams sent and, of course, Sophia found the ribbons and wrapping far more enjoyable than any of the contents found within :) After her second nap, Aunt Denise stopped by to give Sophia some birthday hugs and gifts, and her very first big balloon- she was hot and cold on that one :)


Daddy came home early from work and took his girls out for a birthday dinner. Sophia got to order her very first entree (ALL FOR HERSELF) and the meal was great. We of course showered our birthday girl with millions of birthday smooches and snuggles, and before we knew it- the day was over. AND, I didn't shed a tear * you have my permission to be impressed :)





On Saturday we held the big B-DAY BASH! The hoards came from near and far to celebrate this most memorable milestone, and yes, there was cake!


Sofie was such a trooper- She woke up from her nap to 20 excited faces in her living room all vying for her attention- and she worked the room! Smooches for the little boys, hugs and snuggles for the great-grandparents and smiles for each and every camera! There was dining, schmoozing and then it was time for the main event- Her first taste of cake and ice cream. Turns out she likes cake and ice cream! It was truly an awesome event- and the turn-out serves to prove just how many people Sophia has in her life that love, love, love her.





*update: We knew Saturday night would be a rough one- between the sheer over-stimulation and the sugar content of fare we expected an all nighter... And we were right- but for all the wrong reasons :) Sofie got the symptoms of her first cold late Saturday night and felt the effects through Tuesday. Poor thing. Though, I wonder if I can somehow use this to my advantage... "Sofie, remember what happened last time you got gifts and ate sweets...."