Whew, Busy Day!

Sophia and I started off our day as usual with Baby Boot Camp. Afterwards we ran some errands and got home in time to finish up some laundry and of course, unload the dishwasher after Sunday's feast.

Then my friend Lisa and her son, Isaac, came over for a play date. Sophia and Isaac have played together before, but it usually consisted of one or both of them lying immobile or even sleeping! But now, both babies are growing up, sitting on their own and eager to play. They were absolutely too cute together! Shamefully I did not get any pictures of them! :( I guess I was too busy giggling at their interacting and snuggling with Isaac because I totally forgot to snap some pics! I will have to do better next time! Lisa has been a wonderful support for me during my pregnancy and early motherhood as Isaac is only 3 months older than Sophia, so I get to ask her all those "what happens next" questions; it's been great!

Sometimes it's easier to go ahead and wash everything together.

We rounded out our evening with a fabulous dinner with our close friends, Jill and Matt! It was Jill's birthday so we were all eager to celebrate with a great dinner and fun conversation!

Here's Sophia and the birthday girl!

Here's Matt practicing his best baby hold!

The Little Bears have a lot of practicing to do since Jill is expecting twins this fall! Wa HOOOO! We can't be more excited for them and Sophia is thrilled that she'll have not one, but two playmates! Jill looks and feels great and I am both excited for her, of course, and for me! I figure Jill and I spend so much time together (she really is the sister I never had) that now we can do even more things for us and our babies! Besides, I think Charlie is always looking for guys who like to watch sports while holding a baby, so maybe he and Matt can perfect this skill together!

Finally, here is Sophia practicing some skills of her own! She always wants whatever mommy has in her hand and I always let her drink water from my glass, but she always spits it out. Well, not this night! She actually drank it down! I was amazed, not only because the water was pretty cold, but she usually grimaces at the taste of water and refuses to drink it. I guess practice really does make perfect! Now maybe she'll drink it if I give it to her in Sophia sized cups!

Easter Sunday

Our little bunny munchin' on a plastic carrot

Aunt Cathy with one pooped pumpkin!

The Egg Hunters showing off their booty!

We hosted Charlie's family for a late Easter brunch this weekend (Greek Easter isn't until the end of April, so there is still more fun to be had!) It was nice to have everyone together and the weather outside turned out to be a bit warmer than anticipated!

Charlie and I set up an egg hunt for the kiddos and sadly Sophia decided it was nap time during this time, but she wasn't going to do much hunting anyway. I was disappointed though that I didn't get a group shot with her included, but maybe next year!

It was a very busy afternoon with all the kids hunting, eating and playing. The adults laughed and chatted with each other and a good time was most definitely had by all! I will say, though, that after everyone left is when I had my greatest parent epiphany.

Both Charlie and I have had to do some adjusting to our new lives as parents, but by far, the hardest thing so far was the fact that when everyone left yesterday and all the dishes were cleaned and the dishwasher packed, the only thing I wanted to do was lay down, and I couldn't. Charlie and I just looked at each other, both with exhaustion painted across our faces and could only giggle when we looked at Sophia who was a smile from ear to ear and happily bouncing in her exer-saucer. Hmmm, no napping for us and for a girl who really cherishes her sleepy time, this is the worst part of parenthood! Oh well, that smile is worth every minute I give up!

With a Peep, Peep Here

Finally, One for Mommy

So, Sophia has matched Daddy and Walter, it was high time we had a match day too! It's not easy finding rugby gear for girls, I tell you that! These aren't exactly Charlie's team colors, but one thing I've learned about rugby over the years is, it doesn't matter whose jersey you wear as long as it looks cool. Well, I think we achieved that.

Go, Bulldogs, Go

Maybe Sophia will follow in Daddy's paw prints, er, uh...footprints

Go, Team, Go

Awwwww, maybe next year, Baby.

As a special surprise I ordered some new fan gear for Charlie to wear today to cheer on his team. I figured Sophia needed to help Daddy cheer his team on too, so of course I got her a coordinating shirt. Let's not forget that I am up for ANY opportunity to make some matches.


The Drake Bulldogs put up quite a fight and lost in a very disappointing overtime match. This is their first tournament appearance in quite a number of years, so it was exciting anyway! Better luck next year!

When Daddies Take Control...

Charlie has been off the past few days ( of course to watch March Madness) but he did find time to help me out the other morning and get Sophia dressed so we could go to our exercise class. I was downstairs packing a bag, etc. all the while thinking about what a sweet and wonderful husband I had and how very nice it was that he was helping us get ready...when he brought her downstairs wearing this:

Oh dear, God.

This shirt has been in Sophia's drawer since Favorite Uncle Stacy ordered it for her many months ago. Actually, I will admit, I put her in it once when F.U.S. and Aunt Pam were babysitting, but that was it. In case you can't read it clearly, let me read it to you: Mommy Drinks Because I Cry.

This picture was taken because Charlie insisted I take one where you could see the color-coordinating shoes.

Shirts like this are made for daddies to buy and mommies to cringe. Actually, I'm a good sport and I even left her in it all day. The gals at Baby Boot Camp got a big kick out of it and Favorite Uncle Stacy was quite pleased to see his present in action. And, I must admit, the outfit DID look pretty cute with all her color-coordinating garments. :) Plus, I can't look a gift horse in the mouth especially when it gets the baby dressed!

More Birthdays

Sophia and Papa Leo, notice how they both have the "non-smile" smile! Ha!

What you talkin' bout, Papa Leo?

The 4 Granddaughters: Julie, Sophia, Angela, and Molly

Today officially marks Miss Sophia Anastas' half birthday! Wowee! I am thankful every day for her wonderful laugh and smile and I look forward to the many years we have with such a loving child!



Today is also a big day for Sophia's Grandpa Leo, as it is his birthday too. We all celebrated on Sunday with lots of good food and of course, cake!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy girl at Baby Boot Camp

I could just sit here all day in this funny little hat.

It was the rainiest St. Patrick's Day on record here in KC and it was dreary all day! It would have been nice to go to the parade, but it was just too wet and yucky...maybe next year!

I'd also like to send out a happy birthday to my dear friend Kathleen who is filled with the luck of the Irish on this particular day! And whom should be very thankful that the pictures I spend a long time scanning into my trusty computer just wouldn't work right! :)

I had a great time flipping through old pictures and reminiscing about all our times together. Kathleen, her husband Carl, and daughter Lily are getting ready to head back to the Midwest soon from Baltimore and we can't be more excited! Charlie is already thinking about how to plan our driving trips to visit them depending upon their final destination (it's between St. Louis and Iowa City and they will find out SOON!) and I'm just thrilled that they'll actually be within driving distance! Woo hoo! Kathleen, my personal favorite picture that would have been number one on this blog, had it worked, was an oldie but a goodie from our long ago trip to the St. Louis zoo. It shows Carl leaning out of the hippo's mouth, Sarah and me on top of the hippo, and your little ol' head and one foot dangling from a hole in the beast's belly. I'll have to get you a copy! I hope you all had a great day!

Sleepy Time

One. More. Minute and I'll be there...

Sleep? Who you kiddin', it's time to party!

Sophia is still doing a great job of sleeping 10+ hours at night and we can't be more thankful! She goes to bed around 8:30 and wakes up anywhere between 7 and 8. We are still working on a nap schedule but she seems to be falling into one naturally. It will be great when we can get that down and I have some guaranteed time to do laundry, etc.

She is now getting cereal twice a day and we're working up to three times a day soon. I've gotten a lot better at getting the food IN her mouth and we've developed quite a routine! I think eating is helping to wear her out during the day too because it's hard work!

Just Cute

Work those abs, girl!

Sophia is already refining her tastebuds by enjoying some duck.

Bama and her three grandkids!

Fun with Cousins

Shelby, Sophia and I had a day of fun last week before Shelby flew off to Wisconsin for spring break. We baked cookies and played all day! Shelby is turning into quite a little baby sitter and Sophia loves her big cousin very much! They played, read books and snuggled. We went to visit Bama at her job at the Hallmark store and Shelby even toted Sophia around opening all the musical cards so they could jam to the beats! Cody, Pam and Bama joined us for homemade lasagna and fresh baked cookies later that evening.

Big Sister, Julie, holding Baby Angela

We spent a fun evening with the Hain Clan, Chris, Oli, Julie and Angela, this past Friday. It was nice to relax, have a beer and play some Wii while the girls kept themselves busy! Angela didn't do much playing, she mostly slept, but that was nice too! Julie is adjusting to being a big sister and even practiced on Sophia while she was testing out the Johnny Jumper. Sophia enjoyed being around her cousins and wanted to play with Julie all night long! Both Chris and I have a feeling that in a few years Sophia and Angela will be two peas in a pod following eachother around and probably creating havoc!

Six Month Stats

Sophia officially has her half birthday on Tuesday (the same day as her Grandpa Leo's birthday!) and I truly can't believe it. I know that line has been used a lot by me in the past few months, but it is so true! It's hard to imagine that she's six months old. On one hand I feel like six months is such a short period of time and that she was just born! But, then I think, whoa...that's half a year...in this same amount of time she'll be turning ONE...YIKES! If I were teaching school I would be getting ready for MAP (state testing) testing and spring break. The end of the school year would be within reach and I'd be planning my summer off. The difference a year can make is unfathomable sometimes!

Sophia had her doctor's visit last week and she is still growing up healthy and strong! Charlie and I really like her pediatrician. We weren't really sure at first and we went through some times where we considered changing docs and half-heartedly looked around and consulted others. However, we're both very glad that we stuck with her current doc. He is extremely knowledgeable, understanding, and realistic! He doesn't pressure us to get vaccines that he thinks are unnecessary and he will talk at length with us about questions or concerns. I never feel rushed or pushed out of the office and that is a very good thing!

Sophia now weighs 17lbs 12 oz and measures 27.5" in height. She slowed down her growth spurt only a bit since the last visit but is still in the 90th percentile for height, 70th for weight, and 50th for head size. We got some pointers on how to transition to other foods like veggies and even talked about introducing juice. He told us that he wasn't real sold on the idea of juice b/c water is just as healthy, but Sophia pretty much refuses to drink water. I would like to keep trying, though. Honestly, I don't know if she'll like juice much better! She absolutely refused to drink the Pedialyte we had to give her a few months ago. I am sure juice is sweeter than that, but still, I wonder!

The doc continued to laugh and comment on how friendly and strong our girl was and even went so far as to say that he's seen 18month olds that aren't as social. Ha! Have we got our hands full or what?!

Cereal Pics

On the Road to Capn' Crunch

Things have been a bit crazy around the ol' Hirner Household lately, so I've been a bit lax in updating the blog, but I feel that these latest pictures are well worth the wait!

Yesterday we began feeding Sophia cereal. I must admit that I did indeed put this off for as long as possible. I put it off mainly because I am on the go so much and I knew that once the "real" eating began I would be much more housebound. Now of course I want what's best for my child, but until the last few days she has been completely satisfied by her bottles. I always told Charlie that as soon as she longed for more I would give in...well long she did! She started having days where the bottle wouldn't satisfy and we'd have to refill, it wasn't every day and it certainly wasn't every feeding but when it happened at least once for two days in a row I figured it was time.

We waited for the weekend, because I really did want Charlie to see this first time as I assumed it would be pretty cute and entertaining. We only fixed 1 T but she sucked it down and them drank the rest of the bottle too. She couldn't eat it fast enough and would suck, lick and hold the spoon in her mouth. I literally had to wrestle it away from her just so I could put more cereal on it!

She didn't get as messy as I anticipated and she ate much better than I anticipated so all in all it was a great experience had by all. Charlie and I laughed through the whole thing and managed to capture a few precious moments along the way!


Footnote: I have now tried for two days to upload my photos and it keeps giving me an error message...ARG! I will go ahead and post this and keep trying to get the pictures up! Sorry, guys! Look again soon for adorable pics (hopefully!).