One Crazy November

So I know there's really no excuse, but seriously, this has been one heck of a month!!! Now, I realize that some of my stress I totally brought on myself, but I'm working on that too! In this month alone, we've had 4 birthdays, the anniversary of my dad's death, and 3 parties--and that doesn't even include the upcoming holiday and all the stress and travels that go into that! I feel like I have barely posted this month, so I tried to catch up before the holiday.

Here's a Sophia overview to help you get started! ;) Sophia is now speaking about 15-20 words. Her latest words include socks (which sadly sounds a little like sex), Shelby, and read. She is still very interested in books and she is starting to choose that most of her free time is now spent reading. She is also still very interested in the outdoors and that, sadly for Mother, has not diminished at all with the introduction of cold temperatures! We did just recently get her a winter coat and snowsuit though, so we're looking forward to the fun that will bring!

Cutest story of late: We were at dinner tonight and the woman at the table next to us began sneezing very loudly. Her sneezes truly didn't even sound human as they were very guttural and a little scary. Anyhow, Sophia, who was busy with other things at the time, only heard this noise drifting from the table next to us. She immediately popped her head up, smiled and pointed at the woman at the next table. Sophia then began imitating her by saying "woof, woof, woof!" She just smiled, clapped her hands and continued to woof at this poor woman while the three of us died laughing. Thankfully, this poor woman didn't notice Sophia (or was too humiliated to admit it) and we got off without having to apologize for our toddler...this time!

Shelby is SOOOO Much Fun

Okay, I think I'm ready

Enjoying the view

A double slide means double the fun

Even Walter likes the park!

Shelby hung out with us all morning on Saturday. It was really perfect because she was able to help me out and play with Sophia while Charlie took a much needed birthday break in front of the television! Sophia absolutely adores Shelby. She picks out her picture right away her name is one of the only others that Sophia has said besides Mommy and Daddy. If Shelby is in the room, Sophia is there too and you should just see the looks or adoration she gets from our little munchkin. They are really too cute together and I so enjoy being able to watch them together.

The ladies (and Walt) headed to the park even though it was a little chilly. It was so cute to watch them play together. Shelby is turning into quite a little babysitter and we're excited to have her with us for our Thanksgiving adventure too!

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

My luscious dessert buffet

The theme: classic movie theatre snacks revisited!

M&Ms: M&M cookies

Reese's PB Cups: peanut butter and chocolate molten cake

Sweet Tarts: lemon bars

Twizzlers: Twizzlers dipped in semi-sweet chocolate

Junior Mints: chocolate cookies with mint chips

Popcorn: popcorn with blue cheese, chives and walnuts

Special Birthday Treat: Coconut cream pie (okay so it didn't fit the theme but it was personally requested by the birthday boy...what's a girl to do!)

Charlie and RaeAnn getting a cocktail!

Cathy and Chris ready to enjoy the show!

So I had my first HouseParty this weekend in honor of Charlie's birthday. If you haven't visited the HouseParty website you really have to check it out! It is super fun and addicting! Anyway, we had a party to watch the premiere of a new show on TNT called Leverage. It's an action adventure show that has a bit of a Robin Hood twist. The show actually premieres in December but we got to see it early! The general consensus was that it was a fun show and most people would want to watch it again. And because it was a "Premiere" Event, I had to elaborate on that theme, hence the movie theatre buffet! And...since it was Charlie's birthday I tried to incorporate his faves (coconut, lemon bars, chocolate mint). It was nice to get together and have a double-duty party. I think that Charlie had fun and that's what I was after. His birthday also commemorates the anniversary of the day we met 5 years ago! EEEEEK! We reminisced about that night and giggled to ourselves about what a long road we've traveled. I love you, honey and thanks for finally getting up the nerve to call me, even it was a week later!

The Joys of Self Feeding

I don't even know what this food is???
It looks a little like jelly, but I don't remember giving her jelly?!

Ah, yes, the classic hummus face.

Oh and the popular smash stuff in my hair technique

After meal antics in full swing!

Peek a...

Booo!

Sophia has been feeding herself for a long time now, since she was 8 months to be exact, but it's seemingly more messy now than it was then?! How can that be!? I'm really not sure, but it's pretty fun. She is very good with a spoon and fork now and went through a short phase where she demanded either one at every meal, but now she's content to eating with her hands again. I'm not too worried about it really, but am a stickler with the spoon on certain foods: yogurt, cottage cheese, and soup. She is still a champ at the dinner table is good about trying new foods. She even ate a clementine this week! I was cutting the pieces up because I was worried about her choking and she wasn't too interested, but when Charlie just gave her the whole piece she stuck it in her mouth, smiled and proceeded to eat the rest of it...ah the magic of Daddies! She also ate shrimp at dinner and has been pretty good about eating other fish. Overall, her eating habits are almost nothing like her mother's...ha! We do share a love of olives and hummus (maybe it's a cultural thing!) but her love of seafood definitely comes from Charlie!

Rub a Dub, Dub

Well, I have finally taken the looooong awaited plunge and moved Sophia into the full sized bath tub. I know, I know, way past due. Up until a few weeks ago I was still bathing poor little Sophia in her baby tub. She was very cramped in there but really she didn't seem to mind. Besides, it was way easier to fill and used much less water so it was kind of a good thing, right?! Anyway, we have sticky ducks on the floor of the tub and her toys fit much easier this way and she's still happy as a lark during bath time.

A Whole New Kind of Soccer Mom

Kick it, chase it, kick it, chase it

She's almost a full-on run now...yikes!

And like most small soccer players, she becomes easily distracted by her surroundings

Sophia received a belated birthday present from my mom's sister and family who came to visit last weekend....

Although she still doesn't quite get the ripping of the paper thing, she was absolutely riveted with anticipation.....

This is her waiting to see what's in it...she literally danced on alternating feet anticipating fun to arrive!

She tried ripping it from the box with sheer will but finally let mommy take over and untie it.

She is quite pleased with Baby Belinda and continues to carry her and nurture her every day. :)

Sophia is at a totally fun age right now and every day brings new things. It was a hoot to see her playing "soccer" by kicking and kicking the ball. She had a great time! It is also amazing to see her begin pretend play by hugging and kissing Belinda like a little mommy, it is adorable. But then she follows it up by throwing her baby on the floor and walking away...hmmm, I can assure you I'm not doing quite that kind of modeling! ;)

Stop, Dog Stop, for All that is Good and Holy Please Stop, Dog!

Sophia has always loved books but these past two weeks she has taken that love to a whole new level. We have now entered that stage of Toddlerdom where she wants to read the same book over and over, and over and over and over again until her heart's content. I mentioned in a post recently that her favorite book was Who Stole the Cookies, but Go, Dog. Go has always been a close second...and I'm pretty sure it has now taken the lead. I can't even count how many times I've read that book today, let alone all week. She loves it.

Now I was a little naive on this until recently, but apparently there are two Go, Dog. Go versions. She has had the board book version since she was born and then got the full size version for her birthday along with another board book, which was great because then I could keep them all around the house for her reading pleasure, since it was one of the favorites, after all. So I mistakenly thought that the full size was the same as the board book...and oh how mistaken I was. It's great, don't get me wrong, but it is about 37 pages of words, as in more than just the 3-4 words found in the board version. And although my child shows no patience while I'm cooking dinner or on the toilet, you best believe she shows plenty of patience when she wants to sit on my lap and hear all 37 pages of that book about 10 times in a row.

I am thrilled that she is such a happy reader, and I'm sure that this too shall pass, but sometimes I am up to my ears in dogs--literally and figuratively--and just need a break! ;)

Yes We Did!*

Yes we did, a true and perfect statement. This week our country made history and we were a part of it. I am both proud and humbled by the steps our country has taken this past week and I truly look forward to an Obama presidency and all it has to bring. And in true Tori fashion, I had a bash to welcome the new President-Elect. I must admit, that I was worried it would be much more touch and go than it was. We did have a mixed household, which does make it more fun, but regardless of party affiliation, I think everyone had a great time! I know I did!

*The ideas and comments in this post are not the expressed or written views of all members of the Hirner Household.

Is that one patriotic family or what?!

The buffet table....

a close up of the centerpiece...and yes it was bi-partisan, you just can't see the red elephant on the other side very well. ;)

(and to think that Uptown Bill was mocked in an earlier post...Kathleen!!!)

Sarah and RaeAnn coloring in the states on their map. Yes, I supplied printed outline maps of the US with red and blue crayons for those who wished to follow along.

Notice the coordinating wrist-wear

Is that Tom Selleck? No, it's Ray, our raffle winner. To enter the raffle you had to have been wearing your 'I Voted' sticker. He looks very stylish and patriotic!

Sophia wearing the latest fashion trend while Bama sports her election-day skimmer