One Year Ago...

It's so fun to read back through the blog and reminisce. I totally laughed at some of the updates about my OB appointments and am happy to report that recently I have finally started losing some of that leftover weight. It's been much harder to do with Leo than Sophia but I feel good about getting into a better routine...anyway, I digress...this post should be about my little boy and not so much about the toll he took on my body...haha! :)


It's hard to believe that it's been a year. I was so ready to meet him and now he's changed my life forever. I sat with him in his rocking chair tonight before putting him to bed and I remembered how I sat there exactly one year ago, talking to that little boy still in my belly, ready to meet him and welcome him to the world. He has a big day ahead of him tomorrow, but he's had a great first year so far!

The Princess Turns 3

Okay, so I know it's taken me forever to get pics of her birthday up but I've been trying to prepare for Leo's party too! Remind me again why I thought two parties in one week was a good idea!?! ;) Whatever, it's a lost cause, you all know I'd do it again! Enjoy some pics from her special day!



Here's a rundown of what you'll be seeing...she opened presents first thing...hooray! Charlie and I got her a princess dress, wand, and tiara as her big gift, plus the Belle shirt she chose to wear to her party. We went and picked up her cookie cake, a tradition, and munched on a little treat while we were there. I was very disappointed the cake people DID NOT follow my instructions and we got no princess-themed picture, but at least the cake was de-licious!



Princess Tiana not only made an appearance but hosted Sophia's entire party. She had 11 little friends and cousins there ranging in age from 8-2. They decorated tutus, played Princess, Princess, Frog, and pin the jewel on the crown. It was a pretty adorable party and I didn't feel bad (okay maybe once) that I hadn't planned any of it! It was kind of nice to just show up. During the PPF game, Sophia was going around in a circle, not wanting anyone to be a frog, and when she got to her cousin, Angela, she stooped over and very lovingly said, "I like your crown." Then she stroked her hair and sat right down next to her. It was seriously adorable. I think she's a little young for that game yet!



She got tons of great presents. Among the favorites are her high heeled Aerial shoes from Luca and Massimo and her princess vacuum from Uncle Stacy and Shelby. She gasped when opening it and was just beside herself, and of course my mother said, well she is my granddaughter! I could have been offended, but well, it's true that I don't share that love affair with my vacuum so what could I say!? ;)



After the party, the four of us had a low key pizza dinner and got ready for bed. She had a great day and is so grown up already! Despite the mood swings and tantrums, I think 3 is going to be a great year!

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Balloon Festival

the first balloon to launch...everyone cheered!
enjoying a makeshift picnic with PB&Js and apple slices

all the other balloons prepare for flight

the polka dot balloon was a Sophia favorite

these two balloons crashed in mid air!

It didn't seem to phase anyone, so maybe it's normal!?

the angelic little Leo sat and watched

heading off for a more personal inspection of the remaining balloons

Our friends Don, Shelly, Russ and Beth joined us for a picnic too!

Shelly and Beth enjoying the scenery

the "balloon glow" is held at sunset

I tried to snap one more pic as we were heading out, but it's hard to coordinate pictures with all the pilots and their fire!

We weren't the only ones with the idea to head out to the balloon festival this Friday night! It was the first year for the festival in Overland Park and it was a hit, to say the least! Sort of last minute, I decided to take the kids and go see the balloon launch, scheduled for 5:30 pm on Friday. Long story short....TONS of traffic and TONS of people meant the launch was delayed an hour and we got to see it all and then some! The balloon glow was pretty cool, although it probably would have been more impressive had we been able to stay longer, but it was getting too late as it was. Plus, we had to walk a mile (literally) to the car and fight traffic once again. I do think it was worth it...I mean without sounding completely cheesy, it was a pretty spectacular sight to see all those balloons launch. Sophia was so excited and we had fun guessing which balloon would be next to set sail. She was also very brave considering she is terrified of loud noises and was able to handle the blowers going off. I think we'd be happy to return next year, and I'm pretty sure the organizers learned a lot about what to do and what not to do this time around! ;)

Green Thumb in the Making

We had lunch with Grandma B on Friday as a pre-birthday kick-off for Sophia. Grandma loves when we come by and of course Sophia and Leo love to play with all her toys and watch TV, not to mention Sophia loves the McDonald's we bring! For Mother's Day this year, Sophia planted flowers for each grandma and since Grandma B lives on the sunny side of the building, her plant is really flourishing. Sophia was so excited to see how tall it was and how many blossoms there were. I also think it makes Grandma pretty happy to have it doing so well. It reminds her of Sophia and keeps her feeling cheery.

Bringin' Home the Bacon

the finished product!

Leo entertained himself with drumming and motorcycles

snuggle time!

putting her first coins in!

Isabelle, Luca, and now Sophia are all 3!!! Jodie decided it might be nice to mix up our regular play sessions with some craft time, and I never miss a chance to do something crafty, teacher-y or theme-y! ;) Actually I really like her idea because it gets the kids ready for preschool with a structured activity, but it's more low-key since it's run by us and I would not be as apt to do it for just my child (which is probably terrible, but it's true!) So every Wednesday we're going to take turns doing a "preschool" type activity/craft.

Julie was first and the kids decorated these adorable piggy banks! Love it! Sophia was pumped and had a great time painting and bejeweling her pig! Leo has a couple piggy banks and I think she's been a bit jealous! I didn't post the pics of them painting b/c we took the girls' shirts off to avoid permanent paint stains, and I just didn't think topless toddlers was appropriate, but they did enjoy themselves! I'm really excited about my first one...of course I have a theme complete with a book, activity and snack! Yay!

Rainy Day

the perfect day to break in new frog rain boots...
...with my swimsuit!

But I want you to be done taking pictures so I can get in the pool!

swimming!

playing!

splashing!

all cleaned up and ready for a nap!

Tuesday was such a rainy day that couldn't go to waste, so we packed up and headed to the indoor pool. Isabelle and Jodie joined us and we all had a gay ol' time! Both Sophia and Leo just love the pool. We'd like to keep Sophia going all winter long so she can continue to hone those swimming skills. She's getting really close to actually propelling herself through the water...I'm ready for it!

Tennis Twins

dutifully following baby brother

I just couldn't resist the chance to take a picture of both Shelby and Sophia in their tennis skirts! Sophia and Bama cheered Shelby on at her latest match while Leo and I tried to get there, but sadly were too late! We went to Chinese and ice cream afterwards though!