Micah's First Boat Ride

I'd say Micah handled the life jacket thing a little better than Sophia did...

What do you think?

Summer 2010

Summer 2008

Lindsay Phillips

It's one of those friendships that isn't easy to come by. We met when we were five during my summer break visit to Michigan. We spent at least the next 10 summers together, inseparable. Many of my childhood memories include Lindsay, her parents, Torch Lake, dancing (either a carefully choreographed mini-recital viewed by lots of family and friends or by ourselves in the basement or the balcony up on Foxboro). We can go weeks, months and at one point even years without talking, but each time we talk our conversations never miss a beat. She's always the same Lindsay... funny, tell it just like it is, and faithful. I love her like she's one of my sisters. She might as well be one.

My family was so honored to take part in such a special day for her and Michael. The whole week was a blast. I loved seeing old faces and meeting new friends. We had some great experiences. Thursday night the adults went on a cruise around some of Lake Michigan. The weather was beautiful, as was the yacht!

Jared and I had the opportunity to meet Michael two summers ago. As lucky as I think Michael is to have found Linds, I know she's just as lucky to have found Michael. He's a quality guy. He's just as faithful and loyal to his family and friends as she is to hers. And the two of them together... way too much fun!!!

Congratulations Phillips! Thanks for an unforgettable week. We love you!

Precious Flower Girl

During our trip to Michigan we were honored to take part in my oldest friend, Lindsay's wedding. It was a perfect week. Jared performed the ceremony, I was a bridesmaid and Sophia was the flower girl. She was darling. Linds and her mom got Sophia cute pink tutu skirts to wear to the events and blinged out Flower Girl shirts. You could tell from the moment she got dressed for each event that she felt like a princess. Sometimes she even told us.

Here she is in front of the "Trilogy" yacht. The adults took a cruise on this Thursday night out in Lake Michigan. More on that later.

Sophia the Flower Girl and Ben the Ring Bearer

Sophia and the Bride

She made it down the aisle!!! :) Whew!! She spotted daddy first and I got her to come stand by me. There may or may not have been jelly beans in my pocket to convince her. Then she sat with Papa Roger and Grandma Connie in the first row. More jelly beans there!

She had a major meltdown about an hour before the wedding. I can't say I wasn't worried! But you know what they say..."Bad rehearsal, great performance!"

Potty Party 2010

My friend Jenny helped me put together a potty training plan for Sophia. Like most milestones in Sophia's life she is taking her sweet time. We planned a three day potty party that went great! We had lots of incentives. The little box when she tried to go potty and the big box with fun toys when she actually went potty. We set a timer to remind her to try to go. It started out about every 10 minutes then as she had more successes the time was spread out more up to an hour. Here are the Potty Party boxes, chart and mommy rules :)

Our trip to Michigan set us back a bit as we were expecting. But we're at it fill force again at home today. Jelly Belly rewards are back and ready to go. Come on Sophia!!

4 months

Our little man is already 4 months old. His latest stats:

16.12 lbs (just over 75th percentile)

26.5 inches (95th percentile)

(Sophia was 27 inches at her nine month well check!)

I have definitely noticed his length in just the past couple of weeks.

He's already losing some of the round chubs and getting kinda "lean" :)

He has rolled onto his tummy from back once... his arm got in the way.

He's much better with tummy time than Sophia ever was.

He'll pull his knees under him and scoot forward already. Uh-Oh.

He's close to sitting on his own. Doesn't need much mom support.

He LOVES to stand.

He smiles probably 80% of the day and very rarely cries.

He's a charmer.

He still is not a great night sleeper. We're lucky to get one six hour stretch. Doesn't happen often yet. *yawn*

We tried rice cereal once and he did great with it. We'll probably get that going an hour before bed time and see if it helps his slumber... and ours.

I can't remember life without my little man. So in love.

Where no cat is safe...

Sometimes neighborhood cats wander into our backyard. If Sophia sees them she runs outside and growls at them until they run away. A little girl after her dad's own heart. ;)

Tea with Grama and Belle

Sophia loves having tea parties. Grama Doe sent the coolest toy I think I've seen in a long time. Seriously cool. It's an interactive princess Belle, Mrs. Potts and Chip. Belle talks each time you fill up Chip with tea and she even lifts her cup to drink when Sophia lifts hers! We opened the package on Skype with Grama. :)

Also notice the matching blueberry dress for the doll! :)