Teeth and Big Trip!

Announcement!!! Sophia's first tooth popped through! Finally! I think the second one is just right behind it because it seems to still be bothering her. As soon as we can thoroughly see the tooth I will post a picture of a cute smiley TOOTHY baby! Can't believe we have a tooth!

Tomorrow Sophia and I head off for a three week trip. As much as I am so stinking excited for the trip, I am a little sad because Joe won't be able to come with us at all. We've done one deployment apart but right now 3 weeks seems so long especially because baby's change so much so quickly. First stop in our 3 week excursion is to Minnesota where all of my mom's family is from. Sophia gets to meet her great grandparents, 4 great aunts (and their husbands), lots of my cousins as well as family friends. Most of these people I haven't seen in 3-6 years! My mom and sister will be meeting us in Minnesota and then Sophia and I'll drive back to Montana with them. We'll be back just in time to go to my favorite Rodeo (haven't been in 3 years) during the 4th of July week. I'm so grateful that we'll also be able to spend a full 2 weeks with my parents and siblings in picturesque Montana. I do miss it so much and am going to get to see good friends and even some more family members who I haven't seen in probably 10 years! I can't wait to share pictures etc with y'all and will try to update during the trip!!!

Can you feel my excitement from where you're sitting? I think I use too many exclamation marks. ha!

6 months!

Sweet Sophia,
You're now 6 months old! Whaaaat! Where did time go?! Daddy and I were just talking about how incredible our life can change in just a year but we wouldn't change it for the world. We're so very glad that you are part of our life. We are such hopeless saps whenever you smile and giggle at us which is quite often these days. All we really have to do is look at you and make a silly sound or face and we get ear to ear grins.

We're still waiting for those teeth to come through. I am sure hoping that they make an appearance soon because they are making you whiny and fussy! Normally when you wake up you talk to yourself for awhile but these teeth seem to make you just cry. Your sleep schedule hasn't altered much- you almost put yourself to bed at 8pm and are up by 8am with only one feeding in between.

You're getting to be such a big girl and we couldn't be more proud of you! You've begun your own type of crawling but can definitely get around. Also, not only are you able to sit up by yourself but you are also close to being able to push yourself up from a knee position to a sitting!

The freezer is getting more and more full of baby food as you're trying so much. We've added spinach, green peas, pears, peaches, avocados and pineapple into your food repertoire! It's amazing how you like to just gobble it all up but I secretly still love how much you still want your mama because that time together is just so precious.

Monday was your 6 month checkup and Mama has a love/hate relationship with the appointments! I love them because I get to see how much you've grown but I hate them because you have to get shots. :( You're now 27 inches long ( 90% percentile!)  and 14.8 lbs (36% percentile). The part that makes me giggle is that your head is considered 0 percentile. You have such a little petite head but we love it! The size of your noggin doesn't matter- you're so smart anyway!!!!

We love you sweet baby girl and are so excited to watch you continue to grow and grow!

Father's Day Gift for Daddy- 2012

NOT unemployed! - A little ranting and raving.

Caution: Personal convictions and opinions abound:

When I was about 6 weeks pregnant we moved just north of Austin on a total faith walk. Joe got out of the navy, got a good job and we were staying in a hotel while we found other housing. I had no plans yet to work when we moved and then we found out we were pregnant so working plans went on hold even longer. It just didn't make sense to go to work for a few months and then quit. Because you see, Joe and I made a decision early on in our relationship... As long as it would be financially possible (and we intended to always make it possible even if Joe had to work 2 jobs) and until our children were in school, I would not work outside the home. But this did NOT mean that I was going to be unemployed!!!

When I would go to my postpartum checkups the front desk clerk would always confirm, "You're not currently employed correct?" I constantly have to fill out forms and claim the unemployed check-mark. I went to a work event of my husbands and asked what I do for work and about half the people say something along the lines of, "where do you work?". This so saddens me! Where in our society have we gone from it being awkward to be a working mom to being awkward to be at home with your kiddo? Not only do they wonder why I don't work but they fully expect me to not also have a degree. No, I have a degree and would love to work but right now its not where I need to be.

We completely believe that being a mom is a full time job and a wonderful calling. By being with my daughter and future children all day, I get to raise my own child. I know what she's hearing and seeing. Yes I would love to get my masters and work but it's just not the time yet. I need to invest my heart and time into my child and I know that it will be the best investment I will EVER make. 

I am NOT unemployed. I just need to make that clear. I have a job: I am Joe's wife and Sophia's mother. My day consists of lots of diapers, cleaning, laundry, dogs (yes we have 3), errands, activities... I stay busy loving on my kiddo, invoking lots of laughter, smiles and encouraging growth and proper stimulation. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Here's a little glimpse into my awesome world.

Sweetest little baby!

Getting to be such a big girl! Loves to push up and doing beginning stages of crawling.

My two loves (one with a ridiculous mustache) on Memorial Day *note: husband had been so far removed from military world that he had forgotten which side ribbon rack went on and noticed later...

Sophia getting cleaned up by her biggest fan club after some baby food!