Notes

Sophia got this puppy diary (with lock and key) from Andrew for Christmas.  She told him when she opened it that it was one of her favorite gifts and I think she's written in it every day.  I am very curious as to what she writes in there, but I haven't peeked...yet.

Periodically when I go to bed, I'm met with a note on my pillow.  They are random thoughts from Sophia and you never know what she might write about.

Andrew and Sophia were in the card-making business around Christmas time.  Andrew's cards were affectionately referred to as 'Happy Family Cards' and were illustrated with a picture of our family-all 5 of us.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Andrew has brought home two purple notes from school in the last few weeks.  Purple may be his favorite color but these notes are not his favorite.  In fact, Erik discovered the first one in the garbage, courtesy of Andrew.  The purpose of these notes is to let us know about a behavior issue at school.  In this case, talking.  The second one also mentioned that he uses a loud voice.  Good luck fixing that one.  He does and there hasn't been anything we've been able to do about it. Our sweet little Andrew just may be following in his sister's footsteps with his social personality. 

 

Turning 8

My little girl isn't so little anymore.  In fact, she's now officially 8 years old.  I make the kids special signs for their birthdays and other special days.  The night before her birthday, Sophia asked if I was making her one.  Of course I was, but it's nice to know that they appreciate them. Her day started off with a french toast breakfast.  Then her Auntie Amanda surprised her and took her out for a long-awaited manicure.  While they were out, Andrew and I grabbed Caribou and went in search of decorations for the party.  Family came over for pizza and presents.  Among her many gifts were many American Girl Doll themed ones-choose your own adventure books, quiz books to do with her mom and dad, and a travel book.  Grandpa also gave her a pen handmade by him.  We gave her a necklace made by her great-grandma, some books, a wallet and a date to the Waterpark of America (where she's been asking to go for the past year).  

A few weeks later it was time for another celebration, this time with her friends.  This year's theme?  Harry Potter.  After LOTS of research on the Internet, I think I put together a pretty fun party.  Guests received Hogwarts class schedules when they arrived.  Signs were posted for the various classrooms and students traveled to 4 different classes after first decorating wands at Ollivanders (thanks to my dad for making really cool wands for the all the kids).  After wands, it was time for fortunes (thanks to Amanda for helping with this one).  Next it was off to Potions with Erik Professor Snape.  The room was dim, candles were lit and ingredients were labeled with words like unicorn milk.  After that the kids transformed clay into something and were then entertained with a magic show.  After wizard cupcakes and presents, they took a trip to Honeydukes Sweet Shop, where they got edible wands(pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate-very tasty), mini broomsticks (pretzels), lemon drops, chocolate-covered cockroaches and Bertie Botts every flavored jelly beans.  Not bad, right?

4 Months

Look who's four months old!

Isn't that smile infectious?  I am one lucky girl to get to spend every day with this little guy.  I started back to work three days before Christmas Break.  My parents had him for those three days so it made it a little easier to go back.  The first week back in January was a short one too which made it a little easier to leave him at daycare.  Luckily, our new daycare is less than 5 minutes from school so he's close by and if I ever need an Alex fix, I can pop over during the day.  It's only a 20 minute drive to daycare but Alex is always asleep by the time we get there and usually sleeps for 1-2 hours after I drop him off.  He's all smiles when I pick him up but he's not taking a very long afternoon nap so he's been ready to go to bed around 7:45.  I wish he'd stay up longer but as soon as you lay him down and wind his lullaby lamb, his hands go up next to his face and he's fast asleep.

So what's new with Alexander?  His favorite toy is one he got from grandma and grandpa for Christmas-a tambourine.  He LOVES it!  It doesn't matter how many times you do it, the second you turn it on and the music starts playing, he gets a huge smile on his face!  He's getting more coordinated and can now grab at his toys hanging from his bouncy seat (or anything else you dangle in front of him).   It occurred to me that we haven't been giving him much tummy time because of his acid reflux, but that also means he hasn't had many opportunities to roll over.  Dr. Curran said she isn't worried at all though because he is so strong and given the opportunity, he'll do it soon enough.  We've been putting him down on his play mat a little more, but he only tolerates being on his tummy for a little bit.  He is now sleeping in his crib and doing well, although he and I are still spending lots of together time during the night.  Luckily he goes right back to sleep after he's done eating.  He really likes his mobile and smiles up at it.  Alex has started giggling too.