Jumping is so fun to do!

Sophia gets to borrow this fun Jumperoo from her cousin David Joseph. The first time she played in it she couldn't contain her joy!

Dear World

Dear World,

Hi there, I'm Sophia. I've been here for almost two months, so I thought I'd tell you a little about myself.

My family is infatuated with me. I have each one of them wrapped around my adorable little fingers and toes.

I have recently started to smile on purpose. My mom is especially delighted with this.

A few weeks ago I got a package in the mail from my mom's amazing cousin. It had a cute ball in it (shown in the photo above) that matches my room. Janene made one of these for my cute cousin David Joseph, but my mom had no hope of being able to make one on her own. I think my mom was even guilty of coveting the ball that David Joseph had. When Janene mailed this one to me, my mom was almost crying she was so excited.

Really, could I be any cuter? And could my hat be any bigger? It matches my cute nightgown though, so my mom made me wear it anyway. I showed her. I spit up in it a few minutes later.

I have started to make baby noises that make my mom's heart melt.

I smell really good. I smell so good that I catch my mom inhaling my scent every chance she gets.

I have a love hate relationships with baths. Sometimes I really love the water and smile and coo and am extremely happy. Other times I scream and scream so that my mom and dad have to frantically wash me and get me out before I give them a headache. It's kind of humorous.

My older brother REALLY loves to give me kisses. My mom keeps telling him to do it softly or to just kiss my forehead or toes, but he can't resist my cheeks. Maybe he'll grow out of it, but I guess for now I just have to live with it.

I really, really hate my car seat and going for car rides. I am usually pretty laid back, but get me in the car seat, and I can make some noise. I haven't even gone on very long car rides yet... only to Provo and Salt Lake... but I have definitely convinced my parents that I won't do very well on a road trip this summer. In fact, I cry so much in the car that my parents decided to buy a plane ticket for my mom and me!

I really, really like being in the swing. The picture above is when I was exactly one month old. My brother and sister like to turn on the music and get the animals going and that's pretty cool too. Sometimes I fall asleep in my swing.

Speaking of sleep, I like to play a really funny trick on my mom and dad. My mom feeds me and I'll drift off to sleep. I pretend I'm REALLY asleep so she lays me down somewhere safe. I wait just long enough for her to think she is going to get something done, and right when she stands up or reaches for her book or computer I open my eyes and start wailing. It's really fun.

Mother's Day was a few days ago. I didn't get a present for my mom like my brother and sister did, but I'm pretty sure that just being here was enough for my mom. She seems overjoyed to have me here, so I'll just keep doing what I do and we should be good.

Love,
Sophia

Baby Shower Celebrations

My cute friends from work and my ward/neighborhood decided that our new baby needed to be celebrated... and despite my initial opposition to the idea of having any parties in my honor (I'm a much better hostess than guest of honor!) I eventually said yes and embraced the idea. I am amazed at how generous people are and so grateful that so many friends and family members wanted to help welcome our little one into the world.

At work there were all sorts of salads... I ate as much as I could possibly fit and still wanted more. (Of course I left room for cake!)

These cute ladies have been so much fun to work with... and they are great cooks too!

My ward and neighbors put together an amazing shower a week later at my friend Tiffany's house... Olivia loved being there as the Big Sister and helper.

There was a flurry of activity in the kitchen preparing an incredible salad bar... complete with suggestions to make gourmet salads. I regret that I didn't get a photo of the completed salad bar... it was beautiful and delicious.

My friend Jessica is an amazing cake decorator and put together a tower of gourmet cupcakes. I loved their brown and pink decor.

Cheesecake with raspberries!!! I don't think that needs any more explanation. I loved the frames that Tiffany and Jessica put together.

Tiff, Andrea, Marilynn, Amanda, Camie, me, Jessica, Sherri, and Jill--a few others that helped with the shower weren't there yet and didn't make it into the photo... (Sara and Miriam!). I feel so blessed to have such good and generous friends.

I wanted to include a picture of Amanda and her quilt... she is amazing!

Thanks, friends, for helping to celebrate our new baby!