May 31

After really yucky weather on a three day weekend, today cleared up and was beautiful. I got outside and did a ton of yard work. Sophie enjoyed running around the yard, blowing bubbles and singing. She loves to check out and see how her peas are growing. Unfortuately, they seem to be the only thing growing in the garden at the moment besides weeds! Hopefully I'll have more luck as the weather improves.

May 30

To my surprise, a little robin has decided to make her nest in my deck table's umbrella. She is really brave making her nest so close to the house and with two roaming cats nearby! It is also really neat to see, but she has also created quite a mess! It will be fun for Sophie and I to watch what happens over the next several months!

May 29

Sophie and I slept in, made a craft at Michael's and visited the animals at Petsmart. We didn't do much because I was feeling crummy and just wanted to soak up my Sophie time! She wouldn't take a nap and so she was full of crazy energy in the afternoon. We did some dancing (as is pictured) and went to the park. All in all, we had a great day together!

May 28

After a busy, long week, both Sophie and I were pooped. Occasionally we'll have a movie night where we'll get something fun to eat (tonight was burgers from Daddy O's) and watch one of Sophie's videos. Costco was selling the first few Muppet Show seasons, so I picked up one for us last week. Tonight we watched the first two episodes, and Sophie could hardly eat her dinner, she was so enthralled with it. She's a girl after my own heart because I loved the muppets too when I was a kid!

May 27

No picture again tonight. I'm trying not to worry that I don't get one every day this year like I did last year. Some nights I'm just too darn tired! Tonight is one of those nights since Sophie let me get about 4 1/2 hours last night. Fun, fun!

May 26

It actually stopped raining for a second so I could get outside to grab a picture of my blooming irises. I love it when they bloom and they have such a beautiful smell too. We're getting closer to summer, if only this rain would go away!

May 25

Sophie and I met up with Will and Karen at the mall for some fun at the play place and Sophie's first visit to Chuck E. Cheese. We didn't eat there, just played on the toys. Sophie had a lot of fun with Will and I attempted to get a shot of them playing with my cell phone camera. It's definitely not as good as my Nikon!

May 24

Another picture of Sophie in bed! This time, we had just finished our nightly book reading before we turned out the lights. She was still quite wide awake, which must account for my finding her standing on her bed a 1/2 hour later! The little stinker! I reminded her that I can put her back in her crib. After that, she settled right down and I haven't heard from her since!

May 23

Well, just as I suspected... Sophie LOVES her new room! She was very excited about the bed and proceeded to climb all over it! I gave her the option of napping in her new bed or going into her crib. There was no question that she wanted to nap in her bed! She fell asleep fairly quickly and slept really good. I was quite impressed, because I hadn't expected her to do that well, that quickly. I guess waiting was the key for her, she was ready for her new bed!

May 22

I worked hard most of the day to get Sophie's new big girl bed set up along with the rest of her things into the room. Dad was a huge help (he did most of the work) getting everything put together. It is a lot of fun getting everything organized so I can surprise my little one when she comes home tomorrow!

May 21

Sophie and I made P B & J bars tonight for a little treat. She enjoyed helping me in the kitchen, but was happiest when she got to lick the peanut butter covered spoon! She typically isn't too fond of baked goods, but she gobbled up her bar like it was going to be taken from her! When I asked if she'd like to share some with daddy, she said, "No, they're all for Sophie!" Greedy little one!

May 20

No photo tonight, oops!

May 19

Abby celebrated her 4th birthday at Charlie's Safari tonight and Sophie had a blast! She wanted to play on everything which included the big contraption they have (I told Sophie that she had to be older to go on it, mean mom I know!). She played hard and even had some of a birthday ice cream cone. It was a fun night!

May 18

I'm getting closer to finishing up Sophie's new bedroom. I painted one wall pink and put up the decals. Now all she needs is her big girl bed and some room arrangement, and we're ready!

May 17

Sophie and I took a sick day today and hung out at the house. We had had such a busy weekend that we both needed to recuperate! At our visit to Ikea, I bought Sophie a little chair for her new big girl room. I had admired it at the Daily house, and had to get one for my little princess. Sophie loves her little chair and thinks it's pretty funny that I can't use it!

May 16

Today was an incredibly busy, but wonderful day! Mom and I headed to Issaquah to meet up with Miriam, her mom, and the kids! We had a yummy lunch, then planned to go to the park. The second we stepped outside, it began to pour! After some deliberating, we went to the McDonald's Play Place and the kids had a ball. There was a huge contraption for them to climb in and Sophie went all the way to the top! This was a huge different after her being so timid at the fair yesterday! Mara and Soren came over for a little visit too which was great! After our goodbyes, mom and I made a stop at Ikea and headed home. My little munchkin was perfectly behaved today, but was exhausted! I am too, so off to bed!

May 15

Sophie and I went to the Lacey Fun Fair this afternoon. I thought she would really get into it because she didn't do much last year. Well this year was about the same. The highlights for her were getting on the city bus and seeing some neat breakdancers performing. She wanted nothing to do with the bounce houses and the pony rides. There's always next year!

May 14

Mom took me to a crazy musical this evening, and I loved every minute of it! Small theater in its finest!

May 13

Spring is finally here! The flowers are in full bloom and the sun is out! I love taking shots of my flowers, so here's another one!

May 12

Before Sophie was born, I threw out all of the kitties' toys, and they haven't complained a bit! While Sophie and I made a visit to Target tonight, she decided that they should get some toys (I honestly think she wants to keep them away from her toys!). We picked out some little mice with catnip in them. From the second we gave Guster and Max their treats, they were in heaven. Sophie enjoyed watching them play, and I think she wanted to keep one for herself!

May 11

I love it when the rhodies bloom each spring. I thought I'd catch this lovely one before it was in full bloom. I like how they start out so dark in color and then lighten up as the flower opens up.

May 10

My little goofball was full of energy tonight. I was surprised she was in such a great mood after totally pinching her finger in a door and spilling milk all over herself at dinner. She kept thinking it was funny to put herself in time out (uh oh) and then started telling me that I needed to go to time out! Luckily it was all in fun, but she can certainly get demanding!

May 9

Happy Mother's Day! Sophie and I spent the day with Gramma Sue and we had a really nice time. Gramma and Sophie bought me a gorgeous annual that will be lovely on my deck.

May 8

Today was gorgeous and we took advantage of the poop free yard and played, played, played! Sophie gave her baby a try at her swing, played hide and seek with me, and we kicked a ball around. A joyous afternoon!

May 7

I'm feeling the spring cleaning bug hitting me, and tonight I did a lot of organizing. I moved some furniture around and worked to clean up the place a bit. I still have a ways to go, but I'm in progress! Soon, Sophie's big girl room will be ready!

May 6

Today was a pretty nice day, but ended with rain and hail. I quickly got outside to take some pictures of the pretty flowers that Sophie and I planted. The flowers are so beautiful, but the backyard seems pretty lonely without Nikki...

May 5

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Sophie had a fun little celebration at daycare and she showed me her Mexican hat dance when I picked her up. It was too cute! We celebrated with yummy tacos at home, one of Sophie's favorite thing to eat.

May 4

I used to sing a song I made up while washing Sophie... "I'm gonna wash that dirt right outta your hair," but when I start she says, "No, stop singing!" I tried to not get offended, and chose a different song. I sang "Splish, splash" and she thought it was the world's greatest thing. I had to sing it over and over and over again! This picture tries to capture her dancing in the bathtub while I'm singing (and her awfully bruised forehead too!).

May 3

Our garden is growing! Every few days or so, Sophie and I take a look at how the garden is changing. The peas are a few inches tall now, and the carrots and lettuce have started to peek their little heads up. Before too much longer, we'll be able to put in the rest of our goodies and will be out there every day to water. It's fun to see Sophie's excitement in what we're growing!

May 2

"I'm heading to the beach" she says! Sophie loved, loved, loved the beach! Today, she spent time searching for shells, and we brought home a bucketful!

May 1

Happy May Day! Sophie was so excited to go on the carousel, even though it looks like she didn't in this picture! I asked her which horse she wanted to go on and she insisted on sitting on this sleigh, even though it didn't go up and down. Papa got some pictures of us, but it was tough since we were moving so fast! We had a fun ride!

April 30

Sophie and I headed to Seaside, OR for our annual family trip. She has been before, but this is the first year that she could really interact with her cousins and to enjoy the beach. I got so many fantastic pictures of her on the beach, but I really liked this one since her image is reflected on the shimmery beach. We were the first ones to the house so we headed to the beach with a pail and shovel. She spent most of the time digging, and even after she slipped into the water, she wanted to keep playing!

April 29

No picture today since I was sick, sicky, sick! I got some sort of a stomach virus and felt awful all day. I had to leave work at lunch time and spend the afternoon and most of the evening in bed. Mom came over to help and out and Sophie was a trooper. We laid in my bed and watched Sesame Street until bedtime. I felt a little better and Sophie felt like she was in heaven!

April 28

I put together a little cube bookcase for Sophie's big girl room tonight. I fell in love with the color and the cute cloth baskets that fit inside. I am planning on painting one her walls pink and she has a flowered bedspread to match that will go on her big girl bed. It's crazy that she'll be moving up from the nursery, but it's about time!