Mommy's First Mommies Day

So now I will bring my blogging to a close and try to take advantage of the fact that Sofia is actually sleeping. It was my first Mother's Day today and it still feels a little surreal. I can't believe that "I'm a Mom!" (I think Danny is still in denial too)... But I am! and I wouldn't change it for the world! I've said it so many times since Sofia was born but she is my greatest accomplishment!!! I think I've had many accomplishments/ successes throughout the course of my life, but I tell you in all sincerity, giving birth and raising my baby girl is by far, the greatest thing I have EVER DONE! I may not be perfect or "Super Mommy," nor do I claim to, but I try my best and I love her with every inch of my being!
My Mother's Day started last night when Pete made me some homemade cookies. (I swear they were better then Mrs. Fields' cookies!). (And yeah, the diet starts on Monday)... Then he gave me a beautiful card from him and Sofie. They both bought me a new lens for my camera. The best part of the day was when Pete took me out to take some practice shots with my new lens. I had so much fun! I still have a lot to learn but it's fun when you have the best things to take pictures of... my husband and my beautiful, baby girl! We finished our night with dinner at a "Italian" restaurant here in el Puerto de Santa Maria. It sure beats Las Tinajas. ;)

Cadiz at a distance

My Princess and I
FYI Mom and Abuela... Daddy put on her headband

gorgeous

he's an amazing father

"You want me to eat that stuff?"

At Sofia's 4 month checkup, her doctor recommended that if we wanted, we could start her on rice cereal. At first, (I'm not going to lie) I was all ears. The thought of something that could perhaps, keep her fuller throughout the night and in turn, allow me to get in some much needed sleep... Sign me up! Pete, on the other hand, was a little more reluctant. You see, at her last checkup, we discovered that our little "Chunky Monkey" was now on the 95% for both height AND weight. Her daddy didn't think she needed anything else to make her even more perfectly plump. We decided to try it out for her lunchtime feeding, (keeping in mind) that if she spit the cereal out, well, it must mean that she simply wasn't ready.

Attempt #1
Sofia meet your high chair....

"What is this thing you have me trapped in?"

Add caption

Cereal...Take 2...

"This sure doesn't taste like milk to me!"

"I'm not a fan of this cereal stuff but, boy, the spoon sure feels good on my gums!"

"How about if I just eat the tray, Mommy?"

Sofie after she wakes up.  Also known as Ms. Bed Head!

(I can't believe I am posting this but...)
both of us after we wake up. Major BED HEAD!

in her Bumbo

playing with Daddy

Exer...What?!?

It's been awhile since I posted any updates on the blog. I'm sorry that I have "slacked off" a bit but so much has happened in the last few weeks that I really haven't found the time to actually sit down and write about it. Sofie is finally able to use her Exersaucer. Yeah, you heard me... EXERSAUCER. Anyhow, we put her in this contraption about 2 weeks ago. Initially, she didn't know what to do. It was like "stimulus overload." Over the weeks, it has "grown on her." But I still think she hasn't decided if she loves it or hates it. She's usually in it for about 10 minutes and then she wants out. Maybe with time, she'll learn to like the Circus a little bit more. =)





Sofie is finally able to use her Exersaucer.
Yes, that's what it is called...



***Attention Family Members***
If your 3rd toe is bigger then your Big Toe, please let me know.
We have no idea whose toes she inherited



What are you lookin at? I'm standin' up!
What more do ya want?







"Ok, Ok...I'll cooperate Mommy but only because I love ya!"



"Ah, savory lion, hurry up and get in my belly!"



Fingers taste so much better!
(In case you hadn't noticed, EVERYTHING ends up in her mouth).



"Seriously?"









let's talk...

Earlier tonight, Sofia and I were killing time as we waited to go pick up Daddy from College. As she was lying on our bed, we engaged in our usual "conversation." There are three parts to our conversation. (Please excuse the poor lighting and the occasional camera "black out" when it would fall over. Don't mind the drool on her shirt either. We think that her first tooth might be making it's grand appearance any day now).

To see video 1 click here -->   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNZhqYrKDKU

To see video 2 click here -->   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvgRW2vLqM

This next video was taken AFTER dinner. Notice her change in demeanor.

LOL =) This time it was more of a dialogue as compared to my previous monologue. (She even spoke back "Yeah!").

To see video 3 click here -->    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwIIteDf8xU

me want....COOKIES!!!!

Anyone that knows Pete will quickly tell you that one of his favorite childhood characters was Cookie Monster. During one of our very first shopping trips to buy Sofia's baby stuff, he immediately purchased a Cookie Monster toy in the hopes that one day, she too, would be a fan. (It was then that the obsession began)... Once we got back to Spain, he ordered one blue monster and then another and another. For Christmas, I bought her a Cookie Monster outfit that she later wore during her photo shoot with Heidi. For her one month birthday he bought her a video and to this day, the obsession continues.

This morning I woke up and wanted to try applying some of the photo techniques that I had learned about in my class and came across a very special little hat. Pete had bought this so she could wear during the photo shoot with Heidi but it never made it in time. I figured I would try to use it before she outgrew it. And so here is Princess Sofia with all her blue monsters. =) And for the record, as of right now, when watching Sesame Street, she smiles to Elmo and not Cookie Monster. hahaha ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Daddy was giving me a "zurbert"



"Lowli, come back so I can see you"

 

"Hey everybody! Look at how long I am!"

3 months old...ALREADY?!?

     Hey guys! Can you believe it? Sofia is 3 months old already!!! It amazes me to see her grow. Pete and I often look at her and sadly say "She's not a baby anymore!" At 3 months you will often find Sofia smiling and cooing. She recognizes both Mommy and Daddy and smiles back at us when we play with her. She is now "talking" (cooing) and likes to have long conversations with Mommy after she eats. Pete likes to "ROAR" like a lion and she'll often open her mouth and "ROAR" back. She is able to grab things a little better (Mommy's angel wing necklace is her grab item of choice). She also likes to tug on her own clothes, Mommy's clothes, and her blanket. Boy, she sure is strong! She sleeps in her room all night. Usually at her 5:30 A.M. feeding, Mommy will bring her back in to their room as Daddy gets ready for work. All of Sofia's "Newborn" clothes has been packed away. She's officially wearing size 3 months. I must admit, I was a little sad to pack it away but I am enjoying her so much more at this age! =)

     Here are some pics from St. Patty's Day and from when we sang her Happy 3 Month Birthday. (I know, I know...it's not a real birthday but to me, my baby is officially a quarter of a year old and for that I celebrate!) =)

Click below to see the latest video of Pete and Sofia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fqcg5UIADs

this is the most green she has in her entire closet...

.:bubbles:.

she was fascinated with the cupcake that Mommy made her =)

my heart <3

the outfit that her cousins gave her last summer

I could smother her with kisses all day!!!
Thank you for making these the best 3 months of my life!

"You're piercing her ears already?"

     Yes, we sure did! When we first found out we were having a girl, Pete and I had to have "THE" piercing conversation. Pete's inital response was "When she's old enough, I'll let her decide when she wants to get her ears pierced." My response to this was "all Hispanic...(correction) Cuban babies get their ears pierced in the first few months because it's a cultural thing. It's not optional." Pete thought about it and upon arriving in Spain, (and talking to a few friends) we eventually agreed that we would have it done here. However, we encountered a problem. Back home, the child's pediatrician pierces the baby's ears. Here on-base they will not do it, meaning we had to go out in town to do it. While I was pregnant, I asked every Spaniard I knew where they got their daughters ears pierced here in Rota. Fortunately, they all referred me to the same clinic: Rota Medica. (Although, some suggested the local pharmacy).

       For her birthday, Sofia got her first pair of earrings from her cousin Niurka and her hubby Javier. Niurka sent them from Barcelona to Miami and when Abuela Monchi came she brought them to us in Rota. (Yes, we know..they had to leave Spain and go to the U.S. before they made it to us here). LOL When Sofia was 12 weeks old, we finally decided it was time. I must say we were truly blessed. The doctor who pierced her ears was extremely patient and nurturing. She would carry her and try to calm her! I couldn't have asked for someone more caring during this entire process. Just so you know, ear piercing in Spain is a little different from the way they do it back home. Here the doctor did not use a piercing gun, she used a needle while Daddy held Sofie down (and Mommy nearly had a heart attack). Anyhow, our daughter, being the trooper that she is, slept the pain off for about 3 hours and woke up and was back to normal. Here are some before and after pics. I think she looks AMAZING! But I may be a little biased ;)



what do you want now Mommy?



after it was over... absolutely drained!

tummy time a few days later

gotcha!

focusing on the fishies =)