Sophia has an interesting fashion sense. This is in for fall-pairing metallic gold capelet with Mardi Gras beads
Here we have princess dress paired with plastic lei
Amicalola Falls
Yes, that it is my child with a snake-and loving every minute of it
Wading in the water
Overlook
Heading to the falls
Antique truck in the forest-had to take this picture for my dad
My girls
Sophia's first day of school
She was very excited
Stella and her Papa Mike
Stella's first day of school
This is from our Tour de Tejas-visiting with the Donalson fam
Heading home from the pool with the Turner fam
Hunter, Sophia, and Aunt Carrie at their "water park" pool
Stella was worn out! She put herself to bed that night at the Turner home
Our visit with the Black family
Jason and Mandy
Stella enjoying a popsicle with Owen and Sophia
Owen!
Sophia-topless
Stella and her apple smile, courtesy of Grandma Polly
Sophia's apple smile
Grandma Polly, Stella, and her snow globe
Stella's catch of the day with Papa John
Papa John and Sophia. What's on the end of the string, you ask? Why, Stella, of course! Can't let her float down the river, so they tied a string to her life jacket! I think Dad may have called her "gator bait."
Sophia at Lake Wedowee
Stella and Mr. Paul
Stella and Preston
Bathtime
What's that saying about the girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead? Um...yeah....
Thar's gold in that thar vial!
In the Consolidated Gold Mine-Dahlonega, GA
Panning for gold-Stella's the only one that found gold
Snake at Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls
The girls at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, GA
What's been going on with the Newman family? A LOT! We had such a crazy, busy, wonderful summer. It was so great to visit with everyone in Texas and I couldn't have made the trip there without Nikki (who flew from Dallas with her daughter to Atlanta to drive out with me-willingly, I swear!) and Mimi Sandy driving back with me to Atlanta after a two week whirlwind trip starting in Jasper, passing through The Woodlands, Montgomery, Austin, Houston, and Sugarland. Did I leave anyone out?
When we returned to Atlanta, Mimi and I decided that Sophia should go into potty training boot camp before she started school. She had been showing signs of being ready and we knew it was time. How do I know that I will never have another baby in my life? It's not the sleepless nights. It's not even the pregnancy, delivery, postpartum issues....it is potty training. I never want to potty train another child in my life. Unless it it my grandchild thirty (yes, thirty) years from now. I have never soaked so many tiny, pink training pants, cleaned poop/urine out of places that it should NEVER be, and run through the grocery store with a toddler yelling "Go TEE TEE!" I would consider adopting a 5 year old. I like 5. Stella's close enough to 5 to say this. I teach 5 year olds and they are pretty cool. Don't get me wrong-I love Sophia more than any other 2 year old in the world, but 2 is challenging to every fiber in my body. It is like being around a mental patient in a tiny body. You never know what it going to set her off and you can only hope it isn't in public. And I know from experience with Stella that I have a couple more years with this mad woman until she evens out. And then we start the countdown to puberty! Parenthood is a beautiful thing and I am glad I am experiencing it with these two, precious little people. And I am even more grateful to have Josh to share it with.
So I feel like I should do a little Top Ten for Sophia so you don't think I am considering leaving her at a gas station.
Here goes-
Top 10 Things I Love About Sophia
- I love the way you take my hand and put it on your back for me to pat it when we are rocking in the chair at night
- I love it when you make your hundreds of silly faces
- The way you say "Boo!" and hide in plain sight
- Your gorgeous mop of curly hair
- The way you yell "HI! I Sophia!" at every single person we pass in public
- The way you say "yah" like a Danish person instead of saying "yes"
- The way you repeat everything your sister does/says
- The way you point out your imaginary booboos to everyone in hopes of getting a band aid
- The way you hide something by throwing yourself on top of it
- The way your face lights up when you see me and how you are always willing to give a hug and a kiss. I love your snuggliness. ( I know that isn't a word)
Backseat conversations between sisters:
Sophia-Poopoo pants! (Sophia's favorite thing to say)
Stella-I am NOT poopoo pants!!!
Sophia-(whispering)poopoo pants
Stella-Sophia? I am going to pray for you.
Sophia-o.k.
Stella-Sophia, let me have the book
Sophia-No
Stella-Sophia, if you want me to be your friend, you have to give me the book. Do you want me to be your friend? Say yes.
Conversations between us:
Josh-Put the golf club back where you found it
Stella-Why?
Me-Don't question Daddy, just put it back
Stella-You question Daddy all the time
Stella-singing
Me-Stella, you have a beautiful singing voice
Stella-Thank you
Me-You could be on the radio one day
Stella-And tv?
Me-Yes
Stella-Not now, though. Maybe when I get to be 5.
Stella-Bootsy(Mimi and Papa's dog), I can't play with you right now. I have been on my feet all day.
