A New Normal

We have lots of changes coming our way the rest of this year.

First of all, we are moving into our own place at the end of the year! While we are not building a home like we had originally planned, we are excited to have a space that is our own. Sophia will finally have a room of her own because, let's face it, it is time to rip off the co-sleeping bandage. I don't know who's going to have a harder time, me or So…

BUT I'm so excited to get some furniture and start decorating! I'm sure we'll be moving out by the time I'm finished decorating, but, nevertheless, I'm excited.

I'm also moving to a brand new location at work. I can't wait to open another store and watch every thing come together.

Lots of changes and lots of adjustments, but we will get used to our new normal.

Life Lately

So I realize I've become the world's worst and most inconsistent blogger, but it's been so crazy around here chasing after this little monster ;)

Here is a peek into what we've been up to lately through pictures. If you follow me on Instagram (@emilierivera), you have probably seen most of them, so I tried to add in a few new ones!

Every day we take Sophia to a cul-de-sac in our neighborhood to run, play, collect flowers and twigs, and look for the neighborhood bunny. Sometimes she even brings a carrot to leave for the bunny. It would be absolutely perfect if it weren't for the heat, Houston humidity, and palm-sized mosquitoes!

Minnie Mouse Tee: Peek (sold out) | Liberty Print Skirt: Peek | Bow: Peek (in store only) |

Shoes: Salt Water Sandals

Sophia got a visit from her cousin. Quinn and Sophia (or Qin and Pia as they like to call each other) are four months apart and sweet as can be.

While I'm at work, my family likes to take So on little adventures. She is currently obsessed with the carousel and cried when it was time to get off. Every now and then I'll show this picture to Sophia, and she will press the screen over and over again in hopes that it is a video of her riding the horsie. Sorry, baby, we'll get one next time!

Top: Peek (sold out, similar here)

Thursday is our favorite day of the week. It is gymnastic day and typically my day off as well. We try to cram in as much fun on Thursdays as possible. She is having such a great time at gymnastics and getting better every week.

Sometimes we even manage to fit in a play date on Thursday! It's so difficult to coordinate schedules with busy moms and babes, but I'm so glad we manage to find time for each other. Karina and Marissa are seriously the sweetest girls you'll ever meet, and their little ones are so much fun! We met up at the splash pad, but the intense heat was a little too much for the babies to handle. We decided to find some air conditioning at the local pizza place instead :)

And of course, we are taking advantage of the pool before they close for the year. Sophia absolutely loves splashing around and kicking her feet in the water. 

My husband is still recovering from his shoulder surgery at the beginning of the summer. Now that he is in physical therapy, we are able to hit the gym more. Plus, new shoes are always extra motivation to work out!

And last, but not least, is Sophia's obsession with hiding things. I was digging through my purse on the way to work this morning and found four tiny toy envelopes from So's toy post office. The hat that she's wearing in the picture? It was in the ice chest. We're still searching for a couple different things. I wonder where they could be.

I hope everyone has a great week. I promise to blog again soon! X0.

Gymnastics

"'Nastics. See coach. No crying."

Sophia started a Mommy & Me gymnastics class in May. When she turned two, I moved her to the big kid class without me. Well, six weeks later, Sophia has FINALLY adjusted to attending class alone. She only cries for the first couple minutes. For us, that is a huge victory! We're so lucky she has such a patient coach. Here are some videos from last week's class.

Mother-Daughter Photos

Hello again! It's been awhile, but it has been nearly impossible to find spare time to blog. I usually get 1-2 hours of "me" time after Sophia goes to bed. Recently, however, Sophia refuses to sleep unless I go to bed with her. She sleeps on my chest (almost like old times, just heavier), so I can't sneak out once she falls asleep. I enjoy the snuggles, but I can't get much done.

Recently Sophia and I took mother-daughter photos. Here are some of my favorites!

Floral Crowns: The Scalloped Window | Sophia's Dress: Pippy Lou
Photos by the amazing Crystal Lynn Photography

22 Months

Age: 22 Months on the 26th

Favorite Foods: Fruit and cheese

Favorite Words: "Where'd it go?" "You okay?" "Hi!!"

Favorite Book: So many, but we're currently loving this set of Joyce Wan books. They are so sweet and have the cutest pictures.

Favorite Toy: Snoopy, always Snoopy

Favorite Activities: Going to the zoo or to see the ducks, playing in the tub, reading her "boots" (books), and coloring

Least Favorite Activities: Getting her diaper changed and sleeping alone

Nicknames: So, B

Signature Moves: Dancing when she eats froyo (see below)

Biggest Change Since Last Update: Nothing. She's still a crazy lady. Oh, but she has been extra attached lately. We have to be touching the entire time we're together. If I'm at work, she has to carry around one of my shirts all day. I go out of town for work next month…it should be interesting to say the least.

And for a peek into our latest adventures.

A day at the zoo with her cousin. They had so much fun running around and talking to each other in their own baby language.

We've been enjoying the beautiful weather, trying to soak it up before it gets ridiculously hot again.

And, most recently, we're nursing Sophia back to health. She currently has an ear infection. Smart girl put her hand over her ear sobbing "my ear, my ear!" The pediatrician was super impressed that she was able to tell me what was bothering her! Oh, and she loves those kitty shoes. I already had to buy her a second pair ;)

Pretty in Pink

Sophia is such a girly girl and looks SO pretty in pink! Here's a glimpse at the last week of her perfectly pink life.

I used my flowers from Valentine's Day to practice making a floral crown for Sophia's whimsical and feminine birthday party full of fairy tales and unicorns. Hopefully, I don't drop the ball on her birthday party this year. Sorry for the blurry photo.

Sophia and her Build-A-Bear friends! She loves them. And she loves flowers!

Sophia, how does a squirrel eat?

A dress full of animals for a little girl that loves animals? Genius!

GO!

 Johnny's family drove through town today and stopped by for a quick lunch with us. I finally got a picture of all the cousins. How cute are they?

And, of course, we had to stop at the park on the way home. 

The dinosaur is her favorite.

What's next for us? Well, we are looking for a place of our own!! Hopefully we'll be all settled in time for Sophia's birthday. I've had my dream home decorated in my head for some time now ;)

We're also ready to tackle potty training, move Sophia into a big girl bed, and hopefully find a swim class for Sophia. Happy Friday and have a good weekend!

Oh Happy Day

Other than Sophia's little cold, we are having the best weekend.

We celebrated Valentine's Day with Sophia Thursday night with dinner and a trip to Build-A-Bear. Her favorite part was picking out the "heart heart!" for Ellie the Elephant. It's the pinkest, girliest, little elephant you've ever laid eyes on, and she loves it. She calls her Heart, gives her kisses, and shares her milk with her newest friend. Sophia sure does love stuffed animals.

Friday, we took advantage of the warm weather and headed to the park for a two-mile walk. 

We stopped at the playground along the trail. Sophia started squealing the second she saw it! P.S. She LOVES her kitty shoes and usually cries when we try to take them off.

Her favorite part was running and jumping up and down on the playground bridge. I just die for her little giggle.

It was so much fun, and we can't wait to do it again before the Houston heat kicks in. At that point, we'll only go outside for pool time…woohoo, can't wait!

Before heading out for Valentine's dinner, we attempted to take some family pictures. Obviously we are incapable of that. At least Johnny and Sophia had some super cute father-daughter moments.

And while I worked today, Johnny and Sophia had more father-daughter time. He picked out a little pink soccer ball, and Sophia had the time of her life playing in the backyard.

Hahaha that ponytail gets me every time :)

Sassy Sophia

Recently Sophia has been incredibly sassy…finger waving, fake crying, and all. 

My sister even captured her fake cry.

Then she'll turn on the sweet and charm her way into anything.

It's so cute until I tell her no, and she gets angry. She'll literally start shaking and biting anything…ANYTHING…toys, books, her shirt, her sippy cup, etc…in sight until she calms down. I'm a little concerned about the biting and how to redirect her frustration. I don't even know where she learned to bite like that.

And then, just like that, she's fine. And shrieking and giggling again.

Oh and Sophia went on a play date last week. How cute are these three?!?! I'm so glad I met Karina and Marissa, and I look forward to our monthly play dates!

(Photo courtesy of Marissa)

We're Back!

I've taken quite the blogging hiatus, but we're back!

Sophia is growing and changing so quickly. And talking up a storm. She knows (and understands) so many different words and phrases in both English and Chinese. "Ariel" and "thank you" are the newest additions to her vocabulary.

Her favorite phrases are: "Where's mama? Where's dada? Mama? Dada?" 

"Where'd it go?"

"I want eat eat eat."

"I want sit."

"Let it goooo…." (when she's singing to the Frozen soundtrack)

Communicating with her gets a little easier every day, but, of course, there's still phrases that only Sophia understands.

Every morning, Sophia grabs a couple hair ties, pats her head, and plops down in my lap for some pigtails. They usually last about thirty minutes before she rips them out. It's a love-hate relationship. I'm just excited that her hair is finally growing. Maybe people will finally stop asking me if she's a boy or a girl.

She loves going to the park. The slide is her favorite and always puts a huge smile on her face. She also loves going to feed the ducks with my dad. This girl has a soft spot for ducks and dogs.

She's attached at the hip with her Snoopy. We recently added Ariel, the Disney princess bear, to her stuffed animal collection during her Build-A-Bear play date. (I learned during this play date that although it takes her awhile to warm up to people, she's super friendly and loves giving her baby friends lots of hugs.)

We're starting her Disney education young in preparation for our Disney World trip early next year. I can't wait! My family used to visit Disney World every other year, and I used to think it was the most magical place in the world. I hope she thinks it is just as magical.

I'm looking forward to everything that 2014 will bring for our family. Sophia turns two (eek!) this year, and every stage gets better and better. But before that, we have to tackle potty training. My goal is to give it a try in two weeks. Wish me luck and lots and lots of patience!