Where Does She Get It From??

Both Bailey and Sophie had their first swimming lesson today. I watched through the windows as Bailey tried to float and Sophie sat on the side of the pool learning how to kick her feet. I also saw Bailey's coach give him a high five for a job well done and Sophie's coach pretend that he was going to kiss her because she was doing so well.

Later, I asked Sophie about the teacher almost kissing her.

"Did you want to kiss your teacher?" I teased.

"I really wanted to, but I had to force myself to be a good girl," came Sophie's fast reply.

Seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up!

Adjusting

We all made it safe and sound to Texas and are about one week into our stay. With the exception of a few late night play sessions and midnight snacks the kids seem to be dealing with jet lag really well. They like playing in Michelle's back yard and enjoying the space and freedom of a big house instead of a little apartment.

There were baskets full of chocolate and a few toys this morning and we will be having turkey and trimmings for dinner. Plastic eggs meant for hiding are filled with dirt and grass a la Bailey and Sophie and litter the back yard. This is Bailey and Sophie's first Easter in the States and their baskets ae still full of candy. I don't think they realize that there are chocolates and jelly beans in those plastic eggs in their baskets. Just wait until they find out. . . . .

A-ensoku-ing We Will Go

You look left there's a group of them being led by an older student. You look right there's another group lined up wearing the same color hat. This can only mean one thing it is field trip (ensoku) season in Japan.

Sophie had hers today- a trip to the farm to dig up sweet potatoes. The note from the teacher said that eating a freshly baked sweet potato was Sophie's favorite part of the trip. That's my girl!!

Bailey is off to the local zoo tomorrow and he is excited as can be. We have to leave earlier than usual tomorrow morning and so I was trying to get a few extra things checked off my list before I gave the kids a bath. Bailey had the what-to-bring list memorized and he stood beside me saying check as I put it all out on the table. A plastic bag for garbage? Check. A wet towel for cleaning up after lunch? Check. A picnic sheet for eating lunch on? Check. One by one they went into his Thomas (of course) backpack. I don't know if he is more excited about seeing all the animals or just getting to be out with all his friends. Whatever the reason, it got him into a bed in record time tonight.

I know that a trip to dig up sweet potatoes and going to the zoo are fairly common field trips -anyone else have a field trip story to share??

A Brother And His Sister

A trying day to say the least. Too many things went wrong and not enough got done. And, then I heard giggling coming from the laundry room. A peek around the corner revealed Bailey in nothing and Sophie with her onesie stuck on her head and one side of her diaper undone. One more tug by Bailey and Sophie was free from her onesie and managed to wiggle out of her diaper.

"Now," Bailey announced in his big boy, I'm-the-older-brother voice, "You put your dirty clothes in here and your diaper in the trash. Go on, try it."

Sophie obliged and Bailey clapped his hands and said, "You are such a good girl, Sophie. Now I am gonna give us a bath cause Mommy's tired."

Sophie nodded her head in agreement and I watched them walk hand in hand to the shower room.

A trying day with a perfect ending.

Something About Sophie

In celebration of Sophie's first birthday, a little trip down memory lane.....

1. Sophie's due date was February 14th.
2. Sophie's middle name is Ai (meaning love). A February baby with the middle name of love- to be honest the irony of it all didn't dawn on me until last night.
3. Sophie's favorite foods are noodles (from pasta to soba) and fruit although she will eat just about anything.
4. She gave up the bottle and pacifier, without any prompting from me, more than a month ago.
5. Whenever I leave the room, even if it is just to go to the bathroom, she waves and says "bi-bi"
6. Her favorite toy is Mommy's or Daddy's cell phone. She holds it up to her head when you say, "Say hello, Sophie!"
7. Whenever you pick her up, she always pats your shoulder as if to say thank you.
8. At bedtime, I usually rub her tummy while she lies in the crib until she gets drowsy. Now, whenever she is sleepy she starts to rub her own tummy.
9. I wanted to spell her name Sofie, but nobody else liked it.
10. Nobody makes her laugh harder than Bailey!

Thanks!

A big thank you to all of you who offered suggestions for Sophie's first birthday as well as for the get well wishes.

I am still not sure what we will do for the birthday party other than the fact that it will be held on February 4 and at my MIL's house because otherwise my FIL won't come. (A whole different can of worms there.) I like the idea of having a pink theme, but we will have to see what I can come up in the way of decorations.

Sophie's fever finally broke yesterday and although she is still a little clingy today, she is more or less back to normal. As a matter of fact, she is just about to destroy our DVD player so I gotta run.

What To Do?

In just about two weeks Sophie will be one year old. ONE YEAR OLD!! Where does the time go?

For Bailey's first birthday we were in the States and there was a big party with balloons, snacks, cake and ice cream and lots of family and friends. The theme was Sesame Street and I think somewhere around here we still have the toy school bus with Cookie Monster as the driver that was on the top of the cake.

Now, what to do for Sophie? Birthdays here are sorta low key or at least they are for Hub's family but I want some balloons and crepe paper. I am kinda leaning toward having it here instead of at MIL's house just because I feel more comfortable.

Any suggestions on a theme or if you know of a good "cake" that doesn't require baking- I am all ears. After all, you only turn one once, right as opposed to 29 which can happen over and over again!

Things That Go In But Won't Come Out

Sophie has never met a food she didn't like. Peas? Perfect for finger painting her high chair tray. Pieces of plain pasta? Look wonderful hanging from her chin.

So, what's the problem? With three meals and two or three 8-ounce bottles a day going in, you would think something would be coming out, right? Wrong! At least not since Saturday.

I have tried. Oh, how I have tried:
*No bananas, no rice, no white bread
*An extra 4-ounce bottle of water
*Bicycling her legs
*Increasing fruits and veggies
*Prune juice diluted with water
*Prune juice straight fed by a medicine dropper
*Yogurt

Any other ideas? Anything I might be over looking?

In Reverse

The tub is filled with warm water and lavender bath salt. I am trying to wash Bailey's hair while he shows me a dance he learned at school today. He finishes up with his arms open wide, head thrown back. When he realizes I am not paying attention, he pleads, "Look, Mommy, look."

"Shhhhh," I put my finger to my lips and listen.

"Ma ma ma ma," Sophie's battle cry begins.

I go on trying to finish washing up Bailey, but I can't help but think the sound is getting closer.

I rinse Bailey off and plop him in the tub and head to the living room to get Sophie.

Where is she? I left her in the middle of the living room floor under the play gym with a pacifier and her favorite towel.

The towel is there. The pacifier is there, but Sophie is not.

Okay, she couldn't have gone far. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see something move. Something short and chubby. Definitely a Sophie leg peeking out from under the dining room table.

Seems as though she backed herself up under the table all the while giving the "ma ma ma ma" battle cry. Just like a little school bus.