What we've been up to

The last time I wrote an update was about 10 months ago. That's just too long, so it's time that I give you an update.

Shortly after my last post, Mitch left for Japan for what would turn out to be a nearly 7 month deployment. Deployments are never easy, but this one was definitely easier on us than the last. We were able to FaceTime or Skype at least once a day and Sophi got to talk to and see daddy a lot, which was HUGE for all of us. She would "love daddy" (press her face against his and make a loving sound) and give him kisses. They would have tea parties and dance parties. It was cool.

We had a pretty fun summer, despite daddy being away. We stayed outdoors most days. I can't keep that kid inside! She is an outside girl just like her mommy. She loved going over to Granny's and getting into the pool or going to the base and playing at the splash park. She wanted to learn to swim so bad and would dunk her head under water or just dip her ears in or her face to blow bubbles. We played in the dirt a lot. She helped me in my garden, watering plants and pulling weeds and plucking flowers for our hair.

We started going for runs in late summer. We would grab the jogging stroller and a dog and head out early before it got too hot and run 3 miles or so. She loved to stop and feed the ducks. I loved getting what I fondly call my runner's tan and sweating my face off. I was able to lose 20 pounds from running. That's the rest of my baby weight plus a few pounds for good measure. ;)

In October, Sophi finally said something other than "mama" and "dada" which got the ball rolling on her really talking. I remember being concerned about her because she wasn't talking like most babies at her age. I knew she could hear me because she would respond in her own way, but she just refused to talk. We talked to her pediatrician about it and she sent us to have her hearing tested. After a couple of tests, it was determined that her hearing was fine. She was just stubborn...or maybe it was something else.

Mitch came home in December(Yay!). His flight arrived real late on the night they came in. Sophi had used up all of her energy by the time he came off the plane. She had just enough to give daddy a little hug and kiss and then back to mommy to fall asleep while we waited for Mitch's bags to unload. Naturally, I was nervous about how she would be the next morning since she kind of shied away from him that night. That baby put my worries to rest, though. When she woke that Saturday morning (the next day), She woke up saying "mommy mommy" as usual, but Mitch went to go get her while I watched on the monitor. Here's how it went: he walks into the room, she sees him, jumps up in her crib, throws her arms out and let's out this huge, happy scream: "DADDY! DADDY!!!". She leapt into his arms and pretty much didn't leave his side for the next few days. She would snuggle in his lap or tackle him on the floor. She would say his name and touch his face as if to say, "daddy, it's really you!" All of my fears were cast away.

Oh, about the talking thing? She was obviously saving that for her daddy because as soon as he came home, that baby started saying a handful of new words a day and was talking sentences within weeks! Amazing. She can now hold a conversation with us, along with reading her favorite books and singing a couple of songs. She blows our minds daily.

Sophi turned two earlier this month. TWO. My, how time does fly. We had a couple of celebrations for her. Mitch was working some crazy long hours so, the day before her birthday (Sunday), we let her pick out a cupcake at Target and smash it up. This was followed by a crazy dance party. The kid loves to dance on the coffee table! The following weekend, we had our family and closest friends come over for a little party. It was a lot of fun! Sophi's cousin, Jaiden, came to play and she also got to play with another new friend, Kiani. She played until the sun went down and then still partied for a few more hours until daddy finally came home from work and was able to read her a bed time story and it was off to bed she went.

I can't believe how much our family has grown over the last 10 months. We are happier and stronger than ever! 2013 has been and I know that it will continue to be an awesome year for us! Thanks for hanging with us!