December 2011 -- 12 Months Old

This month began with a very special day, Sophia's first birthday on December 1st.  I sent her to daycare with lots of yummy treats to share with her friends.  After work, I made her a fun meal of elbow macaroni and meatballs.  She also got to enjoy a piece of delicious carrot cake for dessert!  On December 3rd Sophia and her friend Evie had a fairy tea party themed birthday party.  Again, she really enjoyed eating cake for dessert!  On December 6th, Sophia had her one year check-up and she weighed in at 22lbs 1oz and is 29 1/4 inch tall.  Sophia was so cute while the doctor was examining her and she even remained still as he listened to her lungs!  We told the doctor that she was not walking yet but he was able to get her to stand on her own...we were so excited!!  Sophia cut her 5th tooth on December 10th which is the tooth just to the right of her right front tooth (does that make sense?).  On December 14th we began our journey to Massachusetts to spend our Christmas vacation with the Lagasse family.  It was quite an adventure but we finally made it to Cape Cod after a 20 hour travel day.  Given the circumstances, Sophia was a good little traveler and such a trooper!  During our nearly two week vacation, we were so blessed to spend time with nearly every member of my family.  Sophia had a lot of fun playing with her cousins Ava and Olivia and meeting her Great Grandma Rose and all of her cousins in Bristol, Connecticut.  During our quick trip to Connecticut, a few of us were lucky enough to tour the totally amazing ESPN facility, courtesy of Aunt Monique.  On December 21st Sophia took her first step!  Joe was convinced that she would walk shortly after her first birthday and guess what?  He was right again! (Darn!)  Sophia was as cute as could be for Christmas Eve mass and afterward, we went to my Uncle Ted and Aunt Karen's for a delicious lasagna dinner!  Sophia must have been a great girl this year because she was absolutely spoiled on Christmas.  She had a great time opening all of her gifts!  At the end of the day Sophia gave us a gift by walking all the way across the living room!  Unfortunately on December 27th, our vacation came to a close and we headed back to New Mexico.  Thankfully our trip home went just as planned and our travel time was reduced to approximately 9 hours...whew!  Over the last couple of days of the year we have settled back into our routine and have reflected on how wonderful 2011 has been.  We thank God for our many blessings and look forward to all of the fun times ahead in 2012!

One year old! Taken 12-1-11.

Eating her carrot cake!

Opening birthday cards and presents

My pretty Auburn dress from Johnny and Patrice Grimes

My matching Auburn headband!

Looking pretty for my birthday party!

Eating birthday cake with Evie

Sophia was thinking about sharing her cake with her buddy Lucas.

Her favorite thing to do with the cool blocks she got from Brittney and Patrick Dixon

Skyping with Nana and Grandpa Ben while we open our Christmas gifts from them!

Our sweet niece Ava!

Grandpa spending time with his two favorite girls!

Ava and I waiting for Evan to get home from his deployment!

Together again for the first time in six months!

Ava loves Daddy's glasses!

Such a sweet picture of Ava and Evan

Bottle time for our sweet girls!

Sophia loves playing with her cousin Olivia!

Sophia with Olivia and Uncle Scott

Sophia with Aunt Monique, Uncle Scott, and Olivia

The beautiful snowy view from my parents' house

Sophia lounging with Uncle Ted

Cousin play time!

Cool view of the satellites at ESPN.

Soccer conference room at ESPN

The guy in the purple shirt is Colin Cowherd who is the voice of "The Herd" radio program

He looks like a natural!

Do you think he is a Jets fan?

Goooooo Gators!

One of the control rooms that my cousin Andrew works in.

If you look close, the light from the computers is slightly illuminating Andrew's face.  That's right folks, he DOES work!

Aunt Monique's desk!

Annie had a great time on the tour!

Four generations of lovely ladies :)

Uncle Joe with Ava!

                                                 

Story time with Grandma

Grandpa and Sophia walking after Christmas Eve Mass

Sophia loves playing with her Uncle Benjamin!

Christmas day!!

Christmas night with my favorite niece!

Sophia started walking on Christmas night!

Brunch at Chatham Bars Inn the day after Christmas

Food was yummy and the view was amazing!

The front of Chatham Bars Inn

Cousins sharing toys!

Obligatory matching cousins on the couch shot!

Snuggling with Auntie Erin!

Mom got Dad a swing for the yard and we went to pick it up.   Dad did a great job driving it home!

                                                                            Dance Party!

                                                                             Opening gifts

                                                                 Walking for the first time!