Trip to Flagstaff

Due to life being busy lately, I haven't had much free time to update our blog.  So, in the next week or so, there will likely be a flurry of posts, as I try to catch up a bit!

A few weeks ago, on a random Wednesday that I had the day off, Jeremy, Sophia and I took a little trip up to Flagstaff to visit my friend and vet school classmate Alicia.  The weather in Phoenix this time of year is getting appreciably hot (it was 109 today), but Flagstaff is quite a bit higher in elevation and much, much cooler.  Sophia was great on the drive up to Flagstaff and for most of the drive home - the joys of having a child who naps in moving vehicles :)  When we arrived, we met up with Alicia for a hike (along with our two dogs and her dog).  We plopped Sophia in her neat little hiking backpack and hiked for just about two hours, thoroughly enjoying the pine trees and 70 degree weather.  The dogs were also thrilled, as hiking (actually, all walking) in the valley is practically non-existant this time of year.  After our hike, we had a picnic.  Sophia was absolutely elated with the fact that we let her wander around a bit, picking up sticks, bits of dirt and pine needles.  After lunch, we drove into downtown Flagstaff for some gelato, then wandered around for a little while before we had to head back  down to Phoenix (and the heat).  We will back many times this summer, I'm sure!

And Sophia's Twelve Month Photos!

Sophia has grown so much in the past 12 months.  She was 7 lbs 8 oz when she was born, and now is just over 20 lbs!  We are absolutely amazed by the changes that have happened, especially in the last few months - from learning to roll over, to crawling, then to walking and now she even runs.  She giggles, points at things she wants, has a few words in her little vocabulary (dada, birdie, piggy (her stuffed toy pig), doggy, bye, dat (that).  Our favourite was when I told her it was her birthday and shortly thereafter, she said "bird-day".  Then, for the next three days, everything was "bird-day"...  Toby and Emma became "bird-day", so did certain foods, and her toys.  I think her word association needs a bit more development!  Sophia can wave hello and goodbye (I love that she waves goodbye every morning when I leave for work).  She has a very strong personality and opinion.  She knows what she likes and doesn't like, especially when it comes to food.  She loves all fruit, especially blueberries and strawberries, and bread products.  Vegetables and protein sources are not readily received.  We keep trying... eternally optimistic that the food that we make for her will one day actually make it into her mouth and not onto the floor to be promptly gobbled up by Emma and Toby...

A little comparison from month one until now!  Enjoy!

And a few others from the other day:

Sophia's First Birthday Party!

We've been a little behind on our posts lately - lots going on!  On April 27, Sophia turned a year old!  We celebrated by having a party and had a great turn-out - a big thank you to everyone who was able to make it.  My mum made her a giraffe-shaped cake, and it was absolutely delicious.  Sophia was allowed to try cake for the very first time.  She was very unsure of it at first and initially made a face and spat it out.  However, she then realized how tasty it actually was, and the remainder was quickly devoured.  After everyone left, Sophia had some play time out on Mum's patio with her new watering can - courtesy of her Grandma of course, who must introduce gardening to her as soon as possible :)

Almost a Year - Sophia Turns 11 Months Old

This month has brought lots and lots of changes for Sophia.  A few weeks ago, Sophia took her first little unassisted steps (somehow, I happened to be home at the time - I was thrilled!)  Every week, she has become a bit more confident and walking a little bit further.  As of this past weekend (Easter weekend), Sophia is walking her little self everywhere!  Well, except the backyard...  Jeremy took her outside this week, complete with shoes, to try walking around on the path.  She promptly bent down and picked up a rock, then attempted to eat it.  After said rock was removed from her mouth, Sophia's outdoor walking privileges were temporarily revoked (until rocks no longer appear to be food or until our backyard is free of rocks, the latter being highly unlikely).

Sophia has also become extremely opinionated about food options.  She has gravitated towards any food that is sweet - fruit, most baby food purees, Puffs (little puffed cereal that dissolves in the mouth and requires very little chewing) and yoghurt.  Cheese has been deemed an okay option also.  Other food options such as beans, chicken, turkey, beef, ham, and vegetables are mostly tried with one bite, Sophia pulls a "why are you poisoning me face" and then flatly refuses to eat anymore.  Formula is also less than optimal, with water being a preferred beverage choice.  We think that a lot of this may have to do with the fact that she is currently producing six new shiny white teeth (two on top and four more on the bottom).  A side note: I am of the opinion that Puffs (see above) are a highly addictive form of pseudo-food, as if the container is even visible from her highchair, Sophia will scream and wail until Puffs appear on her tray.  A little strange being as the ingredients are supposed to be only fruits and vegetables...