Pre-Christmas

The Sunday before Christmas we let Sophie practice her unwrapping skills on a Christmas outfit we bought her. I think she did pretty well.

We spent a lot of time driving over to Daniel's dad's house and Erin's house after Marci and her family got here for the holidays. The girls all have a lot of fun together. Stella didn't poke Sophie in the eye this year, but again she was really sweet to her and gave her hugs, but after a few days I think she just wanted Sophie to get out of her space. Fair enough, she is an only kid after all. Erin's house is always fun and filled with exciting new toys for children of all ages. Of course the simplest of things end up being the most fun, they all had fun with these faux snowballs.

 

Daniel's family tradition is to have the big dinner on Christmas Eve. I like that because I feel like Christmas Eve gets neglected otherwise and then you can just munch on junk food, stay in your PJs, and do whatever you want on Christmas. The kiddos opened new jammies and then we did a nativity puppet show. Daniel's mom had made hand puppets for everyone which makes the nativity so much more entertaining.

 

Then sugar cookies were decorated for Santa and it was off to bed...

Christmas!

We packed up our small Christmas and brought it over to Daniel's dad's for Christmas morning. My parents and brother had arrived late the night before to stay for a couple days before going back to Boise. I guess they didn't want to have Christmas alone with just the three of them {can you blame them??} Really we only needed to get Sophie one toy. We got her a toy remote that sings and makes noise and it was/is her favorite toy ever. Even Stella became possessive of it. Best $8 we've ever spent. Grandpa Jensen gave Sophie her first doll. Grandma and Grandpa Hoffman gave her a walking toy (we got her one too, but took it back). Both of those were also a huge hit. She got books from the Stoffers and some other goodies. Having a baby for Christmas makes things much more fun. You wouldn't believe it, but Daniel and I were there too--I have no pictures to prove it. I was far too busy playing and taking care of Sophie that I never got a picture of the three of us, or of anyone beside Sophie and Stella. They kinda steal the show. We exchange gifts as well: PS4 goodies and an awesome Christmas sweater for Daniel; cute clothes and cooking toys for me

 

Sophie had never experienced bubbles so we got her bubbles too! She's a fan.

 

 

A Quick Trip to Boise turns into an Extended Stay

It's no surprise to those that know us that Daniel was unhappy at work. It was a disorganized, mismanaged mess. Some of his co-workers caused drama and he had promotions and things promised to him and yet his future there looked dim. As his wife, it was hard to watch and hard to not want to storm in there and demand justice, but I resisted. After one particularly unpleasant day of work, he came home and applied to whatever jobs he found online. Even some in Boise. We probably would have hesitated a little more with Boise if my parents had not just moved there. After a week or so, he got a called from Nestle PowerBar for a phone interview. At first we almost cancelled the interview---the actual prospect of moving was too daunting. Then we changed our minds and figured what the heck. He interviewed with them and did well (no surprise there--he is an excellent interview-ee) and then they called back and asked for him to travel to Boise for another interview. It was sudden and a crazy drive (he even got flack at work for taking the day off). Sophie did not have fun, and it was super foggy, but we made it. He had the interview while I hung out with my parents. Then we went made our way back home. Sophie hated the drive, again. Thankfully, only two anxious days later Daniel received the job offer. We were ecstatic. It was time for that terrible job to end. I'm sad we had to leave all our family in Idaho Falls, that was hard, and I know nothing about Boise, except everyone says it's amazing.

Sophie with a PowerBar and all the info Daniel got when they called with the job offer--all he had was a paper plate, silly.

So now we live in Southeast Boise. Just down the road from the greenbelt, downtown Boise, and Daniel's work. I'm looking forward to spring so we can check out all the outdoors-y things around here. Our apartment is not my favorite, but if all goes well we will buy a house in a year or so.

Thus far Daniel loves his job. It is interesting, organized, and professional. He is learning lots about the company and bringing home 10 free PowerBars a day (if you need some let us know--we already have a PowerBar basket). It's a great change so far and I hope Boise brings more new adventures and excitement for us.

Eleven Months

Eleven months has come and gone and it was another fun stage with Sophie. The holidays and spending time with family cut back on the pictures we have (although you'd think it would be the opposite).

 One of Sophie's favorite activities is going crazy in the grocery bags after we go to the store. I'm well aware that somewhere on those bags it says, "Not a toy" or something to that affect, but how could you not let her have some supervised fun with that face! She really has started being quite the little cheese. She has even learned a couple cute tricks, but more on that later.

 

• She loves to eat.
• Her roots are coming in blonde (yay!)
• She is good at cuddling with mama when she's sleepy.
• She loves her cousins and chasing kids around.
• She cannot sit still long enough to have her diaper changed.
• She's a dancing queen.
• Still only two little bottom teeth.

 



10 Months

 So I failed, I never took a ten month picture of Sophie. Now that's she's mobile, I have to have Daniel home to help me, and I like to take it when there is daylight--and it's dark allll the time whenever Daniel is home.

Tidbits about our ten month old Sophie:

• She's pulls herself up onto everything--which means an occasion tumble or chin bump on hard furniture.
• She's developed a super cheesy smile when she's being particularly silly and it's adorable.
• She loves chasing other toddlers around.
• She's almost mastered waving bye-bye to anyone leaving a room.
• She loves music--She had a ball at her Grandpa Jensen's Christmas choir concert.
• Her favorite food is yogurt and she still moans and makes all kinds of happy faces and noises while she eats.

New PJs!

 My mom came for a visit this weekend on her way to Montana for work. It's been over a month since she's seen Sophie and she's so interactive now--they really had fun together. And what would a grandma visit be if she wasn't showered with new clothes and toys. My mom got her this play piano and Sophie is in love. She bops up and down, and I haven't seen a single toy hold her attention for so long in forever.

Although it was short, it was surprisingly nice to have my mom visit us compared to them living here (not better, just different). She was able to spend more time at our home just being around Sophie in her every day happiness. We will be excited to see everyone at Christmas.

 

There's the cheese!