Sometimes I...

...sit around the house wearing a hat. Occasionally I get tired of looking at my messy hair. Combing is not always successful - particularly after a windy day. While I was out, I had on a stocking cap. You know how that goes... So, even though I've got nowhere to go. . . I'll wear a hat. Currently my St. Louis Rams hat.

Also, sometimes I feel sad to be a Rams fan. But I really like my hat. I also like the Rams. I feel like I'm just waiting for them to like me back.

Note: While this is one of the goofiest pictures I've taken of myself in a while, I must admit it's also my favorite. Natural element and all that.

Second Celebrations

My parents were on vacation when Henri was born and Sophia turned three, so we had to have some repeat celebrations to include the grandparents.

Henri is having lots of alert time and giving wonderful attention to his surroundings. Here's grandpa's first hold.



Here is Henri enjoying some awake time with Grandma.



Also, since they didn't get to be at Sophia's birthday party, we had a redo for her. My mom provided the party accoutrements, and Sophia provided the crown.



Happy being three, Sophia!

Sometimes I....

wish I had a more accurate filing system in my brain. You know when you meet someone that you just know you've met before, but it's just not coming to you. That happened to me today. I couldn't even narrow a time period. I thought about running through the list of my associations, employment and education just to see what stuck, but I decided that might be too much information for a first conversation. After all, I'm not sure I've ever met her before.

I'm just saying. If I could just reference her first, last or maiden name, I would have a nice little file telling me when and where we met. What was she wearing and what was her first impression on me? Did I make any silly comments during our previous interactions? This would all be helpful information.

Filing system in the brain. Or maybe I would just like my brain to retain stuff a little better. Regardless, I'd like to know how I know Tressa. Any thoughts?

The Next Step

Recently, Sophia and I took a big step toward her independence when I dropped her off at the Tryps Movin' and Groovin' class on Wednesday mornings. That had been going pretty well, but she is by far the oldest kid and seemed to get kind of bored with some of the activities that she was riveted by on the first week. Not to mention some sort of late onset separation anxiety. She cried so much that I stayed with her yesterday. Then she clung to me through the class. Waste of money that day. However, she has been in love with her teacher, Miss Hallie, the entire time. So, since this was the last week of the session, I had a talk with Hallie about next steps. She mentioned that on Thursday mornings she teaches a dance class at DanceArt of Columbia for 3- to 5-year-olds. When I casually mentioned the possibility to Sophia, she began jumping and dancing and insisting on being referred to as a ballerina. So, it was settled.

Last night, we went to Target to buy the dance clothes and slippers. Sophia was nearly beside herself with excitement over the whole thing. I thought by this morning's class time, it would wear off, but it didn't - aside from a couple of "Mommy, will you be with me"s.

She strutted right into her class and sat down next to her "ballerina friends." They all seemed very sweet and just as excited as Sophia about the prospect of dancing for fun.



Sophia was a very good listener and kept up with all the other kids, even though she is a few weeks behind them. I'm really excited for her to find something that she enjoys so much. It was also important to me that this dance studio seems to be very laidback from all appearances. I didn't see pictures of little girls dressed like porcelain dolls, so I'm on board. No offense meant to those particular dancers or parents, of course. I'm just a naturalist. I do love to see kids in their natural state. This coming from a mom whose daughter looked like a contractor yesterday (boy's flannel shirt and work khaki pants). What can I say? Sophia has lots of natural states...



In a few weeks, there will be an open house class, during which I can take pictures during the class. I'm looking forward to that because just from the glimpses I had from the window, it looks like a great time!

When we got home, Sophia had to go across the street to show off her dancing clothes. She will be thrilled to see more pictures of herself on "her website." Oh, and here's a gratuitous Henri shot. He seems impressed by his ballerina cousin, too. The admiration is mutual...

Taking Pictures of My 3-year-old

I can't say this is how it is for someone trying to take pictures of just any kid or 3-year-old, but the other day I had a fun time taking pictures of Sophia at the park. I caught many of her favorite go-to expressions and avoidance tactics.

This particular day, maybe the last really warm one until spring, Sophia felt like being a princess at the park. It was a great time of day, just before Erick gets home from work, so I could get some really nice shots. Good light. Blond hair. Tiara. Memories in the making, people.



Of course when I let her know that I brought the camera and I would like to take some pictures of her, she can't help but try to avoid eye contact entirely. That's her primary defense against the paparazzi. Occasionally, if she realizes that I caught her making eye contact, she'll just throw in a crazy look, trying to ruin my picture. Sometimes those are the best.



The rarest shots of Sophia include a pose. Typically those also include the Cinderella dress. I was actually shocked by this one. I was probably sounding pathetic with my requests for eye contact at this point, so she thought she'd throw me a bone. She stopped digging for a moment to present me with what I can only assume is her picture perfect posed princess smile.



Then we get to the part that is classic Sophia. She can't stop telling the story about whatever she might be creating long enough to even pretend that I'm not there. Here is what our little storyteller looks like when she's really in creative mode. I don't remember for sure which moment this was, but I think she's giving me instructions on how long I have to wait to touch the very hot potato and bacon (mulch & acorn) soup.



Finally, a real smile. I recognize this as a smile she gets when one of us has just said something that really amuses her. Probably her, but occasionally I'll get lucky.

Ottertoberfest at the Zoo

We didn't see any otters at the St. Louis Zoo today, but we did have some beer and bratwursts in honor of Ottertoberfest! That's a real thing, by the way. I didn't make it up. We made the trip and had a fantastic day in St. Louis with the Chandlers - Brian, Janelle, Blake and Madilyn.

Sophia was giddy with excitement this morning at the prospect of seeing every animal with her friends. After two hours in the car, she wanted to go home... Fortunately, she and Blake and Madilyn revived quickly upon arrival.



There was no shortage of things to do or see. We rode the train and saw lots of animals. We still didn't get close to seeing them all! Of course, Sophia is always entertained by the simple things.



Here's a picture I took of the Chandlers. Don't be surprised if this is their Christmas card photo this year.



It was cool and breezy today. My favorite weather for doing pretty much anything outside. I think the wind did take it out of all of us just a little. We felt pretty worn out by the end of the day. So tired we could just lie down on a rock...

Peace

At least I'm hoping that with Henri's triumphant homecoming to Timbers Court that he and his family can find some peace in their new routine...whenever that gets started!

I am so relieved that he's finally at home. Sophia was thrilled to get to see him today. She has declined all offers to go to the hospital. She associates that with her hand or something still. So we didn't push. Today when we started across the street, she asked if we were walking there. Then I realized she still didn't understand that Henri was home. When I told her that we were just going to William and Aaron's house because Henri's there, she gasped and said, "Oh! I can't wait!"

She was in love immediately. And seemed to just think this was like any other day. She held him for a moment and then moved on to play. She already apparently can't remember life without Henri. When we walked into our house, she said, "When Henri was gone at the doctor's office, I missed him! Now he's back and I can see him every time!"



I can only hope that she falls deeper and deeper in love with him...before he starts chewing on her stuff. It seemed to work well in her situation with the boys. They put up with that phase, and now they're great friends!

Can't wait to be a part of this beautiful boy's life!