Visit to AZ

Sophia, Shawn, and I took a trip to Arizona this past weekend to visit his Grandparents. His mom and niece Alexus were already there when we got in. It was a total surprise too which made it even more fun. Nana and Papa had no idea we were coming. It was so sweet to see how their faces lit up when they saw Sophia. We have not seen them since Christmas and I think it was a much needed pick me up. Grandpa has not been feeling the best and he was all smiles when he sat with Sophia. It's amazing how one little girl can bring so much joy into a home.

Shawn and I were a little spoiled because with his mom and Grandma there to hang out with Sophia it was kind of a little vacation. I would say that we got to enjoy the beautiful Arizona landscape, but we stayed inside most of the time due to the 100+ degree weather.

While we were there Sophia had her first fall from climbing to the standing position. She hit her cheek on the coffee table and got a bruise on her cheek. She is so tough though and barely cried about it. She also had another first while we were there, she had her first rib. We were cracking up at how excited she got when we gave it to her. She was making her cheesy face and totally laughing. She had it for a long time and definitely did not want to give it back. We had to pry it from her little fingers.

One of her favorite things to play with while we were there was Grandpa's walker. It is really light weight with wheels and she thought she was super cool dragging it all over the place.

I had to return home a couple days before Shawn and we debated whether or not I would take Sophia home with me. Well, I lost that one and she stayed with Shawn. I thought I would be an absolute mess, but I actually had the best couple nights of sleep I have had in a long time. I feel a little guilty, but I know that it was the right decision. We get to spend so much time with my family all the time, Sophia needed some Willingham time. We will be heading out there again soon I am sure of it.

9 month check up

Sophia went to her nine month check up today. She had to get one shot, a TB test, and a finger prick. She was not the happiest of campers after that. I always feel so bad because I have to hold her down and she just looks at my with the saddest face I have ever seen. It breaks my heart every time. She is quiet the big girl I have to say and is off the charts for both her height and weight. Here are some of her stats and things she is doing:

-weighs 28 lbs
-is 30" tall
-wears size 18 mo clothes
-is in size 5 diapers
-tooth #7 has finally come in
-she is pulling herself to the standing position and just hangs out....it makes me a nervous wreck
-she will not let me put headbands on her for any extended period of time. she eventually rips them off. makes me a little sad because she has so many cute ones
-plays the game, "how many times will mom and dad pick up the bottle and give it to me after i throw it on the floor"
-oh yes and let's not forget the biting....she is going to make me bleed one of these days

A day at the Taormina pool

I threw my back out taking Sophia out of the back of my car. She was still in the infant carrier...not any longer that's for sure. I had to realize the hard way she was ready for the bigger car seat. I think I was in a little bit of denial. So, I decided the best course of action was to head to my dad's house and rest up. The kids are out for the summer and more than willing to help with Miss Sophia. It was great having them there. I was a little scared to be home by myself trying to take care of her.

Just my luck they were heading to Frank and Barbie's house the next day to hang out by their new beautiful pool. I was super stoked and so was Sophia. That girl LOVES the water! It is a crack up. She gets so jazzed up when she sees the water. She thinks she can just jump right in and swim, kind of scares me.

We had such a nice relaxing day by the pool and it was topped off with Uncle Paco's cooking. It was fabulous as always. I could use a few more days like that this summer.

Hanging in the shade with Aunt Talia.


Talon loved being able o pick up Sophia in the water. Normally she weighs half of what he weighs.


Snuggling with Auntie Barbie.


Revel was not too sure about Sophia's wiggling around. I don't think he had a good enough grip.


Shawn hanging with all the tan italian boys.


Sophia was trying to take Raven's nose off.

Cell phone pictures

Here is a collection of random pictures from our cell phones. Some of them I have no idea when or where they were taken. They are just too sweet and I have to post them somewhere.

Future Giants Fan

My mom bought Sophia her first Giants shirt. It is so cute! Of course I had to put it on her before the Die Hard Dodger Fan aka Nana came over for a visit. She thought it was pretty funny because she used to put me in Dodger outfits before my Dad came home from work. The war continues....







I decided to take this opportunity to torture my mom's dogs. Ruby was all about it and was having a great time. Ransom on the other hand wanted no part of it. My mom and I were a little scared that he was going to snap at Sophia, but all he did was stare.





Tony decided to take Sophia for a little stroll before they went home. It was so precious how she was looking up at him.




Shawn took these pictures in the house and they are so cute. Some of the faces she looks like she is crying but she is really doing her cheesy face.

8 month photo shoot at Gma's

Sophia is 8 months old already! I can't believe it. She is just so wonderful. She is always happy and content doing most anything. Shawn and I take her everywhere and she never complains. She loves being around other people and drinks up all of the attention.

I know I have not ever done this but I think I should write down some of her stats and some of the things she is doing:

-wearing size 4 diapers (probably will be in 5's very soon)
-weighs 27 lbs
-is scooting and pulling herself everywhere, she cannot be stopped
-she gives you kisses when you ask for them
-she eats anything you give her
-she is really starting to try and pull herself onto things (a little scary)
-has 6 teeth: 4 on top and 2 on bottom, there is another coming in on the bottom
~speaking of teeth...she doesn't even complain about growing them in at all. she is so tough. only every once in awhile do I have to give her something for the pain

We took these pictures in my mom's front yard. They turned out great. It almost looks like we are a the beach or something with all the rocks in the background. Her new thing is to make this really silly "cheesy face", as I like to call it. It was cracking my mom and I up. I could hardly focus on taking the picture.

Bath time with Gma

Sophia LOVES taking baths, especially when my mom is giving her one. When Shawn and I give her one is part of the daily routine and it's not always too much fun. We are usually rushing around to get dinner cleaned up and get her in bed. So when we go to my mom's house she gets to sit in the bath for a lot longer. My mom sings to her and makes her crack up. My mom has also mastered the voice of Elmo which Sophia cannot get enough of.

It's such a treat when we go up there because my mom just takes Sophia and plays for hours. It's like a vacation for me and Shawn. Sophia drinks it up and she sleeps so good there too. =) That might be due to the hours of entertainment provided by my mom and Mark.