Who knew?

My heart skips a beat as Todd says, "Walk to Mama So" and Sophia giggles practically running my way.  Who knew that I'd be just as wrapped as Dada around her little 2 inch fingers?  Not I.  I was always convinced that I was a "boy mama" and couldn't see myself as being under the "spell" of a little girl.  However, our little "cupcake" has taken my heart with her as she skips along through life, giggling, cooing, screeching and smiling. How lucky am I?

4 days from now, we will be celebrating So's 1st birthday! Whoa-too fast for me.  I find myself tearing up often as I think of all the minutes lost.  How did it escape from me?  Didn't I just do crazy dances to get her to make her first giggle?  Didn't I just give her cereal for the first time or watch as she crawled across the floor?  Wasn't that just a second ago?  People say to cherish it and that it "flies by," but what they don't tell you is chisel it into your memory, because it's a feeling that isn't always with a picture.  Usually, the best ones are ones that aren't captured with a video, but the moment is gone.  So, hold onto it tight.

Looking back on her "birth-day," I think of my first memory of her.  Her voice...screaming out loud to say "I'm here! AND I'm hungry!!"  Mama instincts kick in and you feel the rush of love flowing through your body as if you're in a fright or flight situation.  It is in that moment that I knew, secretly, that no matter how much I would convince myself that she would be a "daddy's girl," she would really be a "mama's girl" too.  How blessed I am to have such a beautiful little girl in my life? Take a look...

She holds my heart.  Who knew she could have so much power?  God did.
Happy Birthday my darling Sophia, my sweet little "cupcake!"

"Home Is Where Your Story Begins"

5 days of "home" is starting to take its toll thus the necessary movement towards the daycare before "The Shining" kicks in.  No, not really.  But, we did need to get out of the house today and I, certainly, needed a few hours without my munchkins screaming about something or other.  Here are a few pics of our alternative housing that we attempted during our snowcation.  It all still felt like home though.  I guess that is a good thing. 

Location #1- Kitchen Fort:
Gavin, Sophia and I put lots of efforts into our little above fort.  We ate puffs, played puzzles and bonked our heads (about 15 times).  It was a blast...for about 20 minutes.  We got bored and ended up chasing each other around the house like crazy monkeys. (Please note: not pictured...stockpiled wine bottles for later consumption)

Location #2-Car City:
Todd and Gavin had a blast creating and recreating a Lego city for all existing small vehicles (trucks, cars, planes or trains...it didn't matter.  They could all "magically" drive on these streets made of paper).  This provided a plethora of opportunities for "smaller" car crashes beyond the real iciness outside.  This, also, resulted in cars being put away, because "giant babies" (a.k.a. Sophia) were walking on "streets" leading to a temper tantrum from the eldest lasting about an hour.  Not worth it.

Location #3-Playhouse
This area was most appreciated as Sophia was always calling in imaginary pizza orders and international cities (hopefully they won't charge a fee).  She found many ways to call these locations with items other than phones.  Examples include: her patent leather shoe, a ball, a hat, and who could forget the baby food jar.  All of these proved to be working phone lines.  As far as I know, I've cancelled any orders placed except for the Chinese delivery, but that wasn't so bad.  She knew just what I wanted..."glaba golie blakasnacka."  It was perfect on a cold day.

All in all, we've had a great time in our many play areas.  We've had a dance party, computer time, lots of books and lots of laughing.  My favorite has been the blanket monster as we needed many imaginary keys to lock his mouth shut.  (We had to work together on that...he was out of control)  Perhaps our day will consist of something crazy tomorrow-another snow day?  Maybe....

Nappy Time

After an hour of trying to fight with my son to take a nap and threatening him with taking off his favorite neon plaid socks, provided by Great Nana.  I have, defeatedly, decided that the best course of action would be to bring Gavin into our bed (last time I attempted this was when he was a baby) and “snuggle up” in hopes that he will give in to sleep and I can continue about my day with independence.  So, we lay in bed and I pretend to sleep and close my eyes.  I hear him turn his head and giggle as he whispers, “shhhhhh, night night mama.”  “Perfect,” I think to myself as I run my hands through his hair; however, my fingers get stuck as I realize that I missed a whole section of head cleaning up after his applesauce lunch.  How did that happen?  I have to open my eyes to figure out how my fingers will weed through the encrusted mess and notice he is smiling.  “Hey mama…wake up?” I can’t help but giggle to myself.  “No, it’s night night time Gavin.  Close your eyes.” I see his eyes close tight. Knowing that it will only last a few seconds, I close mine as well.  His head turns again and he murmurs, “Mama Dada Mama Dada…” Thank heavens that this is usually the end of the tunnel towards sleep I think.  I keep my eyes closed to ensure that he will think that this, indeed, is the end of the road and I have won the nap battle once and for all.  I feel his head turn, again towards me, and listen to him breathe.  Suddenly, I feel hot soured milk blowing in my nose.  It’s enough to make me want to throw up in my mouth, but I endure on because I know I can’t give in…I’ve come so far.  This lasts for minutes and I, finally, hear a rhythm of breathing that is a sure fire sleep.  I open my eyes and gaze at my son.  He continues to breathe rotten milk breath at my face and I think of this future nostalgic moment and know this is why I became a mom.