Baby Steps.....

The big news? Our Principessa is WALKING!! She's been prancing around the furniture for what seems like months now, but just in the last few days she's gotten the courage to take steps without holding on. Our friends, the Andersons, were here for a week for their Spring Break and they got to witness the cuteness.... And just yesterday (right after they left to go home to Illinois) she took 5 steps in a row.... baby steps, but steps nonetheless! Daddy knew she'd walk before her 1st birthday and he was right. She's amazing!

In addition to the amazing walking, which, by the way exhausts me already.... She's growing more and more independent by the moment. She already wants to do things herself and will let you know it. She's got a bit of a temper....not sure where that comes from.... ! and she likes things the way she likes them and that's it. No negotiation. She's not too happy with change (boy was she born into the wrong family!) and doesn't care for sleeping in a different place or taking a tubbie anywhere but her own bathroom. Lately she doesn't care for having her diaper changed or for putting on clothes. Just doesn't want to be on her back. It's almost impossible to keep her from flipping herself over and off the changing table.... Not sure what that's all about and hoping she'll grow out of it. She's still just saying Dadadadada a lot and the occasional Mama slips out when she's tired or upset. She says nananananananana a lot... and she responds with a high pitched shriek when you ask her "how the cat goes." It's too cute. She can identify her ears, hair, nose, eyes, tongue, teeth (all two of them) and toes. We're working on legs and arms currently.

Teeth .... still only the two bottom. We keep thinking we see white poking through on the top but nothing yet..... and every time she's cranky for any reason, I try to blame it on the teeth .... but that argument doesn't hold water when you can't see or feel them bustin' through the gums.

Sophia Marie's first birthday is just weeks away. We're excited about her party but I'm still trying to locate the ponies and the petting zoo! (Not really....barbecue on the back porch.... paper princess plates and napkins and lots of beer for the adults!) My sister will be here for the celebration, which is awesome, and we've invited just about everyone we know. If you are reading this and haven't heard from us about it, consider yourself invited. April 25th, 3 p.m. at our house... Don't bring gifts...the child is already beyond spoiled!!!

That's the update from here. Today was Sophia's first Easter and other than loving the bunnies she received (one of them dances and sings a song to the tune of "Rock Around the Clock"...it's sooo cute...thanks to Oma Ingrid! The other is sweet and soft and we named her Bella...thanks to Auntie Jane Hughes in Illinois!)....she really had no idea at all that it was Easter. Being the bad parents we are, we didn't get her to an Easter Bunny for a photo op, but I did dress her up in her pretty green smock dress and tried to snap a few photos. I'll post them here. All of her latest photos are on my Facebook page for those of you who do that....

We send out our love to everyone and our wish that you had a joyous Easter with your loved ones. We did. Happy Spring!!