Spring is Springing in Alabama! And Sophia is Ten Months Old!

I know, I know. It's been some time since I've written and posted photos. There are a hundred reasons why, but I won't bore anyone with those. Howabout I just update you on our royal girl and leave it at that?

Our Principessa is growing and changing and developing a personality that, dare I say, may cause her mother a great deal of heartache in the coming years. She's a bit on the stubborn side and wants what she wants when she wants it! Again, they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Sophia is still crawling at lightning speed and she stands up very well... and she's started to move around the furniture and has even let go once or twice to see if she can take a step. Of course, she's fallen on her bootie, but she's giving it some good tries! She loves to walk around with our help, and her newest fun thing to do is get us to lift her up onto the furniture where she likes to throw herself around and play. I fear the little monkey will be climbing over obstacles much too soon!

Her nine month appointment went well and the pediatrician assured us that she is within all normal growth percentages. She only had to have one shot this time which made us happy (but not her) ....however, they did have to take a blood sample by sticking her finger and squeezing out a small vial's worth. That was painful for us all. Naturally, as young children do, she came right through it and got over the drama quickly. She continues to be a good baby and we can take her just about anywhere with us with the expectation that she will charm all of those around her and she will behave as long as she is being paid attention to! She's doing really well with solid foods and she has yet to try something that she doesn't like (again, much like her mom!) I gave her some cooked cauliflower tonight and she scarfed it down.... She also ate nearly an entire one of my meatballs this past weekend! She's such a little DiFonso!!

So, I am posting some photos here to show how tall and gorgeous she is. She's figured out the camera (it flashes once before it takes the photo) so we have to kind of catch her off guard. But, I still had to post one or two of the ones with her eyes closed, they're precious. The one in the high chair is one of our first attempts to let her feed herself. It ended in disaster.... more cereal on the chair and her than in her mouth.... We mostly just let her play with the spoon now!

Her big One Year Old birthday is approaching fast and I am starting to plan for the gigantic party! We've booked the band, rented the tents, lined up the petting zoo and are in the process of finding an elephant for rides.... Of course, that's all a bunch of hooey and we are just having a nice little birthday barbecue that will end up being mostly about the adults ... But, as she is our Princess, we will be getting her a castle cake and making sure she has a lovely little (fake plastic) tiara. (I point out the fake part for Christine....she knows why)..... And, while I am sure a lot of attention will be lavished upon her that day, it's sad to me she won't remember any of it. We'll be sure to take a lot of photographic evidence to show her though. And, the good news is that we will have "blood" family here in the form of my sister and most likely, Al's sister and brother-in-law. Our Army family will also be in attendance.... We're looking forward to a fun birthday for our girl.

Ok... these days, with the teething (she still only has the two on the bottom, but we are watching the top middle.... I swear I see white there!).... we never know if she is going to wake us up at night, so we've learned to play it safe and go to bed early just in case! G'nite.....

Crawling, Standing and Teething... Happy 9th Month La Principessa!

And, so it goes. Tonight is the eve of Sophia's ninth month birthday.... my goodness. I want to wax poetic here about time and it's swiftness through our days and nights.... but really all I need to say is Wow. Sophia is 9 months old. It feels like yesterday that Alan brought her to me in the hospital and I looked into Alan's face superimposed upon this tiny baby and fell in love again... I seem to fall in love with her face each new day. Particularly because things change about it each new day. She's such an absolute joy and makes us laugh harder than we ever have. Nine months. Lord, have mercy.

Now, most importantly, as the title of this post intimates, Sophia is not only crawling, but she is standing up (in her crib as you can see by the photos) and she now has her two bottom front teeth peeking through with one on top trying to get out. We have devised a system of moved furniture and blockages to keep her away from the things she wants most. The giant ottoman from our chair and a half now blocks her passage into the dining room, where all of the glass resides. She spends most of the day crawling between the living room, breakfast area and kitchen. She's an expert at tupperware and wooden spoon drums, she can pull herself up on the open dishwasher door, she has found the wine rack and continues to try to pull a bottle out and we have to raise the blinds because she likes to bang them against the window. She consistently pulls herself up on the marble and wrought iron coffee table and we know this is just an emergency waiting to happen. We've gotten the "corner guards" to cushion the corners, but they don't seem to be an issue. Just watching her when she tries to lower herself back down makes me as nervous as a, a, well...as nervous as a new mother watching her child discover the strength in her arms and legs! I'm thinking about prescription medication more and more these days!

The teething saga has just begun and so far, it isn't unbearable for any of us. She's a bit crankier than usual and we're having a little trouble with her sleep habits, but it's no where near as bad as it could be. She loves her frozen teething ring and I just bought her some teething biscuits (Zwieback) today and she devoured one and made a great big mess and was happy, happy. It was fun to watch. It's wild to feel those sharp little baby teeth coming in and I'm looking forward to letting her try more and different foods now.

Sophia continues to be a happy baby most of the time and she's still as friendly as ever and not at all strange with people. She doesn't mind when we leave her with a sitter but she must be in our company when we're at home. She has developed a lovely habit of emitting a high-pitched scream when she can't have something, which isn't at all pleasant and makes me grit my teeth. Where do they learn these things? I keep telling her that "Mommy doesn't like that screaming Sophia" but she doesn't much care. Most days, I'm loving being Mommy...but lemme just say that occasionally I dream about her entering a convent in Italy at age 11 or so. I have a lovely vision: Alan and I in a nice Tuscan villa adjacent to a quaint nunnery with a very strict order where we will send little Sophia to work helping the nuns until she is old enough to take her vows. Daddy will grow grapes and olives and make wine and oil and Mommy will make all the fresh pasta for the convent. Sophia will be married to God and we won't have to worry about any slimy teenage boys chasing after her. Isn't that just the sweetest picture? If you hear of any villas for sale near convents in Italy...do let us know.

Happy Birthday La Principessa..... We love you beyond all reason.

Mommy and Daddy

Christmas In Pennsylvania!

Happy New Year One and All! We have returned from our 8-day trip to Pennsylvania and Sophia's first plane ride. It was, generally, a success! Sophia did really well on the plane, both ways, and the altitude didn't seem to bother her a bit. She was a bit fussy on the trip out at first, but that was because she was sleepy. Once we got airborne, she fell asleep and we didn't have one single passenger give us dirty looks! Here is a shot of us on the plane on the trip back from Pittsburgh.... it was hard for Daddy to get a good photo.

We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends in Greensburg, Jeannette, Indiana and Pittsburgh. Seems we spent a lot of time running around, but that's the nature of visiting home when you have a big family and lots of friends. Both Alan's sister Sheila and my sister Jeanne were our gracious hostesses and allowed us to trash their houses for four days each. We spent Christmas eve at the DiFonso homestead, where my brother Gary and his family have made some wonderful improvements. While we really missed Daddy this first holiday after his death, his presence was in the room in everything we did. The meal was delish...which just goes to show that all of Frank and Marie's children have learned how to carry on their traditions and paid attention to how to make the important and special meals!! On Christmas, we spent the day at Sheila's with Alan's family and managed to eat ourselves into food comas while playing cards, laughing at Sophia and enjoying the company of those we love. The day after Christmas we visited Al's brother Mike and his family in Indiana PA. There were six children under the age of 4 in the house....Wow! It was great fun and total chaos and we loved it. Pat fed us...not one, but two meals..... and we left with full bellies and smiles on our faces with Sophia sleeping in her carseat on the way home!

The rest of our time was spent visiting. We had great evening in Mt. Lebanon with my childhood friends and their families at Chris and Carmen's newly remodeled home. It was so good to see these girls that I've been friends with for more years than I'm going to admit. All of their children are growing so fast..... The joke to me is that our friend Eileen has a son who starts high school this year, while I have an 8-month old! Wow. Of course, Sophia also entertained this group and paid special attention to the men (she LOVES the men!).... with most of her flirting in the direction of Rick Wilson. Not sure why, but she just batted her eyes and smiled demurely at Rick all evening. It was way cute.... On that subject, I just have to tell you that our little girl was charming to pretty much every man she came into contact with. She especially enjoyed smiling at Uncle Muggles, Uncle Lee, Uncle Dan and cousin Tommy. She was enamored with Casey and cousin Anthony as well. It seemed like every time we turned around, she was flirting with someone. Dad is worried. He's already buying firearms!

We all three ended up with head colds after being subjected to so many people travelling and during our visit, which made our trip home a little more harrowing than it would normally have been. Sophia rallied though, and did fine on the plane, which worried us because of her snotty head. She's still stuffed up as I write this and Al and I are also coughing and blowing our noses quite a bit, but we're taking it easy at home and hoping this will all pass by the time Monday rolls around. We've been relaxing quite well these first days of the new year. It's nice to be home and once I've tackled the mountain of laundry, I'll really feel good about things! So, on that note, I'll finish this post and get some photos online. To those of you that we didn't get to see while home, we apologize. Seems no matter how hard we try, we can't get to see everyone. Do remember though, that our door is always open. It's warmer in Alabama!!!

Happy New Year from the Stulls.

PS...I forgot to send thanks to all who gave Sophia such nice Christmas presents! Your generosity is much appreciated.

T'was Two Nights Before We Flew to Pittsburgh!!

Just a quick post as we are getting organized for our Christmas visit to Pennsylvania. We're excited to see all of our family and friends and we can't wait for everyone to experience Sophia. She's so much stinkin' fun.... she's really belly crawling well and we've had to pick up a number of breakables already! Seems she only goes after the things she can't have. Even with the three thousand dollars worth of toys on the floor.... Right now, as I write this, she's banging on the back door... Do you think she wants out??

Anyway, I wanted to post some of these photos that our friend, Jack Rogers took of Soph at Thanksgiving time. Jack and Sue visited us for a couple nights on their way through from Florida to Northern Alabama and we had a great time. Jack is a professional photographer... which you can plainly see. Thanks, Uncle Jack, for capturing me in all my glory.... If you'd like to see ALL the photos, feel free to look me up on Facebook!

Happy Christmas to all.... safe travels and enjoy the time with those you love!

Thanksgiving... We're VERY thankful this year!

Sophie-girl decided she liked Auntie Therese's sweet potatoes! That's the big news outta Thanksgiving here at Ft. Rucker. We had a lovely day at the Dolan's and they fed us well. Auntie Therese pulled out all the stops with her beautiful vintage linens and family heirloom china and crystal. Aside from a little red wine on the boys' shirts because soldiers have a hard time drinking from dainty crystal!; no one broke anything or embarassed themselves, so we consider it a good day! We then carried Soph across the street to our friends, the Barclay's, and had a nice evening visiting with them and their family. Debbie and Jim are wonderful to Sophia and of course, sent her home with a new toy. Spoiled doesn't even begin to describe our girl! I'm posting a photo or two of Sophia in the outfit that Aunt Jeanne sent even before she was born. We put it on her to wear on Thanksgiving and took the photos and then when we put her on the floor, realized the pants were still a bit too big (she was scooting herself right outta them!) so we had to change her for the day.... but we just loved the photos, so here they are. The hat cracks us up! I'm also posting a photo of our little Penguins fan. On Friday after Thanksgiving, I left my little lovey (and my big one) to head to Nashville for a wedding. Daddy and Sophia had almost three whole days together. They mostly sat around in their diapers and watched hockey. Fortunately, Daddy did dress Sophia in her Penguins onesie. I'm also sure, that since it was pretty cold outside, Daddy also got dressed. I think the diaper comment was meant to scare me. It didn't. I had a great time in Nashville and didn't worry one bit about my two ragamuffins. Alan is twice the parent that I am, and it doesn't even occur to me to worry when Sophia is in his care. I was able to enjoy myself, do some shopping, sleep without worrying about the monitor being on or anyone's binky getting lost.... And the wedding was beautiful. I thank the Gant's for their hospitality and for including me in their special day. It was a good weekend.

So, our Thanksgiving was wonderful and of course, being the emotional gal that I am, I spent the day thinking about my blessings. I thank my lucky stars every day for this husband...and this sweet child. And I am thankful for you, dear family and friends. As always, we send our love to you and wish you great Joy in preparing for Christmas. Stop for a minute among the cooking and wrapping and decorating to really think about the season and send up your thanks and prayers. And, as always, I ask you to keep our heroes serving in harm's way in your heart.

Helicopter Mania!! And it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hey all friends and family. A little post to go along with these photos of Sophia taken last weekend. We had our annual spouse's club Christmas bazaar on Ft. Rucker and Sophia got to meet Santa and sit in his Huey!! One of his pretty little elves was there too... She liked him for about a minute, and then started crying. What she didn't realize, was that Santa was really one of Mommy's friends' sons... who had babysat with Soph before and she really likes him!! But not with that ole' funny beard. The other photo is of us hanging around (and sitting up really well on the chair!) and showing off the "Fly Army" romper that we sport quite often here in the land of the flight student! Sophia loves the helos and it doesn't even faze her when fifteen or sixteen Blackhawks fly over the house every day, three times a day.... even when she's napping, it never wakes her. Amazing. She's a pilot's daughter all right.

She's growing fast and changing often. Each day she gives us something new to laugh at. Lately, everything within her vision is fair game and if she can reach it, it's hers. We're learning quickly that if we don't want her to have something (a pen, the remote, my reading glasses, a butter knife, etc.) we'd better move it out of her reach and fast! She no longer likes to be down in her stroller when there are people above her .... she's gotta be up and seeing stuff. She's scooting herself around on the floor quite well and I can't leave her for more than a minute or two because she manages to get herself either off her blanket and onto the carpet or up against the coffee table with her foot or leg entangled in the wrought iron!! She's a pistol.

No real new foods lately.... she does like pumpkin and pears though (weird combo for baby food, but it's actually kinda good mixed with her cereal!)... and her latest favorite fruit is baby food Mango. One of the ladies that works with Alan sent home homemade applesauce for her today... I'm anxious to try it out on her tomorrow. Everyone around here takes such wonderful care of us. The folks at Al's office are always thrilled to see her when she comes in and they fight over holding her and toting her around to greet everyone. My fellow military spouse friends that I see often are quick to pick her up and keep her occupied so I can get a moment to eat some lunch or do some shopping.... or if I bring her to a meeting, I'm always able to take minutes because I know someone will hold and entertain Sophia. I'm so lucky to have these friends here.... Everyone loves that she's so pleasant... and she is. Except when she isn't getting her way or Mommy is trying to get boogies outta her nose! I know, gross... but true. She used to sit still for it... no longer. So, now I have what I always feared.... a snotty-nosed kid! Really, it's not that bad.... but you know, you just want them to be perfect all the time. Not happenin'!

So, that's the report from here. We're looking forward to a visit next week from our friends Jack and Sue Rogers.... and then it'll be Soph's first Thanksgiving. We're having dinner with friends here. I'm hoping to let Sophia try, at least, the mashed potatoes!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.... We'll take some photos ... perhaps of her dressed up like a turkey!!

Note From Sophia!

Hi everyone...It's Sophia! I'm blogging...can you believe it?? Mom said I could write this installment of my life story as I've been pretty quiet so far and also because it's been a big weekend and someone needed to report on it. This has been a combined holiday weekend in our house. It was Mom's birthday on Sunday, and tomorrow is Veteran's Day.... I'm not really old enough to understand that, but Mom tells me I should be very proud of my Daddy and his service to our country. I'm sure that someday I'll be able to understand and tell him these things, but for now, I'm hoping you will be proud of him for me. Mom's birthday was a fun one for her.... she says she has the best friends in the world. Dad took me and Mom up to Montgomery on Saturday and our friend Lisa babysat me while Mom and Dad went out for a birthday dinner and did some shopping. I had a blast at Lisa's house with Lauren and Logan and their friends. I met Logan's girlfriend and woo-hoo...she's a sweet one. She and I hit it off big time. We girls all hung out around the fire and I learned makeup and hair secrets and found out that teenage boys are yucky.... Well..the girls didn't think that, but I kinda do. At least mom says I do! On Mom's birthday, we went to visit my favorite photographer, Ms. Townley...and she took my Christmas photos. They turned out pretty darn cute. Mom thought about posting one as a "teaser" here, but she decided she'll just wait and spring them on you at Christmas. I'm pretty stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself. My friend, Keriem, came over and visited me in the evening and she's soooo nice. I can see why Dad says she's so great to work with! And, tonight, mom had yet another party at Aunt Jen's house with her and Uncle Ken and Aunt Cindy and Uncle Scott. Of course these people aren't my biological Aunts and Uncles, but they sure do treat me as though I'm part of their family. I love them all and they are all so good to me and mom and dad. Mom says she couldn't ask for better family here in Enterprise.
So, as you can see, we had a big weekend. I've done lots.... Did I mention I'm sitting up by myself pretty well now? I do a lot of sitting and playing and I'm figuring out my hand-eye coordination and can save things from falling with both hands now! Dad tells me that's a milestone. I don't know what milestone means, but if Daddy says it's good, then darn it, it must be good!
So, just want to send my love out to everyone and tell you to be looking for more photos soon. This post is photo-less...but we'll do better next time, we promise.
Drooly kisses to you....
Sophia Marie