Sophia is THREE!!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Quick before she's actually 4!  I really need to just start posting as I'm done and not wait to make finishing touches.  It seems I take like four months to "finish" posts these days.

Oh my Sophia.  The love of my life.  The reason for my being.  There aren't words worthy enough of explaining all that is this sweet little bundle of wonderful-ness.

So, first let's talk about her party.  This year her actual birthday was the same day as her party.  I don't really love that because I like having a separate day to celebrate with just the family.  We've always wanted to have a Mardi Gras themed party for her birthday since it's right at the same time.  This year Easter was early so it worked out perfectly.  Also, her favorite movie lately has been The Princess and the Frog which is also Mardi Gras themed so we combined the two together.  






We love cooking Cajun food as well, so this party was really fun for us.  Ken got very into it all since he is so awesome at making Gumbo :)  The menu included:  Hot Crab Dip, Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Muffalettas, and Bananas Foster/King Cupcakes, Beignets, and Hurricanes. 

Here are some pictures from the day.



























































And as for Sophia.  She is just so awesome.

At 3 years old, Sophia:
  • Is incredibly sweet.
  • Is incredibly caring.
  • Is incredibly smart.
  • Is sympathetic.
  • Is fun.
  • Is gentle.
  • Is hilarious.
  • Is secure.
  • Is confident.
  • Is totally independent.
  • Loves princesses.
  • Loves to learn about letters and numbers and how to use them.
  • Loves to host tea parties.
  • Is sooo excited about her baby sister.
  • Still eats like a champ.  She loves salads with leafy greeens.  She says she's eating delicious plants.
  • Weighs about 28 lbs and is about 32 inches tall.
  • Wears size 7 shoes, 3T shirts and pants because 2T is too short.  We have to take in the waist of everything 3T.
  • Says the most hilarious things, such as:
  • She calls ALL of her dolls "Ellie" like her baby sister.
  • She calls Sleeping Beauty "Sweepy Tootie"
  • She always wants to play the "What's your favorite...?" game.  I.E.  What's your favorite color? Number? Shape? Princess? Fruit? Food? Pizza topping? Flower?  Letter? Number?  Etc.  
  • When she goes to bed at night we have to read at least one book.  Then she asks for us to make it dark and for me to sing the ABC song.  
  • Loves Wreck-it Ralph.
  • Calls bad guys (or anyone yelling or appearing to be doing anything remotely bad) Mean Guys.
  • Is starting to recognize sight-words.  
  • Can spell her name and the names of all of our family members.  
  • Can count to 50 with some coaxing.


If I think of more, I'll add back later.  But that's a pretty good start.  

I could just watch her all day.  She's amazing.  I hope that she always knows just how important she has been in all of our lives.  It's important that the realizes that she was someone's reason for hanging on to life.  While it's a big responsibility, it's a priviledge as well.  She was the light of my Dad's life for his final years.

I can't believe I've known this little soul for three years.  

As always, I posted the same thing to Facebook about her birthday.

February 2, 2010 my life changed in the most beautiful and profound way.  I looked into her eyes, wide open just moments after being born, and already knew her.  Happy Birthday Sweet Sophia. You are the greatest of God's many blessings in my life.  You continue to bring joy to all those that love you.

That about sums it up :)



Bumpdate - Weeks 21 and 22!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

What's in a name??

Well, as it turns out we have had Baby Girl's name picked out FOREVER.  I really don't know why but we just always knew we would have two girls someday.  When we picked Sophia's name, we had a few in consideration but once we started to say her name aloud, it was clear that Sophia is B-E-A-UTIFUL.  Shortly after having Sophia, we fell in love with Baby Girl's name.  To be honest, it comes from a silly little show that we are/were obsessed with called "Chuck".  We recommend that you Netflix it because it's just so fun/cute/lovely.  On the show, Chuck has a really awesome relationship with his sister.  A sibling relationship that anyone would envy.  And his sister is just adorable!

And so, the name of Baby Girl Elflein #2 will be...

Ellise "Ellie" Catherine Elflein

We always planned to simply call her Ellie but felt she needs a sophisticated name too.  Maybe it's just the Jennifer/Jen and Kenneth/Ken in us.  Sophia's middle name is Margaret - named after my maternal grandmother.  Baby Girl's middle name will be Catherine - named after Ken's maternal grandmother.

The day after we found out her gender, we ordered her bedding.  After we received it, we went right out to buy paint.  I'll post pictures of the room as it comes along.  We have a pretty high bar to live up to since we put so much effort into Soph's room, but I know this one will be just a beautiful.


Symptoms:  Still feel overall great.  Starting to have sinus congestion.  I had this really badly with Soph so this is no surprise. 
Cravings/Aversions:  Fruit snacks please.  
Sleep: As I get further along I've become more cognizant of sleeping on my side.  I'm usually a back sleeper so this is making me somewhat uncomfortable.  
Movement: All the time!  It still feels like she is breech most of the time so her little kicks are downward.  No biggie unless Mommy has to pee (which is most of the time) and she kicks my bladder.  
Gender:  Still a girl as far as we know.
Maternity Clothes:  Most definitely.
Best moment this week:  Sitting on the couch watching my belly dance around.  
Next doctor appointment:  January 14th U/S in Albuquerque and January 17th regular appointment.
Due Date:  May 7, 2013