Sofia & Joshua Gordon Jeff and Angie's tribute to their children

Sofia has learned to entertain herself when Mommy is busy with Josh (like she had a choice).  We are both impressed with how well she is doing – we remember having all this anxiety prior to Josh being born about how she might (or might not) accept sharing our attention.  Below are some pictures of Sofia having fun…

sunglasses inside

balloons

shoes

entertaining Josh

with Cousin Robert (right) and friend

Sofia is quickly approaching 22 months and seems to have fully accepted Josh into the family.  We have yet to see any major signs of jealousy.  Sofia seems to be anxious for Josh to get older and more interesting.  Angie is still at home with both of them during the week and is doing well even though she is sleep deprived.

researching little brothers online

wake up and play with me Josh!

This kid sleeps a lot!

We find it unbelievable that our little girl is actually a big sister. It is amazing how well she has taken to Joshua. She can’t wait to see him in the morning and says “nite nite” to him before going to bed. It is going much better than expected. Dad goes back to work next week so it may become much more challenging when Sofia wants attention and Angie has to take care of Joshua. We think (hope) she’ll adjust.

These are some beautiful family pictures that we had done. They were taken by Matt Nicolosi who is very talented.

Matt’s site is here

That boy should be popping out any minute now. Sofia is tired of waiting already!

Sunglasses, need I say anymore? Sofia likes them. We are still waiting for baby brother to decide to come out of Mommy’s belly and join us.

Sofia recognizes that Mommy has a huge bulge in her tummy and it is called “baby”, but really has no idea what is in store.  We are a little nervous about how she will receive little brother.  She is very used to getting all the attention.  We’re sure she’ll learn to deal with a little time.

Angie could go into labor at any point from here on.

Sofia testing out brother’s bottles

Sofia’s first recital.  She was not amused with the crowd of parents there to watch.

Daddy’s shoes

The diaper dance

Sofia seems to really enjoy the outdoors. It has been beautiful outside lately. The dreadful Texas summer is coming, but for now it is very nice. Her favorite activities include riding her toy car, running and screaming for joy, and going to the local play ground. Random pictures from April below….including a sonoscan profile of Sofia’s brother.

DAD!!!  My piggy bank is too light!

Mom and Dad think this profile looks familiar

Grandma Gordon arranged an extra special Easter egg hunt at her house.  Sofia had a blast finding eggs and presents.  The day before she helped Dad wash the cars and learned how to drive her pink car.  Sofia even thought about taking Mom’s car for a spin.  See pics…

Sofia drives

Hmm, I know the keys go in here somewhere

Time to find eggs!

Bubbles!!!!

My favorite rocking chair!!!

Sofia and her parents took a 10 day trip to Germany in late February.  We were very generously hosted by Hanno and Luz Mary Buhlmann. They had invited us to Hanno’s mother’s 85th birthday party, which was our reason for visiting Germany.  It was a wonderful experience and a beautiful place with so much history.  Sofia saw Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin, and the Frankfurt airport twice.  The time in Germany was wonderful, the travel – not so much.  Sofia got sick on the plane ride over and threw up all over her favorite blankie.  It was not recoverable.  Then our connecting flight out of Frankfurt got canceled so we were stuck in the airport for 12 hours – Good times!!!  Finally arriving after 24 hours of traveling, we were relieved and taken good care of by Hanno and Luz Mary.   Sofia hopes they will come visit us in Texas soon!!!

Sofia’s daddy got to drive on the autobahn and tour the Mercedes manufacturing facility in Bremen. Two experiences he won’t soon forget!!

Berlin was a great experience.  We got to take a private tour of this city you learn so much about in history classes.

Below is a host of pictures from our trip:

Sofia meets great Aunt Luz Mary

Do I get to try the Autobahn dad?

With great Uncle Hanno

Angie with her Grandfather, Luz Mary, and Hanno

Sofia’s extended family

Hamburg – Visiting Laura and her 5 month old daughter, Paulina

Sofia had several important calls to make in the hotels we stayed at

Looking tower in Berlin

Remaining section of the wall

Really cool 5 story aquarium in the middle of our Berlin hotel

Inside the hotel aquarium

Early in the morning on the day we travel home

Sofia’s parents got the news just this Wednesday that we can expect a baby boy to join our family this summer.  Everything looks normal and healthy at 20 weeks – looks like Mom is carrying another big baby!

Sofia seems to do well in her new environment.  It has been a difficult couple weeks.  Sofia caught a virus, then an eye infection all while having several teeth come in.  She hasn’t been in the best of moods the last week or so.  She is still getting over a little cough.  Her teachers tell us she is doing well in class but she is very attached to her blankie which stays near or around her mouth the entire day.  This makes for a pretty gross object after 7 hours.  We are attempting to break her of this but it has been difficult, especially because she is not feeling like herself.

Below are some picture we took while Sofia was snacking on gold fish over last weekend.  She is starting to look so big to us in pictures.

Tomorrow will be Sofia’s first day at school (pre-pre school) for toddlers.  As many of you know, Janee’ has been caring for Sofia during the week days for the past year.  It was time for Sofia to transition into a toddler program.  Janee’ has done a wonderful job over the last year and we find comfort knowing Sofia will still have plenty of opportunities to see her and her two daughters (Emma and Lauren.)

Angie and I feel very good about the school we found which is close by the house.  Dad will drop her off at 8:15, probably stay and play with her for 15 minutes, then go to work.  Mom plans on leaving work early at 4:30 to pick up Sofia before 5.  This schedule ultimately allows us more time to spend with her during the week.  As parents we have tons of anxiety about leaving our daughter in new surroundings, but know it will pass once we see she is happy and comfortable at school.  I will update the blog later this week and make sure to let everyone know how it is going.

See recent pictures below….

Playing with Mom

My favorite (and loudest) toy!f

SLAM DUNK!!!!

Sofia’s parents have been busy the last month preparing for Christmas which explains the lack of blog posts since Thanksgiving. Christmas was fun this year as Sofia was old enough to really enjoy opening presents and playing with new things. It was quite an adventure for her and we don’t think she really minds being the center of attention. She got lots of great gifts. Angie and I would like to thank everyone for making Christmas special this year. Santa Clause visited last night and left Sofia this cool play table for her upstairs playroom. She thanks Santa. See pictures…..

Is Christmas here yet?

Finally done wrapping all the presents…Mommy’s tired

The tree before the ravaging of the presents.

Hola, grandma Dettmann!

Grandma Gordon

Look what Uncle Jason sent me!!!

WOW MOM!!! Those clothes are SOOO AMESOME!!!

Abuelita Gordon got me this awesome chair with my name on it!

Did I mention how much I love my chair…and shoes.

Yes Dad, I think I’ll try reading in my chair

Dad tried to get a little artistic with this shot

Now we continue on to Christmas morning……….

Thanks Santa for my cool playtable!!!

Wearing the shoes Daddy bought which are too big while sitting in my new favorite chair still in my PJs.

With cousin Kaylee

Thanksgiving was a good time this year. We like to think everyone enjoyed themselves. Those in attendance were Grandpa Gordon and Suzi (all the way from Florida), Abuelita Gordon and Robert, Bill and Donna Hallett, Uncle Jason and Angela, and of course us. Sofia was glad to have all the company at the house (more people to play with.) Angie spent hours preparing the meal which turned out wonderful. There were several parties, who will remain unnamed, that passed out on the couch afterwards. See pics:

The preparation

Bird’s eye view1

Bird’s eye view of old guys

Dad looks so hot with his new hair cut, and younger as well

Reading with Tio Jason

Showing off my coloring skills to Jason and Angela

Playing withUncle Jason and Angela

With Abuelita Gordon

Sofia is ready to play – watch out for the crayons

Flash thanks Jason for paying attention to him and his ball

Time to eat

Dinner at the young kids table

Sofia is sad because Dad refuses to shave and Grandpa Gordon is about to leave

With Grandpa Gordon and Suzi

Mom’s flip flops don’t quite fit yet – everyone has gone home