Happy Birthday, Sophia

I'm posting late because today is my oldest child's seventh birthday. It hardly seems possible and yada yada yada... I mean, I could write all that. I could write about how quickly time flies and how I remember when she was just a wee babe in her diaper (or more often not, because she went through this wonderful streaking phase.) I could write about all the things I miss about those toddler years, like the way she couldn't say the word "girl." It always came out "gore." I could, but I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna because it'll make me sad - and frankly, I'm not big on feeling sad. So instead, I'll tell you all the cool things about Sophia. My birthday girl:

• I love that when I come into her room to pray for her and tuck her in, she's always ALWAYS reading. Usually Ramona Quimby or Judy Moody books. She reads them at the speed of light and tells me all about them when she's done. I love that.
• I love that today while I was doing just a half an hour of work, Ethan came into my office, his voice loud and serious: "Mommy! You've got mail!" I open up this little piece of paper to find the following: To: courtneycrops@msn.com From: softballgirl@msn.net (not her real address, just a variation on the address of one of our friends). I (heart) you so much your the best mom ever! Love, Your Secret Admierer. (The heart was actually a heart, not the word 'heart)
• I love that Sophia doesn't take herself too seriously
• I love that Sophia doesn't get her feelings hurt too easily
• I love how I now have this little helper to make everything easier
• I love to hear her sing - even when she goes off key. I love that now she's learning the national anthem and she thinks 'at the twilight's last gleaming' is 'at the starburst's last flying.'

There are MANY things I love about this girl. She is very special to me. Sometimes I think back on things that have hurt her in the past. It's rare, and I think she's had to grow a bit of a thick-skin, but in the end, it's good. She's better for it. Stronger.

This weekend, we took 14 kids to see "Horton Hears a Who." Seriously cute movie. The girls had a ton of fun. Our new theater has a party room, so afterwards, we dove in to this bad boy:

(Yes, I will be updating my weight loss blog on the mad crazy effects of birthday cake and how it can veer you uncontrollably off course with reckless abandon. The title of that post will be Birthday cake is from the devil.)

Sophia loved it. She has such a great class of little girls. They are all really good girls. I almost wish she could have the same class all the way through grade school.

After the party, we went to my parents' house to pick up Sam and to let Sophia open the presents from Grammy and Poppy. This was the big winner:

Yes, along with the webkinz, we are officially American Girl obsessed.

Overall, the weekend was a hit. We are all on the mend - no more strep throat. We're all almost done with our antibiotics. Sam is sleeping like a champ again (this morning he slept til 6:15!). We're back to normal. Thank God for my mom this weekend. She came up on Friday when I was feeling horrible. By the time she got there, I actually felt a little better, but it was so nice to be able to rest. (Thank you Mommy!) This shot is for her:

(Notice the onesie?) Sam is officially huge. He weighs almost 18 pounds and is really long. Everyone comments on how big he is. I love it. I love that he's solid! He absolutely makes us so happy. He LOVES to watch Ethan and Sophia play - and he really officially out loud laughs now. :) (Who can resist that sound - seriously!) The other cool thing about Sam is that he sucks his thumb. He has since we were in the hospital, but it's getting more pronounced now. I'm okay with it, honestly, I think it's adorable. :) (Don't tell me it'll ruin his teeth - can't it just be cute for now?)

Here's another one just because I love it:

And while I was taking these, Ethan was behind me making him smile. Of course, he needed to get in on the fun, so here he is in like, the most un-scrappable photo ever unless it's converted to black and white - I mean, look at  the colors and patterns on these clothes and blanket! lol He's hanging upside down on the beanbag here:

today was (finally) a good day for Ethan. I think with things going back to normal and Sophia going back to school, he was able to relax a little. He's been hard lately.

Anyway, I've got to run make bottles and veg out on the couch for a half an hour before that final feeding.

Have a great week!

Comments

[Shaun]

Courtney, please tell Sophia "HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA!" She is so beautiful and I love your list. Sam is too cute and Ethan reminds me so much of my middle one who is now 11. Don't worry about the thumb. Patrick sucked his two fingers until he was 4, Vinny sucked her thumb until she was 4 and Mitchell sucked his thumb until he was almost 6. They all have beautiful teeth!
Love ya!

[Cyndi Hoehn]

Unfortunately my son Peyton will be 9 in a month and is STILL sucking his thumb. I, too, thought it was adorable and now it's a problem. I'm fairly certain that he'll never stop!!!!! I know that most kid's (like Shaun's) stop by 4ish.

Your three are all absolutely adorable! Sophia's birthday outfit is totally cute - happy birthday to her!

Glad things are getting back to "normal" for all of you. Have a good week!

[Jill]

Sophia is simply beautiful! So happy to hear you had such a great weekend...you deserved it!

Thumb sucking...they can do it without it messing with their teeth. My sister has perfect teeth no braces or anything and in her deepest sleep still sucks it (shhhh don't tell).

[Sarah]

All of your children are so precious! Sophia is so pretty. I love that she is into American Girl stuff. I think it is so sweet!

Little Sam is a big boy! My little Mallory is 9 months tomorrow and not even 17 lbs., still in newborn shoes and 3-6 month clothes. I love that she's petite, but I love chubby babies!

You are so blessed! I am glad your kiddos are feeling better. I have been praying for your family!

[Jeanne]

I always love reading your blog. Only another mom smiles at all the comments about children. Sophia is so beautiful. Madolyn also LOVES American Girl dolls. I also love that she wants to read the books. My Benjamin is solid like Sam. All your children are precious. Don't you feel so honored that the Lord blessed you with them!!

[Kristi M.]

You have the sweetest kids, Courtney! I am sure they have their moments as all kids do, but especially hearing what you write about them here in this blog makes me want to give each of them a big hug. :) Sophia and my Dad share a birthday as his is the 31st as well. My "baby" just turned 15 on the 26th, so March is a big birthday month for us. Off topic, but I commented a while back about the State Quarter map and you asked about where to get them and I apologize for never getting back to you, but here is a site where you can order them. http://www.coinmapusa.com/
The ones they have here aren't exactly like what my boys and I have, but close enough. Happy Quarter collecting!

[LisaTO]

Sophia is the real doll in these photos. She's so cute and you're little guy is getting to be a big now isn't he? They all grow up way too fast-good thing for scrapbooking-lol.