A Whole Bunch of First!!

Where does the time go? We've been home for two weeks already. It's now time to go back to normal everyday living........NOT! I am now back at the Motel, but it's nothing like it was before. There is routine, every minute is completely used.

When we arrive it's the first bottle of the day. She'll take that in the playpen while I get housekeeping's stuff together, then it's floor time, followed by breakfast, then maybe a little walker time before our morning nap. That's when mommy gets her work done! And it's hurry up, get it all in before Lunch! But really Sophie is very good. Even when teething, she's a little cranky, but come on, we're not using anything other than tethers to chew on for the pain. She's a real trooper!

This week we had a lot of firsts. Her first visit to the Park and Zoo. And she could have cared less about the animals, but really enjoyed watching the kids play at the first birthday party she's been invited to in the States. At the same time this was her first time in the stroller without screaming. I think the kids and cheerios helped out on that one.
Sophie also received her first invite to dinner. Elaine fixed a kind of Thanksgiving type dinner. And we have sooo much to be thankful for! She of course loves mash potatoes, but she was really into the stuffing too! As you can see, she was the guest of honor and was loving it!
Sunday was our first day back to Church. Sophie LOVED worship service. She was very vocal that morning. After worship we went back to the nursery. She's still taking those morning naps and well some of you know that she does not like to be rocked to sleep, by noon she was not a happy baby. She wanted her nap. It felt really good to be back in the Lord's House.

After church she slept for a couple of hours , then we got outside a little. The dogs really enjoyed that. They are doing fairly well adjusting to Sophie. The are not getting the same attention as before, but when Sophie and I go in the back for bath time, daddy lets them in and they get some one on one. And after Sophie goes down, moma gets to spend a little time with them before they go upstairs to their new room. They don't really seem to be interested in Sophie one way or the other, but they're not really around her much either. Chloe and Sampson stay home during the week and Razz goes with Sophie and me.
Everyday seems to go by too fast. We are both really loving being parents. I can't imagine life without our little Sophie.

Nana giving her her first taste of Chocolate Cake!
Her first pony ride! Her first swing. (which she loves)

Empty Promises

As I am enjoying this new found motherhood, I am very concerned in the direction this country is going. What will my daughter grow up around? What kind of unnecessary topics will we have to discuss when she is way too young to even think about such things. Alot of people comment on how lucky she is to now be in the United States. Is she? Really? In ten years from now how much freedom will she have? As a Christian will she be able to pray in a restaurant? Wear a Jesus Rocks t-shirt in the mall? It seems our rights are slowly being taking away as we might offend someone. And I am so tired of all these empty promises these candidates make every time elections come around. Do I look like I was born yesterday? Smooth talk doesn't work on me. Your voting record, however, does! I am not impressed by either of our choices this election, but most of you know me and that I would never vote for anyone who is pro choice, that is my biggest conviction with candidates. And I will not waiver for the sake of the economy, health care or any other issue. If both candidates were pro life, well maybe we'd have a debate, but this year with the other issue on the table, well I just can not bring myself to vote for someone who seems to have so many ties to the word Terrorist. His Muslim outreach point man sought support from terrorist supporters, his friendship with Bill Ayers, even Israel is very concerned about this election! If anyone is undecided, or concerned check out www.onenewsnow.com for Christian News and articles reporting the things that mainstream media doesn't seem to pickup!

And let me add that I am proud to be an American. So please don't flame me. These are my convictions, my thoughts that as of now, I still have the right to express. I am grateful to our Military who leave their families, miss holidays and birthdays to fight for this country and our freedoms, my prayers are with them.

Pinch Me!!

It's amazing to just watch her sleep. She's like a doll baby, but real. She's adjusting more each day. Last Wednesday we finally got her nights and days straighted out. She didn't sleep all night, but most of it. Well this weekend she started sleeping all night, she'll wake up around 6:oo am and play in the crib for another hour!! I think she's starting to realize that this is home. Yesterday she finally got in her walker and played while I got some cleaning done. She's starting to explore some too. She'll take off behind the recliner and she loves to crawl under the end tables, she thinks that's so cool. She's still belly crawling. But now that she's getting a little more floor time and she's not scared to leave my sight maybe she'll get up on all fours soon. She's such a little stinker and loves food! I have no problem finding something she likes. So far since home the only thing she has made a face at is rice!!! Kinda ironic, huh. That ready smile she has just wins everyone over. Here's some pics of the last couple of days.

Sweet Home Carolina

Sorry it took so long.....we got home and no Internet. I just found the time and energy to fix it today!

What a homecoming! We arrived home at 2:00am Sunday morning. Even though we were exhausted, the adrenaline from just seeing home kept us going another 12 plus hours, in addition to the fact that we were still on China time! I can't put in words how wonderful it was to come home to a clean house, food in the frig, this crowd thought of everything. They shampooed the carpets, washed the dogs, my truck was cleaned out, I'm leaving soooo much out. It was amazing. Thank you guys sooo much!!!!

Sophie is adjusting well. She slept through the night last night and needless to say, moma felt like a brand new person this morning. She's eating good and had her first mash potatoes this evening. This is an unbelievable feeling. She doesn't want me out of her sight and it can be very tiring and at the same time, I love being the one that she wants. The one that can stop the crying and can tell by her tone and body language what she wants. It's awesome!