Halloween and Misc. Updates

Hello! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but I'm a very busy little girl. As you can see I was an adorable little butterfly for Halloween and it was so much fun. I went to a Halloween parade the night before Halloween then a party on Halloween morning and trick or treating at night. I wasn't too interested in the candy, but I liked putting things in my little pumpkin. I'm getting pretty good at using a spoon to eat as well. Sometimes I use a fork, but mostly a spoon. I still make a mess of myself but not too bad.

The weekend before Halloween I was in Tucson, AZ for a wedding and we got to stay at a ranch. I got to see all the horses up close and it was awesome! I wasn't too sure at first, but I was kind of warming up to them after a while.

Tomorrow I start swim lessons again and I'm really looking forward to that as I love being in the water.

Fall is here

There is always time to stop and smell the flowers!

Mom and I had a good time playing in the sunshine today, enjoying the nice fall weather before it gets too cold. As you can see I also had peanut butter for the first time and it's so yummy!

16 Months!

Today I am 16 months old! I am getting to be such a big girl and mom and dad are feeling a little sad about that. Everyday I am picking up on something new and I'm a pretty smart little cookie. Today I also started calling mama when I want something and mom thinks it's the cutest thing ever. Check out my new purse, isn't it adorable? As you can see I am a girl who is all about the accessories!

I am getting to be a big girl!

Yes, I am now starting to learn how to use a spoon and fork while eating . . . I don't always get the food in my mouth, but I am having fun trying anyway. I don't do too bad though and am quickly getting the hang of using utensils. . .
I know that it's been a while since I've posted, but it's busy being a toddler you know. I am running all over and just having a grand old time. Last weekend I went to Corning, NY with mom, dad and grand mom. (mom and dad went to a wedding and I got to hang out with grand mom) We had such a great weekend though. . . I got to go wine tasting, hiking, glass blowing and all kinds of fun things.

15 Months Old!

I just wanted to let everyone know that today I am 15 months old and doing great! I love walking and getting into trouble, my new favorite thing is to climb the stairs and boy is that keeping mom and dad on their toes. I am learning new things everyday, like where my belly is and where my tongue is and "how big is Sonja", just to name a few. Being a toddler sure is fun!

Success!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I had the procedure done at AI DuPont today where the coil was placed in my heart to take care of my PDA.

We were at DuPont at 6am this morning and I got taken in for the procedure at about 9:20am. It lasted about 2 hours and went really well, then I slept it off for about 3 hours. After that I had to wait another 3, without putting too much stress on my leg (try and hold me down!) I came out of the anesthesia with a smile on my face and was ready to go at the 4 ½ hour mark. After the 6 hours recovery were up I got to get out of Dodge.

Thanks to everyone for all of their good thoughts, well wishes and prayers.

Beach Day

Yesterday mom and I went to the beach with Aunt Renee, Uncle Mark, Justin and Kelly. I really like going to the beach, we always have so much fun. I get to go int he ocean and play in the sand and mom takes me on rides on the boardwalk.

This past weekend was a lot of fun. Amy and Dave came all the way from CA to visit for the weekend and we had a great time. On Friday mom and dad took us on a tour of Philly and you know how much I love "skating" through the city, I even got to try a bite of my first cheese steak and it was yummy! Saturday we went to Batsto, which is an old town in the Pinelands. That was fun too, we got to see an old mill and see what the houses used to look like, etc. Unfortunately come Monday, you couldn't tell that it was even August, it was cold and rainy, but I still managed to look styling in my super cool rain coat.

Nike

On Monday mom took me to get my first pair of real shoes, how exciting for me. I got a super cool pair of Nike sneakers and I must say that I look styling in them. I wore them yesterday and there was just no stopping me, I was everywhere. I think that the shoes make all the difference, either that or it's just the power of the swoosh!

New York City

On Wednesday Mom, Dad and I went to NYC so dad could get his visa to go to India. It was fun because we got to take the train there and I liked that. We also walked around Central Park and down Madison Ave and through Time Square.

Yesterday I officially turned 14 months old and I'm doing more every day. I am walking up a storm now and getting into everything. I am a pretty good climber as well and like to see what I can get up onto.

Today we are going to Kris and Jack's to go swimming so I have to run and enjoy my day.

Making the mark

I have reached the 20lb. mark and am now able to ride facing front in the car. (here is a picture of my first front facing ride) I am much happier in the car now, it's nice to see what is going on!

My Weekend

This weekend was fun and action packed. I got to ride the big girl slide and I loved it! I am a pro now at pushing myself off and getting down on my own which is really cool. On Saturday we went to a birthday party and then to the Phillies game. It wasn't snowing this time, like it did at my first game, but it was a night game and I only lasted until the 4th inning. Our seats were next to the bull pen though and when dad took me to watch the guys in the pen, they threw me a ball so now I have my first baseball! On Sunday mom, dad and I went to the beach with Aunt Renee, Justin and Kelly. We didn't get to spend too much time on the beach because it started to thunder, it only lasted a short time and we didn't even get rained on. We walked on the boardwalk instead and still had a good time.

Sonja is walking!

On Saturday July 21st Sonja decided that she no longer wanted to crawl around on the dirty floor. She took about 4 or 5 shaky steps and crashed into me. Now she is crashing into everything in the house. Capturing it on video has proved elusive at the moment but I am sure she will have plenty more bruises soon to show off her efforts.

Beach Beauty

Here is a picture of me on the beach in Ocean City, NJ, having a grand old time. Mom took me to the beach a few times last week and I'm slowly getting used to it. At first I wasn't too sure about the sand, and I really didn't like getting it on my hands. I did have fun in the ocean though because I do so love the water. We spent some time on the beach playing and then I got to walk on the board walk and ride some rides. That was a lot of fun too and I can't wait until we go back again.

Nap Time

Yep, that's me, sleeping . . . . It was nap time and I was being a little fussy before I finally settled down so when it was nice and quiet mom came to check on me and this is what she found. . . .

Health Update

Just wanted to give everyone a little update in case you are interested. I went to see my heart doctor today to check on my heart murmur and yes, it's still there, the valve has not fully closed. Sometime within the next month I will make the trip to AI Dupont Children's Hospital in DE to have a little coil placed in my heart to close the valve. It's a simple procedure, they go in with a catheter and drop the coil in. I may have to spend one night there, we'll see when the time comes. Please don't worry about me though, I am in otherwise great health and am still my usual happy self.

Vacation

Last week mom and dad took me and Sage on a vacation to Maine with Aunt Jenny, Uncle Toby, Alex and Katya. I had such a great time and got to see and do so much! We went on a sailboat ride and I got to steer, yep, Captain Sonja, and let me tell you, I did a great job. We went to Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, my first time on the beach. I wasn't too sure about the sand though. Mom was afraid I would eat it, but I really didn't like even touching it. We took a scenic boat ride out to Frenchboro Island, watched the 4th of July parade in Bar Harbor, saw some great fireworks, went fishing and hiking. There was so much to do in such a short time, but what we did get to do was lots and lots of fun. I love vacations and can't wait until the next one!

Pool Side

As you can see, I just love the pool and being in the water. Mom picked up this little inflatable pool for me to have at home and I really love it. I had such a blast in it yesterday playing with my bucket and toys and splashing all around. I needed a little break though as you can see. The other picture is from Roberts Pool in Collingswood where we go for play group on Wednesday's. I have a blast there as well playing with all the other kids and being in the water. I hope that you are all staying cool.

Rocking Horse

This is the rocking horse that we had in my house as a kid. I dusted it off and Sonja seems to like it just fine. Refreshing to see that all kids toys don't need batteries to make them happy.

Giddy up! :D

I'm Healthy

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I went to the doctors today for my one year appointment and I did great. I weighed in at 18lbs. 7oz and am 26 3/4" long. I also had to have three shots, but I was a good girl about it and didn't cry for long.

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday was my 1st birthday!! Mom and Dad had a big party for me on Sunday afternoon and I got to celebrate with my family and friends. I got lots of cool new toys and some very pretty clothes. Mom made this whole cake just for me, but I wasn't quite sure what to do with it. I just kind of looked at it and touched it a little but I wasn't too interested in it. I did try a piece though and it was pretty yummy. I can't believe that a whole year has already gone by, the time is just flying. As you can see I am a happy and healthy baby who is just loving life!

Memorial Day Weekend

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday weekend. On Saturday morning mom took me to the Mayfair in Collingswood and that was fun to just walk around and check everything out. Saturday afternoon we went to a BBQ which was really nice too. Sunday we went to Aunt Kris and Uncle Jack's house and that was my favorite because I got to go swimming! As you can see I loved the pool and my new raft. I was just chilling and floating, kind of like I owned the place. On Monday dad finished my new super cool swing set and I absolutely love it, I have the coolest dad ever. I am going to want to swing every day now. Thanks dad!

Getting Around

Check out my cool new walker toy, isn't it great! Walking is my favroite thing to do and mom and dad are getting sore backs from bending over holding my hands all of the time so now I have this cool new toy to help me get around. I'm still figuring out exaclt how it works and the best way to use it, but it's still fun.

Swinging

Hi everyone, it's been a few weeks so I just wanted to let everyone know what I've been up to. As you can see by the picture, I love being on the swing and am having a blast! I still love my swim lessons and look forward to them every week. I am crawling all the time these days and walking while holding onto furniture and stuff. I am super quick and constantly keep mom and dad on their toes. My first birthday is fast approaching, too fast if you ask mom, but I think it's cool. See you soon . . . .

Swim Lessons

Here is a picture of me in my Shrimp Class at the YMCA. Mom takes me every Monday morning and I really love it! I have such a great time splashing and laughing in the water. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be a champion swimmer!

Please Touch Museum

This afternoon mom and dad took me to the Please Touch Museum and that was really cool. I could touch and play with anything that I wanted, the perfect place for kids! I can't wait to go back again when I am a little older and can really run around and play.

Ocean City, NJ

Mom and Dad took me to Ocean City, NJ yesterday for the day with our friends Lynne and Andy and it was a lot of fun. They had a big Spring Festival that we walked around and we got to go on the boardwalk, which was really cool. I also got to ride the carousel for the first time and that was the highlight of my day. It was so much fun and I absoutely loved it!

My First City Skate!

This morning mom and dad took me on my first official City Skate in Philadelphia and I had the best time! I was smiling the whole time and the faster we went, the more I would sing and talk and the faster I would kick my legs. I had such a great time and can't wait to do it again. The skate was about 12 miles but it seemed much longer to mom and dad, who did double the work by pushing me around!

What I've Been Up to Lately

I know that it's been a few weeks since I've made an update, but I've been pretty busy learning new things and enjoying the Spring weather that has finally hit Philadelphia.

I learned how it "hi five" and I'm getting pretty good at it if I must say so myself. Last week mom also taught me "give kisses" and I'm really good at that. It makes mom and dad smile everytime and they always give me really big hugs after they get kisses so I think it's really cool.

I am also getting pretty mobile pretty quickly so mom and dad had better Sonja proof the house soon! I am crawling a lot and I love pulling myself up on anything that I can and I have even stood completely on my own for about 5 seconds here and there so I will be walking on my own in no time. I love walking so I am really looking forward to that.

Yesterday mom and dad took me to the Philadelphia Zoo and it was lots and lots of fun. I got to see all kinds of animals which was pretty cool.

As you can see in the last picture, I am just chilling outside in the sun enjoying the nice weather.