A long break and rice cereal

School is out for Winter Break. That used to signal sleeping in for two weeks. Now it means spending time with Sofia and attempting to go back to the gym.
Sofia is eating rice cereal when she has the patience for it. Sometimes she will eat about 15 bites and doesn't want anything else to do with it. The video is a little long. It was also Christian's first time to use the new camera. It was also close to Sofia's bedtime and she was getting sleepy.

Christmas card photo shoot

Last Saturday and Sunday,our little Schick family had some firsts. Saturday night we left Sofia with Fran and Kat from next door to watch Harry Potter. That was the first time, other than daycare, Sofia was left in the care of someone other than family. The girls did a great job. Their dad was also next door the whole time. Sunday, we had our first family Christmas photo shoot with Alex from next door. I just realized we needed each of the neighbor kids this weekend. I am feeling very grateful Steve's kids are great. Alex is a wonderful photographer. He is the same neighbor who took my maternity photos. Originally I wanted to go to City Center, but Christian vetoed that idea. He suggested going to the Galleria. He changed his mind when I asked if he was going to go into the mall on a Sunday afternoon. We settled on the Water Wall. If you are ever in Houston you should check out the Water Wall by Williams Tower. It is a pretty cool free place to go. I am lucky we were able to get a good picture near Water Wall area. I wasn't able to use any of the ones from next to the Wall. Oh well....maybe next year.

Here are some outtakes.



A face I have never seen before on Sofia. Plus do you see the flip flops? I couldn't believe it!!!




It was chilly when the wind blew the water on our backs.


Hand in mouth. Mom remove. Repeat.


I don't know what was on the ground that was so fascinating.


It may appear as if Christian was pulling me back. He wasn't. I was attempting to get my hair out of my face as he tried to put his arm around me. No violence happening.

Thanksgiving week

I had the week off of work but I can't say I got much accomplished. I am more behind than ever. My hats off to those who can juggle a new baby, work, laundry, a tidy house and still have friends.

Some big news...Sofia has pierced ears! I couldn't hold off my sister, Mia, any longer. Sofia was more mad when it happened than anything else. I, of course, cried and cried. Some of my family and friends probably think I am horrible for letting my daughter's ears get pierced at such a young age. I could take offense but it is probably one of the few Asian things I do. Also, Christian is Venezuelan and they pierce ears when the baby girl is days old. So you can think bad things about me,but I think I did pretty well waiting till she was 5 months (according to the week calendar).
Sofia is also teething. Poor thing is fussy,fussy. I finally bought Baby Orajel. It helps her immediately. I was amazed the first time I used it. She was crying and fussing and I rubbed the dosage on her gum..Poof..no more crying.
This week Sofia also had her first stay the night visitors. My dear friends, Shy and Jonathan with their kiddies, came to visit. They were in Texas to visit Momo and Papa. I was able to see Shy, Jonathan and Oliver at night. It was my first time to meet Oliver. He is so cute and sweet. He never fussed! Sofia, on the other hand was showing him how to be a fussy baby.
Even though I did not get a lot accomplished I had a great week.


Our first Thanksgiving photo. Not a great picture but it is as good as it was going to get.


Christian, Sofia, and Susie (Christian's godmother)


Shy and I with our babies.


Sofia and Oliver chillin' out.

Been a long time

I haven't posted in a long time. I am going to try to do better about posting. I plan on working on my December daily this week. I hope to have it done for December 1st.
Sofia is growin and growing. Chewy has recently been fascinated with her hair. He comes up behind her and licks her head where her hair sticks straight up. It is kind of funny to watch. She always has a shocked look on her face with his first lick. He usually can only get two or three licks in before Christian and I are pushing him away. Check back later in the week for some other big things Sofia has done in November.

Carlie and Sofia hanging out by the school library teepee.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Christian and I have never gone to a pumpkin patch. I don't know about him, but I cannot recall going to one as a child. This year we have been twice. Once last weekend and then again on Friday night. We bought small pumpkins each time since it supported youth mission trips for a church.
On Friday we went with our friends the Mareks. Their daughter and Sofia are only 3 months apart. Crystal (mom) and I have decided the girls are going to be best friends. We also decided that we would sometimes dress them alike. I'm sure the girls are going to love us when they get older and we take out these photos.





Christian and Sofia








We think this is her "stop bothering me" face.



At the patch with Carlie

Sloanie B.

Last weekend my brother decided to get on a flight with my niece, Sloan. They left poor Millar Claire behind with my sister-in-law. I was very glad they were able to find two stand by seats on a flight to Houston. We had the best time with Sloan. She, Amy, and Caitlin played all day. For dinner, my dad grilled burgers and brats at my house. Christian's parents and Mimaw Barbara were able to join us for the crazy Brennan get together. I'm glad Sloan was able to finally meet her newest cousin and spend some time with cousins she hasn't seen since my wedding. Although, I don't think I should even count my wedding since she was only 3 months old at the time.




Rich and Sofia at Jasmine Cafe




Papa's girls *Sloan was tired!



Playing with Caitlin and Amy's Bratz dolls



Caitlin and Sofia by the fish tank. Sofia loves watching the fish at my sister's house.



Amy and Sloan with their bowls of ice cream.



Sloan and Sofia

A great way to start the weekend

As I stated in the last post, I was looking forward to today when I would get the chance to see Sofia's first morning smile and watch her stretch. I didn't catch the smile on camera but I was able to catch her third stretch of the morning.

daycare and work

Sofia started going to daycare last week. The first day she went by herself I went with Christian to drop her off. Needless to say, I didn't even have the door shut to the room before the tears started rolling. I somehow calmed myself down until I got to the car. Luckily, my dear friend, Shy, told me to call her that morning. She too had dropped her little one off at daycare for the first time that day. She spoke sweet words to me as I cried. Christian and I feel blessed we are able to send Sofia to a nice daycare. Her two teachers are very kind and understanding. They take the time to speak to me each afternoon about Sofia and how she is adjusting. Christian forgot about picture day on Wednesday. Ms. K sent him back home to get the outfit. He dropped off her outfit on the hanger. Ms. K. and Ms. M. changed Sofia into the outfit for the picture and changed her back out afterwards. They even put it back on the hanger instead of folding it and putting it in her diaper bag. Maybe this is common but to this first time mom it makes me feel good.

This week I went back to work. Lucky for me, I don't drop Sofia off at daycare. I'm not sure I would make it to work on time each day if I did. I would probably stay on the mat holding her and speaking to the other babies.This week, looking forward to the weekend is taking on a whole new meaning. I look forward to watching Sofia wake up and perform her morning stretch. I have been jealous of Christian all week with the fact he gets to unswaddle her and watch her stretch each morning.
Adjusting to work has been interesting. I love my job. Before Sofia I would stay at work for very long hours. Christian never had to worry about where I was because 9 times out of 10 I was still at work. Leaving things left undone until the next day has given me some anxiety but I am coming to terms with it. Learning how to balance both work and family is going to take a bit more time. Coming to terms with the fact I can't be the little worker bee I was before Sofia is going to take a lot longer than I anticipated. This feeling of guilt about work is new to me.

Oprah-fy fun!

While Sofia is busy sleeping, sometimes instead of sleeping myself I surf the internet. I have my basic stops and at one of them, Spearmint Baby, I found Oprah-fy. I had to do it to Sofia. Farewell, Oprah!

Baptism

Sofia was baptised on September 5th at 3:30 pm.Sofia's godparents are Christian's sister Noelle and my cousin, Peter. They weren't able to attend the ceremony but we know they were thinking of Sofia. My dad and Christian's mom were the proxies.
As we were preparing for the baptism, I didn't think I would have such strong emotions during the ceremony. I sat through 2 classes thinking it wouldn't be a big deal. We would go, Sofia would get anointed, have holy water poured on her head and receive the light of Jesus. When I had to give her the sign of the cross after the deacon, I realized what a big deal having our daughter receive this sacrament meant to me. In my own goofy mind, I felt I was saying, "Here is the miracle you gave to Christian and me. Thank you."
Sofia was able to wear a 95 year old Brennan baptismal gown. My great-grandmother handmade it for my grandfather. My father and his sisters and brothers wore it. Sofia's godfather, Peter, also wore the gown. We didn't put her in the gown until we were at the church. When the ceremony and pictures were over we took the gown off.
Sofia started crying at the beginning of the ceremony. We quickly gave her a bottle and she fell asleep. She then stayed asleep in my arms for the rest of it. Our sweet girl even slept as holy water was poured on her head and when the deacon held her in a crazy position to take pictures. She finally woke up when we went to see all of our friends and family who came to witness. At home, I changed her into a beautiful white dress that had smocking along the collar and armbands. Little pearls were attached throughout the smocking. Sofia, of course, decided she would pee on it after Mia changed her diaper. Then Mia changed her into a cute white dress with purple rosettes. The only thing I forgot to do was take pictures of the house before all the food was gone and everything cleaned up. I took pictures of the pom poms and garland after all was said and done.



Sofia's baptismal gown


2nd dress




Papa with a white tie he borrowed from Matthew. The picture below explains the tie.







Christian's parents are on the left and his godparents, Susie and Peter Sellier, are on the right. Susie says they are Sofia's godgrandparents.


Sofia's family





I have been wanting to do something with pom poms for ages. I finally got my chance and I took it. I used Martha Stewart's kit to make it easier on myself. Christian's mom fluffed all of the balls for me while I hung them up.



I made a garland of Celtic crosses to hang on the mantle. Sofia received a Celtic cross to hang in her room from her godgrandparents and a celtic cross necklace from her godfather.


The leftover petits fours.



Sofia's favors. I put the crystals on a votive holder and placed a white candle in each one.

7, 8, 9...

Just a short post. Sofia and I have been busy getting on a schedule and preparing for her Baptism.



7 weeks



8 weeks




9 weeks





A conversation with Chewy.

Sofia and Ryan

Sofia and Ryan met last Saturday when Christie and Robert were in town for the Astros game. Christie sent me some pictures of their meeting. I had to share the photo below. At one point Ryan commented on her hands and how they were small. He says the sweetest things.



Two little hands touching.

6 weeks