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.