Operation Big Girl Bed

So we are now 5 days into Sofia sleeping in her new big girl bed. I have to admit that after the first night we were a little worried that we had made a big mistake. After it taking nearly 3 hours AND a car ride to get her to sleep and then three night-time wakings we were dreading night number two.

Monday night was much better - only 45 minutes to get to sleep and one wake-up.

Tuesday night - 20 minutes and one wake up.

Wednesday night - 15 minutes and NO wake ups!

It has stayed the same since then!!

The funniest part about this entire experience took place on Thursday morning when I went into Sofia's room to wake her up to leave. When she didn't wake up at her usual time, I decided to just let her sleep and I would wisk her away when it was time to go. So the time came for me to grab her and I opened her door to find her sitting in the middle of her bed, light on, reading a story! She looked at me with an expression of, "What are you looking at, lady? I'm reading."

Can you say, Independent Woman?

Labor Day Family Time!

Today was the last day of the Stapleton pools being open so the Daniel Family took full advantage! In addition to Saturday, we packed up a lunch of sandwiches, raisins, crackers, grapes and juice and headed off to our brand new pool. Unfortunately it closed last week and we were sent the other direction to the Puddle Jumper pool. Still in bike riding distance, this pool is designed for little ones like our growing princess. There are many fountains and play features in and out of the pool to keep hold of the attention span of little ones. Right after lunch, we asked Sofia if she was ready for a nap and she replied with a new, very clear word "yes". So, both days I loaded her up in the bike chariot and took her for a ride. Both times she was out before I figured out which route I was going to take. Once back to the pool, this nap time allowed Mom and Daddio some nice quite time in the sun.

Anyone remember the song by Dave Mathew's Band "Don't Drink the Water"...

I will never get enough of these checks....

Sofia learning to kick, kick, kick...

Actually suprised how long the sun hat lasted. Its a bird, no it's a plane, no it Super Sofia.
What a yawn from a tired girl in her new bed.
Good night little sweetheart. Childhood innocence in it's purest form.
This bed was Meg's back at home in GR when she, and I mean as in Meghan alone, adopted Jack. He has been laying on this bed since we put it up last night.

Bye Bye Baby Days

Today, Chris and I had a dose of reality that our little baby girl is not quite a "baby" anymore. Aside from the constant mention of "poo poo" and pointing to her bum as an indication of toilet training in the near future, we were feeling fairly secure that our wee one was still, well, wee. The other night, however, we went to check on Sofia before falling asleep and realized that she looked HUGE in her crib. Was it time? Really? Time for the Big Girl Bed? So it was.

Before Sofia was born, we had used her room as guest room and had a queen sized bed in it. We decided that since we had this bed in storage it would be stupid to purchase a toddler/twin bed when we could simply put the queen bed back in the room AND now have a place for people to sleep when the come to visit. So, this morning, we headed off to Target on a decorating mission. We are quite pleased with our finds and the reusability of our crib! We screwed the two ends of the crib together to make a headboard. It turned out great! ...Sofia seemed to think so too. :)

We also had a dose of reality when we just looked at Sofia today. I pulled her hair back in a ponytail and she just looked so much older! Both Chris and I both had a moment of getting choked up today. Where has the time gone?



We also found this 90+ set of play food items by General Mills for $10. It even comes with minature boxes of hamburger helper, Cherrios, and Taco Kits. These are real boxes with ingredients, heath labels, and instructions! I can't wait for G-Pa to join us on a web chat and teach Sofia the average profit margin and best marketing methods for each item! If the peas go missing, I'll bet Sofia pulled an Aunt Lindsey and dumped them in the trash can!

Say what?

Me: Sofia, what did you do today?
Sofia: poo poo

Chris: Are you a big girl?
Sofia: poo poo

Hmm. Maybe it's time to think about toilet training.

Hangin' In

I feel like I need to put up that poster of the little kitty hanging on a wire with the caption under it that reads "Hang in there." Crap, I'm tired. It's 11:50 p.m. and I am just winding down to go to bed. My new job is going GREAT, there is just a ton to it and my learning curve is exponential. I feel like just when I have finished something, a new something pops up. Phew! I promise that we will give a full update with pictures, videos and details this weekend. For now, bed!

Until then...

Jonathan Michael Pennington

He is the man. Last August-ish sometime Penni and I bet which of our National Leauge MLB teams would go farther in the playoffs. I had the Rockies who were far far far out and Penni had the beloved but bumbling Cubbies. With a 21-22 run the Rockies won me the bet. Penni owed me a 6-pack of Kalamazoo's greatest micro brew (Bell's Oberon). Oddly enough, you can get this beer anywhere here in the micro brew capital of the world. After almost a year, the bet was finally paid off, with interest. Yes, he bought me Madden '09. The holy grail of video games. Thank you Penny for being the best man you always have been. So much for sleep tonight...Preppington Rocks!

So Sleepy

...but can't sleep. I hate that. It is almost 1 a.m. and my mind won't stop racing. I am so jealous of those people who can fall asleep whenever, wherever (eh hem, CHRIS!). Every night Chris and I get into bed, chit chat, laugh at something stupid the other person did during the day, get up to check on Sofia one last time, maybe watch a little tv and then hit the lights. Without fail, Chris is asleep in about 45 seconds FLAT. Me - not so much. Suddenly, when the lights go out around me, my brain decides it is time to begin solving the problems of the world. I'm hoping that a cure for cancer or how to obtain world peace will one day run its way across my little head.

It's never too late to hope...literally!

A New Olympic Event?

Sofia has become quite the master at puzzle putting-together. Just watch...

Game Time...almost

Today is preseason game #1 and we could not be more excited. Sofia's 18mo Bronco cheerleader outfit will last one more season. The last few weeks have been very, very busy for us so we are sorry for our blogging absence. My project's first phase of two is wrapping up as the teachers are back next week with the kido's coming back the following week. The last coats of paint are drying and and the classrooms look great. The teachers getting the four new classrooms sure are getting grief from the teachers without new furniture, new cabinets, new markerboards/tackboards, and large open ceilings. This soon will pass and all will be normal, fore sure (insert sarcasm).

Here are a few pictures of Sofia from her trip to MI last month. It was a hot and muggy typical July day in MI and Sofia's swimsuit just didn't quite make it on. The last picture is Maple's debut photo on Adventure's Out West. Maple is the McFalone's 7mo old golden retriever and is already as big as Layla.

Meghan has spent the last few weeks working furiously getting all the teacher's computers ready and updating software/hardware for the school. She has also been working with new contacts in the tech field that will be helping Meg with troubleshooting. Lastly, Meg has been updating and personalizing her new staff orientation and technology staff development for the upcoming year. She has the pre-semester jitters and stress related soreness, but is in good spirits for the new position. She has been brainstorming all summer on a video to open her first presentation to the entire staff. Here are the three videos she has created from a website which lets you subtitle "Bollywood" videos.

There She Blows!

Sofia has some kind of rockin' stomach virus that seems to be working its way through day care. We were up all night with Her Pukiness. She was such a champ through it all! Chris and I are splitting up the day today to take care of her because we are now both back at work. He's such a good dad! We'll keep you posted on how she does.