What a Day

We gathered together in our small conference room in the main office. There were maybe 10 of us. Each of us sat quietly, intently focused on the television. History was being made and we were witness to it all.  Not a breath or sound - just a single tear and smile from most in the room. It was as if the world stopped for a brief moment as we welcomed a new president into office.

I will never, ever forget this day. 

Reflection

It's hard to believe that it is already nearing the end of January. It feels like yesterday that we were heading to Michigan for Christmas. Life sure moves quickly, doesn't it? 

Many apologies for the lack of blog posting lately. Chris and I have been so busy with our jobs lately that our time in the evenings as a family has become increasingly precious. (I'll save our job craziness for another post.) Sofia finds a new way to make us laugh almost every day and she has caught onto her own antics. When she makes us laugh she'll walk away saying, "Sofia funny. Ha ha ha." 

Aside from her comedic abilities, Sofia has officially entered "Big Girl Status"! Yesterday she used her little mini-toilet not once but TWICE! We could not believe it! We clapped, praised and hugged and we could tell that Sofia was equally pleased with herself. She has clearly entered a phase of inner satisfaction. Hilarious! 

I have put a couple of slideshows from our Christmastime activities below. If they don't pop up on your screen, simply click on the space where the pictures should be showing up and a new window will open to play the show. 

Love to you all.  

Still Here

We're back in Denver, back at work and back into our routines. What's that mean??? There will be pictures and posts in the next few days and you can expect our regular dorky updates to catch up on all the missed blogging time. :) For now, this funny story will have to hold you over:

In the Greek language, Grandpa is pronounced Papou (pa-poo). Before heading to Michigan, Sofia and I worked on pronouncing everyone's names. She had them down pat! When we arrived to my Dad and Step-Mom's house, I pointed to Dad and asked, "Sofia, who is that over there?" She responded with a resounding, "Poo Poo!" This kid is nothing short of enthusiastic! :)

xoxo

Got Some Time?

A preview of our winter vacation...several showings of Sofia's new favorite movie: Tinkerbell. She especially likes to watch the movie wearing her fairy wings. :)

Thank HEAVEN for winter vacation! Last week, was so incredibly crazy for both Chris and I. Let's just put it this way: between my servers crashing at school and Chris's bid days, we were exhausted come Friday night. Despite the fatigue, Chris and I put on our holiday smiles and made an appearance...err, night out, at my school's holiday party. We were able to have a sitter come an watch Sofia and have a date night. It was a blast and such a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season. :) Now that we have some time off, I feel like I can make up for some of our lack of posting. In lieu of writing tons, I have put a few pictures and videos below. This should sum of the last few weeks of our lives.

Cookie time!

mmmmm. frosting.

Can't forget this spot!

He's bringin' sexy back. Yeah! All you sweater haters don't know how to act... (this year's ugly sweater contest winner at MYC)

The Many Faces of Little Missy

smooches at Chris's X-mas Party

Cheese! No seriously, pass the gouda.

Chris built us a beautiful new closet!

Sofia's A Genius!

Watch Out Travolta: THIS Is America's Next Best Dance Crew!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Yup.

I took Sofia to the doctor this afternoon. The diagnosis: ear infection. Let the season begin!

Normal

When Chris and I were dating, one of the things that I always loved about his courtship was his ability to surprise. He used to show up and surprise me in the strangest places...everywhere from the library at MSU to my house. Obviously, being married, it is a little hard to make an arrival unannounced. That is, until last Thursday night.


I had attended a Festival of Lights rehearsal at church and had just gotten Sofia into bed. It was about 9:30 and I was partaking in one of my SSB's (strictly single behaviors): standing in the corner of the kitchen, all lights out, typing on my computer. The phone rang - it was Chris.

Me: Hey!
C: Hey yourself.
Me: What are you up to?
C: Not much. Pretty bored, actually.
Idle chit chat followed.
C: Sigh. I need a hug.
Me: Yeah, me too.
C: Well, why don't you come down the stairs and give me one!
Me: WHAT?!?!?!?!

Chris was officially home! What a fun surprise! We stayed up late chatting, laughing and hugging. I felt like a school girl again. It was hilarious! Chris definitely earned some brownie points on that early, surprise arrival!


We had such a fun weekend to celebrate the end of Chris's project. On Friday, we met after work and picked up our Christmas tree. I met up with my girlfriends on Friday night to attend the Santa Fe Art Walk downtown (a really cool opening of galleries with wine, cheese, music - all free!) and have a late dinner. Chris enjoyed his Daddy-Sofia time and when I came home was snuggled in bed with her. They had both fallen asleep during storytime. So cute!


Saturday, we got up to decorate our Christmas tree and have some much needed family time. We played Christmas music all morning long and spirited up the house. So fun! Around 4, it was time to leave. Matt and Stacey offered to watch Sofia overnight so that we could attend Chris's company Christmas party and stay at the hotel where it was being hosted. It was the first time we had ever handed Sofia off for an entire night with dinner and breakfast being taken care of by someone else. We were nervous, but ready. :) The party was great! We, of course, forgot our camera, but managed to get one photo from my phone. As soon as we get more from friends, we'll be sure to post. We felt like such grown-ups, enjoying great food, great company and staying up late. Blackjack and poker followed the dinner party making it so we didn't make our way back to our room until 3 a.m.!

The next morning, we couldn't wait to see Sofia. We gathered our stuff and were out of hotel by 8:25. :) We picked up Sofia and had a nice, relaxing Sunday. She was such a doll all day: snuggly, calm, and loving. She even went to bed without a peep!


Those should have been clues...I am sitting at home with her now. Sofia woke up this morning with a temp of 1o1 and tugging at her ears. :( She has a doctor's appointment in just a few hours, so we should get all squared away. Poor baby!!


That's all for now. Long post, but definitely one of the best weekends we've had in months. We're so happy to have Chris home now. :) We will certainly cherish this holiday season in a whole new way.

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!

Just got a call from Chris: HE IS COMING HOME ON FRIDAY FOR GOOD! Aside from a day or two of wrap-up work in a week or so, his project in Gunnison is COMPLETE!

Not sure if you can tell, but I'm pretty FREAKING excited!

**On a side note, I was so excited when I wrote this last night that I spelled "hallelujah" wrong! Haha! I just changed it. :)

Doin' It And Done

Tonight, I read Sofia a story, said goodnight and walked out of her room at 7:59 p.m. She has been crying off and on for 56 minutes. I haven't gone into her room. I know she is safe, not hungry, wet, or poopy. She's simply mad. She is starting to get tired - there are longer breaks of silence in between cries. I wonder if she is going to fall asleep in her bed or somewhere else in her room.

Better day. Better night. Thanks so much for all the prayers and support today. I felt everyone's love.
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I went into her room at 9:00. 1 hour was long enough for me. I picked Sofia up, turned off all the lights and took her to the living room where we swayed to Diana Kroll's Christmas Album. Head on my shoulder, she was asleep by the end of the first song. She's a doll. ;)

Honesty

Today was a hard day. Tonight was a hard night. I miss my husband. Sofia misses her daddy.

I know that this time of Chris being gone is nearing to an end and that we are so fortunate for the many blessings that have come along with this promotion, but the end of this project just seems so far away. I have tried so hard to look at the postive side of things during these past two months. Tonight I just couldn't muster up the positivity. Sofia wouldn't fall asleep and after an hour of tossing and turning, getting up and getting down, and "Momma?" I finally got up and left the room. She cried, no screamed for 15 minutes. I opened her door. Sofia flew past me and ran straight to our bed pointing to where Chris usually sleeps and saying "Daaaaaaa-deeeeeee" over and over again in her tired cry. I picked her up, held her on our bed and cried too.