Sophia's Day in Central Park

Since we have spent the last few weekends trying to get settled into our new apartment, we decided to treat you to something special today. We went to swim class in the morning like we normally do on Saturday mornings. In the afternoon, we ventured into the city to take you to a huge playground in Central Park.
On the subway you fell asleep, so we had to take a detour especially since it started to rain - Daddy and I grabbed a snack from Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center and sat in the lounge area waiting for you to finish your nap. About an hour later, you woke up and we walked to the playground at Central Park. Here you are pointing at some squirrels or birds - we couldn't quite figure out what you were saying.
There was an airplane flying overhead so Daddy pointed to it and you said 'AIRPLANE' - what a smart baby!
Over the summer, we took you to this same playground and there was water running along the aisles. Today it was dry. You showed Daddy where to go.
Then Daddy took you to the top of the rock for a bird's eye view of the playground.
Next we headed to the swings. You could stay on the swings for hours and hours. You love to say 'WHHHEEEE' whenever we push you.
After an hour of running around the park and playing on the swings, we treated you to a ride on the carousel. Daddy went on the horse with you - good thing he did because the horse went up and down and the carousel spun around quite fast.

After the park, we were hungry so we decided to head down to Koreatown for dinner at Won Jo. The staff kept staring at you while you were eating bites of spinach, tofu, rice, and kalbi. What a fun day for Sophia!

Driving

Today we drove up to the Upper West Side for a baby shower for Tameron and Todd Ricker who are expecting their first child in December. We had to rush around all morning from having breakfast to swim class to getting ready for the party. Instead of sitting in your carseat, you love climbing into the driver's seat and pretending to drive.

New Apartment

Here are some more shots of our new apartment. It's huge. We don't know how to fill it all up. Here's the living room. It's actually much wider than it looks which means it is huge lengthwise.


Here's the hallway on the other side of the apartment. That's your room down at the end. The office and room for the new baby (whenever she/he arrives) is to the left out of view and our room and bathroom and walk-in closet is on the left.


Here's your room. You get your own closet too.


And here's our walk-in closet. Mommy is very excited that we have some decent closet space now.


And here's even more closet space and our master bathroom on the right. So much space!

Rye BBQ

Today after swim class, we drove up to Rye for a BBQ at the Pagen's house. Katie is a friend from business school; Katie and Matt have a little girl named Cassidy who is two months younger than you. Kristen and Bob Peck (also friends from b-school) and their two kids, Taylor (13 mos) and Connor (6 mos) were also at the BBQ. You had fun playing with Cassie and Taylor.

The kids snacked on goldfish while the adults feasted on steaks and sausages.
When the mosquitos and bees started to attack, we went back inside. Cassie and you continued to snack on chips/guacamole and carrots/hummus - While you dipped your chip into the guacamole, Cassie went for the wine bottle.
Cute family photos of the Peck family before they left.
Matt read Cassie and you a book - look at the cute little girls.
Then Cassie and you staked out a place to hang out on the stairwell while the adults chatted away.
We left around 5pm and drove back home to meet Daddy, Toshi and Nicole. Toshi was being silly and trying to hide in one of the tunnels. Silly Toshi!

Moving Next Door

Today is the 5-year anniversary of 9-11, the day when terrorists hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. On 9-11, the World Trade Center (two large skycrapers in Downtown Manhattan) crumbled to the ground and several thousand people died. The site is now known as Ground Zero, and the city is still in the process of rebuilding the area.

Today we hired movers to move the big stuff next door. It took four guys approximately four hours to finish - after all of our stuff was moved into the new apartment, it still looked empty. You love running around the new place - there is lots of room for you to push your stroller, scoot around on your mini-tricycle and rearrange the furniture. After we were done unpacking a few boxes, you climbed into one.
Here's another cute shot.
You also love to play with the telephone and pretend you're talking to Daddy or Grandma.
Daddy and I will be happy when we are all settled in - lots of boxes still to go!

Month 20 Stats

Month 20. You are getting old. And big. And heavy. You are learning a crazy amount of words each day. Your specialty right now is people's names. You know most of our friends and our family. And most of Elmo's friends as well. Elmo is still your favorite right now. You always say "Elmo" when I get home because you want to watch the DVD.


You know enough words right now that you could begin speaking in sentences but you still only use one words when you want to say something. I have a feeling you're pretty close to forming sentences. You are also quite social still. Very huggy and kissy with everyone. You are usually a little shy when you meet people, even if you know them. But after a few minutes you are showing off. You main show off move is to run. You run in a very funny way. I think you do it that way because it is more fun than normal running. And you can jump now which you hope impresses everyone. You are also very mischievous. You love to do things we tell you not to do and you laugh and smile when you do it.


You know all your colors too. Most days when you get up you start off by naming the color of everything around you. And Girlie is teaching you to become quite a good dancer. You like to spin and shake and shimmy. It's quite cute. As you can see you are also quite shaggy. Your hair is at an awkward stage but we try to use a barette to keep your hair back. For things like putting the barette in and cleaning your ears and changing your clothes you usually squirm like a dying bug when we try to do it. But when you're with Girlie you just lay there. When she cuts your nails you stick your hands out like you're getting a manicure. We can't figure it out.

US Open Tennis

Today we started to move our stuff into a larger apartment next door - we were supposed to move last year but there was a mix-up in the leasing office. We are thrilled to have more space - now you will have your own bedroom and we will have a home-office too. We will also have a much bigger living room which can be used for a TV area, play area and dining area too!

On Saturday morning, we went to swim class at the YMCA. Before we left, you ate breakfast while sitting in the laundry basket. How cute!
Then you had fun climbing into the empty boxes waiting to be filled.
After swim class, Mommy was exhausted and needed a power nap.
Later that afternoon, Girlie came over to watch you while Daddy and I moved our valuables and fragile items next door. Girlie does not usually come on the weekends, so you were a bit confused. She took you outside to play at the park while we were busy packing up the apartment.

At night, I took Daddy to the women's finals match of the US Open. Daddy is not much of a sports fan, but he agreed to watch a professional tennis match since he has never been to one. We watched Maria Sharapova beat Justine Henin-Hardine in two sets - we were in the nose-bleed seats at the top of the stadium but still had a decent view.
After the women's finals, we watched only the first game of the mixed doubles finals - Martina Navratilova (a tennis legend who has been on the professional circuit for over 30 years) played her final match. We left early since Girlie had to leave at midnight. We had a fun time, but now we have to continue moving tomorrow!

Tantrum

Today when I got home you were fine for most of the night. We played a little and I tried to show you more lower case letters (again no interest). And then around 8pm I asked if you wanted your milk and you went a little ballistic.


You know when you get your last milk that bed time is coming soon and you hate bed time. You stormed off to the front door, climbed into the stroller, and said "out!". I let you stew with you milk for a little while and took the time to clean up the apartment. You were still tantrummy around 8:25 but at that point I had to take you out and get you ready for bed. You calmed down a little when I made a cup of water with a straw for you. Then I took you into your room and held you for about 10 minutes to make sure you were calmed down. After that I put you into bed and you went fast asleep.


I think you are jetlagged still and also a little upset that mommy is not here. Well she's home tomorrow and you should be back on schedule too. So perhaps tomorrow we can tackle those lower case letters :)

Funny Things You Say

"I go to soccer game". This is always associated with running. This is from Dora the Explorer. She has to run to get to a soccer game her sister is playing in.

"bir. No no no. Bir-duh".

"Ca you me". You think this is one word meaning carry. If you want to be carried you say it. If you want to carry Caden you say it. You're trying to say "carry me" but you can't quite say 'r's or 'l's that well.

London Calling

Mommy took off to London today. We just got back from vacation and she's off again. Crazy. You apparently were very excited to see Girlie today. It's been a week since she has seen you.
We played a little on the bed and I tried to teach you lower case letters (you weren't too interested). Then I cut up the last of the cherries for you to eat that I bought this weekend.

You've been very 'huggy & kissy' this week. You want to give me and mommy and quite a few other people hugs and kisses all the time. It's quite cute.

After feeding you I put you down at 8:30 no problem. You looked very tired. That's all for tonight. Sleep tight.

Family Vacation - Part 2

After visiting the Koh's in Los Angeles we flew up to Minnesota by way of Dallas to see the Evans' in St. Paul. You and I both took a nap on the flight up. Luckily we were upgraded to first class. I think you were quite comfortable. Me not so much. I was afraid to move and disturb you.


You really grew a lot on this trip. For the first time we feel like we can have a conversation with you. You understand a lot of words and are starting to put them together into comprehension of sentences. You can't speak in sentences but you do understand them now. Along with that you have a lot more personality. That means more tantrums but also more laughter and inquisitiveness. You're like a real person now.

Everyone was so happy to see you. We spent some time at Granny's and Grandpa's house and Auntie Caroline's and Uncle Larry's house along with your two nephews Jonathan and James. Their last name is Best. We arrived late and headed to your grandparents (my parents) where we were sleeping. The Best's came over to see you. Here you are with the table you played with last time you were up at granny's and grandpa's. There's Jonathan. He has grown a lot. In fact grandpa mistook me for him on the last day because I had a baseball cap on.


Here's James. You two were peas in a pod. You were happy that someone had as much energy as you and he was happy because he is no longer the youngest and smallest member of the family. I asked you one morning if you wanted to see granny and you said no. I asked you if you wanted to see grandpa and you said no. I then asked if you wanted to see James and you said yes!


Here's a funny picture of you and Jonathan. You gave everyone hugs and kisses when the Best's came over to see you.


We slept over at granny's house after everyone had left. Every morning when you got up we would go upstairs to the kitchen and granny would put you in this blue chair and you would watch some television and have breakfast with the rest of us. You loved it because you rarely get to see television at our apartment.


You were dying to go out after eating so we took you to the park near the Best's house. Of course you were far ahead of everyone else. "Hurry up!"


They had a nice La-Z-Boy swing for you. And a normal one for daddy to act like a fool.


Here's daddy launching himself off the swing as you watch.


You are a little scared going down slides after you took a bad tumble in Dumbo a while back. But you don't mind going down with mommy or daddy.


You did a little excavating with granny too.


You also had a chance to get used to dogs. Their dog Charlie is very easy going. You are a little scared and yet interested in dogs. I think you are a little better with them now after you and I petted him for a while.


We took this shot to show all the different heights. Jonathan is a few inches shorter than I am. We'll see how big everyone is next year.


After that we went back to the Best's to play badminton. Here I am trying to psyche you out.


You worked up quite a thirst. Grandpa helped out with some water.


After that you were hungry. You had some Cheerios but had to compete with Charlie after you spilled the bowl.


After that we dropped you off with the grandparents (you cried a little) and we headed out to Midway Stadium with Larry, Jonathan, and James to see the St. Paul Saints (a AAA baseball league). Here's mom with Super Fan. He is kind of a cheerleader for the team. No one really goes to see the Saints. They go to see the entertainment like Super Fan.


Here I am with your nephews.


Here's Super Fan leading us in a cheer.


Woo Hoo!


Here's James and Uncle Larry who scored us the tickets.


The next day you played with Auntie Caroline in the sink. You love water.


Here's grandpa Gordon showing you the golf course behind their house.


You went out without me that day (I blew out my back and took it easy at home). You went back to the park and played in the sand.


And then proceeded to get all wet in the fountain the Best's have in the back yard.


On one of the last days we went to the Mill City Museum. Mill City is a nickname for Minneapolis. It used to be one of the largest milling cities in the world. If you have heard of General Mills or Pillsbury then you've heard of the names of the old milling companies. They eventually got out of milling and went into making products from mills like cereal and doughnuts. The museum is built right next to the ruins of an old mill. Unfortunately we forgot the good camera and had to buy a film camera (you might have to ask me what that is). So the pictures look a little vintage.

Here's an exhibit at the museum that shows you how the water from the river was used to transport wood and to drive the grinding mills. All you cared about is that it was water. You love water!


Most of the tour was in a huge elevator. They took us to different floors and there was a re-enactment of some part of the old mill on the floor (sorry no pictures). When we got to the very top we decided to relax a little.


And here's a nice view of the Mississippi River. The water was used to drive the grinding mills that turned the grains into flour.


Here's the view down below. The entire mill was taken out by the many fires it suffered after closing down. It's just a shell of a building now.


Here you are out walking in the ruins after the tour. This is the same place as the picture above. The fire that razed the building was so hot the I-beams are bent.


Here's a view of the Guthrie Theatre peaking out from behind the old grain silos.


Here it is. It's a new building for the play company. It used to be located the other side of town. But this building is much nicer. I just love the architecture. When a part of a building sticks out like that without any support below it's called a cantilever.


We decided that Jonathan had grown too much since we saw him last so we decided to shrink him. Mommy is showing her handy work here. He's very tiny now.


Here's a funny picture. It's a reflection of Jonathan, me, and Auntie Caroline, and James


And that was it. We flew back the next day. We had one day to relax at home before work started up on Tuesday. Which was good. We were all very exhausted from so much travel.