Let's not forget this one...

So, in my once a month blogging, which is the letters I have been writing to Tanner on his monthly birthday, I have realized something....that although I LOVE writing these letters to Tanner, that's all I have been writing. I have not been writing about another special someone who also fills my life with so much joy. That's right, my firstborn, Sophie. So this post is dedicated to my girl :)

Sophie just amazes me everyday. I look at her and see a big girl, no more toddler, no glimpse of the "little girl" who was just in our lives. I get so sentimental when I think of how fast time has flown by and here she is, almost 4 years old and growing by leaps and bounds.

She is such a creative and imaginative little thing. Playing "family", or "animals" for hours. Creating little things, hoarding little items in her purses, or playing school. I love watching her! She is so into dress-up, and from the moment she wakes up till the moment she goes to sleep, she is wanting to wear one of her princess dresses, (AKA, Mommy's old frilly dresses from when she was younger.)

Sophie also amazes me with her learning. She knows all her letters and sounds, and even has started to sound out words and figure them out. When she "gets" a word by sounding it out, she jumps up and down and shrieks excitedly, "I am reading! I am reading!" So precious.

Sophie made a very important decision last Sunday night. At the dinner table, we were talking about where Jesus lived, and Sophie said "in heaven." I said that one day she could ask him into her heart, just like Mommy and Daddy have done. This is something we talk about a lot. A little while later she came up to me and told me "Mommy, I want to pray and ask Jesus into my heart." That night, when Daddy got home, we were talking with her about what that really meant. We were astonished at her simple faith and her understanding of that. After she prayed a really sweet prayer, she had a "praying song" she wanted to sing. She made us close our eyes and then proceeded to sing to Jesus about how much she loves him, how he is her hope and her strength. Let me just tell you, my tears were flowing. Her heart is so soft and open to Jesus and makes me so happy to see her experiencing him in her own way.

She is almost done her first year at preschool, where she has made some neat little friends. She is SO black and white and tells us daily which kids had to have a time-out and what they were doing. I think she'll be one of those kids that will always want to please the teacher!

So this is our little Sophie, growing so big, right before our eyes.

9 months old

Dear Tanner,

I am writing your 9 month letter while you are napping, since when you are awake, I have lovingly named you "Tanner the tornado". You are 100% boy...busy, busy, busy!! If there is something to knock over, you will knock it over. If there is something to bang, you will bang it. If there is something to dump, you will dump it. It is so funny to see the look of determination on your face when you get something in your sights. You are OBSESSED with the tv/DVD/stereo, and it's amazing that already at 9 months old, we can see your little "will" coming out. You look at us with your adorable smile and then proceed, for the 17th time, to go and bang on the TV. You definitely are keeping us on our toes!!

You started fully sleeping through the night this month, hallelujah! You usually go to bed at around 7:30, and sleep till 7-7:30. Every once in awhile you still may wake up in the night, but those nights are hit and miss now. You take 2 good naps a day, and settle easily with your "soo soo" and blankie after around 3+ hrs of being awake.

We are starting to see a little "temper" in you if we don't move fast enough for your liking. When you are hungry, we better have the food ready RIGHT THEN or you get very mad. You have been eating a TON lately. Mostly baby food, but you've also started eating cheerios, veggie puffs, and pieces of bread. You love trying to pick up the little pieces, although you still have a hard time actually getting those little pieces into your mouth.

You have started to balance standing on your own for a few seconds at a time...it scares mommy as she is NOT ready for a walker. You keep trying to find your balance when standing against something, and slowly taking your hands off. You just want to grow up so fast! You are not interested in your baby toys at all anymore, but can spend soooo long with Sophie's toy kitchen, pulling out the drawers, playing with the food, and banging the pots and pans. Time to pack up the baby toys :(

You are still a mama's boy and definitely need your mama. When I walk into a room and you see me, I love seeing your little face light up. You are my precious boy and everyday I thank God for the miracle of you in my life.

Love, Mommy