BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT Girls Don't Cry

Sophia dressed up as a very cute crime fighter for her first Halloween. You can't tell in the pics but the costume had a little cape with the pink bat emblem on it. Rob had to study and my Dad was in town again so a very proud Mom and Grandpa took Sophia to the ward Halloween Party to show her off.
Sophia's newest thing this week is learning how to laugh. It's been fun seeing her smiling face and hearing a long drawn out sound turn into a cute little giggle. We can't wait to get it on video.

Pretty in Nothing but Pink

I don't know why babies look so darn cute in their bath towels. I know I don't look this good coming out of the shower. Sophia is starting to enjoy her baths more. Wait untill she figures out it's a great place to play. That will be so much fun. I love the way she smells when she comes out of the bath and how soft her skin is. There's just nothing like a baby. Here's are cutie in her favorite towel.

Daddy Daughter Time

This is one of my favorite pictures because they are both smiling. Rob's smiles usually never show teeth. The only reason he's giving us a cheeser is because Sophia is trying to laugh and it just sounds so cute and funny.

Tag

I've been tagged, so here's six facts you may or may not know about me......

1. I LOVE being a MOTHER! I know I'm new to motherhood, but I love it already. I love caring for Sophia and watching her grow. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my days. There is a special bond between mothers and their children. It's amazing. I've dreamed of motherhood since I was a little girl. I've waited a long time to be blessed with Sophia. It was worth the wait! I LOVE her soooooooooo much!!!!! I hope I can be the kind of my mother that my mother was to me.
2. I'm a SURVIVOR! Yes, you heard me right, a cancer survivor. When I was 12 years old I battled a malignant ovarian germ cell tumor. Well with 3 operations, 3 rounds of chemotherapy and lots of fasting and prayers I was cured!!! Had a bald head, but was cured. I like to think bald is beautiful and so are hats. I had a lot of hats. My mother sewed them all for me. I had one to match every outfit.
3. I Love Shopping! What's better than a good day at the mall, or Target, or now with the Internet I can do some damage from right here at home. I know it can be dangerous on a Med Student budget, but I'm learning to be good :)
4. I never graduated from a University. The highest degree of education I have is an associates degree. I'm also licensed in Diagnostic X-ray and Radiation Therapy. I don't have a bachelors degree but if I needed to work to support my family I could and we could live comfortably.
5. I am the worst speller. So I apoligize for all spelling mistakes in my past and future blogging posts.
6. Where in the world is Val? I love to travel! Here are some of the places I've been :

• Hawaii
• Jamaica
• Guatemala
• France
• England
• Italy
• and my favorite United Arab Emirates (yes, the Middle East, it's amazing there!)

Now I believe I tag some other friends ....... Katrina and Nicole you're IT!!!!!!!

West Coast Treat

A couple of weekends ago (Oct. 13th, I know I'm a little behind in my blogging) my sister Stephanie and her family came to D.C. to visit and meet Sophia for the first time. When family visits it's always a treat!!! We enjoyed having them here so much. Stephanie and Bree, her 2 year old daughter, enjoyed holding Sophie and helping to feed her. It was fun to take them into the District and see all the sites and memorials. We hit the Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, Capitol, and White House. We also visited the Natural History Museum ( Bree loved seeing all the animals) and also the Air and Space Museum. The best part it was all free. We also walked around Georgetown and ate a really good brunch there. My sister couldn't believe how preppy everyone looked around there. Polo shirts with collars up and everyone all matchy matchy. Don't get her wrong, she likes a little J Crew, just not head to toe. I had to remind her we were on the east coast. We enjoyed hanging out and laughing about silly things like sisters do.
My father was lucky to have a business trip scheduled that week and got to come be with both of his granddaughters. He was able to hold them both, one in each arm. It was a special day.

Steph, Bree, and Jason at the Natural History Museum

Steph and I at the National Mall

(the Washington Monument in the background)

Auntie Stephie with Sophie

Bree feeding Sophie. Sooo Cute!!!!

Our Beautiful Sophia

Thanks to my friend Andrea (www.andreamariephoto.com) we have some wonderful photographs to remember Sophia as a precious little baby. Thanks again Andrea!

Shots Anyone?

Sophie's response was a big screaming no!!! So yesterday was her 2 month immunizations. Don't get me wrong, I'm a mother that completely believes in vaccines, but what an awful thing to watch your child go through. I brought Rob for moral support (for me) and really to hold her down if I couldn't. As I bravely held my daughter through each needle stick, I couldn't help but cry right along with her. All the hugs, kisses, and sweet words are not enough to take away that pain. Sophia did very well though and now we don't have to repeat this episode for another 2 months. She came home and slept for a while, then had a fussie period before bed. She surprised me though and did her normal night sleeping only getting up once for a feeding. We are very proud of her and LOVE her soooooooo much!!!

Sophie's Lunch Date

ShirlingtonSophie with Sheri
Denise hugging Sophie :)


Sophia had her very first lunch date last Friday. We headed over to Shirlington, (a cute little area with lots of restaurants and some shopping) and met up with a couple of my friends from work Denise and Sheri. They had not met Sophia yet so this was an exciting day. As you can see they loved her.

Two down, One to go!!!

They say that 2nd year, 1st semester is the hardest. Rob is managing to tackle this semester pretty well. He just finished a Pathology and Pharmacology exam and still has a microbiology test left. (that is for this first round of exams) He has been so busy studying. Even though he can't spend as much time as he would like with us, he reminds us that he loves us with his hugs and kisses.

Watching Sophie Grow

Over the past couple of weeks Sophia started smiling more and more. It's so much fun to see her happy little face. You just melt! She's also been talking for a little while now. We love to hear her stories, although a little hard to translate (ahhggg and cooo). She's also started noticing her hands. She'll find them and just stare very intently at her fist like she is investigating it. Way cute to watch. We love to see her growth and development. She is such a blessing in our lives :)!!!!