She's 2!

It's hard to believe our little girl is 2!! Well, she still has 2 more days until it's official, but tonight we celebrated her birthday with family.

Reading her birthday card
Admiring a new room set for her doll house

And checking out her birthday cake

Their First Night Together

It was getting to be that time. The time when Sophia needed to move into her big girl bed. The time that we needed to reclaim the crib to prepare for our newest member of the family. And so, the time came for Sophia & Jacob to share a room.

For months, we had been telling Sophia that the bottom of the bunk bed would soon be hers. And so, on Tuesday, we went out and bought her mattress, made the bed with her cute polka dot sheets and prepared for the smooth transition of big girl bed sleep and sharing a room with her big brother.

Are those of you with kids laughing at my naivete yet?

It started out well enough...although our first mistake was putting the 2 of them down at the same time. First came the whispering: "Are you enjoying your big girl bed, Sophia?" "Yes," came her reply.

Then full fledged talking: "Hey Sophia! Come up on my bunk and sleep with me!" "OK".

But I put my foot down and came up with a brilliant plan to stop the co-bed sharing. I walked in and with my sternest look, removed the ladder. "Haha! That'll do it!" I thought.

A couple moments passed.

"Mommy!" cried Jacob. Up the stairs I went. To my surprise, Sophia had managed to crawl up on top of her side rail and pull herself up onto Jacob's bunk. That little sneak! "I'll show them!" I thought. "I'll turn off the lights so they can't see what they're doing. Then they'll go to sleep for sure!"

Tears from Jacob started flowing (he's never liked sleeping in the dark). I thought for sure his tears would be contagious and we'd have 2 crying kids on my hands, but I underestimated Sophia. "Don't cry, Jacob!" came her sweet, reassuring voice. I heard movement. And then CLICK...the light turned on. UGH!

This went on a couple more times, and then my stern voice came out. "Both of you need to go to sleep now or you'll have to be separated!" I shut the door. Nothing. Silence. FINALLY!

"Mommy!" Good heavens! What now! I walked into their room...turned on the light and low and behold, in her last stance of protest, Sophia had removed her diaper, but not the smirk on her face that seemed to say, "I'm not going down without a fight!"

Let's just say that the battle raged on for 2 hours...until I think they just decided to give me a break. My advice to anyone thinking about having your kids share a room? Don't! And if it can't be helped...at least plan far enough in advance to put them down at different times...at least for their first night together.

Her First Nap

Sophia's first nap in her big girl bed!

Our Little Hambone

Per-Bohl III

This weekend was the 3rd Annual Per-Bohl. Our friends, Steve & Genna, joined us up in Grand Rapids for a weekend at the lake. We got to enjoy a boatride, courtesy of Sophia... ...some family time heading down to Zorbaz...

...and hanging with the guys (Willi joined us this year too)...

Grandma Mozelle

Every year, my Grandma comes from California for a visit. She's extra special to me because I'm her name-sake. I was born on her birthday. When my parents realized we shared the same special day, they gave me her name as my middle name...Mozelle...a name I am honored to have. And so, when Sophia was born, I thought there was no better middle name to give her than the one her Great-Grandma & I share.

We got to spend a couple days up at the cabin with her this last week and then had a full-family dinner with her back at home. I loved watching Jacob & Sophia connect with her. And they won't stop asking when she's coming back to see them! We love you, Grandma!

So Inappropriate!

While up at the cabin this weekend, Jacob announced that he had to go #2. A couple minutes later, I barged into the bathroom to put away some clean towels.

"MOMMY! I'm going to the bathroom and don't appreciate it when people are in here with me!"
"You're right, Jacob. I don't like to go to the bathroom when other people are around either. Sorry!"

As I was walking out the door, I turned around and blew him a kiss...couldn't help it. (You know you're a mom when you can't resist the urge to kiss your kid when he's answering the call of nature!).

Jacob's response? "Ugh! Mommy! That's so inappropriate. I'm POOPING!"

4th of July

Happy 4th, Everyone! It's hard to believe we're already into July...this summer has gone so fast so far. This past week we spent up in Grand Rapids and what a beautiful week we had! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for playing in the water and watching fireworks. With 14 adults, 4 kids, 2 dogs & 2 cats, the cabin was full!!! But we had a great time! We hope your 4th was just as wonderful! Sophia at the beach
Getting ready for the 4th of July parade

Cheering on the floats
The cousins' float in the Walker Parade
Jacob enjoyed spraying the crowd

Grandma & Jacob...waiting for the fireworks
Chad with Sophia, Andrew & Brenna
Jacob & Daddy snuggling
Happy 4th Everyone!