New Shirt

Auntie Kerry gave Ethan a special new shirt so that he too had a gift to open on Sophie's Birthday. I am not sure if Ethan is tired in this pic, or if I just caught him at an awkward pose?

more cake pics

Here are a couple more pictures from my mom of Sophie and her cake.

Big Brother is there to lead the way...

Ethan is right there next to his sister, trying to help her. I like to think of this pic, of him passing down his advice on how to eat the cake!!

Sophia's Birthday Dress

I love this dress. This was her special dress for her first birthday. I will keep it forever, I hope that one day she will pass it on to her children.

Poor Ethan...

As soon as he gets it built... here comes demolition. He works forever with the tongue hanging out to get all the pieces together for his trains to ride on the tracks, and no sooner here she comes to take it apart. He yells "walk away Sophia". This is a term he hears at school to help separate those that need some space (obviously he hears it quite frequently). He really is a great big brother, because as soon as I tell him that she is little and doesn't know how to play with his toys, he moves on to something else.

Getting Closer...

Since Grammy bought these spiffy walking shoes, Sophia is standing up more. She is using the walls and furniture to get around. The second pic is a little blurry because she was standing all by herself, so I was not even in focus when I snapped it. She is getting close.

some candid shots...

Nickolas is here with his brother Trevor, along with Ethan eating birthday cake. Trevor was having fun taking his own photos with a little help from his Dad, and Reagan loved the balloons. Edie and Helena are having fun in the playroom.

Good Hot Dog Aubrey???

That must have been some hot dog Aubrey!!!

Time for Presents

Sophie received some great gifts!! Thank you to everyone. I know that she will get great use out of the clothes, hours of enjoyment from her toys, and countless hours of sleep with her new blankies!!

Ethan was also surprised...

The story goes like this... last night Kerry came down and baby-sat for Brian and I. While she was here she decorated the playroom for Krys's graduation. Ethan of course saw all the balloons and glitter and sat on the stairs ready to pout. He was wondering where his party was. He has been to so many birthday parties that it is hard for him to wait for his own party. So afraid that he would burst into some uncontrollable tears, she told him that this was HIS party!!

5:13am Ethan wakes up... My party is downstairs he tells me. I try to tell him that it is too early and everyone is still sleeping. Meanwhile, I am trying to drill into him, that it is Sophie's party, but that he can help her, and have cake. Where are the "Backyards"? (he is having a Backyardigans theme party) Again, I try to tell him that it is Sophie's party... pick your battles right, I tell myself. I just have to go with the flow, I explained again that it is too early and go back to Na-nights... He looks at me, and tells me "it's not dark anymore"... what do you say... sometimes I am speechless.

Knowing that this would be hard for him, Brian and I picked him up a couple of his favorite things for being such a great big brother!!! (Along with Auntie Kerry and Auntie Joy. Aunt Suzie had the right idea and bought a gift they both could use!!) Good thinking!!!

Fred and the Birthday Girl...

Fred is a softy when it comes to the babies... Another rare shot of Fred and Sophie... This is Sophie in her pretty pink birthday dress.