Color Me Mine Trip

Her first time with painting pottery!
She squeled "I'm painting"!!!!















Now she's painting littlle mermaid. She is getting into the Disney characters. Trouble!






























Her two masterpieces will be ready in a week.

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Bug Eyes

I found eyes at Hobby Lobby and she got creative with them!





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Lowes Trip

She thinks they are coined toy rides; called them trucks...and then said "Not working!" LOL

Super Water Babies

First day of Super Water Babies. Two teachers and only up to 4 toddlers. Minicoop is in the middle. They require the toddlers to wear two swim trunks since they are still potty training. She can swim under water for 5 seconds now.


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First gift for our baby boy

Currently, Minicoop2 is almost a full pound and about a foot long. I am at 24.5 weeks with 3.5 months to go!

I am currently on my last business trip. A couple of my coworkers surprised me with an early baby gift. It's very touching and seeing baby boy stuff is making me really excited to have a little man!


















































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Park Time!

After dinner we try to squeeze in park time a few days a week. It's our way to get fresh air, wear her down, be around lots of kids and dogs, and avoid watching TV!

For the swings, she wanted to sit backwards so she can face the same way as the older kids on the other swings. They were going fast so she wanted to go fast!















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Funny phrases of August 2010

"I'm tired.. take a nap" after she said this she plopped herself on the sofa.

"Humpty dumpty sat on the wall.. Humpty Dumpty Ouiee!"

"Mmm.. I like candies.." she was rewarded with a sucker after making it to the potty.

We asked her what her favorite ice cream flavor is ...response: "Pink" (Strawberry)

"I see you Daddy" She was watching Simon from the window as he was mowing the backyard.

"Carmine, stay down!" she was yelling at the cat.

I think the cutest is her nickname for herself "Sia".






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Indoor entertainment

During the blazin' hot Summer months of Dallas, we alternate malls and give Sophia exercise by hitting the play area.

She enjoys looking at the older kids as they swiftly job back and forth from animal to animal.

To get more exercise, at 2 yrs and 2 months, she does a really good job with walking on stairs and around the mall.

We frequent stuffed animal, book and toy shops. We don't make it a habit to buy things for her just because we are at the mall. Luckily she handles it okay when we give her the 5 minute browsing time warning. Sometimes when she asks about buying something ... I reply with the fact that the item is not for sale today so we can't buy it that day :)) knock on wood.. It's working thus far.

If we are in Frisco, TX, we usually end the trip with lunch and a carousel ride.

She knows to hand the coin to the gatekeeper and loves picking her own horse.












This horse was chosen since he had "polka dots" per Sophia.





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Funny words of the week and Vietnamese

These days when she is really pleased she would say... MmmmMMmm ..Niiiiice!
This usually happens after she gets to wear her favorite tops!

Just this past few weeks, when we ask for her opinion or to make a decision.. the response usually begins with "Uuumm" aka like she is saying to us "let me think about it"!!

Toddlers are definitely like tape recorders. Our conversations consist of both Vietnamese and English to Sophia.
When it is just Sophia and I, my goal is to try use Vietnamese only. This is really helping me retain my vocabulary and teach Sophia and Simon at the same time!!

Here was a Tom Thumb shopping cart with an LCD playing Mickey Mouse Club. It was a bear to manage so I don't think I will use it again!!
















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Saint Nicholas and Big Sister

Two years ago, Aunt Cindy and Uncle Toan gave Sophia an audio book. On each page, it recorded their voices as they read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

She has a drawer full of books which she loves to cycle through each day.

This evening, during bed time she said to me and Simon ... I want Saint Nicholas!!!

Wow! It's cool she remembers the books.

As we flipped through the pages, she looked at each of us and smiled while Cindy and Toan read to us.

Then.. "Dr Suess!"

She likes to tell us which page to start on as well. Very particular these days!

It will be hard for me two juggle two kids. I'm really enjoying all the time I can have with Simon and our baby girl.

On a daily basis she makes us laugh, smile, and hearts melt. It makes everything else in life so secondary and not such a high priority or big deal to worry about.

My due date for minicoop2 is early December. I am most anxious about how my baby girl will handle an introduction of another baby. Part of it is guilt, since I won't be able to give her the undivided attention that she's been receiving. Part of it is me.. my fear and doubts ... How can I even love another baby as much as I love Sophia?

I know change will be hard for all of us, but we are excited and feel very very fortunate to be giving Sophia a baby brother.



















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New Phrases

I didnt realize 2 year olds have such a funny and demanding personality! Here are a few new phrases she's been saying to us:

After watching Simon work on something ....Good job Daddy!

After she puts something on that she likes she remarks "Niiiiiiice!!"

After telling us or asking us for somthing... She's been ending with "Okay!?!?"

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Fridays

I'm so grateful to be able to continue my modified work schedule for my baby, and soon to be "babies"!! Okay, that sounds scary!

Minicoop would say.. Fridays.. No school!! .. Boy, she will be in shock when she hits elementary school :)

Today we enjoyed a nice hot summer Dallas day at the Frisco library. They have free reading or music programs!

On the 2nd floor, Sophia loves playing with their puppets. I myself adore their little people furniture!!





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Curious George

Her favorite words these days:
Look, look!
What's this?
What's that?

She says it over and over again! Whew!

She is climbing and swinging everywhere! No fear!










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Emlers swimming school

Sophia's first semester at Frisco's Emlers swimming!! She has gone under water for up to 2 seconds! By end of August, we will be working towards 7 seconds.




















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20 months Minicoop2

Here I am at my mid-point! Sophia is in her big girl bed. Our next goal is to potty train her before Fall. I'm due on December 7th. Our 20 weeks sonogram is tomorrow.












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Dallas Heat!

We spent part of the day at the mall so Sophia can jump around in the play area. Here is Sophia and Simon trying to find some shade while the car is cooling down!

I am currently approaching my 20 weeks mark with Minicoop2. It's amazing how little planning you do with #2! We already have so many things that we can reuse. Minicoop2 has been very active in my belly. He is about 6" long now!

These days when we ask Sophia where the baby is... She points to my belly and responds with "Big Sista Sia" .

They will perfectly be 2.5 years a part.