Sophie is 11 Months Old

Why Is Sophie Dripping Wet?

Because she MUST be with her mother every living moment, even if mom is trying to take a shower. Sophie just stands by the side of the tub and keeps pulling back the shower curtain. Next time Keri should just pour some shampoo on her head and call it a bath! Why not kill two birds with one stone (not that Keri would ever knowingly cause harm to a bird).

Previous Quote of the Blog

Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen. --John le Carre

Please Send More Stuffed Toys to our Deprived Child

The Police in Concert

A few days before Neal went into surgery (he's healing great by the way) his friend, Dave A. invited him to go to a Police Concert. They were given upgraded seats when they got there. The group still sounds great together. Thanks Dave!

Post-Op

Neal had surgery for his abdominal hernia today. The doctor put 8 holes in him to fix it. He said the hernia was about 4-5 inches in diameter! Yikes! Neal is recovering well so far. He is getting plenty of rest and has wonderful drugs. Please keep him in your prayers for a full recovery.

Pool Party!

Sophie enjoyed going to MacKenzie's house for some fun in the sun. Brrrrr. The hose water was chilly but too fun to pass up.

Mohini Prevails

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Hopefully this will help her learn to be "GENTLE".

Concert in the Park

Hurrah! The concert in the park series has started. Our city does a nice job of getting the community together for fun. We always enjoy these shows. We lay out our blanket, have a picnic dinner, and enjoy the sounds. This time it was Jazz/Big Band.

There's Been a Breach!

Sometimes Neal constructs a "Fortress of Safety" around our little one when he wants to step away from the bed for a very brief moment.

It doesn't always work!

Sgt. Hensley

At the Arboretum, it was mommy and me day and the Police Department came out to say hello to the kiddies. The kids could check out the squad car and motorcycles and got to make badges and color police car pictures. Sgt. Hensley was obliging to pose with and hold Sophie for this motorcycle shot. Some officers were even giving kids police officer trading cards from their department. We thought that was too funny. There was also a petting zoo, sing alongs, and face painting. Because Sophie wasn't about to let the nice lady get near her face wit a brush, she did suffer a little pink heart to be painted on her right wrist.

Proof That Sophie is Not Perpetually Smiling

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Don't Look Now but There's a Possessed, Lazer-Eyed Kitty Behind You!!!

"I Got Better."

OK. So her fever wasn't over. It just played a trick and lowered for several hours before shooting up even higher. Hello Doctor! They ran tests and said it was probably a virus. A virus you say...well thanks for torturing our daughter anyway! So she has been fever free for 24 hours now. And we are waiting for her appetite to return to what it was before all this drama. Fortunately, her trusty feline friend, Mohini, watched over her until she was better. Yes, he was discovered in her crib AGAIN! Slow learner, that cat, but Sophie was too tired to give him the attack of joy this time.

Fever

Okay, what parent in their right mind sees their suffering child as a photo op? But she just looked so pathetic! Poor Sophie fought a fever over the last couple of days. Days and nights were spent trying to keep her temperature down with medication, cool cloths, and hydration, as directed by her nurse. Sadly, we had to put her in a lukewarm shower/bath a couple of times when the temperature inched toward scary a couple of times. She hated that! She actually got Dad tearful with her crying in the shower. She was given a priesthood blessing to help her and her parents through it (What is a priesthood blessing? A blessing given by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, by the laying on of hands and by inspiration, to one who is sick or otherwise in need of special counsel, comfort, or healing. If the blessing is for the sick, consecrated oil is used ---James 5:14-15 ). We are happy to say that her fever appears to have broken and now she is sleeping away to recuperate. We look forward to everyone in the family sleeping through the night tonight!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Thank you to all who showed their love whether by phone calls, cards, gifts, acts of service, etc. It was all very appreciated and really made Keri's first Mother's Day very special. We would also like to honor our own mothers and all our friends and family that share their motherly qualities with us and Sophie. We love you. You are more important than you know.

"Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good."

“Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”

--President Gordon B. HInckley

Attack!

Mohini, our cat, is not suppose to be in Sophie's crib, so I willingly allowed a "Sophie Attack" to teach him the consequences of being in her crib. He got out pretty quick! It hasn't worked for the long term, though, as we have found him in her crib since the initial attack.

Cruising Furniture

Moving to the BIG Tub!

It's good to be clean!

Visiting Friends

Keri made a long trip out to see her friend Crystal and her husband, Josh, and new addition, Layla this week. Keri met Crystal when working for the same school district. It was good catching up! Layla is one month old and weighs 9 lbs. 4 oz. Sophie is 10 months old in this picture. Sophie weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. at birth so you can get an idea of how she has grown by comparing her to little Layla.

Finishing Touch

We have had an empty frame hanging in Sophie's room since before she was born. At first, we were going to put a family picture in it but as time went on, we thought it would be nice to have a picture of Jesus in her room. We finally found one that we really liked and felt was appropriate for her nursery. The mat might seem crazy but coordinates with her pink/green room and actually looks pretty good when you take in the whole room (not seen here). The print is called "Teach Me To Walk" and was inspired by the children's hymn "Teach Me to Walk in the Light."

Sophie is 10 months old!

Pretend that this was posted on April 27th!

May Blooms at the Arboretum

Sophie took off the the Arboretum yet again. This time we went with Kari and her daughter MacKenzie. Prefect weather--partially cloudy, windy, and warm. Sophie had fun playing in the the fountain and getting sprinkled. The Arboretum made a gazebo off flowers with giant butterflies made of plants and flowers. We really enjoyed all the beauty around us. Don't feel too bad for Neal because he misses all the day trips. Tonight he is going to see "This American Life" broadcast live and a midnight showing of the Iron Man with a friend. Tomorrow evening he will be going to a concert with another friend. It is the lead singer of Pink Floyd. Neal knows his name.