The Zoo at the Zoo

(Thanks Alicia for the title of this post :) ).

Just like any young mom trying to survive the winter, I thought it would be a great idea to take advantage of Hogle Zoo's free day. It was their last free day so what better time to go right? Wrong. Big wrong. I parked more than a 1/2 mile away in the residential area, and was still walking past the long line of cars making their way up Sunnyside Ave to the zoo's parking lots. And yes, I was walking faster than that line of cars.

Luckily, my sister-in-law Alicia was willing to take advantage of the free day with me. What a lesson we learned. We definitely saw more people than animals and the drive to the zoo took longer than the time we took just walking around. We did one lap and decided to call it quits. Sensory overload for the wee ones! Or so I thought ... Sofi only slept 1 hour after getting home. Oh well, life goes on ...

The survivors.

I'm wishing now I would've taken a picture of that line of cars while singing in my head the annoying childhood song, "There is the [road] that never ends, it goes on and on my friends ..."

Provo City Center Temple

My family made a mad dash up to stay with us February 14-15. It was fun to have them here with us. They are such good sports to drive all the way up just to sleep on air mattresses. I keep telling myself one day we will have a room with a real mattress in it just for guests. One day ...

Anyway, the family came in the night after the Sofi Loaf had gone to sleep so it was a surprise to her to see Grandpa sleeping in the middle of the living room floor. How she didn't hear him during the night, I don't know. Greg and I didn't sleep much that night because we could both hear him through the floor. It was soooo bad! I'll have to get the recording from my sister who was sleeping right next to him on the couch. I laugh to myself thinking, "It could've been worst." Now she can say she survived a war. It literally sounded like my dad sounded like he was dropping bombs and leveling buildings all night.

I digress. Sofi went right to my mom. She loves that lady! I still think she might remember her helping taking care of her our first week home. Who knows? After a few minutes, she went to Grandpa Todd too, and he gave her someone to stare at during breakfast. Man can that girl stare.

We all got ready, Sofi napped, and we headed down to Lehi to meet up with my older sister's for lunch. It was fun to almost all be together, minus Greg and my brother-in-law.

I knew the temple would be busy, with it being a holiday and a day off giving people a good excuse to see the temple, but I had no idea it would be as busy as it was. Once we parked, we found ourselves at the back of the line outside the underground parking. Once we got into the covered parking, the lines snaked back and forth, and we found out it was a 2.5 hour wait before even getting into the video. No way! My family still had to drive back home and I had a tired babe, so we hopped out of line and walked around the temple grounds. One day I'll go inside.

Grandpa kissing Sofi on the cheek. :) 

What a beautiful day.

10 Months Old on Valentines

For anyone who knows me, it comes as no surprise to them that Valentine's is my least favorite holiday. I don't know why? Maybe because of the stalkers in my past life? Greg is glad I don't like it because there are no expectations for him to meet. Isn't he lucky?

This year though, I was looking forward to Valentine's because ... wait for it ... SOFI TURNED 10 MONTHS OLD! Seriously people, she has been out for longer than she was in. This was something to document.

She is a princess, and she knows she's a princess. She rules the roost and knows there is nothing she can't get away with. The stubborn little piece inherited her father's trait and sometimes it's just not worth the battle. Oh well, hopefully I can deal with it when she gets older.

She has discovered the art of waving and is by far the most social one in this family. She waves to strangers in the store, dogs on the street and groups of kids out playing on the playground. I've had more conversations with strangers about my adorable baby than anything else in my life.

She also loves pointing, and is actually pretty good at telling me what she wants just by pointing at it. In fact, she points so often that she has started doing the pincher grasp with her middle finger and thumb so her index finger can still be out showing me whatever it is she wants. It's hilarious!

Pointing on our walk

She is getting brave and has fallen off the couch and chair. Luckily I've been there to catch her but I'm afraid her luck is running out ...

Other loves include:

• Looking out the window for Daddy
• Playing the piano
• Getting ready with mom (she found my toothbrush the other day)
• Blueberries
• Sitting forward instead of relaxing in her stroller
• Standing instead of army crawling
• Napping (when she decides to)
• Mimicking any and all sounds
• Eating
• BATH TIME!

 

Chubby arms!

For your viewing pleasure ...

Greg turns 28!

I'm married to a 28 year old. He's so old.

Birthday's aren't a big deal to Greg, but they are to me, so I try to force my excitement on him whether he wants it or not. He's so lucky! 

Sofi and I shopped for very practical presents (of course procrastinating until the day of). He is always in need of clothes, so it is clothing he got. If we ever need a break from each other, and it's cold outside, Kohls' is the place we go. There are some carts with a baby spot in the from of the cart so we can both be together without being together. It is the greatest thing ever.

Anyway, back to Greg. We went and rescued him from his cubicle for lunch and crossed the tracks to the west side where we found a ghetto but surprisingly good mexican joint. Greg's pick. It's his birthday.

While most normal individuals prefer to go out to dinner for their birthday meal, Greg being the ever optimist (funny) requested yet another homemade meal, so a homemade meal he got. His choice? Tater tot casserole complete with baked potatoes. I know, your mouths just watered. Sofi is just like her daddy and is a meat and potato kind of gal. We even make her her own little potato when we bake them. She's the cutest.

Greg went all out, and instead of requesting oatmeal raisin cookies like last year, wanted me to make him a full-blown cheesecake. Like, an official one; none of this non-baked crap. So I went and bought a pan at Target and found a recipe to try. The end result? Perfection! The best part was running to the grocery store 1 mile down the road while Sofi napped. Parent of the year award! She tends herself more than she thinks.

Yes, I forgot to get a picture of my perfect cheesecake. Don't remind me.

We are so grateful for Greggy and the person he is in our lives. We wouldn't be near as entertained without him. Happy birthday Greg! We sure do love ya :).