Sophia my friend

     Lately I have felt like everything Sophia does is the end of my rope! I didn't like it. What happened to my sweet, fun, sassy girl that used to make me laugh at her silly antics? Normally I would analyze it, her routine is messed up, she isn't napping anymore, delayed reaction to Joel being born. Maybe it was partly all of those, maybe it was me expecting that a 2 yr. old should understand that a baby needs me and she needs me and someone is going to have to wait their turn. Then I realized why would a 2 yr. old understand that? All she remembers is that mom used to be hers and isn't anymore. I also realized that I needed to remember what it's like to only have one child every once in a while.

      So Sophia and I started hanging out. I decided we needed our own mom and daughter time. We started going on dates. The first one was amazing and I was hooked! So was she! On our first M&D date we started by running some errands for me then I took her to the Disney store (Sophia heaven!) and we just walked around. We stopped at whatever toy she wanted to, touched anything she wanted to, said WOW, I want that, and Not right now to almost everything ha ha.

     The best part she just listened to me, smiled at me, didn't argue, she definetly new this time was special and didn't want to ruin it! So we have done it a few times more. Each time as much fun as the other, all kind of randomly planned, all special to me and her. I can let her have more independence which she loves and she behaves like the angel child I know she can be and we are both at ease.

     Our last M&D date was my favorite. We had just finished helping Sara pack and move to Ely. We got home all tired and not dressed for the day but with no plans. I grabbed some clothes for both of us said see ya to Tyler and we headed out the door. We just went shopping at some stores but I let Sophia walk through the clothing stores just with me. No stroller no cart. She walked in the door and goes "WOW Mom it's BEAUTIFUL!" Ha ha Then as we are walking down the isles her little fingers are stroking all the clothes and fabrics the other hand held firmly to mine. She kept telling me how pretty it all was. She even sniffed some clothes ha ha!!  The times when I needed to let go of her hand she twirled in a circled right next to me like a princess in her closet. It is one of my favorite memories ever of her!

     At our last stop I told her we could go get a treat on the way home I asked her what she wanted. She said very excitedly Water! ha ha I asked her again when we got in the car. What do you want for a treat? Water!! ha ha so we went and got big ice cold waters. I also bought her a cookie because she asked for one earlier that day but he was perfectly happy with her ice water.

     I love these dates and plan to start them with Joel as soon as he is old enough! They remind me how much I love Sophia's personality. They remind me we are friends to as well as mom and daughter. They refresh our patience level with one another. They give me awesome memories! I hope she wants to do these forever!

I love this picture! It shows Sophia's personality to a T. Sassy, Cute, Funny, all while remaining her composure. 

"There's power in looking silly, and not caring that you do."

-Amy Poehler

~A