Sophia's First Year

It went too fast... Life has a way of doing that, huh? Our baby girl isn't going to be a "baby" much longer. Sophia Grace will turn one year on Tuesday. I don't wish to go back to the beginning, nor do I have any regrets. I just wish I could've held onto that fleeting time for just a little longer. Make every minute last for two instead? Rest assured I didn't let the minutes pass without appreciation for our blessing every second. And thank goodness for pictures...

April 20, 2009 - Welcome to the world baby Sophia.

And Welcome Home!

1st bath at home

So tiny and yet so strong!

Mother's Day 2009

1 Month Old

Safe in daddy's arms.

Shortly before two months and really starting to fill out.

2 Months Old

Still one of my all-time favorites.

Same day - tummy time.

Smiles are much more frequent now.

4th of July with cousins.

Bumbo baby!

Flower child

Definitely not missing any meals!

3 Months Old Naked baby after a bath.

First time swimming!

Baptism day

4 Months Old

Water fascination.

Still one of my favorite family pictures -

Mud Hens game for daddy's work.

Me & my girl.

Off to go shopping!

Learning to sit.

Hooded bath towels are the cutest.

Buckeyes game with daddy.

Pajama playdate with Stella & Mya.

5 Months Old

Sophie loves her toes!

Apple orchard in the fall.

Another fave with Great Grandma.

More sitting (toppling) practice.

And scooting too! Army crawling opens up a world of possibilities!

Pumpkin Patch

6 Months Old

Lovin' bath time.

Eating solid food now!

7.5 Months

Meeting Santa & Mrs. Claus.

Nearly 8 Months and standing.

Winter play time.

Watching mommy make lunch.

Cousins!

1st Christmas - 2009

Pulling up ALL THE TIME.

9 Months Old

Mommy's birthday.

Sledding!

LOVE this one.

Valentine's Day

All dressed up for a baby shower.

10 Months Old

Sensory playdate at the Rethmans' house.

Oh, what fun!!!

Sweet baby

Nearly 11 Months

Playing with mommy's necklaces.

Wee! First time swinging.

Very warm spring day. Lookin' so grown up!

Happy girl

"Uh-oh!"

Ready for church.

Easter Sunday and new cousin Cecilia.

Happy Easter!

More cousins.

Cool chic in shades.

Lovin' the sunshine!

"The first time ever I saw your face,

I thought the sun rose in your eyes.

And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave

To the dark and empty skies, my love."

Thank you for such a happy and wonderful year, baby girl.

You fill my heart and my life with joy.

In an effort to joyfully move forward,

I quoted this on my blog when Will turned one,

and it seems appropriate to do so again:

"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest

that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present."

Once again, looking forward to the toddler years!!!