Sophia Rose – Fall 2011
Fall 2011, a set on Flickr.
Photos of Sophia from the fall of 2011, including photos featured in her “Fall 2011″ video.
Sophia Rose – Fall 2011 (video)
Sophia Rose – Fall 2011 a video by Teny Jr on Flickr.
Sophia – Summer 2011
Summer 2011, a set on Flickr.
Photos of Sophia over the summer (including those featured in her “Summertime Girl” video).
Sophia – Summer 2010
I know, I know. I went all summer without posting updates or photos of our itty bitty princess Sophia. Life moves pretty fast, and I haven’t had time to stop and look around. So here’s the best I can come up with. These photos date back to her birthday in June and lead us right through the end of August. I have to note that these include shots taken by other family members (I went over a month of not using my camera). Enjoy! There will be another set coming soon of our recent visit to the Magic House in St Louis.
22 to 24 months
I’m so late with this. Life continues it’s crazy pace, and it’s a struggle to keep up. Lolo and Lola visited a couple of weeks ago, their first visit since June 2009. Sophia obviously didn’t remember them, but it didn’t take long for her to warm up to them. They were here to help celebrate Sophia’s 2nd birthday, and I don’t think Sophia would have it any other way. She’s shown them she knows her colors, looks for buses whenever she’s in the car, loves the Backyardigans, and can’t wait to go to Walt Disney World. She was sad by the time Lolo and Lola left, and each day since, she looks and asks for them. Fortunately, they’ll be visiting again along with Sophia’s cousin Jasmine later this summer.
Cards vs Mets 041810
We took Sophia to her first ballgame Sunday night. Grandma, Grandpa, Daniel and his friend Adam also came along to see the Cardinals take on the NY Mets. Sophia enjoyed just about every bit of the game: the ride over on the Metrolink (“Choo Choo!”), the music, Fredbird (“Tweet Tweet!”), the fireworks from Rasmus’ homer, and Cracker Jacks. We can’t wait to take her again. As always, click the image above for the photo set (I didn’t take many photos; I wanted to enjoy the game).
14 to 15 months (and then some)
Click on the image to see the latest of our little girl. Sophia’s doing well in the toddler room of her daycare. Her teachers say she talks a lot and plays hard. That probably explains the better nights we’ve been having at home, much so that she’s not relying on the bottle anymore. Sophia is a big Toy Story fan too (don’t think she can sit through the upcoming 3D double feature, though). I introduced this to her several weeks back, and I’ve seen it more times than I have collectively since it was released 14 years ago. Sophia waves “Hi” and “Bye” now (as opposed to opening and closing a fist). In fact, when we go places, she waves to everyone she sees. What a sweet girl!
12 to 13 months
So sorry that this is over 2 weeks late! The end of June and beginning of July found us entertaining my family from Connecticut, who were in town to celebrate Sophia’s 1st birthday. Then came a busy week back to work for Christine and I. Immediately following that was a family trip to Branson (Sophia’s first road trip). All in all, since the end of June, I had taken over 1300 photos, and it’s been a challenge to weed thru them, sort them, and upload them. Click on the image above to see Sophia’s latest photo set. More photo sets coming soon, including the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the All-Star FanFest, and Branson – stay tuned!
Happy Holidays!
Season’s Greetings from my family to yours 
Sophia's Baptism
Sophia was baptized last Saturday. Mom, Dad, my sister Rochelle and her daughter Jasmine drove down from the Northeast to visit and be in attendance. Rochelle sponsored Sophia as her godmother, while my dad stood in for my cousin Jeff (who could not attend) as godfather. Upon seeing the priest prior to the service, Sophia cried. But she quickly got over it and did very well throughout the ceremony! Click the image above for the photo set.
birthday greetings
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to …
my brother-in-law Terry (seen here with his family)…
and to Daniel (seen here with his sister and cousins), who turns [gasp!] 16 today 
Happy Birthday boys!
update 090208
So many things going on, it’s difficult to keep up. I spent most of my vacation time caring for Sophia. I enjoyed it tremendously, and I wish I could have another week at home with her. Well, like her mom, I’d rather be at home with her all the time. She started daycare today, her 3 month birthday. The teachers said she was very good considering she was with strangers. With the daycare center right across from my workplace, I can come and go as I please.
I only made it over there once today; a lot going on in the world of IT. Tomorrow, I begin a second round of training with a new case management application that goes live in 3 weeks. Once that’s up and running, I begin another 6 to 8 week implementation with another case management app. On top of that, I’m dealing with charges, lab cleanup, and other clinical system issues. Despite the busy-ness of it all, I’m comfortable and content.
It’s easy to forget things when you’re busy. So I want to take a moment to remember my uncle Teddy, who passed away 2 years ago on September 1. You are still missed, Tito Teddy. Much love to Tita Volet, Bong, and Jeff.
I also want to wish my niece Sarah a Happy Birthday She turned 19 today!
update 120807
Christine’s parents were in town for the past week for her mom’s annual cookie bake in St Louis. While they were here, an offer was made on their house back in Charlotte. After several counteroffers back and forth over the weekend, the buyers accepted the final offer on Monday. My in-laws have to be out of the house by the 2nd week of January. So they extended their stay and spent the entire week making arrangements for movers and storage while also customizing every aspect of the house they’re building here in town. Christine and I are working on cleaning out Daniel’s old playroom so her parents can stay with us while their new home is being built (the guest room is being converted into the nursery).
Her parents bought us a new bed for Christmas; the previous mattress was so old it literally was a pain to sleep on it. And with Christine pregnant, it’s not good for her to have sleepless nights and back pain. The new bed is a welcome change; king-size and firm. We still wake up several times at night – she because of the pregnancy, me because of Salem (I’ve been told that the dog is prepping me for the baby).
Happy Birthday Mom!
Just want to send my best to Mom on her birthday. Here she is with Dad at Epcot last May.
Happy Birthday Mom!! 
expecting the unexpected
One night, Christine came home from work. I was in the bedroom watching TV and working on the laptop.
“Close your eyes and put your hand out,” she says to me.
I do as I’m told. I’m expecting candy, chocolate, maybe a homemade cookie baked by a patient of hers. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel edible. It was made of plastic. My first thought was a handy dandy toothpick holder, a freebie from my employer, something I can probably pick up on my own from HR. I opened my eyes to see what looked like a white plastic letter opener. I sat there, quiet (only because I didn’t know what it was).
“That’s a pregnancy test,” she tells me.
“It is?”
“Yes. It’s positive.”
I’m pretty sure my mouth hung open as I stared at the test in my hand.
“Really?”
She nodded.
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yep!”
When we got married, Christine’s clock was ticking. But we couldn’t conceive, no matter what we tried. It got to the point where we both accepted the fact that it wasn’t gonna happen. I think we were both ok with that, but sometimes I wonder “what if”. Daniel is my stepson. I treat him as my own, but I constantly remind myself that he is not my child. When we picked up Salem from the pound, he helped fill that void. I spoil that dog rotten; he is my child, my son, my boy (even if he has four legs and a lot of fur).
Needless to say, Christine’s news was a pleasant surprise and wonderful to hear.
“Well, this changes everything!” I said.
“Yep!”
Hamilton and Dawson
Hamilton is the 2 yr old son of my cousin Rowena and her husband Dave. He happens to have his own website: Hamazahn.com. The site has been updated by my cousin Ren, who’s now had time to catch up with family since his return from his world tour (see the journal of his travels at Global Transmission). Ham’s website features lots of great pictures and stories told by Hamboy himself (transcribed by the Godfather).
And not to be outdone, Hamilton’s younger brother Dawson (seen here with his mom) just celebrated his 1st birthday on September 20. Be sure to also check out Daws’ own website, Dawboy dotcom.
