Festive Festivites

Today we had an interesting day. We attended the first annual Queen Creek Holiday parade and were somewhat disappointed...I guess we had higher expectations? Never the less, Sofie had fun just being a spectator.

It was they typical "small town" parade...advertising local business and showcasing local school groups and talent groups. Nick and I always enjoy getting out to local festivals, fairs, and parades. Mainly we just people watch and hang out. It's cool to be able to do all this stuff with Sofia now. We love to point out things to her. Today she got to see horses, goats, Santa Claus and tons of glittery floats.

This was the typical float... Not spectacular but cute!

Just more pictures from the "Holiday Parade" These belong to some local historical military transportation group. We're not sure why they were in the parade but the were still cool to look at.

Later us and our neighbors went to look at some Christmas lights that put our houses to SHAME! They are setting the bar for us next year. We've agreed that we'll pull out all the tricks and boost up the wattage and light up our street with twinkle lights and holiday decor.

Then our friends told us about this house that was covered in stuffed animals and had their entire yard filled with odd random things. At first we doubted and couldn't picture it. Well, we found the house and the weird collections. We could not believe what we were looking at. There was no rhyme, no reason just MADNESS. I don't get it! We are going back tomorrow to see this house again during the day. It's totally crazy! This house is done up like this ALL YEAR AROUND.

Here is Jenny pointing out the "care bear house" in all it's glory!

This is the view from the street. Okay so this is actually a trailer...and the owner has compiled a massive collection of JUNK and then carefully situated it in the yard covering literally every inch! Look, it's even hanging from the freakin' trees!

Here is a great shot of this...well, thing looking out onto the street from the front of the "Care bear house". The protector of the goods! What are those things around his hands...chains?

I JUST DON'T GET IT!!

Here you can kind of see the owner coming out to see what we were up to. At this point we were all getting a little freaked out and then this dude came creeping along. I think that's an old miners hat he has on. You know, the ones with the built in light. We just drove away REALLY fast and vowed only to return during the day.

We think this is a total fire code violation. What do you think?

Thanksgiving 2008

Sofie had a turkey filled, mashed potato stuffed, yam feast! She loved eating EVERYTHING! I even gave her a little taste of my own homemade pumpkin pie too.

It was so nice having all the family together. Kalani, Bryan and the girls made it from California. This Thanksgiving was a little hard, it being the first Thanksgiving without our Mama Chana. My Dad wanted to make all the recipes just right. My mom her stuffing, and her sweet potatoes. The night before Thanksgiving we did the necessary "chopping party" for that stuffing that we all LOVE to eat. This year was like no other, Dad did it his way with three turkeys. One was deep fried and the other two were injected with delicious sweetness-mango citrus marinade and a Teriyaki Marinade then smoked over night. I was in charge of the pies and we all helped make all the sides. After hours of intense labor, we ate and had a feast!

It was nice having the girls play with Sofie. They all got pose together in their Thanksgiving dresses that their Nana bought them.

Here is Sofie enjoying her first taste of sweet potato casserole that I made. We think she prefers Gerber??

A couple days after our Thanksgiving feast, we took my mom out to lunch for her birthday. It was nice having us all together again. Here is Sofie getting some love.

Here is Sofie and her Uncle Ryan.

Sofie lunching with the girls...

Papa being goofy and Sofie just playing along...

After everyone was gone and all the festivities were done, we relaxed and had a family day. We took Sofie to the park to feed the ducks for the first time. She loved watching them swim and she was intrigued by their quacks.

She wanted to eat the bread...we let her know that it was for duckies only. She is still trying to understand the meaning of sharing....

She did not understand that once the bread was gone, so were the ducks! The look on her face was priceless!

Fun fact- this was same park that Nick and I took our first "pregnancy" pictures, this time last year (11/18/2007) right in this same spot. And now, Daddy is showing our little girl the world. AMAZING!

We finished the day by taking Sofie to the park and letting her crawl in the grass for the first time. She was a bit unsure at first but she got the hang of it.

We took Sofie on the slide, teeter totter, and the swing. It's amazing, having a child really takes you back to being a kid again. It's probably been 15 years since I've been on a swing...let along crawling around on a park playground!

Each and every day I am thankful for Sofie and Nick! The two most amazing people in the world. I love each of them more than they will ever know! This year, I am thankful for them!

We started one of many Allen Family traditions- The day after Thanksgiving, Nick hung up our very own Christmas lights on our own home. We want this to be a tradition that we can all take part in. Sofie loves seeing the light. As the years go on, we plan on getting more and more elaborate.

After 17 LONG years!!!

Well people, I have been waiting more than half of my life for this momentous occasion and after 17 years, several false alarms and more than a few people laughing at me for believing it will ever happen....... Guns N Roses is FINALLY releasing the long awaited Chinese Democracy album on Sun 11/23/08.

Tina and I went to their concert in Minneapolis 2 years ago and they rocked the Target Center for over 4 hours. They played all of the classics and all of their new stuff. A highlight of the night was when Sebastian Bach (who opened for them) sang a duet of Mr. Brownstone with Axl. Let's just say that I had to clean my shorts after that!

I know that people say it's not the same with out Slash, Matt and Duff and that this GNR is just Axl with some dudes, but I don't care. It was always about Axl and always will be. Someone once seriously told me several years ago that Fred Durst was a lyrical genious. Once I stopped laughing (okay I'm still laughing) I can say with all honesty that Axl is like a modern day Mozart, only with better pipes. In one of their new songs he debut's what I like to call the 3rd range of Axl. Before it was just low tone, and the screech. But I heard a new tone that I have been calling super-high tone. Awesome!

Anyway, Tina just came in and reminded me that this is supposed to be Sofie's blog page, so I will stop going on about Chinese Democracy. Oh yeah, don't forget to go to drpepper.com and get your free soda. They doubted Axl too, and will be giving coupons for free drinks if the album comes out in '08.

Welcome to the Jungle, you gonna die!!

Nick

Daddy's Blog

Well it has been a couple of weeks since the last blog. We have been extremely busy around here, so I'm sure that we have ran off the last remaining readers with the inactivity.

First off, I would like to say that the election was of no surprise to me, although it didn't go the way that I hoped. I am no huge McCain fan but I am also not a fan of Socialism lite, which I'm afraid is what we are going to get here in the USSA pretty soon. Hey just remember for all of you that voted for "Change", what kind of change was never specified. I only wish that GWB could run for a third term. I guess I will have to wait for his library to be built. Stay tuned for the pics!!

Tina has been busy with her new job with me at UoP. It's not ideal for her background, but with student loans now due it's more $$ for us and a chance for her to get a free BA and MBA. So for now it's what we have to do. I'm proud of her for taking on a new challenge. I'm also very proud of her for being such a FANTASTIC mommy. She has taken to the challenge like a champ and is doing a great job. I love to see the two of them together.

We did a easy Halloween this year. I didn't want to be that guy that pushes his infant in a stroller just to get candy for himself. I'm a grown-ass man and can buy my own candy. We dressed Sofie up in a cute pumpkin costume, but since this is AZ and it was still in the 80's she got hot and ended up just in the pants and a onezy.

We got to have a "date night" over the Halloween weekend. We went to the Melting Pot for some Fondue Fun! This was a cool experience...a restaurant that gives you melted cheese and condiments and to finish, melted chocolate and more condiments! What more could we ask for?

Mainly it was fun to get out and not have to worry if we brought enough diapers or worry about the "formula situation".

Sofie has been doing all kinds of new things. Since the last blog she has started to say more words, Mama, Baba, Dada and HEY! (in order of appearance). She has also started to waive hi and bye, she is starting to clap her hands and she has started eating some solid foods like puffs and bread. The biggest accomplishment is that she finally started to crawl!!!! She crawls all over the place now and she's pretty fast. She will crawl over to the chair or couch and pull herself up and stand. I had to start baby-proofing the house, which so far has included moving some things and taking the coffee table into the garage. I think that she will be walking soon and then the real fun begins.

Having a daughter has been better that I could have ever imagined. I am enjoying every minute of being a Dad. Even the crying and tantrums (both Sofie and me) aren't so bad. Its amazing how fast she is growing up, the last 8 months have flown by.

Catch up~

Well, it's been awhile since a posting. Not a lot has happened, Sofie is still teething and sleeping in her crib! ALL BY HERSELF! We had a little bump here and there but for the most part. She is a "ferberized baby".

Sofie is doing well in her daycare. It's too cute, she already has a few friends that she plays with. This is another friend of Sofie, her name is Kaylin. Kaylin is a few months older than Sofie but it's too cute seeing them play with each other and get along. We know they are gonna be best buds!

This was on one of our outings. Just the two of us.

Sofie is rambunctious as ever and has developed a new found talent. YELLING! Yes, ladies and gentlemen she is gonna have a temper like her mama. I guess it's the Irish blood in us.

It's so funny, we'll be in the grocery store getting ready to check out and out of nowhere- "HEYYY" or "AHHHR" Sofie is trying to get someones attention or just growling at the poor bag boy. What's really hilarious is when I'm feeding her and if I take too long getting that rubberized spoon full of pureed goodness in her mouth...boy do I hear it! She has developed such a unique personality. Totally different than that small silent infant we use to swaddle.

We took Sofie to her first "midget car race". Well, it was the fist time for us as well. We had lots of fun. These cars looked like those Hot Wheel cars. We took her Uncle Ryan with us and we all had tons of fun!

Well, some bad news; Sofie has her very first cold.

She has been such a trooper. She started feeling warm on Friday. And sure enough, Saturday she had a fever of 101.8 with a nose full of snot. Nick and I had to become experts with a rectal thermometer. We watched her all weekend and tended to our little snuggle bug.

She is getting a little better but still under the weather. We feel so helpless. There really is nothing to do for a baby except give lots of hugs and tons of kisses.

Her appetite is still good. She can still put back a bottle of formula!

So close!

Well, we are believers in the Ferber Method. At first we had our doubts but now, after sleep has been restored to the Allen household we LOVE IT!! Sofie has been able to sleep in her crib through the night for the last four nights. She is still crying when we lay her down for bed, but she only cries for less than five minutes. She is still fussing around 3 a.m. but is able to put herself back to sleep and remain sleeping until about five. Which is perfect because with our new schedule both Nick and I are getting up at that time.

Yesterday was Nick's first time attempting the "routine" and he did a magnificent job. He has become such a wonderful, loving father. I always knew he would be a great Dad, but he has far exceeded my expectations. He is involved, patient and concerned as much if not more than I.

As we continue the Ferber Method we are trying to hit another milestone. Sofie is so close to crawling! I think my camera has become my permanent accessory. She is able to get up on her knees and rock back and forth but has yet to take that first crawl.


Keep posted for any updates.

Day 2 of mission "Ferberization"

Well, I almost cracked. Sofie is running a slight fever and I nearly caved in and was going to have Sofie sleep with me tonight. With some much needed advice from a friend I was able to suck it up and stay the course.

We think Sofie is getting in some teeth and that is causing a fever. She is showing all the signs of teething...drooling, irritability, tugging at her ears and not really wanting to eat. After last night I think I am just looking for reasons to pick her up and keep her close. But, this is the best thing for EVERYONE!

After last night 2 a.m. awakening, she went back to sleep and woke up again around 4:45. I fed her and put her back in the crib until she woke up again at 6 a.m and then we both fell asleep until about 9 a.m. I know, I know...it's a SLIGHT slip. I'm still proud of myself!

This afternoon we continued with the method. I put her down for a nap around 1:15 p.m. and she cried for less than five minuets and fell asleep until 2:30 p.m. This was a breakthrough! Sofie never takes naps like this. At most she would sleep for 30-45 min.

Tonight our routine changed slightly. Sofie did not get a bath but did get her story. She did not last long... after a dose of Tylenol she fell asleep during our bedtime story. As I put her down in her crib, she cried for a minute or two and then was out.

Tonight, I think it's gonna be a little rough but will only get easier with practice. I will keep my trusty monitor right next to me. Meanwhile, reminding myself it's for the best and will make her happier in the long run.

Sleep little Sofie.

Well here I am, it’s 2 a.m. and I am trying to “Ferberize” Sofia.
Dr. Ferber is a Pediatrician and Director of The Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston's Children's Hospital. His practices are tried and true. There are dozens of "sleep methods" out there but Nick and I decided to attempt this one because it promotes "self-soothing". Meaning, a child has the natural ability to put themselves to sleep rather than having to be patted, rocked or other form of soothing. The link below gives some great advice.

http://www.childrenshospital.org/views/june04/sleepless.html

I am trying to get her to sleep in her own crib and begin the task of taking back my bed. I have loved snuggling her and having her hug me in the middle of the nights…but I think I’m just being selfish. I want her to be a good sleeper and have healthy sleep habits.

So we started this long and painful night with our new bedtime routine. Dr. Ferber says it’s the best way to signal it’s time to go to sleep. We fed Sofie a good meal, gave her a nice warm bath. Told her a nice and loving bedtime story, gave her kisses and hugs and gently placed her in the crib. Well, two seconds later as we were walking out of the room she figured out we were not taking her with us and immediately began to scream. According to Dr. Ferber…parents must wait it out. We waited five minuets, went in and “soothed” her and walked out of her room…meanwhile she is still sobbing. I waited ten minuets and then, like magic…she was out. During the entire time I’m watching my poor little snuggle bug on our video monitor wanting so badly to rush in there and grab her and hold her!

Sofie woke up at 1:20 a.m. rested and ready for round two. Well, 45 min. later…she has fallen back asleep and I’m feeling the dark circles starting to gain momentum. I can only imagine what I’m going to look like tomorrow. What ever happened to the “glow” a woman gets during pregnancy? I think it’s our body laughing at us, as if it knows all the sleepless daunting nights we are in store for!

According to the HUNDREDS of sleep articles that we've read, it normally takes about three nights...well see! Cross your fingers and say a prayer for both Sofie and me.