March

March was a month of travel for Sophie and me. In February my mom had surgery for thyroid cancer, so Sophie and I made a "get well" house call to VA to see my parents for a week. It was a beautiful week and Sophie had a great time with Gran and Papa. She played with lots of my old toys, and we spent some time outside (including two trips to Carl's for the best ice cream in the world). We also got to celebrate Papa's birthday. Although I was supposed to be helping out, it was a really nice break for me as well. I'm blessed to have a mom that doesn't just spoil her grandchild, but her grandchild's mommy as well. And thanks to all who have been praying for her - she's doing well and recovering like a champ.



A few days after we returned from VA, Sophie and I drove down to AL to see Erik's parents. Amber and Ava rode with us as Amber's parents recently moved less than an hour north of Erik's folks, so that made the road trip a lot more fun for all of us. Erik's mom had surgery in February as well, so we made another house call, and it was so fun. I'm seriously blessed to have amazing in-laws, and I'm not just writing this because my birthday is coming up :). It would probably be awkward for a lot of daughters-in-law to go to their in-laws' house w/o their husbands, but it was a no-brainer for me. They are amazing, encouraging, loving people and it was such a nice, relaxing time to be with them.

Sophie going for a ride

Smiles with Gigi at the Bass Pro Shop, which Sophie loves (as any good southern child should, apparently). Roger kept showing me camouflage toddler dresses and hats and shirts. Erik would die.

We've also had some fun at home this past month. It's been nice to work outside and Sophie has been my planting and weeding helper. She loves to play with dirt, much to her father's chagrin.

A couple of weeks ago we went to a park with Amber and Ava and our friends Angela and Maddie. It's fun to see these girls get bigger and get over some of their fears. Sophie is a typical first-born - very cautious. She likes to try new things, but wants someone there with her the whole time. It's hard for me not to be a pushy mom, but I know she has to do some things at her own speed. Luckily Ava doesn't seem to have many fears on the playground, so Sophie likes watching and following her.

Ava

A concerned Sophie

Madison