Ladies Who Lunch, er, Brunch

Honestly, I cannot even believe that I've been blogging this frequently! I gotta say though, it's much nicer to be able to just share a tidbit tonight, rather than a crazy-long update.  Ahh...

I can breathe a bit easier now that a big event I'd been planning at work has been logged in the history books (and was a huge success, might I add!) - so working late afforded me to be able to take Friday off. 

{insert huge sigh of relief here}

 
Friday brought Camilla's 9-month well check up (seriously!?) and here's our growing baby birdie's stats:

• 16lbs 12oz  (15%)
• 26 3/4 " long (25%)
• 17 1/4" head circumference (45%)
• and a painful stick to the finger for the CBC test (hate watching finger sticks, but it runs a close 2nd to watching your 4 week old get their PKU test)

Camilla's growing perfectly and reaching all of the typical milestones - however, she is also the pampered Princess too.  She's most content to be carried, or snuggled up with you - much rather than rolling over, crawling, etc.  I'm okay with that (as is the Doc), as this sweet time will only last so long...we are savoring every single bit of it.  She's pretty excited to drink water from a sippy and I'm pretty sure she's even said "wa-wa'' in conjunction?!

Today brought us a very tasty and fun ladies brunch with our dear friends Katy & Kristen.  We enjoyed an excellent spread and Sophia loved getting to see some of her favorite people and friends (& so did mommy!).  I even got some very sweet photos of the girls in their coordinating outfits (from Janie & Jack)!

We're mad about plaid...and each other!

Don't forget to accessorize with bows!

Ooo, Sophia! I like your shoes! Can I have them?

Everyone say "Brrrunnnchhh"!

Camilla, you gotta get your bow straight...

All you need is Love.  Love is all you need :)

90 to Nothin'...

...and no signs of slowing down anytime soon!  The whirlwind indeed continues for this workin' mama since my last post.  The last week brought my usual July trip to market in Atlanta, where I buy many of store's goodies for the next spring season (yes, Spring 2012!).  While at market, I'm trapped inside 3 buildings, each of them about 18-20 floors chalked FULL of product.  Luckily, after 6yrs of buying, I've learned how to navigate the whole circus (trust me, it can be a circus!) without too much stress. 

That's a whole lotta shopping to do...
and that's just ONE building!
(America'sMart Atlanta, Bldg 1)

However, it still  means that Mommy is away and that alone can stab you in the heart.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job and how exciting it can be, however, I always miss my babies and the daily routine.  Pre-school attitudes, poopy diapers - the whole enchilada.  I miss it all when I'm away.

Shout out to Rod for becoming such an excellent Mr. Mom over the years!

While I was away, Rod & the girls had quite a big time.  Our church is undergoing the daunting process of building a school campus on the church grounds, which means Sophia's class will the very first graduating class to have started in Kindergarten at the new school and have made their way thru to the 12th grade.  There has been years of fundraising and we're finally starting to see the fruits of labor (hooray!).  Saturday brought a fun groundbreaking ceremony, which allowed Sophia a fun opportunity to be with the big kahunas (since my dad is one of the parish council leaders) and literally "dig in" breaking ground on her new school:

Sophia gets an A+ for effort on her new school's groundbreaking!
(July '11)

Summer has also kept Sophia busy with MMO every Tues/Thurs, and even has had some weeks devoted to VBS, art camp and now? Tennis camp!  She's w-a-y into it and proudly carries her 21" purple Maria Sharapova racquet while strutting around in her Nike hat & tennis skirt...I've yet to capture this on film, so hang in there, I'll snap a photo soon & post.  She also loved VBS and art camp (painting several pre-school masterpieces!) - but seems to especially dig tennis.  It seems to be her kind of 'racquet'.  Haha. Racquet...get it?  Oh, too much?  Let's move on then...

Here's a few more photos to help make up for the lame pun....enjoy!

Lake Lounger: Camilla giving her new PBKids chair a whirl
(May '11)

Father's Day...I'm feeling how Camilla looks in this photo...huh?
(June '11)

Sophia strutting her newfound pool skills -
watch out Michael Phelps!
(June '11)

Father's Day at Nana & Papa's house
(June '11)

Camilla loving the bongo drum
 (insert Matthew McConaughey joke here)
(June '11)

She could ask for a Ferarri & with this face, who could say no?
(July '11)

Art Camp: Sophia's lovely Flamingo facepainting
(July '11)

Sophia's "Royal Tea Party" in honor of Kate & William!
(April '11)

Frosting away at her birthday "bakery" party...lots of fun!
 (March '11)

My in-laws have been banned from buying loud gifts
 (I kid...sort of)
(March '11)

The girls LOVING their new playhouse that was built in one of the spare
 rooms at Nana & Papa's house
 (Feb. '11)

Nighty Night everyone!
(Jan. '11)

Oops, It's JULY already?



1st posed family photo - we survived! (May 2011)

 

Forgive me, as it's (obviously) been over 6mos since my last post - however, I'd say I've got plenty of good reasons for slacking (working 40+hrs/week, traveling for work & fun, juggling 2 kids, keeping house, etc, etc.).  In all of that, somehow or another I know I've manage to lose my sanity and have completely exhausted myself in the process!  So enough with all of that who-ha, and onto the past 6mos and why/how we really are

"Living la Vida Lopez"...

 

Daddy's 29th Birthday

Rod, "The Daddy"

 

He continues to work very busy hours and portfolios for Regions bank all while

maintaining sanity (or so we think) in a household full of estrogen.  Daddy seems to be enjoying life with all of 'his girls', despite our tendencies to be as needy/whiny/moody as we can often be! Kudos to Daddy for keepin' it real and knowing that sometimes it's easier to throw in the 'man-towel' and let us women win.  He loves getting to feed Camilla in the mornings during the week and loves snuggling in the rocking chair after her bedtime bottle.  Daddy & Sophia have been trying to out-race one another by challenging each other to MarioKart races on the Wii.  Not sure what's scarier:  the fact 4yr old Sophia can legitimately play the game, or that Rod has to actually put effort into it to avoid losing?! 



Can we just pretend I'm glamorous?

Julie, "The Mommy"

I continue to be a full-time marketing director and buyer for Southern Homes & Gardens and Rosemont Gardens - there is no such thing as 'downtime' for me.  I hit the ground running upon my return from maternity leave back in early December!  Between event/promotion planning, website upkeep, ad design and attending various markets in Atlanta and High Point, NC - I've barely remembered to breathe.  I really feel like Will Ferrell in Old School, when he says he blacked out (during the big debate) I feel as if all of the sudden I 'came to' and it was July! Oh dear.  I've definitely gone crackers in the meantime (don't most working moms, or moms in general do?), but have adored being a mommy to my two favorite girls!  I cannot believe that the girls are as big as they are (did I mention 4yrs & 9mos?) - but it has been a fabulous whirlwind!  Somehow or another, I've also managed to not only lose the baby weight, but even drop a size (not as great as it sounds ladies)...it did mean a heap of new clothes, but it also meant trying to find age-appropriate items in size 0.  Guess worse things could happen, right? 



Sophia 4yrs old & Camilla 6.5months



Sophia, "The BIG Sister"

She has completed yet another year of pre-school and is now closer to turning 5yrs old!  Upon the completion of the school year, Sophia can easily write & recognize her own name as well as show the beginning signs of learning to read!  As a self-proclaimed book/reading nerd, Mommy is VERY proud & excited for Sophia.  Sophia enjoys playing school and being the teacher to all of her invisible students - and sometimes even Mommy, Daddy & Camilla!  Sophia continues to adore all things musical (singing, dancing, & oh yes, DRUMS).  She's obsessed with Nick Jr's The Fresh Beat Band, Fancy Nancy books, sparkly jewelry & shoes, skirts and being able to SWIM!  We were super proud of Sophia this summer after she completed her swimming lessons too...she learned to put her face in the water, swim on her tummy & back, and even jump off the diving board...all supervised of course.  She's growing up so fast & becoming SO smart (the child does not miss a thing!), we simply do not know where the time is going!

Camilla's all smiles on her 1st Easter!

Camilla, "The Baby"

Can you believe sweet, baby Camilla is nearing NINE months old (July 18th)!? Neither can we.  We're almost a bit in denial to be quite honest.  After lots of doctor visits to both the pediatrician and dermatologist, we finally got a grip on the severe eczema that plagued poor Camilla during the winter.  It was absolutely brutal and it just broke our hearts to see her so uncomfortable.  Thankfully, she really hung in there and was the best little patient!  She quickly started to grow and gain weight and is approaching the average growth curve since she was so tiny at birth.  Camilla is busy cutting teeth (we have two!), sitting up, pulling up, giggling, smiling, waving bye-bye/hello, and saying 'Da-da'!  She, of course, is another one of our genius children...haha...she's just so darn smart.  Camilla is truly one of the happiest and most content babies we have ever seen - she is happiest when held or snuggled, and will just go with the flow.  Mommy. Loves. THAT!

So there you have it, an update on the Lopez family...I am really going to try to make an effort to update and blog more often.  Even if it's just a cute photo, funny story, or phenomenal tidbit.  However, don't hold your breath people - I am only human after all!

Just chatting one morning

No thanks Sophia...rice cereal isn't the same as Rice Krispies!

Sophia "reading" Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham to Camilla

Giddyup Pinto: Looking chic in PB Kids

Camilla's 1st dip at the lake - er, baby pool AT the lake

The Queen of Everything & the Princess of Quite A Lot