Living La Vida Lopez: 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!