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

Sibling Sweetness

Because I've been so bad about blogging since Camilla's arrival, here are some cute photos of both girls from this past month in general:

Snuggling one morning together

More snuggling!

Making breakfast at Nana & Papa's


I've also realized that I have TONS of other photos on our "good" camera still to upload (ugh). Lots of cute photos from Nana's Annual Cookie Party and Christmas Eve at Lopez's. Probably others on there that I've forgotten about too. Figures. Hopefully I can get those on the blog sooner than later!

Christmas Circus

To say that Rod & I were tired/exhausted from the holidays would be a gross understatement - rolling into Christmas with a new baby & busy pre-schooler tested our patience, limits and sleep tolerance (or lack thereof!). I had vowed to get some Christmas shopping done while on maternity leave, but let's face it - getting a shower, much less Christmas shopping done, was a huge accomplishment during any given day. I quickly said 'the hell with that', and decided to bask in my non-showered bliss while snuggling with my new baby. And letting myself enjoy the nirvana of a no-deadline-day....with my job, it's deadlines all day for various things. They never stop....it's almost hard to feel like you've ever accomplished anything b/c once you've checked one deadline off your list, 3 more appear. Sigh, I digress...

So, with being ill-prepared gift-wise, I was lucky enough to get some ideas sent from my mom. I'm telling you, and I openly confess that while I pride myself on being a super-mom, I failed this Christmas. I literally was shopping until the 11th hour. I felt like the kid in college who races into the classroom for a final in their pj's, stinky t-shirt and busted pencil. So ill-prepared I was embarrassed of myself. Tried to give myself the pass of "you just had a baby a few wks ago", but it didn't settle right in making excuses for something I have had all year to prep for. Shame, shame. I found something for everyone (what they wanted) and everyone was happy. Whew. The bad news is, Christmas may be over, but February is right around the corner which brings Rod's birthday & our anniversary. Two biggies that stress me out - primarily b/c Rod is so hard to buy for! I try to be clever & cute for every birthday & anniversary, but honestly, I'm feeling pretty tapped out. So, if you have any good ideas, help a sistah out!

Charlie, our elf, came to visit again this year. He comes every Thanksgiving night - and Sophia knows it. Last year she was still warming up to the idea of having an elf come and watch her behavior and then reporting it to Santa each night while she slept. This year, she could've cared less what that damn elf reported...she just had fun playing the game of "where is Charlie at this morning"?! Charlie hung out everywhere this year: family Christmas tree, Sophia's tree, Camilla's tree, our mantle (which meant he hitched some rides on the camels & sheep from our nativity), snuggled up in our stockings, perched inside our indoor window wreaths and even took Sophia's Fisher Price airplane & school bus for spins. His last day visiting he got pretty wild and decided he'd string up some TP on our kitchen chandelier. Sophia LOVED it.

Charlie gettin' wild with the TP

Normally, every Christmas Eve is spent going to the Children's Mass, followed by the annual cocktail party at Lopez's. However, this year, Patricia decided to forego the whole party and just do a quiet family dinner (still need to upload photos from our other camera!). I was so relieved. Especially with an 8wk old, I just didn't want to push it and make it a late night. It would've made for a really long day for us - especially since both Rod & I had to work that day. We enjoyed Mass, and then a delicious and low-key dinner at Lopez's. We enjoyed opening gifts and watching Sophia. I was smart enough to know it'd get late no matter what, and I packed Sophia's toothbrush and pj's. When we got home, we put together cookies for Santa and hit the sack. I was SO grateful when both girls slept in until 7:15am! Sophia's big wish for Santa this year was a "big, big, big bike". And Santa delivered! She awoke all excited to see her brand new big-girl bike and helmet parked in front of the tree! Forget the rest of the pink-wrapped gifts under the tree, the bike was all she cared about! She immediately hopped on (helmet & all) and pedaled laps around our house! It was hilarious as we'd have to stop her between laps to come open one of her gifts. Never bothered to remove the helmet either. The weather was blustery and cold (rain, but snow forecasted!) and so riding outside was next to nill. Rod did brave the cold and let her ride a few short minutes outside. Camilla enjoyed the morning snuggled up with me and could've cared less about the stuff Santa brought her (a kick piano for the crib) and a few teething toys/rattles. She's now very alert and loves her mobile and rattles. We play games with new textures touching her skin and we love it when she smiles big followed by the CUTEST coo's!!

Later Christmas morning, we headed over to the Schultz's for lunch and presents. My mom never does anything half-done...frosted cookies, homemade fudge, homemade dip, chex mix and more covered the kitchen countertops upon our arrival and the aroma of honey-baked ham and green bean casserole permeated the air. I could actually feel myself getting fatter. And I was okay with that. We decided to open gifts first, allowing Sophia to tear into them, then eat. Of course followed closely by naps! Sophia had the best time and received some fun new things (namely a new doll that was eerily proportionate to Camilla & even looked like her). She hardly let my brother out of her sight - that is her buddy! We all enjoyed the morning/afternoon together and by the time we left, it was indeed snowing! The majority of my life, I've had white Christmases, and so the handful that I've had without snow makes it always feel un-Christmas-y. I was tickled to watch Sophia light up and to know that Camilla's first Christmas was a white one. Sadly, most of the snow didn't stick, but as anyone who's lived with regular snowfall, the first snowfall is the most beautiful. It's one of the most peaceful acts of nature to watch....it never gets old to me.

Uncle Jim & Sophia

Uncle Jim burping Sophia's new "Camilla look-alike"

Camilla's 1st Christmas!

Sophia & her new baby doll from Uncle Jim

Let the present-opening COMMENCE!

All in all, although some portions of juggling schedules and children stressed me out, our first Christmas as a family of four was wonderful. I was so happy to slow down and watch the delight on Sophia's face and to snuggle Camilla - as I knew next year the girls would be older and bigger. It was amazing to think that a year ago, Camilla was only a wish and a prayer....and now here we had a beautiful new baby girl to be grateful for. Even though she was an October baby, she was still the best Christmas gift. Life just seemed so sweet this year - and it can only get better!

Inside the stocking Nana handmade for her

I love my stocking, thanks Nana!

Christmas Catch-Up

It's been far too long, but I'm going to give our poor blog an update by (gasp!) actually posting! We'll try to do this 'cliffs-notes' style. Short, sweet and to the point. No worries on a quiz either...

Camilla a-snoozin' away!

Camilla is a growing girl having just reached her 2 month birthday (um, excuse me, but where has the time gone already!?) on Dec. 18th. Today she went for her 2month check up and here's her stats: 8lbs 5oz and 21 3/4 inches long.

She is learning to coo so sweetly and smiles at the sounds of our voices or sights of our faces. She loves when we play the little game of tickling her nose/cheek/ear/tummy - she is happiest laying down and 'playing'. She continues to be such an easy & sweet baby...we are so blessed! Camilla loves to snooze and sleeps from about 10:30pm until 6am - Mommy is especially grateful! I have nicknamed her "Birdie" as she has the cutest little baby-bird-down hair on her head, and that she will snuggle right up to me like a baby bird would to its mother. So sweet.

Camilla was also baptized on Dec. 12th - wearing my own baptism gown....and the same one Sophia wore to her baptism. It's a sweet little dress and now it means so much to have worn it myself and had both daughters wear it. However, neither daughter was I able to get a decent photo of them wearing it. Go figure.

Camilla wearing Mommy's baptism dress

Brendan & Monica: Camilla's Godparents

Sophia seems like a teenager in comparison to her baby sister. She is busy with school and her social calendar! School performances, parties, play dates and more keep Sophia a-buzz with activity. She is only 3mos away from turning FOUR - I can't hardly believe it. She is still loving school and is SO darn smart! She can write her name, "mommy", "daddy" and attempts "Camilla" and a few of her friends' names. She recognizes letters and is on the brink of learning the basics of reading (hooray!). She loves books and pretending to be a teacher...most of all, she loves being Camilla's BIG sister - can you believe the novelty hasn't worn off yet? We've never seen signs of jealousy and I don't think we ever will. Pure sweetness pours from her kisses, hugs and love for Camilla. Heaven! Here's some more of what Sophia's been up to...

Boarding The Polar Express!

Reading along in the book as we race to the North Pole aboard The Polar Express!

Sophia singing in her school Christmas program

Sophia's class Christmas party

Sophia 'skyping' with her bff, Ava across town!

In other news, Mommy sadly had to return to work in her position as marketing director & buyer on Dec. 9th. Working as a marketing director & buyer for 3 retail stores meant I had LOTS of work to do before I ever left on maternity leave...and also meant I'd have a heap on my desk when I returned. Not to mention heading back to market (in Atlanta) for nearly a week early January! I had told myself that it wouldn't be hard or bad since I'd been thru this before and I'd at least know what to expect. Wrong! I think it was worse this time b/c of that very reason. I had high anxiety going back. I love my job, but I knew how badly it was going to hurt to have to give up being the full-time mommy gig that I had cherished the past 8wks. I was desperately going to miss the girls. However, I fared ok my first day back - and Rod even had flowers sent to my office to help cheer me up. It was nice to be greeted with such enthusiasm by everyone I worked with - it felt good to be wanted back at work by all of them as they said they had really missed me. It's always nice to know you're needed and wanted by so many sweet people! Luckily, unlike my return to work after Sophia's birth, I at least remembered where my files were stored on my computer at work! It's taking me a bit of time to re-adjust to being a working mom, but I'm hanging in there and hoping I can manage my new family circus!

I was super proud of myself this year for running in my 7th consecutive Jingle Bell Run 5k too....just 6wks after giving birth! Initially I had given up hope of doing it as I thought that was too lofty of a goal. However, I recovered great from the c-section, and was exercising long before the 6wk mark. Because I was in such great shape when I got pregnant, I was able to shed the baby weight in nearly record time. Without any running under my belt in the last 9mos or leading up to the run, I think finishing it in 36mins wasn't too shabby. I told myself I wouldn't be running this for the time this year, but just to say I completed it. I was certainly proud for finishing it, but I sure did miss my time of 28mins from last year's run!

Julie post-run...brr, it was a COLD run!

Shed the jacket to pose with my Birdie!

Lastly, we are looking forward to spending our first Christmas as a family of four...God has blessed us greatly with our sweet Camilla Ann this year and we couldn't be happier or more grateful!