Heat Wave

I can't believe it's already the end of August. We've been spoiled with a beautiful summer until this week when the heat wave is finally kicking in. It's supposed to be 106 today, so let's just say we've been spending a lot of time enjoying the air conditioned house!

There isn't a whole lot to report, except that Sophie is continuing to improve with this whole potty training thing. Did I mention this is one of the toughest challenges parenthood has presented thus far? She's handling it really well but I've really had to struggle to keep my patience and keep it a positive experience for her. I really don't think I'm very good at this and am a lot happier now that she really seems to be getting the hang of it. We now are just averaging about one bed wetting per week and (hopefully I'm not jinxing it) so far this week we haven't had any daytime accidents! The potty training has really brought about an independence streak in her too. Because we're training her on the actual potty (with a seat attachment) I've been having to put her on and take her off a lot since it's so big. But this past week she's been climbing up all by herself and wanting to do it all alone. She even demands that we stay in the hallway while she goes! Now if I can just get her to figure out how to put her pants back on, she could just about do it all without me. Last weekend we went to Kris' work pool party and she even used a "foreign" potty for the first time without any problems at all. We are taking a trip to see our best friends next weekend for Labor Day, so if we can get through that, I will feel good saying that she is officially potty trained!

Here are a few pictures I've taken over the last week or so....hope you enjoy them!

Jack is so much more aware now, which is good and bad -- he gets bored during our meal times, so to keep him quiet I have to be a bit creative. He has a goofy personality (wonder who he gets that from) and loves when I do silly things with his toys. (Sorry, I think this picture caught a bit of him spitting up -- also typical Jack!):

He's loving his exersaucer -- I love the look on his face in this one! So much personality!
Sophie is such a "big" little girl now. I mentioned the independence streak....well now she insists on picking out her clothes -- I didn't think she did too bad with this one:
She loves teaching Jack how to use all the baby toys and how to read books -- he really seems to listen to her:
"Wait, is this how you do it?!"
Their favorite thing is to lay together on Jack's blanket and "play" together. I find it to be the cutest thing ever:
I can't remember if I mentioned that Uncle Brandon is living with us for a few months...His bed is in our living room and Sophie LOVES having him here. Every day when he gets home from work, she runs to give him a big hug. As he gets ready to work out on his total gym, she climbs up on his bed with her books and reads while he works out. It's adorable.
She even found his hat collection. (Sorry Niner fans, we also have Cowboy fans in the family and I thought they'd appreciate this one):
She wears them all!
Have a great end to your August! This weekend we celebrate Grandpa Gordon's birthday and then next weekend is Vegas with our best friends and their baby -- we should have plenty of new pictures soon!