Comments from Simon

Warning: This is another infrequent but very long post by Simon. If you want to hurry to the pictures of the girls just scroll down. I'm sorry for writing so much, but my heart is so full and I want to share......

Hi everyone! I'm ashamed that San is the only one taking responsibility for keeping the blog updated. I've had a few friends ask me when would be the next update. It's so nice knowing that you're out there keeping in touch in this new technological age.

Anyway, I'm at the library where I should be putting all my effort in seeking work, but I couldn't let a quiet opportunity pass without touching bases with you all. You know, with Sofia I never have a quiet moment. She is such a daddy's girl it is incredible----I wouldn't have it any other way. I was worried that Sydney wouldn't be a daddy's girl too because I didn't get to spend as much time with her during her first couple of months. But, we are bonding in wonderful ways. I think San forgot to mention that we LOVE how she just stares into our eyes and seems to be communicating so much. Perhaps it's the sensitive romantic in me that would like to think my infant and I have special telepathic powers :-), but it seems that she does. It seems that she says "Daddy I love you, and thank you for giving me this chance to be here." Wow! What a responsibility and privilege.

I often think about the privilege it is to provide a safe and stable Christ-centered life for my girls. I know so many children without fathers or fathers that don't care or have no time, but who am I to judge but myself. I'm just so thankful for all the support and love we receive from so many. I won't be able to mention everyone, but I do want to make special note of just a few: Julie and Bradon Reynolds who just always make us feel like best friends. Julie just made us muffins for no reason but love and has gone out of her way to show her care for us. She even thinks about OUR needs when she is out shopping - thinking about what WE may need.

Ryan and Tammy Blankenship are the most optimistic and uplifting people I've ever known. They are wonderful friends. Bill Shields is one of the most considerate and consistent home teacher we've ever had. Margie Westenhofer (spelling?) is so consistent in visit-teaching San, and she brought us the absolute BEST pumpkin muffins. Then there's wonderful Liz Burkhardt! What a terrific friend who is always willing to help us anytime. She's the best "baby-holder" during church. I thought I would never want to let anyone hold my babies, but after having one infant AND Sofia.... I'm more than glad to have the help. Kim Fredrick, too, is most amazing in always checking on us, offering to give us a break, and simply showing true and sincere friendship.

And of course how could I not mention Mike Denkers. It's funny, he was the first person I met at the ward and he scared me to death. I was like avoiding him for weeks because he just has the air of authority, but now he IS the one man at church I love and respect the MOST. He's is true blue and sincere...a man of God! And of course Jamie i's absolutely THE BEST! She always lifts my spirits and encourages me and just makes me feel good about life. What a great person and special gift of the spirit, the spirit to inspire.

Last of all, and please forgive me for not mentioning everyone, there is the Bryce Willis family. I've never known such any family with so much energy and desire to love and foster others. Their level of sacrifice is inspiring. We have so much fun with joint family home evenings and love them dearly.

Everyone: We love you, and your loving friendship. Thank you for your prayers for my job search. I know that Heavenly Father will provide.

God bless you all! - Love Simon

PS: Julia, no puedo encontrar tu numero telefonico ni tampoco tu domicilio del correo eletronico. Por favor, ensenamelas de nuevo. Te hecho harto de menos y quiciera tanto hablar contigo. Ojala' todo este' bien contigo y con tu famila. Llamame o manda me un email como te sea conveniente, pero comuniquete conmigo cuando tienes tiempo. Te amo!

Sydney - 3 Months

Sydney is growing SO fast! It seems just like yesterday that I had her...She is such a sweet and gentle baby! She loves to be held and snuggled. She coos all the time and loves interaction. She rarely cries, but WILL let you know when she wants to be fed! She has definitely gotten heavier and is growing taller everyday! She now wears 3-6 month clothes, but I am sure that she will outgrow them soon. I am constantly having to rotate clothes in and out of her drawers! She is also a great sleeper, sleeping 8 or more hrs. straight! I was worried before having Sydney, thinking that it was going to be too hard having 2 little ones. But, Sydney has definitely made the transition beautiful and wonderful. She is very content and happy. What a precious time this is! We sure love her!

Here are a few things that we love about her:
-Loves looking at her hands and playing with them
-Loves looking and cooing at the animals and objects on her play mat and bouncer
-Is starting to know that she can reach out for things
-Follows us with her eyes
-Smiles ALL the time and laughs
-Does not like tummy time for more than a few minutes
-Already loves reading time at the library
-Is social and loves being held by different people
-Makes the sweetest sounds when sleeping

Sofia - 17 Months

We've had the best time with Sofia this month! She

is such a social bee and we love it. She walks up to

any and everyone and wants to talk to them and have them read to her. It's precious! She is very adventurous and will attempt anything. She weighs about 23 lbs. and is still very petite, but eats from the moment she wakes up! She has 18 teeth total.

(This is her playing dress-up at BigMamma's house last week in Atlanta. She had the best time!)

Here are a few things that we love about her:
-She loves her sister and is very protective of her
-She LOVES rice
-Loves to talk and knows lots of words

-She loves to give us hugs and kisses
-She loves when she learns something new and claps with happiness
-She loves to run
-She loves to read and will entertain herself with books and still loves for us to read to her
-She loves Dora and was thrilled to get a life size Dora doll from DeeDee

(Sofi with her cousins in Mississippi, playing at GiGi and Papi's house, playing at the mall and loving her new Dora doll)

Sydney - 2 Months

Well, Sydney is 2 1/2 months already! Time is really going by too fast for us...Where has our little baby gone? We had our check-up last week and Sydney is no longer petite. Her appetite has tripled and she has had a major growth spurt. She is also very tall, putting her in the 90th percentile for height at almost 24 inches long! She weighs 13 lbs. We sure love her! She smiles all the time now and coos all day. I don't know what Simon and I have done to have been blessed again with such a beautiful and sweet baby, but we sure are grateful and will work hard everyday to show our gratitude! The remarkable and beautiful thing about Sydney is that she resembles the baby pictures of my sister Samara. It now seems as though she will get her height too! It's neat to see Samara's features in Sydney everyday! Here are a few things that we love about Sydney:

-Sleeps great (only wakes up once at night)
-Smiles all the time and laughs

-Loves to snuggle

-Is content just watching her older sister, Sofia, run around all day

-Is content riding in the car

-Already loves story time. We've been going for a couple of weeks now and she loves it...

-Is simply a happy baby

Here are a few pictures from this past month:

We got to visit Tanya and sweet Madison this past month! Isn't Madison beautiful? Thanks for letting us come visit (twice)! We love your family!