Christmas Fun

Olivia Feeding herself breakfast...Yummy Cream of Wheat!

I love my baby doll. Too bad we can't ask her what to name it.

In their new PJ's on X-mas morning

So sorry, I've been so busy with the house and everything else, I've not had a chance to update my blog.

We had a great Christmas, Olivia didn't want to open any of the gifts because earlier in the week, she had gotten into one of the open bags, and I scolded her for it. I think she remembered, because all she did was look into the bags and smile.

Of course we carried on the one gift on x-mas eve tradition and both girls got PJ's (how strange Terri and I always did too!) Santa brought Sophie a lightsaber, and Olivia a wooden-block train. Olivia also received a baby doll (see picture below) and she hasn't put it down since. Sophie got a telescope and microscope set and is constantly looking for stuff to look at. Anyway, we hope that you all have a wonderful new years!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Let it snow!

It has snowed since 7:00 this morning. I've shoveled the driveway twice today, and we have very large piles of snow. I'm guessing we'll have between 8-12" before this storm is over. Tomorrow the lab and the schools are on a two hour delay AKA "school hour delay." (still saying cute things even though she's so grown-up.)

After I picked Sophie up from school, both girls looked so cute in their winter gear, I had to get a picture. Finally I feel like it's Christmas time!

The world according to Sophie

We gave Sophie the old digital camera that Terri and Matt gave us many moons ago. Anyway, we finally got around to downloading her cool pictures. So, this is the world as a 6 year old sees it.

The top of a trashcan at overlook park, but more importantly, something round.

A self portrait.

Michael Phelps in the Olympics. Very historic, and important to capture such moments on film.

Her Backpack.

Some tomatoes.

Her horse window sun catcher.

An afternoon picnic.

Her play structure.

There are many more, but these are some of my personal favorites.

Double edged sword

Yesterday was Nana's funeral. She had everything arranged ahead of time down to the last detail. She requested that the oldest grandchild from each family serve as her pal bearer. The eldest grandchild from each family is a male (except me!) So I was honored to be the only girl pal bearer as well. It was a sad day with lots of tears, but at the same time it was wonderful to see all of my Sanchez Family, especially my cousins. We think it is the first time we have all been together. We got a picture to mark the day, because who knows what will happen now that Nana is gone. Death is such a sad part of life, but at the same time a wonderful time to celebrate what one tiny little woman made.

Maria Concepcion Sanchez

Nana passes

Tonight Nana passed away at 6:01 PM. We were able to be there for her final minutes. Matt took off early from work (thank you!) and we picked up some extra clothes for mom and headed down to Los Lunas. We arrived around 5:30, and said our farewells. At 5:59, Nana got a tear in her eye, opened her eyes and took her last breath. It was very peaceful and very sad. Nana was only 12 days away from her 100th birthday! I will miss Nana Concha, for she was without a doubt the most spiritual person I ever met.

A pathetic attempt at a "professional" photo shoot.

So we realized that by Sophie's 1st Birthday, she'd had over four solo professional photo shoots. We realize that Olivia has had ZERO! So, to remedy that I gave an effort with my sad little digital camera to get a pseudo professional looking shot. We all were in on the idea. Sophie was on damage control. Matt was in charge of getting her to look at the camera, and I was the picture taker. Anyway, this is all we got. I've got to give it another try! Any and all suggestions (especially on how to get a busy 14 month hold to sit still) would be appreciated.

Sophie's Solo

Wow, where did she get her moves from? When she finally saw the video I think she was embarassed which makes me really sad 'cause I love that she really gets into the music. Its like the song (Help me out with the name here) "dance like nobody is watching."

Anyway, keep dancing Sophie

P.S. the music is techno.

Soul Train at the Schmidt House...

My favorite part is when Sophie really gets jammin' at the end.

Horsin' around

Matt's beer making/ softball/ workout buddy David and his family (Kirsten & Anika) invited Sophie over to meet and play with their horse Blade. Due to my allergies, Olivia and I stayed home. Here are some pictures of their adventure. Sophie's favorite parts were trotting, brushing him, and feeding him. "His mouth was soft and slobbery!"

Everyone knows that both Matt and Sophie would love, love, love to have a ranch with horses. I keep reminding them that if they'd kill me in the process. (Maybe I should raise my life insurance policy for them!...Kidding) After they got home they had to shower immediately 'cause I started sneezing....ARGH stupid immune system.

Car fun

Last night while getting Olivia ready for her bath, she ran around with just shoes and a diaper. I just thought it was cute! The funny thing is she can only go backwards in her little car, so she backs herself into things and then gets stuck.

Kiss the Camera

Visit

The Great grandparents (I should say Awesome grandparents) stopped to visit with us last weekend. They were on their way to Lake Havasu City, AZ where they spend their winters. As usual, they stopped to spend a few days with us on their trip out. We all had a terrific time, swapping stories and just spending time together. Matt took GGpa out to golf, while all of the girls stayed at home played. Olivia really liked GGma, and even gave her a kiss! She'd also play peek-a-boo tag with her. Sophie also gave both of them lessons in how to throw a football. Below is proof that Matt's grandparents are lighthearted souls who will do anything for their only grandson.

Sophie and Grandma coloring. Sophie kept blaming GGma for stealing the crayons, but look at the evidence, the crayons are all on her side scattered everywhere!

Is it Tom Cruise in Top Gun?

Who's that biker chick?

gimme 5

We play the "Give me 5, on the side, cut the pickle...tickle tickle tickle" game with Olivia all the time. About a month ago she started placing her index finger onto the palm of her hand. We didn't know it at first, but it means tickle me!

So, if Olivia does this sign to you, tickle at will!

8 Things Tag

8 TV shows I watch
1. Greys Anatomy (It's been terrible lately, but I'm an addict)
2. Biggest Loser
3. CSI: NY
4. Top Chef (can't wait for the next season)
5. Project Runway
6. What Not to Wear
7. Anthony Bordain: no reservations
8. The Hills (terrible I know!)

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. An old Italian place on the Plaza that is gone cause the chef moved back to Tuscany.
2. Mom's Kitchen
3. Pronzos
4. Zia Diner
5. Anywhere that is not my kitchen
6. Jamba Juice
7.
8.

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
1. Dropped the girls off in the morning
2. I voted
3. Did laundry
4. Unloaded the dishwasher (every day thing at our house too, but Sophie and Matt are big helpers!)
5. Made green chili stew
6. Taught a yoga class
7. Worked at LANL
8. Gave Olivia a bath

8 Things I’m looking forward to
1. Christmas
2. A change in the economy
3. Buying a new house
4. Matt and my 10 year trip to either Europe or New Zealand.
5. Hearing Olivia speak real words.
6. Sleeping through the night.
7. Going jogging tomorrow morning.
8. Watching TV without hearing political ads.

8 Things on my Wish List
1. Sleeping through the night.
2. Being able to teach more Yoga classes.
3. Eating a healthier diet.
4. Being a perfect speller.
5. A guaranteed life of health for all my loved ones.
6. Not worrying about what others think of me. (not that I worry about average peoples' opionions, its just that I don't feel like I can be myself around some people I should be able to be myself around...)
7. To be a little more easygoing.
8. Everyone to try Yoga at least once in their life.

8 Things I Love
1. My Family
2. Yoga
3. Getting a really good workout
4. Reading a good book.
5. Alone time
6. Being taken out to lunch or dinner.
7. Laughing
8. A cold soda with lots and lots of ICE!

8 Things I Can’t Stand
1. Vomit
2. Tardiness
3. Laziness
4. Dishonesty
5. Litter Bugs (so with you Ter!)
6. Excuses
7. Slobs
8. Bullies
9....Onions.....

8 People I’m Tagging
Well, only Jennifer & Maria because everyone else is already tagged who reads my blog!

Happy Halloween

As usual, we did a "family" themed Halloween. This year it was the Addams Family. Sophie was Wednesday, Matt was Gomez, Grandma Lil was Mama, Grandpa Frank was Uncle Fester, I was Morticia and Olivia was a Vampire Bat.

Does anyone else see a resemblance to Grandpa Bill?

100th Post

Wow,
This is my 100th post on Meso schmidt.com I can't believe it!
I have nothing else to say right now so I'll just say GO ONE HUNDRED.
Em

Peek A Boo

GO Broncos....but then stink it up in the end.

While in Denver this weekend, we got to go to the Broncos game. We had 7 tickets, but not all together. Matt, Sophie, Olivia and I sat together, while Bob, Nan, Mom & Dad sat two sections away. Actually this adds up to eight people, but Olivia didn't need her own seat. We got to the game a little late, and missed the first Touchdown, but then stayed to the bitter end. Our old Broncos let us down; the Jags had a 24 to 17 victory. On a positive note, Sophie had her picture taken for the Broncos website, so keep an eye out for her!
The Schmidt gals in our matching Broncos sweatshirts. This is only possible because I am still small enough to wear little boy's clothes. However, Sophie's is almost too small. I guess we'll be buying the same size next year!
Grinning during the game. Olivia was a champ! She napped from half time until the fourth quarter. She also cheered, and charmed the crowd. The women sitting behind us were entranced and are now planning on having kids.

After the loss.

What were they thinking?

At the end of the game. You'd think that we'd be sad 'cause our team lost, but we were able to spend time with our whole family, so we were happy.

Denver Trip

We went to Denver this weekend to visit with Matt's parents, have a 30th Birthday Party for Matt, and go to the BRONCOS game. We had a really nice visit with Matt's mom & dad, and Matt got to see some old friends at his party. He's not technically 30 until Nov 3rd, but we decided to do celebrate his birthday when his folks were in the Southwest. Anyway, here are some fun pictures of our trip.
Playing Leapser "Jedi Math" on the way to Denver. Notice the intense concentration.

Matt drove Mom's van. Check out the grandparents cool way of traveling!

We went to the Bass Pro Shop while in Denver. Yes, I am kissing an Elk. I don't know why I did it. Maybe because his face was the same height as mine...?

Sophie watch out for that bear!

OH NO, it has Matt now!

The search for jeans.

Okay, every woman in the world knows about the "perfect" pair of jeans. Since I had Olivia I haven't been able to find a single pair of jeans that fit me well. I had long since decided that my thighs were just two sizes to large. I thought I'd tried on every pair of jeans on the planet. Yesterday, we were headed to Santa Fe, and I mentioned to Matt that I needed to get a new pair of jeans. He rolled his eyes, but said "Okay."
We went to Target....no luck.
We went to T. J. Max....no luck.
We went to the Gap....some luck but I'm not paying $75 for a pair of jeans.
We went to Dillards....and I tried on lots of jeans....no luck....maybe the petites section. But then I remembered that petites fit me everywhere else but they are too short. I thought I'd try anyway and low and behold DKNY sells petite longs. Woo Hoo...I found jeans. And they are not too pricey.
I wish you all the luck in your Jean search.

Birthday cake yummmmmm

Tentative first bites.
Enjoying a licorice antennae. (She likes black licorice, just like Uncle Matt)

Olivia did a great job eating her cake and opening her gifts. She dug in, smeared frosting on her face, had food in both fists, and cried when we took the rest of the cake away. She ate mostly the eyeballs, and preferred the chocolate icing over the butter cream. After the cake, and a quick bath, we opened gifts. The biggest hits were the cars and the air ball toy.

Ladybug Cakes

Okay, I know I'm not nearly as talented at cake decorating as Ter or Mom, but I'm still pretty proud of Olivia's first birthday ladybug cakes.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Olivia.!

Here is a montage of some her past Pooh Bear Month by Month pictures. I'm amazed at how quickly she has grown up.