Christmas Baking Bliss :)

This is the cookie baking process in our house: first Mama rolls out the dough, then Sophia carefully chooses which cookie shapes we want to make, then Mama cuts the cookies, and then Sophia sneeks a bite of poor Mr. Gingerbread's leg :(
I absolutely love to bake, especially around the holidays. Gingerbread is my favorite because I love to decorate their cute little faces and dunk them in milk. mmmm. Lets just say that this year I probably did more eating than baking, but thats what the holidays are for right?

Christmas Time is Here!

In an effort to save money on professional Christmas photos of Sophia (that I would find 100 reasons to complain about anyway,) we decided to take our own Christmas photos this year. I love trying out my new camera. These are not all that great, I know.The lighting could be better. But its a work in progress. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Bye Bye Binky

Deciding whether or not to let Sophia use a pacifier when she was born was a tough decision. I have heard that using a pacifier while breastfeeding is a bad idea, but I have also heard that providing the pacifier can be a good source of comfort for babies. We decided to let Sophia use a "binky" when she was born, with the condition that it be gone by 18 months. I absolutely HATE when I see older children with a pacifier. It is not only bad for their teeth, but I think parents need to take action in getting rid of the pacifier so that children are not so dependent on it for comfort. Sophia has happily enjoyed her binky for her first 17 months of life. She used to have it whenever she started to fuss, and we have slowly moved to only using it at night and during naps. I put her down in her crib tonight without a binky for the first time ever! She has not woken up yet. This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am thrilled that she is ready to give up the pacifier, and yet I am sad because it reminds me that my baby girl is not really a baby anymore. Saying bye bye to the binky is probably harder for me than it is for Sophia!