It's a...

GIRL!!!

We had our ultrasound yesterday and found out that we indeed have a healthy baby girl. I had a feeling that the baby was a she, but I still felt very shocked when the doctor confirmed my suspicions. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to parent both a boy and a girl. I had a few panic moments yesterday as I thought about raising a girl and the responsibility that would be, but after sleeping on it last night, I woke up almost giddy with excitement. I can't wait for the adorable girl clothes and accessories, and more importantly, the unique relationship that I hope to have with my daughter some day. I know that just like raising a boy to become a man of God, raising a daughter in the Lord will be equally challenging. Thank goodness we don't have to do it alone. Now it's time to ask the Lord for her name and get ready!

I will post ultrasound pics soon, although they aren't the best quality.

Coming this May!

Here are a few pics of the little peanut.

Fall Fun

Meeting Jon Foreman after the Switchfoot Concert.
The Soderin Gang at the Cosmic Creek Surf Contest at Salt Creek.
Cousins having a beach day.
Finding the perfect pumpkin.
Our little bat baby.

Highlights from August and September

Noah with his cousin Asher in Noah's new monkey big boy chair.

We have been busy around the Soderin house. We celebrated Noah's first birthday with our friends and family over Labor Day weekend. Noah got to meet his cousin Sophia from Oregon for the first time and he got to play with his cousin Asher too! We ate a lot, laughed a lot, and enjoyed the blessings of our children. I started teaching 2 days a week and it has been a blast. I haven't felt this tired in along time though. Noah is doing well at daycare, and I am so thankful for the care he is getting there. Oh, a shout out to Eric who just earned his contractor's license. We are very proud of him! Noah is talking/yelling up a storm and he is perfecting his tantrums. His favorite thing to yell is da da. The other day he was in the bathroom while I was getting ready for school. He started to flush the toilet and I said, "No Noah". He looked at me and shook his head no. Then he signed please. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. Needless to say, he didn't get to flush the toilet.

Here are some pics of the past two months. Enjoy!

It Only Took a Year

Well, I FINALLY finished Noah's room. I am only a week shy of his first birthday. My beautiful friend Katie sketched and painted the perfect tree in Noah's room. It is exactly what I envisioned it to be. Thanks so much Katie!

We've had a fun and full summer with two trips to Tahoe, lots of beach days, and too many wonderful memories to list. Noah just finished swim lessons on Friday, and I start school on Tuesday. Noah has been doing great at daycare, and I am very excited to use another part of my brain and get back into teaching. Here are some pics of the tree and a group shot of Noah with his buddies at swim lessons. Oh, I also included a pic of Noah with his Texas gal Ava.

I've been tagged...

The ABC's of Me

A. Attached or single? Attached and glad to be. I have an amazing husband who is also a great father to our baby boy Noah.

B. Best friend? Eric and my Mom. I actually asked my Mom to be my maid of honor and she said no.

C. Cake or Pie? Carrot cake from Taco Temple.

D. Day of choice? Saturday...sleep in until 8am(thanks hubby). Go on a walk with the family and have a beach day if the weather's nice.

E. Essential items? Bible, Snoogle body pillow, cell phone, a good book, glasses, and my planner

F. Favorite color(s)? black and white but not necessarily together

G. Gummy bears or worms? worms

H. Hometown? Linden, California...population 1,103

I. Favorite indulgence? Mexican food

J. January or July? July, I always feel a little depressed in January because Christmas is over.

K. Kids? 1 handsome little man named Noah who will be one on Sep. 1st

L. Life isn't complete without? Jesus

M. Marriage date? May 10, 2003

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 older brother

O. Oranges or apples? Apples(gala) but oranges when I'm pregnant

P. Phobias? Sharks!!!

Q. Quotes- "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." Mother Teresa

R. Reasons to smile? My little one is asleep in his crib and now I can spend time with my hubby.

S. Season of choice? Spring...new growth

T. Tag 5 people: HOLLY, KELLY, JESS, SARAH, KATIE, JEN... YOU GUYS BETTER DO THIS!!

U. Unknown fact about me? I raised pigs and sheep in high school for FFA.

V. Vacation of choice? The North Shore of Kauai

W. Worst habit? biting my cuticles

X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound, but only if it's good news.

Y. Your favorite food? Mexican food...chips and salsa

Z. Zodiac sign? Leo

Fun Times In Tahoe

A Long Overdue Update

Noah is now 9 months old and as cute as ever. He is saying mama, dada, baba, and of course shaking his no when he doesn't like something. We are having so much fun with our little boy. He is keeping me busy following me all around the house and pulling up on anything and everything. His favorite food is probably turkey or chicken, and he only wants to feed himself now. Hmm, I wonder where he gets that independent attitude. We are looking forward to our first "official" family vacation to my parent's cabin in South Lake Tahoe. Gramie and Grandpie will be joining us for part of our stay and Eric and I are looking forward to having some dates and maybe playing a game or two of blackjack. We also get to see Alison Krauss and Robert Plant live at Harrah's outdoor venue. Pictures to follow as soon as we get back! Here are some recent pics of Noah in the meantime. Enjoy!

My Favorite Things

Lisa Leonard asked the question on her blog, "What are your favorite things?" It made me stop and think about the good things in life...something I often forget to do. Here are the first things that came to my mind:

~the smell of my 8 month old baby boy

~being too silly for words with my hubby while our baby giggles

~snuggling with my velvet soft mini-doxie schatz

~the feeling i get while singing a worship song when i can feel Jesus smiling down on me

~the realization of a prayer that's been answered

~the sound of my husband's key opening the front door after a long day without him

~sharing a bowl of popcorn with my hubby while watching LOST

~Doc's Java ice cream on a hot day

~having a good long and hard cry every now and then...for some reason i always feel refreshed afterwards

What are your favorite things??

5 years with my Best Friend

Eric and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary yesterday. When I reflect on what we have experienced together these past 5 years, my heart is filled with praise, thanksgiving, and joy for what God has done. There have been both times of blessings and times of trials, but I truly believe that it has made our marriage stronger and our friendship deeper. I wouldn't want to go through this life with anyone else. Eric is an amazing husband and the father every child dreams of. I love you Eric and can't wait to celebrate 70 more years with you as your wife.

Eric, today in the presence of God and these witnesses, I commit myself to you as your wife, your encourager and your best friend. Because the Lord is the source of all that is perfect, I promise to continually seek Him as the giver of my love for you. I promise to be your helper and supporter that I may comfort you in times of sorrow and share with you joy in times of gladness. Eric, because the Lord has made us for each other, I joyfully anticipate the years ahead as we grow together in Christ and as a family. I promise to always be faithful to you and to our commitment, no matter what the cost and no matter what the sacrifice, for as long as we both shall live.

8 Months New

This has been quite the week of milestones for Noahroo. He turned 8 months old on the 1st of May. He cut 2 teeth making the grand total of pearly whites 5 so far. He also started crawling AND he can now pull himself to a standing position in his crib. I cannot believe how fast he is growing. I know I've said it in previous posts, but this little guy has stolen our hearts completely.

LOST RETURNS..TONIGHT!!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am about the return of LOST ?
Check out this quiz to see what nickname Sawyer would have for you and post the results.
My nickname is Cotton??

Road Trip

We just got back from the OC on Monday night after visiting our new nephew Asher. He is such a mellow little guy and oh so cute. We ate at In & Out two times in 3 days and found out that french fries are Noah's new favorite food. We had a great time and are overjoyed for Peter and Angi. Noah is a great traveler too!

Beach Days

Here are some recent pics of Noah enjoying the beautiful beach we call home.

Welcome Asher Wesley Soderin!

Eric's brother Peter and his wife Angi welcomed their adopted son Asher into the world last night at 9:06pm. Peter and Angi along with their families have been waiting and praying for this day for a long time. He is perfect and healthy. We are so happy for you guys Pete and Ang. May God continue to bless your new family as your life will be forever changed by this miracle.