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Friday, December 29, 2006

Sophie has been a member of our family now for 7 1/2 months. She made such an easy transition into our family; but as I look back, I can see how much more carefree and happy she is now. She and Isabelle have gotten into a comfortable groove. They play well together and neither gets too jealous of the other's time spent with mommy. Sometimes, if Sophie is tired or doesn't feel well she gets sad when she can't be in mommy's arms RIGHT NOW. She had decided that baba is pretty cool too; and thoroughly enjoys wrestling and getting tickled. She also loves to get up on baba's lap and read books. She usually comes after him with a favorite book as soon as he gets home from work. She and Isabelle share a room now. Isabelle is still in the crib and Sophie is in the full size bed. Sophie has always been a wonderful sleeper and thankfully she continues to be. All she needs to go to sleep is her pillow and her thumb :) She still naps for a few hours during the day -- we're in no hurry to get rid of any precious quiet time momma can get! We have been a family on the go the last few months. We visited friends in Ohio and continue to make frequent trips to Atlanta for family get-togethers. Sophie has finally learned to endure the long car trips without fussing. She's decided that Spongebob IS as funny as Isabelle thinks he is and everyone now happily watches the same DVD in the car.

Sophie is currently in "potty training school" and is giving this mother of six a run for her money. We are not sure if it is an ability (or lack thereof) issue or a control issue but we are pressing on. We've gone 'cold turkey' so to speak and hope to be seeing some improvement by the first week of January. She still loves to be on the go and is willing to go anywhere with any family member who is leaving the house. The other day she was all dressed to go to the grocery story with baba. She had no idea where she was going but was just happy to be going. As they walked out of the door, hand in hand, she said "Go to doctor?" Even a potential doctor's visit isn't enough to dissuade our girl. She has been very healthy lately but did have to endure two flu shots in the last few months. She will soon receive her second HepA and will then up-to-date on her shots until she begins school. She is growing well, has really shot up and has lost a bit of her baby fat. Sadly she is beginning to look more like a little girl and less like a toddler. She continues to have an excellent appetite. She will often ask for whatever yummy food anyone else is eating, even if she's just finished her meal. She loves My Little Pony fruit snacks and 'nola bars (as she calls them) and can never seem to get enough apple juice. The girl can put away the liquid like a parched sailor.

Sophie's English continues to improve. She can speak in 3 - 4 word sentences and we now understand more and more of what she is saying. Her enunciation is improving, she can now say "juice" instead of "ju". The "s" sound seems to be quite a challenge for her -- she is still struggling with saying "Sophie" instead saying "Ophie". Our ignorance doesn't seem to deter her. When she says something we can't understand, she just says it over and over until we either guess what she was saying or we offer her a better alternative. She loves to talk and continues to be our resident tattle tale. With a sister like Isabelle, this is a good thing. She is doing well learning her colors and asks constantly what color things are. She is learning her shapes and knows circle, heart, and flower so far (what a girl!) She is also interested in counting and can count items up to 5 accurately. She is learning her animals and knows the names and sounds of a pig, horse, dog, cat, sheep, bird, chicken, and lion. She continues to love her babies and usually has two or three that she wants to sleep with every night. She makes sure her babies are covered up before going to sleep herself. She also loves to draw and makes many lovely crayola masterpieces for our refrigerator.

Sophie picking her pumpkin

Sophie & Belle ready for trick or treats

Visiting friends at Thanksgiving

Having fun at the playground

Ready for Santa

Our little princess on Christmas day

As Christmas time approached, Sophie noticed all the colorful packages that were stacking up in momma and baba's room. We talked about Christmas, baby Jesus and presents and she would get so excited exclaiming "Chrimasss!!" On Christmas morning, she was beside herself with anticipation and, although unwrapping presents was new to her, she became and expert in no time flat. Santa brought the girls a new 'big girl' doll house and a table and chairs set. Sophie had a hard time doing anything other than playing with the new doll house on Christmas morning, but she managed to tear herself away long enough to open her presents. Her favorite presents were a Puppy Surprise ( a mommy puppy with baby puppies in her velcro tummy) and a princess dress up trunk. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of our daughters made this most special day even more wondrous. Watching them laugh and enjoy themselves with abandon was priceless :)

We are all looking forward to celebrating Sophie's third birthday on January 20th -- her first birthday with us. She knows it is soon because we had to explain why she didn't get to open any presents when we celebrated Dalton's birthday. When I explained to Sophie that her birthday was coming soon her eyes lit up. She has asked about it many times since and the anticipation is definitely building. We can't wait to have a special day set aside to celebrate our sweet Sophie and all the joy she has added to all of our lives.

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