Ana Sophia at 23 months

In just a few days Miss Ana Sophia will be 23 months - so crazy close to 2 years old!

And in typical Sarah fashion I am behind on blogging so this will be a lengthy post with several pictures of our little sweet one.

I think if Sophia was writing this post she would want to share with you a few of her favorite things (brown paper packages tied up with string, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes - oh wait, wrong fairytale - back to Sophia's little world). The library continues to be a constant favorite. Mama Jean is a trooper and takes her to story time occasionally - Sophia likes to be right up front - so close, in fact, that she can feel the librarian's breath. She also likes to walk around and greet each person - kissing the babies (moms love this with the swine flu going around) and hugging the kiddos (on a good day - on a bad day a little sweet shove to let them know she's there). Sophia's new favorite place is an awesome science center here in town that has 3 floors of great activities for kids her age, including a touch and feel shark aquarium, an "itty bitty city" where Sophia spends the majority of the time in the supermarket (that's my girl - lovin' her food), and a giant mouse house with slides and mirrors. Mommy gets way into it too-pretend play happens to be one of my favorite things! Another favorite is the park where Sophia is fearless on the equipment attempting things that make mommy almost lose her lunch. And finally Jean Jean's house where she plays in the playroom and arrives home red faced and happy.

Shopping in the "itty bitty city"
Enjoying a picnic with the family - Sophia LOVES plums!
Swinging is an absolute must - she could swing for an hour if we let her!

Milestones lately? She started Mother's Day Out 2 days a week and loves it! No tears at all and on the 2nd day she shut the door in our faces when we came to pick her up - wanting to stay longer. I could not be happier - I'm so glad that she enjoys school! Another milestone is an increase in pretend play. She especially enjoys taking care of her baby dolls. Her current favorite is a small Ernie doll. She changes his diaper, wraps him in his own little swaddle, buckles him in Vincent's car seat, and asks him all sorts of questions like, "Ernie, you o.kay?" "Ernie you want a cheesestick?" "Ernie you have a good nights sleep?"And yes, she says sentences that long and then some. Sophia is quite the chatty Kathy. The other day she told me that her orange was "sour" and "juicy." My jaw dropped - I don't know where she learns these things - but she is always listening. Other pretend games? Making cookies, feeding and caring for her Little People animals, serving us cake and tea, going to the grocery store, etc. etc.

On the first day of school she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

By the time we arrived at "school" she was excited and ready to go!

She's taken up singing in a big way. The ABC song, God our Father prayer, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Baa Baa Black Sheep, 6 Little Ducks, The Bear Went Over the Mountain, Somebody Loves Me, and that doesn't even touch on the made up songs we sing around our house. Several of these songs she learned at Kindermusik which she attends with my mom once a week. They have a ball!

An interesting thing as of late is her night-time routine. Daddy gets her all ready for bed while mommy cares for Vincent. After Vincent is down we all gather in Sophia's room and read books or play - great family time, I must say. We then put her in her crib around 8:00, a little later than her previous 7:30 bedtime. And the thing that is just too sweet is that we will hear her up to an hour later talking to her dolls or turning the pages in a book. The other night I heard her an hour and 1/2 after we put her in her crib. I thought to myself, "Surely she is not still awake?" I cracked the door, peaked in, and sure enough, she was sitting in the corner of her crib a book on her lap, pacie in her mouth, looking at the pictures. So sweet! And on another positive note - she's been sleeping later as a result!

Since the last update Sophia has acquired a whole new role: big sister. And what a great big sister she makes! She likes to kiss her brother and has recently learned to hold him under very close supervision of mom or dad. In the morning she wants to see him first thing and will comment, "He's smilin' at me!" "Kicking boy!" "Bin! Oh, Binny! Oh, Bincent!" "He's laughin'!" "I want to hold him!" "Have a good night?" And when he's fussing in the car she will turn to him and say,"Be home soon, buddy!" Like I said, she's always listening and imitating.

Sophia with Vincent after a bath (notice that she is learning to "smile" for the camera)

And finally (If you have read down this far I sincerely thank you!) Ana Sophia has entered that hard, indescribable time known as the "twos." There is this honeymoon period that exists with babies. As you meet and discover your infant their little wills are somewhat in hiding. And then one day they wake up (yes, it feels that sudden) and their free will decides that no I want what I want not what you want. Really, it must be hard for a toddler. All her little life, the world revolved around her - as it should - she cried - we jumped to, she smiled - all eyes responded with delight, she requested - we served without hesitation. Now? Now she has to learn that she cannot thrive and bless others in an egocentric world. That there is a little brother to see too, that there are other little children who want that same toy, and that mommy and daddy must divide their attention. But know little one, we do not divide our love - we love you fully just as we fully love Vincent and one another. And we are here to help you figure out this world with all its rules and expectations. Just be patient with us too as we figure out how to best guide and direct you little one.