Happy Burbay and A very good patient

Happy Burbay...
We were at Saba and Safta's house and ate outside for the first time on their new patio table and chairs . We lit candles so that we could see while we ate. You saw all the candles and immediately wanted to sing "Happy BurBay!" So, we sang to you even though it was the beginning of October and your birthday wasn't until June!

A very good patient...
I took you to the dr. to get a flu shot. When the nurse called your name, you marched right up and followed me to the exam room. She pulled up your little leg warmers and stuck you with the needle. You didn't bat an eyelash. Then she applied the bandaid and you swiftly said, "Thank you!" as loud and clear as day. You got the biggest sticker in their sticker drawer that day for being such a good patient. The Dr. around the corner asked in astonishment, "Did that little girl just get a flu shot?" I told him you did and he asked, "But, I didn't hear anything." I told him that you thanked the nurse, too. He was very impressed! I could barely fit out the door, because my chest was filled up with pride. (and I was also 7 months pregnant...)

Wake up, Saba

 
One of the things Sophie does when her Saba is snoozing is she jumps on him to wake him up. I think in this attempt, her older and compassionate cousin thwarted her attempt. Thanks, Leah!

Long time, no blog

Well, if this blog has any kind of time stamp, you might understand why you haven't heard from us in a while. It's 4:15am and I can't sleep. I'm not even in my 3rd trimester and already I am getting some 3rd trimester woes. Computer time is a rare treat these days, saved only for the wee hours.

Sophie has blossomed, no doubt. She is speaking very well and just recently has found some real rewards for her attempts at conversation. Kevin will ask her how her day has been and she answers something like this, "Um....outside, little friends, library, ice cream (all of which DID happen to her during the day)...um, blocks, dragon flies, bananas, bus, wheels on the bus,...sing wheels on the bus??!! Sing wheels on the bus??!!" We of course just sit dreamy eyes and hang on her every word as it is the cutest thing you have ever seen. She will recite her list in this sing-songy "conversation" voice that lets you know this is what she is trying to do.

She has even used her new ability at conversation to make friends for the first time at the park. Usually, most "little friends" scare her a bit and she shies from them, however, the other day a six-year old girl named Carlin captured her interest. She kept her eye on her and kept reporting back to me what the "little girl" was doing. She'd say, "Look! The little girl is swinging. Look! The little girl is climbing." Finally, she wanted to go play near the little girl and I noticed she was now directly addressing her by saying, "Little Girl, look! Airplane!" She obviously wanted to talk to her in the worst way. So, I asked the little girl her name and Sophie must have said that name 20 times over the next five minutes. "Carlin?" She'd wait for her to look at her and say "What?" Then Sophie would just smile, so pleased that addressing her by her name had worked! Then she'd pause and search for something to say. "Uh...Look! Birds!" Finally, after several minutes, this very sweet six year old took a liking to Sophie. Sophie was very impressed that Carlin could climb and hang upside down and do many other things that 2 yr. olds never do, so naturally, she was following her around trying to do exactly what she was doing. Carlin liked this so she began talking to Sophie and they played together on the slides and in the sandbox. In fact, they both bonded over their disgust when a terrorist boy decided to throw sand and it forced them out of the sandbox. They both got out and glared down at the boys for a moment. Sophie got over it quickly, and happily ran back to the slide. Carlin waited stoically for an apology, which his mother helped facilitate. Once received, she joined Sophie and off they played for the rest of the time at the park. It began to get dark and pulling Sophie away from Carlin to go home was not an easy thing for this proud mommy to do.

But do not be fooled. Sophie for all her new found skills and maturity, needs to be watched now more than ever. She can now climb ladders and rock walls at the playground. In fact, she is getting very good at climbing vertically. The other day I told her I was going to change her diaper, but I got distracted for a minute. I went into her room and found her waiting for me on top of the diaper changing table holding a fresh diaper with a big smile on her face. I was horrified.

 

Yesterday, she comes running in the kitchen complaining that her "mouth is messy." I smelled her and found that she had tasted her Daddy's shaving cream. I guess she was putting it on her face like Kevin does, but like everything she massages into her face, she also massages it into her tongue. Yuck!

Sweet dreams

Well, Sophie has decided she likes sleeping in her big girl bed. She over heard her daddy and I talking in the car and she became very curious about it. She immediately ran and got into the bed when we got home. I asked her where she wanted to sleep and she said "bed." So, that evening, I put her in it and she slept all night as usual. Piece of cake. Then came her afternoon nap the next day. I put her in her bed, as I had done the previous evening, and gently closed the door. I went to do some dishes and suddenly I heard the door to her room open. She waltzes into the kitchen as if finishing up a magic trick with a huge grin on her face. I then returned her to her bed and explained that nap time meant that she stays in her bed and goes to sleep. "Oh," she seemed to say with her expression, laid back down and fell asleep.

Mommy's gonna have a baby

Dear Sophie,

We have tried telling you that Mommy has a baby in her tummy, but rightly so, you looked back at me like I was crazy. It's true, though. You are gonna have a brother or a sister. It's the reason Mommy is so tired and sick. And the reason she has to stop spinning you around only after we just get started. It will get better, soon, though.

You seem to like the new sitter, Jessica and her daughter, Avery. You enjoy playing in the room with all the balls and playing with their singing potty in the bathroom. There's lots to do at Jessica's house and Jessica interacts with you and tells you stories. Mommy is so relieved you are doing so well.

Another hair battle

This time Mama is victorious!! 
 

Ooops!

Two cute mishaps.

I was at the post office mailing packages of gourmet food to the mothers for Mother's Day. One item was a glass jar. I didn't have anything to wrap it in to keep it from breaking except for a diaper, so I pulled it out and began putting it together right there in the post office. So, just picture it. Here I am in my small neighborhood post office half full of people. I am at the priority self-service kiosk putting together my packages. I pull out the diaper and Sophie yells loud enough for all to hear, "Poo-poo! Poo-poo!" My response, "Shhhhhh! It's just a diaper, Sophie. It's just a diaper!"

This morning I was in the bathroom and needed my glasses. Sophie is used to looking for stuff and knows Mommy often asks, "Where's Mommy's glasses?" She can often just bring them to me from my night stand. So off she went and a couple of seconds later was at my side once again. I looked down and she had my bright pink bra!

Dear Sophie,

You counted to ten just a couple of weeks ago. You're not even 2 yet! Big accomplshment. You still enjoy singing. Some of your favorite tunes are "Great Big Stars" and "Frere Jacque." You also sing many of the letters in the ABC song.

You can spin, jump, and wiggle. You have also recently mastered going downstairs. Mommy still wants you to hold her hand, though.

Right now we are playing with clay and you are giving this teddy bear mommy made from clay (and some instruction) lots of hugs. Unfortunately, you also just found out that teddy bears made of clay aren't quite as sturdy as the teddy bear you sleep with at night. Whoops! Teddy's in pieces all over the floor! Oh, no!

words words words

She loves trying out her words. Here are some of the wonderful sounds Sophie is making:

1. Yuh-We-Come!

The thing is that she also knows how to say thank you, but yuh-we-come seems to best express her gratitude. Often, yuh-we-come comes just after she hands me the peel on her banana so I can throw it away or once I hand her a sippy cup full of juice. She wants me to know that she recognizes what an honor it is for me to serve her! One time there was something she wanted so badly, but I was having trouble opening it. When I finally got it open for her, she quickly shouted "Tank you! Yuh-we-come!"

2. Bane-Bows
She recognizes rainbows in books. She loves stories that end in a rainbow. She also calls colorful things bane-bows.

3. Cook-coo is a cookie

4. Bell-ba is a belly-button.
She is always checking it to make sure its still there.

A glimpse of pre-school

This may sound like a little thing, but I must tell you how proud I was of Sophie today. We were at Ms. Renee's Toddler Playtime, which she LOVES. She was really excited to be there and she ran around playing with the toys without a second glance back at me. She didn't even know where I was 75% of the time. This was a huge change compared to our first visits. Typically, Sophie would cling to me or play just inches away. She would walk in the other direction if another child came near her. Slowly, she has been coming out of her shell as we've been going every Friday. But, today was the ultimate! At the end of the playtime, all the adults put away the toys, while Ms. Renee gets ready for the next activity, running from wall to wall at the commands, "GO" and "STOP." I was having particular trouble putting away this tunnel that was suppose to break down flat. I assumed Sophie was standing next to me even though Ms. Renee had already started having the kids run across the gym. I looked to my left and right, but no Sophie. I looked across the gym and saw my little Sophie running along with the other children and stopping upon Ms. Renee's command. I felt like bursting into tears. She was on her own. She was listening and responding to the teacher. In that moment, she had straddled the world between toddler and pre-schooler. I was soooooo proud of her! Even now, I am tearing up telling you about it.

A good little helper

  Sophie has been showing a lot of interest in helping. She loves to recieve praise! So far, her duties include: sorting clothes, helping put clothes in the washer, putting the soap tab in the dishwasher slot, clearing her food tray (though sometimes she likes to do this a bit early as if to say, "I'm done, Mama!") Sophie also helps outside by collecting acorns from the gravel paths.
 
  I keep meaning to take her to the toy store to get her a child-sized broom. She could help outdoors, where the things we sweep are easy to see like leaves.

Today, I invented a game to be played in the small foyer we have in our house. It's surrounded by carpet, so it makes an ideal contained area. I got out two sticks: a long one for me and a shorter one for her and. We practiced hitting two different sized balls. We didn't have to go chasing the balls, because the edges where the floor meets the carpet also served as an edge. Voila! Home-made putt-putt!

a refreshing new version

Have you ever wished upon a star? Perhaps you've gazed upward towards the heavens and pondered the cosmos. But, have you ever wanted to raise one of its starry appendages and give it a surprise tickle? Well, that just what you'll find in Sophie Kessler's latest cover of an old favorite, "Tickle, Tickle, little Tar."

Tickle, Tickle little tar!
...I wonder...are
upa above.....high
..................

Tickle, Tickle little tar!
....I wonder...are!

With flawless melody, mind you! Bravo!


Other new and impressive skill sets:

1. Can identify and draw a circle.
2. Hunts and retrieves shoes upon command.
3. Picks out musical instruments from teacher among the crowd of other big kids and put them away.
4. Can make all sounds on cue to the Dr. Seuss favorite, "Mr. Brown can Moo, can You?"

However, Daddy says Sophie has a lot of catching up to do.

Wondering already what you might bring to a hip birthday party in June for a cute 2-year old that would make you the most popular guest with the wee ones? We saw one of these bubble blowers in action. It has sugar in the solution that makes the bubbles last. It was way cool!

Sophie's World

 
 
 
 
Sophie got herself up on the piano bench and started singing and playing piano after watching a good episode of Elmo's World. Elmo always ends his show with some singing and piano playing. Sophie would even stop once in a while to clap and yell "Yay!" for herself.

Cute Cuterson

When the buzzer goes off on the stove, Sophie runs around yelling "All done! All done! All done!" over and over. Then she gets out the oven mit and puts it on her hand and waves it in the air.

Maisy goes to Bed, once a beloved flap book, has been destroyed from over-use. However, Sophie still requests to have it read to her. When she turns the page and reviews the torn flaps, she likes to show her disappointment every page by crying out, "Uh-oh!" for each page.

Now here's some typing from Sophie:

XX hm 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777 7 8

ELMO revealed

So, Kev and I were having breakfast this morning after our routine of waking and watching Sesame St. with Sophie. Kev says, "So who do you think this woman is that does Elmo?" I said, "Woman? It's gotta be a guy." Then we both smiled in that way we only do when a wager begs its presence. Sadly, we couldn't think of anything to wager before impatience set in and I found myself roaming my computer for the answer. What a surprise. So for those of you, who love Elmo, you are in for a treat. Click here.

Bubbles

I have recently been reading about Montessori schools and have interest in touring one to see if it might be right for Sophie. We actually have a montessori school here in the neighborhood called Austin Montessori.

I have often wondered what I might be able to do on own that would align with the Montessori principals. The Austin Montessori's website has such a detailed overview of their program, I began to develop some ideas for what I might do at home. One of the tasks they teach toddlers is how to wash their hands. So, recently, after a particularly messy lunch, I grabbed Sophie up and away we went to the sink. I taught her how to climb up a step stool near the sink, which she did well. Then I encouraged her to put her hands under the faucet to rinse her hands, which she was happy to do. Then it came time to put the soap in her hands. I placed a pump load of soft soap into her palm and modeled rubbing my hand together. Right away, she noticed that the soap produced bubbles. She then wanted more soap. I gave her a second pump of soap, but this was not enough. She continued to ask for even more soap until finally, the sink and the surrounding area was covered in soapy bubbles, which Sophie gleefully called out, "Bubbles!!" Needless, to say, hand washing has gone from a learned task to a messy affair which Sophie never wants to end. In fact, we now have to say" Bye-bye" to the bubbles and watch tearfully as the bubbles gets sucked down the drain to avoid a tantrum. Oh, life with a toddler!

Creative Grama

 
 
 
 
This is Sophie in her new shirt painted on by her Grama Cott. This isn't the first time Grama Cott has been blogged.

Doing it herself

Yesterday, I was eating lunch with a friend and Sophie had several pieces of broccoli in front of her, one of which I had speared onto a fork for her. This broccoli was hard for her to spear because it was still a little al dente. She picked up the pre-speared fork and carefully removed the broccoli and the little bit of cheese it had on it. She placed them down, then picked up the exact same piece, balanced it on the fork, and lifted it to her mouth only to have it fall on the floor. What a piece of work she is!

Sophie also likes to sing in the shower. The shower isn't on, but she likes to enter the empty stall, face the wall and listen to herself singing. She's got the first three words of Row, Row, Row Your Boat memorized, then tries to sing gently, furrows her brow and exclaims, "Uh-Oh!"

The Leah Effect

A few days ago, I took Sophie to the zoo with her cousin Leah. Leah's school was out due to teacher in-service. We had a great time. We saw a leopard, lion, lots of birds, including a parrot that said "hello" and "mama." We also saw snakes and learned exactly why they make terrible pets. Most of the time people who get snakes from a pet store are getting one that's sick. Snakes need a delicate balance of light, water, and temperature. They hate being held and are moody. Many people who get snakes as pets end up calling the zoo to donate them and are refused due to over-crowding. I made sure Leah was listening loud and clear. She agreed after learning about snakes, that she doesn't want one for a pet.: )

Sophie baaaaaed at the sheep and wanted to put her little fingers in every cage we approached. Leah was a great helper in keeping Sophie's sweet fingers safe from harm. Sophie enjoyed following Leah around and being chased. These days, Leah can't sit still and talk to you, but rather rolls back and forth on her spine in a yoga pose. What's funny is that after hanging out with Leah for the afternoon, Sophie enjoys lying on her back and putting her feet up. I call this the Leah effect.

holiday card

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Music Together

Well, it has taken me awhile to start this blog. She is now 18 months. No time like the present, I guess. My father-in-law asks me all the time if I write the amazing things she's doing down. I am sure I will thank him in years to come. So will Sophie.

Monday is Sophie's first "Music Together" class. We just took a demo class on Friday. I was shocked at how much she picked up. I was fully expecting to attend the class and that be it, but I enrolled immediately after. She absolutely loved it. Music Together was started in NJ. The class sang songs accompanied by two teachers on guitars, we danced some circle dances, and the children got a chance to play a variety of musical instruments. The teachers instructed the parents to let our kids be free. Don't restrain them or hold their hands trying to get them to execute the choreography. So I let Sophie go and what did she do? She runs into the middle of the circle of people and twirls around pleased as can be that everyone is surrounding her watching her. At another point in the class, everyone was singing and after the song ended, you could still hear Sophie's soft voice continuing the song. People after the class kept asking me how old she was. She was quite an impressive 18 month old! The teacher told me that when everyone was pretending to be cold, Sophie was shivering along with us. IT's impossible to catch everything she does, because you as a parent participate fully. In fact, you are encouraged, because your child is more likely to imitate you first. We are really looking forward to tomorrow.
In fact, Monday has a lot in store for us. I am also planning on taking Sophie to a Mommy and Baby Yoga class at Yoga Yoga. That's where I took my prenatal yoga class. I'll let you kow how it goes.

As for today, Sophie pointed to a banana and said it was yellow. She has now been pointing to many things that are yellow and saying "Yellow."