Sofia is One!

Morning birthday activity: unloading the dishwasher.

Ah, Sofia. Where would we be without you. You have brought so many smiles to your daddy and me and a million giggles to Lucas. You are smart and magnetic, and the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

Now that you are one, you are communicating well in your own language. You make no effort to speak English (it seems so rudimentary to speak one word at a time) so you babble on with confidence and wisdom, the old soul that you are. Occasionally, however, you make us do a double take. We do believe you have said "bye-bye, thank you, and goodness" with clarity although by the time we turn to see your face you just look at us innocently with those chubby cheeks and pouty lips.

You are a great eater. Your favorite is chunks of plain dark meat chicken. But you also love cheese, peas, pureed fruit and buttered toast. You love chicken pot pie, broth and oatmeal too.

Your favorite activities are transferring seashells from container to container and placing cloths into bowls - disorganization and organization are passions of yours. In the bath you like placing your washcloth in the built-in soap tray. You sit down and admire your work - hands folded proudly and a small sigh to signify a job well done. Then you get up again and take the washcloth down and repeat. Up, down, up, down ... you are very industrious.

Right now you are going through some trauma with two teeth coming through and a bad cold. I don't know why your molar is making an appearance so early! According to baby center, it is two steps ahead of itself. The second lower lateral incisor just yesterday made it's appearance and it is a doozy! I am sleeping with you and settling you back down several times a night. Naps and meals do not appeal to you. But if you are out of the crib and occupied, you are happy as usual and I am so thankful for that. You are being spoiled, sleeping with mommy and spending late evenings eating O's on the couch with daddy, and the crib is quickly becoming an insult to your intelligence.

You are still the biggest wiggle worm around. From a young age you've had a fierce drive for exploration and as long as I'm around you will confidently explore everything in your vicinity and way beyond. Maybe that's one reason your first birthday does not come as a shock to me. You have always been a free spirit and I "let you go" not long after you were born.

You rarely get too upset, because you know you can "talk" your way into anything (or at least a reasonable alternative.) Though sometimes you are impatient and insistent in your quest to conquer the world. We will support you as best we can.

Your brother loves you like crazy! He likes being silly with you and especially loves it when you push your walking toy through the house. He grabs one and joins you and it's all I can do to keep my brain from short-circuiting during these wild times!

You LOVE to swing and your rhythmic (very loud) screeches once caused people to think the swing at Mason Mill was desperately in need of some oil!

Here are some pictures from our family celebration the evening of your birthday. (January sixth fell on a Friday this year.) We celebrated with "Applekaka," one of our favorite desserts from IKEA (for several reasons.)

Happy birthday my beloved daughter, Sofia!

"Mama, this is alright, but are you sure we don't have any chicken?"

Here you are opening gifts. Your proud brother took many pictures! We gave you a handmade skirt from Etsy and a water-filled teether shaped like a fish.