Sophia's Third Birthday

Sophia is three today! She is turning into this amazing little girl who loves her big sister, loves to figure out how things work, loves to "help", and is very, very snuggly.

She was 6 pounds and 13 oz when she was born. Her skin was dry and flaky and pale and she had perfect oval doll-like fingernails. She seemed to smile at me once she came out of the water--she had a water birth--and then proceeded to cry and cry until she settled in and became very pink.



Please pardon my appearance. I had been up since 1 AM and had Sophia at 6:22 AM. The real contractions didn't really start for a while, either. I called my friend Ame to meet us at the hospital at about 3:20 AM and I wasn't even sure that this was It. I woke up my Mom and Ellen Aim, who were also with us. I found out in about an hour that, yes, this was most definitely It. I was 5 cm dilated when I got to the hospital and I think that was about 3:45. Mom took care of Fiona, who was 2 3/4 at the time and she basically played in the play room and checked in and out. She managed to get there when Sophia was pushed out. She, of course, had a diaper that needed changing right before that point. She doesn't remember much about Sophia's birth except these things: the treat bag we packed for her and the noise I made. Oh, she remembers the little extra bed made up on the floor of our hospital room. Short and sweet is the way to go for labor, I have to say. It sure is intense, though. Thank goodness I could use Doug for squeezing and whatever else I did during labor. I don't really remember much except I was definitely not happy.

That memory is fading, unfortunately, but we have lots of pictures and video of that time and the most precious written account of it by Ame, who was there for the birth (and who just had a baby girl of her own on the 14th! Another amazing baby girl!), that always makes me cry.




Here she is with her older sister and we have been so amazed how great they are together. We really have a complete family.





The last one was taken last week. Happy birthday, sweet Sophia!

We Now Return to our Programming

The view from the "upper playground" at school.

Sorry about the, uh, small delay there. Over a month, but who's counting?

School has been going well for Fiona. She has been making friends and having fun. She was tested on her reading ability and she is reading at 3rd grade level. I dropped her off today at school--normally Doug does this, but he is in Boston--and she didn't want me to leave. She didn't even want to play on the playground. That is apparently not the norm, so I hope everything is okay. Maybe it's just Monday. Maybe it's because Sobo is here and we might have too much fun this morning. Then again, Sobo has been here since last Wednesday. Fiona's other bottom tooth is still there and I have no idea why. It is hanging by what must be the most tenacious root ever. She plays with it all the time. It makes me a little green to watch, so I try not to.

Sophia is doing well and turns three Thursday. I can't wait. I have cake to make. The oven is still not working, so unfortunately I may have to buy it. That would be easier, but not really as special (to me anyway). I think we need balloons. It will just be a family party. She does this thing now where if you catch her doing something she isn't supposed to do, or even if you just ask her not to do something, she will shush you (by looking at you, putting her finger to her lips and going "shhhhhh!"). And then continue doing her forbidden activity. As if you would just be quiet she could do whatever she wanted to.

We have been apple picking with Fiona's class at Liberty Orchard, which is such a cute place. The trees are short, so the kids can easily pick them. We now have lots of apples. Her class made applesauce (and I volunteer in her class with Sophia every Thursday, so I got to help!). The trees are really awesome this year. It was so warm for a while--I mean, seriously, warm. 80s Fahrenheit. It was great. It's not warm anymore. I think I need to buckle down and buy Fiona's coat and two pairs of snow boots. Ugh.

Both girls are now sleeping in their own beds...Sophia has a cool new bed that is just like Fiona's--from Flexa...and Doug and I have our own room once again! Actually, it isn't uncommon for Sophia to wake up at night and it also is not uncommon for them to join us in the morning. It's just nice to be able to have some time with one's spouse again. Alone. Speaking of my handsome spouse, he is also volunteering at Fiona's school. He was "Zero the Hero" in his cape and outfit. Every 10th, 20th, etc day of school they have a special zero treat (healthy..or healthy-ish I should say) and on the 20th day, Zero the Hero (Doug) paid a visit! It was so cute and I have pictures. Well, actually, I don't quite have them yet, but I will. Other parents can volunteer, so it won't be just him. Anyway, Fiona kept insisting he was her dad, and he kept saying Nope, I'm Zero the Hero. She was really confused and wary ("But you LOOK like my dad! You SMELL like my dad!") and wouldn't get in the pictures with him and the class at first. Finally he took her in the hall and said, yes, I'm your dad, but I have to keep my identity a secret. All was well.