Sophia Smiles

Sophia started smiling more regularly at around six weeks of age. 

At seven weeks we noticed that this happened most frequently in the morning (perhaps she will love mornings the most, like her Mama). 

We are enjoying that it is still novel.

When we catch her giving one, we stop and relish it, as it takes precedence over everything else. 

I also love how well we are getting to know her other expressions. 

Sometimes it seems as if she flashes through about ten in a few seconds.

It is becoming easier to tell if she is about to erupt into tears or smiles. 

When someone else fears that she is about to cry, we can often tell that this is not where she is actually headed, and feel privileged to know her so well.

Sophia, we wish for you the joy of many reasons to smile. 
Always know how much joy your smile brings to us.

My Eight-Week-Old has an E-mail Address

After being shown a video commercial with another little girl named Sophie, I set up an account for our Sophia and drafted the following email:


Hi Family,

Mama set up an email account for me..... so that letters could be sent to me before I can read. She wanted a place where she could write things to me.....even if it were just a quick sentence that she didn't want to forget......fun things we did together.....funny things that happened.......

One day I will be able to enjoy reading these things or seeing the pictures that were sent.

She was inspired by this......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk

.....she says it makes her cry every time.

Thanks for being my family.

Much love,

Sophia Gayle (Via Mama)

One of the e-mails I have already sent to her was a 'Thank You Note' after the first time she slept through the night. I love that the e-mail is automatically dated so I can remember the exact occurrence of such momentous occasions.

If you are a friend or family member of Sophia's, and would like to participate in this time capsule of sorts, she can be reached at sophia (dot) archambault (at) gmail (dot) com

Mental Pictures

From 9:30 in the morning until 6:30 pm (with stops), we had been on the road driving to visit my family in Ohio. At 11:00 we were finally ready to go to bed, but Sophia wasn't. 

I was frustrated as she laid on my chest, seemingly undecided about eating but convinced about being upset. 

Right then Joshua encouraged me to take a mental picture. For a few seconds I just soaked in her wrinkled up face. 

Before our wedding a friend had encouraged us to take 'mental pictures', knowing how fast the day would go. Now knowing how fast the years will go, I appreciated Joshua's encouragement. 

Sometimes I think to myself.....'will I someday wish I could have this moment back even if I'm not enjoying it right now?'

The answer is there will never be enough time......but I am attempting to pause long enough to take some mental pictures.....perhaps particularly during those moments when I need to remember what a gift I've been given. 

First Fourth

For Sophia's first fourth of July we drove to upstate New York to visit Rob and Di, whom after 23 years of friendship have now been classified as family.

We spent the rest of the day swimming in the lake, sitting on the porch, and eating outside.

 

The next morning friends of theirs (several shared by us) came for breakfast bringing strawberry rhubarb crisp, blueberry crumble, scones, fresh cherries and other treats, as well as magazine clippings that Di pasted into a picture book she was making for Sophia. She also lent us several of the books she owned as a child, including an original 1933 copy of Babar, a series Joshua loved when he was little.

 

 

In the afternoon we enjoyed the lake of another pair of dear friends, Nadine and Ira. They provided a delicious BBQ Buffet for dinner that night.

Nadine holding Sophia for the 1st Time

Before heading back home the following morning, we had a pancake breakfast outside and lingered until noon.

 

We delayed getting back on the highway, and instead drove on a smaller road through the Berkshire Mountains. To cap off our trip we had a wonderful lunch at the Blueberry Hill Market Cafe.