Fourth Quarter

10 Months

11 Months

12 Months

Dear Sophia,

At night when I am nursing you, I often stare in wonder at the length of you. I know all Mamas say this, but when did you ever get this big?

As we come to the end of the fourth quarter, you have clear preferences. You will crawl over to your bookshelf, pull yourself up and pry "Pat the Bunny" from the center of the books. It is your current favorite, particularly the page where you can play 'peek a boo with Paul'.

You have language, you sort of say Mama, and you definitely point at things that you want, pull at my shirt when you want to nurse, and turn your head away and shake it when you are done eating. If we say 'no', you look very displeased. The other night when your Dad read the word 'kiss' in a story, you attempted to kiss the book.

Grammy Archambault describes your Dad as constantly in motion when he was your age. You are the same, whether you are going up and down stairs, pushing your cart, or dancing. If we are listening to the news on the radio you will dance to the brief musical interludes between segments. You do not like to be limited by the straps of highchairs, carseats, or strollers. We will be challenged to keep up with you when you start walking; for now we relish the cuddles we can get when you are sleepy enough to be still.

For the past 12 years I have felt some sadness when the leaves start to change because that is the season when your Grandpa Condon died. Now I feel a happiness when they begin to bud because it reminds me of the season in which you were born. I've spent the last week remembering what I was doing a year ago while anticipating your arrival.

We are so glad you're here.

Happy birthday Baby Girl. You are loved.