I continue to be a happy active kid. Mom wishes I could report I’m sleeping through the night, but I’m nowhere near. I had Mom psyched right after I started solid food- I slept really well, nice long stretches, but I’m back to my old tricks! Mom caved and is now reading a book called “The No-Cry Sleep Solution” so we’ll see how that goes!

Yes, I started solid food, a bit later than expected. Right after my doctor’s appointment I got a rash on my tummy. Mom and Dad decided to wait until it cleared before starting me out on food. I have had two different entrees: the organic brown rice cereal, and the sweet potato. Sweet potato sure is fun—and messy! It gets everywhere-including up my nose. I’m off-and-on with food. Sometimes I can’t wait for it and really get into it, other times, eh, not so much.

I have really become a shrieker!! I have found my voice and I love it. I love to yell at the hall closet–why, I don’t know, it’s just fun.

Speaking of fun, Dad decided to start a musical playgroup. It’s still in its “infancy” but the idea is that if the parents have a good time singing and dancing, the babies will learn to have a good time too. At the first playgroup, my friend Daniel and I slept through most of it, leaving the Dads to listen to jazz and chat. I still go to exercise class, although Mom has been really busy with work lately, so we haven’t been in awhile. I have gone to other playgroups and met other babies. Of course, my best friend continues to be Eva, and we still get together as families a few times a week.

Winter has been cold! I really like taking walks outside, but it’s been so cold Mom and Dad are hesitant. Mom and Dad have taken me to various malls in the area–just to get out of the house!

I am flipping over like a pro. I also learned that I can reach—my mobile!! Mom and Dad didn’t have the heart to take it down-good thing, because I still love it, but they have moved it so I can’t reach it anymore.

I can’t think of much more to say—in understandable English at least– so I’ll sign off for now. By the way, I do continue to check my email—but I’m not getting much (hint hint!!!)

Happy New Year! I know I have been a bit delinquent with the website, but I’m told most people are busy around the holidays! I was no exception.

I am slowly starting to sit up on my own. I’ve keeled over a few times, sometimes I cry, sometimes I’m just stunned. But part of my new sitting up status involves a new toy- the exersaucer! My friend Eva has one too. I sit in this little “bum bucket” and get to look and play—and eat- all sorts of things.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin, Madonna, Me. What do we all have in common? We’ve all been photographed by Annie Leibowitz! She signed books at the local bookstore (Merritt!) and Mom and I decided to go. I fell asleep so Mom wandered around for awhile. By the time I woke up, the masses had dissipated and we got to talk to Annie. She really likes me! Like her famous photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, I think you’ll agree the photo of “Sophie and Mom, with sling” truly captures the bond Mom and I share.

The holidays were fun. I went to Grandma and Grandpa’s in Connecticut. Mom decided to set me up in some poses that she was set up in when she was my age.

We spent New Year’s Eve with my Aunt Dana, Uncle Jeff and Cousin Leah. Leah really likes me! I hear she constantly talks about “Ofie” and loves to hug me when I’m around. Mom made new years crowns for us–just like Grandma did for her and Uncle Mike when they were little. Mom and I went to bed by 10 and didn’t see the ball drop. I’m sure she appreciated the sleep more!

Stay tuned for more of my escapades. I start REAL FOOD next week, which is a photo op if ever there was one!

Photos:

Me working on the website.

Me wearing a cute bow and a big smile.

Well, there was some sad news since the last update. My great grandmother died. I never got a chance to meet her, but I hear she was a really funny and fiesty lady-kinda like me in some ways! The silver lining was that we got to spend over a week with Grammy and Grampy in Connecticut. My folks decided it would be better to stay through til Thanksgiving rather than drive me back and forth. I am doing better in the car! Mom figured out a way to provide lunch while seatbelted. Not the most comfortable position for her, but it helped me sleep and gave the folks a stress free car ride.

There was so much to pack into our little Honda Civic that there wasn’t any room for my baby tub, so we had to improvise. I had a bath in a roasting pan—that was a little awkward. We then tried the kitchen sink- that was more fun because we got to use the spray to rinse me off! They put up my changing pad in the laundry room. I immediately hit it off with a bottle of Tide detergent, and I talked to it everytime I got changed.

We helped Grammy and Grampy with some house stuff-just like they help Mom and Dad when we visit. We raked leaves and Dad and I got to ride around in the tractor. We also went for walks and I got to draw-my first ever drawing- on my Grampy’s white erase board.

My Grammy loves bears. We had fun—ok, THEY had fun–putting me in all sorts of bear gear- wagons and ice skates- for photo op’s.

The big event was Thanksgiving. I helped with rolls and making the pumpkin pie. We went to my Great-Aunt Holly’s house and had a delicious meal-well, I had the same meal I always have, but there were compliments all around.

After Mom and Grammy hit the stores on Black Friday, we went to my Grandma and Grandpa’s for another Thanksgiving. It was great getting to see all my aunts and uncles on the same day!! I particularly had a good time with my cousin Leah. She was always looking out for me and calling out “Ofie” and “Fosie”.

I was happy to be home though, and said a hello to every wall and poster and ceiling fan I missed during my vacation.

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and will keep you posted.

We had the wine and cheese party last weekend–stimulation overload! So many people wanting to check me out. It got a little overwhelming after a while and I kinda freaked out. But I enjoyed it while it lasted. I got to play with my new friend Andrew, his parents Jen and Mark are old friends of my parents Jen and Mark.

I have been having some hair issues lately. It all started when I fell asleep in my sling and developed “sling head” (not bed head, right?) and no matter what my folks did, it still looked goofy.

I am constantly doing tummy time. I like it, but the other day I was really tired and conked out into a wall—luckily it didn’t hurt.

I have developed a new noise- the crazy shreik!! Pretty fun! And loud!

Night time has not been going as smoothly as it had been. It seems I really love my mom, and miss her during the day (even though she’s only in the basement). So, I want to be extra cuddly at night. It doesn’t help that I’m teething and will suck anything within a 5 inch radius…except a pacifier. My folks followed the “don’t introduce it until 6 weeks to avoid nipple confusion”. It sure worked—I’m not confused! It’s not a nipple!

Will keep you posted!

I had a doctor’s appointment today. I’m a pretty big girl! I’m 13lbs, 5 oz, and 25 1/4 inches . I’m very happy-the Doctor even said so!

The big news is Dad is now my “primary caregiver”. He’s doing pretty well. Sometimes it takes him awhile at night to remember he has night duty. I’ve been tuckering him out. Aside from watching me, Mom also has given him the job of baby photographer. He did some cool shots of me under the gym.

Fortunately, Mom works at home most of the time, so I can have my real “lunch”–not the bottled kind they try to pass off- during the day. She’s come up with some creative work hours in order to tend to me. It’s very sweet of her. We continue to go to Baby Exercise class. I really like it now. I get to hang out with all my baby friends, and the Moms have fun too. Last week, we all went out to lunch (not that kind of lunch!!) at the local coffeeshop- Dad came along.

Just as Mom hung out with Eva’s Mom, Dad has been hanging out with Eva’s Dad. Eva and I just chill out and enjoy the conversations. The Dads talk about much different things than the Moms!!

I do talk quite a bit. My favorite place is the changing table. I have an abacus over my head, and I am fascinated. I talk up quite a storm there. But I also talk to the ceiling fan, mobile, wall, and my folks! My folks continue to take me lots of places. I really like the deli counter—all sorts of fun colors and shapes to talk to!

I love to be naked. Mom and Dad do cloth diapers, and they’re great for the environment and all, but they sure get wet pretty quick! But that means I get to be naked alot!! I get very excited when my tushie is exposed to the air!

I had my first Halloween. I don’t really understand it. Mom dressed me up as a duck, then took me out to a few houses with Lisa and Eva and got candy-which she and Dad then ate. And strangers came to our door. They all said I was really cute, and pet me. We then went to Eva’s house, and I fell asleep on the floor. The next day, Red Hook Mom’s threw a great Halloween party-at least I heard it was great, I was asleep throughout most of it. Mom was a hippie, and Dad was a straight guy-pre-”queer eye” makeover. My Aunt Lauren came to visit and went to the party as well. She and Mom had fun stamping my scrapbook.

This weekend should be fun. Mom and Dad are having their annual wine and cheese party. It now holds special memories for them, since it was hours before the party last year Mom took a pregnancy test and found out about me!!

I continue to be very active. I am growing a lot. I really don’t fit on the ottoman anymore, so when I want to rock back and forth, I now get to hang out on the real gliding rocker!

I continue to take bottles as we all prepare for the “big change”- Mom goes back to work 10/27 and Dad gets to play with me for 4 1/2 months!! I’m pretty vocal about the bottle. Sometimes I know they’re trying to pull a fast one- and I’m way too smart for that. If I don’t want it, I’ll let them know- I even threw it out of my Grammy’s hands! But I can also kinda sorta hold it on my own, for a few seconds.

But the bottle and the glider are only some of my many accomplishments. I can play the piano!! I can! Really!! Ok, so, Dad sits me on his lap and he bounces me along, but it’s MY HANDS that make the music. I’m starting with the classics-my personal triumph is Beethovens’ 9th symphony, but I can do some holiday stuff too. Hey, give me a break, I’m only 3 months old!

Mom and I decided to have a little photo session with some blocks. We set it up and spelled out that I basically love everybody! There are some photos on yahoo of the one picture for my mom—whom I lovingly call lunch- that she will put on her home office desk when she goes back to work.

I have discovered my hand in the past few weeks. I think I may be teething. I drool a lot and will suck just about anything that comes within 2 inches of my mouth—including my hat, sheets, Mom’s face, and Mom’s foot in exercise class (Mom caught that last one before I went for it!)

I contribute to the Red Hook community. Mom and Dad belong to the Village Green, a group that plants trees in my town. We all went to help with the planting and I got to help with watering—ok, Mom watered, I slept.

I continue to get together with my friend Eva. There will be some silly pictures of us coming up after Halloween!!

New color scheme! Hope this is easier to read.

I had a field trip to Albany. Mom and Dad refinanced the house, so I got to come along. We stopped off at SUNY Albany, where my friend Daniel’s dad, David Levine, had some art work on display. After the refinance, we visited my Aunt Dana, Uncle Jeff, and Cousin Leah. Leah helped feed me!

Mom and Dad had a wedding to go to, so Grandma and Grandpa Meritt babysat me. Before Mom and Dad left, we had a photo session with me on the little couch-which is identical to the big couch- Mom and Dad hang out on. I had a good time with Grandma and Grandpa, and Mom and Dad had a good time without me!

Yesterday, my first cousins once removed came with Dad’s Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dave. My Dad will happily explain the “once removed” part in case you’re curious. Something to do with ancestry lines….anyway, we all had a good time.

I’m getting ready for Halloween. I’m going to be a duck. My friend Eva and I are planning on going trick or treating, and then to a Halloween party the next day. Look for that update and more, next time on SOPHIE’S WORLD!

Head to:

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pbjennie/lst?.view=t&.dir =/Oct12

Well, my Mom has to go back to work in 4 weeks. A bit of a drag, but then I get loads of time to be with my Dad!

I’ve decided to add a bit more to my daily activities, other than eating, sleeping, talking to the ceiling fan, and playing with my mobile and gym. Mom and I take a “Mommy and Me” exercise class. It’s fun, but sometimes it’s really overstimulating and I shut down (Mom wonders why I can’t eat and sleep at home “for free” instead of during the class we pay for–she should lighten up!) Anyway, we do some of the exercises we learn at class at home. There are some exercises we do for my neck strength. You can see a picture at the Yahoo site of me balancing on an exercise ball…loads of fun, given my vague expression.

Mom and Dad have been trying to read to me. I particularly like the “If you give a mouse a cookie/pig a pancake/moose a muffin” series. Dad likes it a lot because he read in some book it’s good for teaching me circular reasoning and cause and effect. I think the drawings are cute.

We went to the Garlic Festival last weekend, with my Uncle Mike and his girlfriend Suma. There were loads of people there. I had my picture taken in a garlic bulb, and we had a family photo with Mr and Mrs Garlic—Happy Garlic Day!

I am generally a pretty happy kid. I smile and laugh a lot and am extremely talkative.

That’s it for now! Head to:

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pbjennie/lst?.view=t&.dir=/Sept30and let my Mom know if you have any problems with the photos!