Sitting pretty!?

Okay, so yesterday I wrote that Sophia is "sitting" up by herself. It's a bit of an exaggeration but that's okay --parent's prerogative. To show you what Sophia is up to I took a couple of pictures last night, sort of for proof or evidence of what I am talking about.




As you can see, she's more resting her belly on her legs than sitting, but she is doing it on her own nonetheless. She's working pretty hard at it and truly loves to see the world (and be a part of it) in an upright position. That way she can get her hands on more things that can go into her mouth. Good or bad, not too sure yet. She's not quite proficient yet at the whole rolling over thing, but that will come when she is ready. Actually, I am willing to wait for that. I've heard stories of 3 am wails from stomach stranded babies. Oh, and she is very happy to "stand" and bear weight on her legs --actually she's able to stand on her own (with a supportive parent very close by) for short periods of time.

All of this change is quite fun to watch. Our little pumpkin is wowing us everyday. We so look forward to years of "wowing".

Glorious Sounds

So much happens in the life of an infant that it is hard to stay on top of blogging it all. And besides, if I am sitting at the computer blogging then I am not spending time with the Sophie girl! Life has been busy and we got the chance to go to Winnipeg for some grandparent time which is mostly why we haven't written recently! Anyway, excuses, excuses!

You might be wondering what the glorious sounds are that the blog title refers to! Well, our little girl, as I have said before, does have the gift for gab (okay, so it mostly babbling and cooing) so we are used to having various sounds coming from her. But this was different. We were playing with her in the jolly jumper one evening when she GIGGLED! It was a really real giggle! And I responded so excitedly that I scared the poor little thing, and have yet to get another one from her. But I refuse to believe that is due to me. :) It was an amazing sound. I can't wait until it happens more often. She is working hard at it, and being a happy baby really helps towards that.

What else can I tell you. Sophia went in for her second round of shots this week. Not fun. She takes the shots in the office like a trooper but then about four hours later she hurts, a lot. She did end up sleeping from 8 pm to 8:30 am, which was good for her but bad for me the next night (I was up with her every 2.5 hours! Sigh). Anyway, here are her current stats:

HEIGHT: 25 5/8 inches
WEIGHT: 15 lbs 4 ounces
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 43 cm

Sophia is in the 75th percentile for height, the 50th percentile for weight and the 75-85th percentile for head circumference. So on the whole she is doing very well and is a healthy almost 5 month old.

It seems to be that Sophia is exhibiting a little super strength (in my eyes) and is happily sitting in her Bebe Pod (fancy baby seat), has tried out her high chair (which is excellent for banging and dragging toys along, and for throwing them from!), and she seems to like her exersaucer quite well. She is also sitting up on her own, mind you she kind of looks folded over when she does it! To go along with all the positive changes come the challenging ones....

It seems like our little one is getting little teeth or at least is starting the teething process. I didn't think one little being could produce so much drool! Anyway, everything -I mean EVERYTHING -goes into her mouth. Toys, bibs, burp cloths, books, mom's shirt -you name it, if it can fit, it is likely going in for a good soaking! Thankfully, she's not too crabby with it, which is nice seeing that this might be a slow progressing development.

We headed to Winnipeg the weekend before last to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Gerhard and Auntie Kristine and Uncle Adam. It was a lovely time, with lots of good one on one time with all family members. She even got to come for coffee with Diane and I! The only shady issue was the determination of the grandparents to feed Sophia ice cream. They were sure that a little taste wouldn't hurt. I fear what they might try to get away with in the years to come (only good things done out of love and adoration, I am SURE!).

Another new thing happening for us, is that Sophia and Mom are attending a playgroup. A group of moms and their children gather every Tuesday morning at Sunset United. I decided that this would be a good way to get some much needed adult conversation and support, and to have Sophia out and about with other children. There is one other infant there who is a month younger than Sophia. So far it has been great and we look forward to going every week.

It's a good thing that Sophia's a charmer, because it makes meeting new people easier. She just smiles and coos at them and conversation starts. Heck, it even worked on a a five year old boy, Sam, who we saw in Wolseley on Friday. She had that little guy wrapped around her tiny little pinky!

So on the whole, things are good here. We grow and play and read and sing and even bake together (Sophia sits and watches while I do all the work!). David has been enjoying some good time with Sophia --even showing her the joys of video games (Thanks to Jacquie for the Lego Star Wars game!)

More videos

This YouTube thing is great. Here are a few more videos. little 30-second clips of Sophia being Sophia:

Making noises

The Osborne finger behavior

Having a chat with Daddy

Plus, as a bonus, here she is in her halloween costume

Sophie's Baptism video

For those who were unable to attend, here is the grainy low-fi version of sophie's initiation into the community of the Church.

Jolly Jumping Movie

So Tricia has posted many photographs of Sophia in her jolly jumping jim jam jambouree joy, but the photos can't really do the experience justice, so we decided to "push the envelope" and try to post a video. But blogger is not so much with the hosting videos on their site, (or we're to slow-witted to figure it out) so it's on to YouTube for us. Our first foray into that field so we'll have to see how it all works out.

Here's Sophie's first appearance on YouTube:

Happy Feet

Okay, so the title is a knock off from an upcoming movie, but it is so fitting for this week's blog entry. For we discovered, this week, that our little bobble head Sophia isn't as bobble-y as she used to be. In fact, she is able to support her slightly large sized head on that ity bity little neck really well. So well that we introduced our child to the "Jolly Jumper". All I can say is "yeah for bouncy springs!" She loves it, and I was quite amazed that she took to it so well. She bounces and spins and looks, and laughs and coos (the grandmothers can definately atest to that fact! She's loud enough to hear over the phone!). She especially likes Jolly Jumping to music, and she almost finds a beat when doing it. I am hopeful that she has David's music skill genes, for I certainly can't keep a beat. In fact if my life depended on it, I would probably die. Honest!

Anyway, she bounces around and I (or David) am able to get things done, as long as I am in visual closeness. Stepping out of the room is something entirely different. But all in all, she seems to be having a blast.

A serious face, knowing that there is a camera around.

The Happy Bouncer

Happy Feet in action

Playtime with Daddy



While Sophia learned all about bouncing, there are several things that I have learned. Firstly, one must wait an hour before jumping, otherwise it is messy. Second, if one does not wait the hour before bouncing, make sure there is some sort of liquid catching device placed under the bouncing child. Thirdly, if said baby isn't spitting up all over the jumper and the carpet, she drools, and the above device is still needed. Or else, you can give up and let the child bounce because no matter what you do liquid will fall from her mouth to the floor and the best thing to do is just clean up as you go. Sigh.

The funnest thing about the new found bouncing ability is the fact that she will coo and squeal and then figure out that maybe she has had too much bouncing and wants out, so she lets out the requisite cry, mom comes running, but baby keeps bouncing. It's like an addiction she just can't stop. I can't do it justice through words, you just gotta see it. No, I am not being a mean parent. I do eventually take her out.

Another happening this week was Halloween... I think this was much more interesting to the dog, who needed to bark and run to the door each and every time a trick-or-treater rang the door bell. But as good parents, we dressed Sophia up in her Lady Bug Costume, and had her answer the door a couple times with her Daddy. The only problem with the outfit is that the arms are a little bit short and she can't get them to lie down against her body or get them to her mouth, which wouldn't be any help seeing that her fingers were covered. It's much like the little boy with the snowsuit in "The Christmas Story" (if you haven't seen it, you should rent it, just so you can say you've seen it. Talk to me really nicely and I might lend you our copy.)

Ready for the trick or treaters. Bring them on!

Look at ALL the CANDY!

Here are a couple of other pictures taken this week. Sophia is discovering new things every day. Now, if only she would let me sleep through the night again. Our silly little one has decided to wake up at least two times a night to eat and play. As a result, I am very tired and slightly sick. Oh well. I have been assured that she will start sleeping through the night again. After all, as my mother in law told me today, David does doesn't he? I am not sure that I am willing to wait 31 years for that to happen!

Holding what Sophia likes to chew on the most -a burp cloth (clean, of course!)

Oh, those are nice!

A happy and contented baby!