May 11th, 2013

Dear Sofia,

Bad momma, checking in for the first time this year. Haven't posted since before you were two, etc. You'll find I'm the same online as in real life (where you see me most).. scattered, forgetful, absolutely prone to giving up habits too easily. Unless they involve some BBC t.v. show, in which case hold the phone! Stop the presses! I'm liable to watch every available episode, back-to-back, in a sort of frenetic, temporary stint of OCD. Pathetic, but that's me.

But, as it is the eve of mother's day 2013, I thought I'd check back in and see how you are doing. Well, you still can't type - though I wouldn't be surprised to see you try - so I'll have to fill in the blanks myself.

Things you say these days include: 
It's a beautiful day! (courtesy Gramma Joy)
I'm just joking with you.
Which (thing) is in which hand?
Mom, I really love you.
Dad, I really love you.
(Tonight) No, I don't love you. I just love myself. (Youthful honesty at its finest!)

Things you do these days include:
Writing letters to Dad
Carrying Bubby and Bear everywhere
Asking for "just" one more glass of milk/marshmallow/story
Cooking in your kitchen - all the time
Making picnics/tea parties for your buddies
Being naughty (only sometimes, and it's not malicious)

Favorites:
Food - pasta with meatballs
Drink - milk, but also stolen wine! (Don't call social services; it's about a thimble amt.)
Stuffed friend - Bubby the bunny. I wonder, will he ever be replaced? I hope not.
Phrase - "special treat" (could be anything from fruit snacks to taking a trip
Show - tie:  Thomas/Shawn the Sheep
Activity - tie: singing (both real and made-up songs) and swinging at the park
Book - Frog & Toad series
Physical activity - going up and down the stairs by yourself
Face - contrasting the "sweet face" and the "nasty face" (sweet face prevails 99% of the time)
Singspiration and Sunday school (when we are dragging on Sunday morning, you ask to go)

You love everyone and pour out your sweetness on them. If you've ever disliked someone, I've not seen it. You're a girl through and through: you want your hair brushed, to put on my "lipstick" (lip balm) and perfume. You filled up your purse with chocolate the other day, for goodness sake.

You are so loving toward your Daddy and me. I can't speak for him, but I wish I was the kind of person that your love indicates I am.

If I never have another child, I will feel like I was given the world wrapped in curly, strawberry blonde hair. Happy mother's day indeed!

September 24th, 2012

Can you believe she is almost two?!

Yeah. Me either.

May 7th, 2012

Dear Sofia,

Summer is on it's way, mother's day is sooner. Can we go to the botanical garden again this year to celebrate? You'll love it even more, what with your new habit of smelling things, not to mention wanting to pick flowers... every time you see them.

Of course, "flowers" are often dandelions, violets or tree blossoms - all suitable for plucking. At the gardens we might have our hands full...or else you will.

I hope the dreary rain will finally let up next Sunday! I'm looking forward to spending some time with my little tulip.


Love,

Momma

April 6th, 2012

Dear Sofia,

My sweet baby at eighteen months... I get to know you more each day, and I love who you are becoming!

Love,

Mama

February 21st, 2012

Dear Sofia,

Our dinner conversation tonight...

Mama: Sofia, are you all done eating dinner?

You: Fork!

M: Yes, it's a fork. Are you all done with dinner?

You: Bubby (bunny)! Play!

M: Yes, bunny is an 'after-dinner' friend you can play with. Are you done making a mess with dinner?

You: Messy. Baf (bath)? Bubble?!

M: You had one last night, so let's read some books.

You: Bop! Bop! Bop! [Your favorite book is "Bee-Bim Bop," about a Korean food. We read it at least twice through, daily. I have it memorized.]

M: I think I need a 'bee-bim break.' [But we read it anyway.]

When's the last time someone got excited about using a fork, having a special friend, playing, taking a bath with bubbles, or reading a good book?

You're 16 months tomorrow and you've already got enthusiasm for the right things. And I love you for it.

Love,

Mama

January 26th, 2012

Dear Sofia,


Why are you walking around on your tip toes? Maybe you will want to be a ballerina and I won't need to chide you into it. Oh, would it were...

Love,
Mom

January 21st, 2012

Dear Sofia,

You've always loved water, since you were a little one.

Maybe it's because I had my heart set on a water birth.. maybe because I was a minnow myself growing up in 10,000 lakes country... maybe because your daddy is a skiing - water and frozen water - aficionado.

You were born at a hospital two blocks away from a lake, and spent many afternoon stroller rides alongside a lake too. That's just what living on an isthmus does to you, I guess. For living in the landlocked midwest we certainly have more than our fair share of H2O.

We only got to take you swimming once last summer due to our fear of late-summer "bloom" (meaning, bacteria that flourishes in the warmest waters). So we settle for lots of baths during these chilly days.

No sooner have I turned on the water than you come running. Even if it's the sink faucet, you have to find out if it's time for a "baf." If it is, you ask about a thousand times if it's hot. I make sure it's room temperature at most. It's far too cold if you ask me!

You love to play with the water, filling up cups and emptying them out again. The introduction of a small yellow saucepan and spatula has given you new activities - now, in addition to pouring, you can stir.

The one thing you hate is having the shampoo rinsed from your hair. Lying back in the water makes you panic and I don't know why. Second to hair rinsing is when it's time to be done. But, the owl towel (which is fun to use and say) has helped a little. Still, I think you'd be happy to wrinkle away in your chilly water for hours if I let you. Silly girl.

Love,

Momma

January 20th, 2012

Dear Sofia,

Today was your lil' cousin Hoolie's 2nd birthday! Her mama and I are hoping you two will be two peas in a pod as you grow up. How could you not be? You're both the perfect combination of scrappy n sweet. Just like your mamas.

Happy birthday Juliette! We love you to pieces.

Love,

Auntie Victoria (aka Momma to Sofia)