Written May 15, 2007

Dear Sophie,

I’m starting to forget. It’s been a week and already I’m starting to forget. The details that are fading are not important though. I don’t need to remember the sights and sounds and smells. I can certainly do without the memory of the constant beeping and buzzing of the machines that surrounded you. Or the smell of the pack that protected your stitches. But what I will never forget is what a brave, strong girl you are. How you came through your surgery like a champ and have been totally amazing to me ever since. On the day they repaired your palate it took a little while to get your pain under control. Those were certainly the longest, worst hours of my life. I made a promise to myself to tell you how, on that day, I would have done anything in the world to take that pain away. How I would have traded places with you in a heartbeat. The look in your eyes as you gazed up at us during your struggle was truly heartbreaking, but in the hours ahead your look would change and you would reassure us that you were okay. It’s amazing to me that exactly one week later you are the same little girl that we walked into that hospital. I thought for sure that, along the way, you would lose something in that wonderful personality. I was so afraid you would lose your faith and trust in us as you wondered how we let this happen to you. I was so afraid you would be leery of strangers as you wondered if they were going to put a mask over your face or cause you pain. As the week has progressed you have shown what a loving and trusting little girl you are and have made me so happy.

I am so proud of you.

Love,
Your Mama

Sweet Dreams

Last night when I went up to check on you before I went to bed you were blowing kisses in your sleeping. Unmistakably, with the "mmmaaa" sound and all. I'm glad you were having happy dreams.

If You're Happy and You Know It

I've always wondered how kids know that the sound of a crowd clapping and cheering is a crowd clapping and cheering. I mean, I understand how they know the sound of one person clapping--or even two or three. But why is it that kids that aren't exposed to what I would define as "applause" alway seem to know what it is? And now you're doing it. You can be anywhere in the house and if the sound of applause should happen to come from the TV, maybe from, say, the Ellen show (if the TV happens to be left on after we've finished far more intellectual programming like the morning news, perhaps) or the MTV Video Music Awards (if the TV happens to be left on so we can listen to the musical performances as we do a far more intellectual activities like puzzles, perhaps), you stop what you're doing and clap your hands wildly. It's not like you've ever been to a concert or a Red Sox game or the Ellen show, but somehow you know. To think that you might somehow inately know the sound of fun and happiness makes me smile.

Today's Firsts

1. Swimming Lesson
2. Sushi

You liked them both.

Dear Sophie

It's hard to believe it's been a year since you screamed your way into the world. So on the eve of your first steps (just a guess) I think it's about time we start writing all this stuff down. I want to remember all the funny, cute and smart things you do this year and for so many years to come. These days every day brings something new. This week you have blown your first kisses and fake cried on cue. And I'm starting to understand your language which makes me feel an even stronger bond than the one I have felt since you were born. I didn't think that was possible.
I love you so much.
Love,
Your Mama

12 month checkup

Height: 32 1/2 inches (off the charts)
Weight: 22 pounds 3.5 ounces (75th percentile)

You had your 1 year check up yesterday and had to have 3 shots. The first one wasn't so bad, the second was pretty bad and the third was very bad. You recovered extremely quickly and soon enough just wanted to pick off the Band-Aids.

2 notes from Dr. Bodie that didn't really pretain to your health:
-your teeth are coming in very straight
-she can tell you're very "busy"

She was right about both.

The Reason We Need This Blog

I'm terrible at keeping up the "Baby Book" (but I do spend a lot of time on the computer).