Sophia is 14 Months Old

Sophia is 14 months old today. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago when she was just a little newborn, cuddling in my arms. And sometimes, it feels like time is moving so fast.

The last couple of weeks have been really difficult. Within a week's time, Sophia cut three teeth (two on the top and one of the bottom). That makes for a grand total of eight teeth now. With the teething, came the usual irritability associated with it, and also a runny nose and a chapped bottom (also common with teething). During that time, Sophia became fussy about eating (who can blame her?), and I found myself struggling to keep her somewhat satisfied. I am hoping that we are moving past that stage now ...

Sophia still goes to bed around 7:15 pm, immediately following her nightly bath. She's very good about going down without a peep, and will sleep until about 7:30 am - 8 :00 am. I have been trying to cut back on her morning nap (sometimes we skip it all together) so that she will take a nice, long nap at the same time as Sam in the afternoon. This seems to be working pretty well for us.

There is still no walking yet, and I am ok with this. Sam was a "late walker" too (15 months), and I feel a little safer knowing that she is limited on her mobility still. She does occasionally pull up on things, but doesn't stay there for too long. She has also been liking to ride on her car a lot these days. She doesn't understand how to go forward with it yet (Samantha often pushes her), but she just recently figured out how to go backwards.

She says a few words, "ball, "book" "bye-bye" and "kitty." She also says "mom" and "dad." She points at everything, and we make a constant effort to tell her what those things are. I think that she will start talking before Sam did.

Her latest thing to do right now is immediately clap whenever Sam sings the song, "BINGO," and to use her fingers to motion the twinkling of lights whenever Sam sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." She picked up on these motions very quickly and now uses them repeatedly whenever she hears those songs.

Also, whenever we ask Sophia if she is "full" after eating, she always grabs her belly and says, "ooohhhh!" About a month ago, she saw me doing that with Sam and now she imitates it.

She knows where her hair, ears, mouth, belly and teeth are. We are still working on other body parts.

Just a couple of days ago, we taught her how to use a fork to put her own food in her mouth. She is so proud whenever she does it by herself now. (Nevermind the large cup on her tray; she wanted a closer look at my cup with fish on it and then would not relinquish it!).

Mission accomplished!

Just a couple of days ago, I joked with Steve that "the heavens had opened up and I was sure that I heard angels singing."  Yes, that was my reaction to the fact that Sophia FINALLY started holding her own sippee cup.  We have been using one for months now, but she would flat-out refuse to hold it herself; in fact, she would blatantly hand it to one of us and cry for it.  For two days now, she has successfully used it herself.

She is so observant, and never wants to be left out of anything. Steve caught a little rabbit in his trap the other morning, and she was the first one in line to check him out!

She has been liking to sit in her chair (once Sam's chair) a lot now. She still struggles to get up in it properly, but once she is situated, she will sit in it for a little while so she can read her books.

She won't watch Sesame Street for too long though -- Sam loved it at this age, but Sophia doesn't quite have the attention span and patience for it. She would rather be moving and exploring.

Taking a quick glance at the television:

Right now, I feel so lucky to have two little girls that are happy and healthy.  By doing these monthly posts, I have noticed so many differences in their developments, but I like that it makes each one unique and special.

I can't wait to see what the next month brings ...