Baby Sophia

My niece Sophia came for a visit today, and Mara and Micah had a great time with their little cousin.

Isn’t she beautiful?! I adore her hair!!!

I’m realizing–I don’t think I have posted a picture of Sophia on my blog yet–and I can’t believe it! The first pictures I took of her, unfortunately, turned out rather blurry, and I have taken a few video clips, but haven’t posted videos on my blog yet. . . so finally, I’m introducing Baby Sophia!

It was fun to compare and contrast babies! Sophia has much more of the sweet, calm baby temperment that Mara had. She sits and smiles and coos and loves to be held and talked to and played with. Her cry is this teeny-tiny petite thing–that you have to listen for, or you might miss, above the two-toddler din. She is a slowww eater–enjoying her milk and her food just like Mara did (and still does, come to think of it). Which reminded me again what an unbelievably fast eater (and nurser!) Micah has been. While there are pros and cons to each personality, and while I completely love both of my children, part of me is really hoping our next baby is another sweet, calm one. 🙂

Mara loves babies. She doesn’t always know what to do with them. But she loves them.

Her conversation goes something like this (indefinitely): “Hi, Baby Sophia! Let’s play, Baby Sophia! Do you see the little girl, Baby Sophia? . . . Mommy, can I feed Baby Sophia? . . . Why is she sad? Maybe she wants her paci! Maybe she wants her blanket! . . . Can I feed her applesauce? . . .” She just delights in the baby, which makes me excited that she will be a great big helper in March when our next one comes along!

But the biggest surprise of the day (for me) was Micah’s response. He adored her as well! It was a huge surprise, because there seemed to be no jealousy issues whatsoever! (In the past when I hold other babies, he often would cry and hold out his arms to be picked up.)

In fact, he almost treated Sophia the way Mara treats him.

He wanted to show her how to brush her hair.

Which, conceivably, he may have thought she needed to brush her hair, given that she has 5 times the hair he has, and she’s 9 months younger! 🙂

He shared his police car with her, showing her how to turn on the lights and the siren.

And he used his Leapfrog toy to “teach” Sophia letters. 😉

Of course, Mara had to get in on the action too. . .

And before long, Sophia could do it all by herself!

But the best part was when I sat Micah and Sophia together on the couch. . .

He already has that uncomfortable look: “Mommmmmm!!!–she’s touching me!” but instead of overreacting (as my kids are prone to do), he just sat there, looking concerned.

Until she started tugging on his ear. Now he’s wincing.

By about the third tug on his ear, he’d had all he could take, and I was waiting to see how he would respond. My little boy who screams bloody murder anytime he feels slightly disenfranchised. (I was hoping he wouldn’t scare his sweet little cousin.)

And I was so pleased! Somehow he seemed to understand: she’s littler and requires more patience.

My little man gently took her hand off his ear and set it in her lap. 🙂 Ohhhhhhh. . . .Okay, so only his mom is touched.  😉

I think my kids wore her out. . . Little Sophia was sound asleep when Mommy and Daddy came to pick her up!