Letters and Numbers

Sophia learned to sing her alphabet about the same time she started talking, but later (a month back? two?) we discovered that she can sing it in Spanish up to "n" from hearing on her music table. I think the song is less clear after the "n" or she just likes to say "en - ney." She's on her own since her daddy and I can't keep the song going past that point in the right tune (if we even remember how to say all the letters!).

She also can identify most of her upper case letters and tell you what sound they make thanks to the Leapfrog Letter Factory video. Foam letters in the tub were also a fun way to practice.

Today I was surprised to discover that she can count to at least 8 or 9 in Spanish... I'm thinking it was Dora. We've had a Dora book from the library since last week that counts to seven, but she must have learned it on the show as well to be able to keep going. In English she can only count to about eleven or twelve with any consistency, but she tries to keep going. lol

Not bad for two and a half. It may be more common than I think, but I was surprised by her skills. It is so fun to watch. :)

Two Monkeys and a Dalmatian

Sophia occasionally collects stuffed animals and small toys that become "favorites." The first was "Baa" the sheep. Baa still sleeps in her bed but is no longer a constant companion. At the beginning of this month a small monkey began to go everywhere we went. Then Sophia dug a little seal out of somewhere in our house that was meant to be used as a stress-ball. After a week with Sophia, the already forming cracks were becoming bigger and bigger. Then a flipper got amputated one evening at bedtime, so (instead of her freaking out) I put a band aid on the little guy:


I'm happy to report that we "traded" the seal successfully for a second monkey in the toy bin, but we also acquired a puppy (whose nose she popped off) at Grandma's. So now she carries two monkeys and a puppy. When asked the names, the first monkey is called "Lou Chay" and monkey #2 and puppy are both named "Nicole." Those would be her middle and last names, in case you are wondering. :)

There are easily more than a dozen little "friends" in her bed now. And one book.

Picnic Day

Picnic Day is an open house of sorts for UC Davis, where I am an alum. Sophia and I went this year and it was an absolutely beautiful day. We met up with friends, watched a parade, enjoyed lunch out on the vast lawns, saw animals, did a lot of walking, and then hit a barbecue on the way home for good measure.

Here's Sophia and her friend, Laura, as they boogie down at lunch:



What a wonderful, but LONG, day. It would have helped us both to have had a nap. Sophia ended up passing out on the way home that evening and was transferred straight to bed. Clothes, sunscreen and tangled hair still in place.

Big Girl Bed

On April Fools Day we decided to go ahead and take the side off of Sophia's crib. She's not a climber, but we thought it was time since we want to potty train in a few months. Franco attached the toddler rail and I made the bed with her new comforter and sheet set. It looked really cute, but any change is a big one for her right now. She currently sleeps with 11 different items and is very upset if any are not in place.

The first thing she did, while playing on her new bed, was stand up on the pillow and fall head-first over the rail. She never fell out of the crib before! Gave us a good scare, but she was fine.

The first nap and the first bedtime both resulted in tears. I had to walk her back to her bed two or three times at nap, but she stayed put after that. The following two days went great. Tonight, however, we had tears again. At one point, she got out of bed but then decided to crawl back in and stand on her pillow (I was watching on the monitor). Thankfully she laid down before she could fall down. Now she is asleep and I should be, too.

Minding Her Manners

Daddy thought it was funny a few weeks back to ask Sophia, "Did you step on a duck?" if she tooted. Fast forward to last Wednesday as Sophia sat in the high chair eating lunch...

Sophia: (**toot**) I stepped on a duck! (laughter)

Mommy looks at Daddy.

Daddy: Sophia, you should say "excuse me" if you toot.

Sophia: Excuse me! I stepped on a duck!

We both started laughing hysterically. I have since attempted to "reprogram" her manners and she has said only "excuse me" for the past couple days (and I praised her up and down for using her good manners!). We'll have to wait and see if she uses the same manners when Daddy gets back.

Easter Day

This morning when Sophia woke up she found a basket full of goodies from the Easter Bunny. She got a coloring book (pictured above), a set of alphabet stamps, a book, a baby bottle with "disappearing" juice, a big faux diamond ring, and a Pez dispenser. After some breakfast, I informed her that the Easter Bunny also hid some eggs in the living room (video on YouTube). Ten eggs had Fruity Cheerios and six eggs contained an M&M each. Even with only six M&M's, she managed to have chocolate all over her mouth. She had so much fun that we did it again after nap, only the eggs had fruit snacks inside. Even though it was just the two of us, Sophia wore her Spring dress all day.

Yesterday in the Car

As we drove along in a residential neighborhood yesterday, Sophia says to me:

"Mommy, that car is under a blanket. Blankets don't go on cars. That's silly."

Cracked me up. I guess she's never seen a car cover before. It is pretty silly. I was impressed that she even noticed.