A letter to Sophia on her 2nd Birthday

Our Dearest Fia Bia,

This has been the year of change for you!  A year ago, you had just started to crawl.  It took you awhile to walk, but now you run laps around the house.  However, when we all play together, you don't like it when we run around too fast because you can't quite keep up yet.  You've also begun to talk much more.  You still call Mommy, Daddy, sometimes.  But that's okay. It seems like every other day now we hear a new word out of your mouth.  Like messy, red ball, hands, book, flower, teddy bear and more.  You say "Where?" when looking for something.  You've even started putting words together like "Gimme some" and "Do it".  You are a demanding little thing.

When we are out and about, you yell at us to "GO!" when we get stopped at a red light and you love to wave and say "Hi" to strangers.  You aren't shy at all like your sister was at your age, especially when it comes to men.  You go up to your Uncle's and Grandpa's almost more than the women in the family.  But there is one little lady that you are in love with, and that is Dora.  You flip out in excitement when we turn on her show and request it immediately when we go to the Grandparent's houses.

You are finally starting to read books now instead of eat them which has been so much fun.  The books can't have a lot of text though, because you don't like to linger too long on any one page.  Your absolute favorite is Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton followed closely by a Dora bedtime book. 

While you aren't completely fearless, you are definitely reckless.  You will make yourself fall backwards on the floor and actually start laughing.  Other people will gasp and say, "Oh no, is she okay?"  And we'll just sit back and laugh right along with you.  You are one tough cookie.

You have become "The Tickler" and love to run and tickle us all, especially right after dinner.  You also love to sing.  Your favorites are Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle, and The ABC Song.  When you aren't being silly, you can count to 10 with minor assistance.

We aren't sure what happened to our laid back baby, because you now have the patience of your Mother and start to whine when we take too long to do something.  Also, you certainly have your opinions and say "No" while shaking your head vigorously when you really don't want to do something.  You are very curious still and don't listen well to us telling you "No", so the house is still full of barricades, gates and locked doors to keep you out of things.

While your independence is growing, you are still our cuddler.  You will rest your head on our shoulder or the crook of our neck and we eat it to pieces.  You are still Mommy's little girl, but your love for Daddy is growing great.  When he gets home from work, you join Madeline in running to him and yelling "Daddy!" with a huge smile on your face.  

Happy Birthday Fia!  We love you and look forward to another year of wonderment with you.  

Much love,

Mommy and Daddy