Sophie - 2 1/3 Years Old

Sophie, it hasn't been that long since I wrote an update post about you, but it seems like there's a lot developing for you and I want to capture it.

First, your speech style has really shifted and is very funny. All of a sudden, you have one volume which is somewhere on the charts between loud and screaming. Your volume has nothing to do with your level of excitement or emotion, it's just a new style of speech. It's mostly pretty hilarious. It seems like just yesterday I was remarking about how a baby's sweet cooing sounds fade away like a dog's "puppy smell." Well, your baby coo's are definitely gone! :)

You also have several silly routines going. For example, whenever we're driving and go under an overpass you scream "TOO DARK!!!". Most overpasses last for all of 2 seconds, but that doesn't prevent you from screaming that it's "too dark". When your sisters are in the car, they initially try to reassure you that it's not too dark, that you can still see plenty of sunshine, and that there are lights in most tunnels and under most overpasses. This does not deter you at all, so then they start laughing. It's become a funny bit between you three.

You also love the water and the water parks. You cautiously approach any fountain, and then bend over and stick your entire head in the water. You'll run over to dry your face and then do it again...and again...and again.

You spontaneously 'meow' like a cat and then drop to all fours and crawl around the house playing some imaginary cat game.

You've developed strong preferences for the clothes you want to wear, the books you want to read, the color cup you want to drink out of. We can often accommodate these, and luckily you're still fairly easily distracted when we can't.

You tumble around and dance with your sisters, calling out their names whenever we're out and about.

You've learned several songs lately, and prefer to sing solo. If someone joins in, you'll tell them to stop until you're done.

You have a lot of fun playing soccer and trying to mimic yoga and ballet poses.

But most of all, you are so happy. You are a smiley, happy little girl. You sing and chatter and dance.  You hug and cuddle and kiss. Delicious!