Sofia at two months

So, another month goes by, and the littlest Allen has already developed in so many small, but very significant ways.....
 

She is very determined and will hold herself up strong whether on her front or standing on your lap.  And she absolutely DOES NOT like being held in the cradle position - she must be upright where she can see the world and its goings on, where she can interact with other people properly.

Her hands are her new favourite toys and her smile is developing into an almost laugh.  I love the sound of her cooing and chattering away - she's really responsive and will coo back at you if you talk to her - I LOVE that sound!

And baby Sofia has gained an quite a few nicknames - mostly food related (me!) - such as:

- chimichanga (I've used this one with each of the kids as babies)
- muffin
- toffee pie
- gecko (Nick gave her this one because of her long, slender fingers)
- chocolate chip
- chicken pie
all of which (except gecko) are usually preceded by 'my little...'  Can you tell I'm obsessed with food?!

Oh, and did I say she is attempting to blow raspberries?!  Well, she might as well do something with the abundance of dribble that she is currently producing :-)  If you blow one at her, she looks intently at your mouth and starts to bubble up - no sound to accompany the froth yet, but it'll come soon I'm sure.

When asked how the kids are with her, I often reply that Jasmine is like her second mummy.....she handles her confidently, can change her nappy (before you think I am some kind of strict mummy who orders the kids to do the dirty work, she actually asks!) and dress her too, not to mention reading to her and soothing her when she cries.  One evening I was taking a bath with Sofia and the rest of them were out.  When they came back, Jasmine came into the bathroom and, as I was ready to get us out and that can be a bit tricky, I asked her to help me.  She got Sofia's towel and I handed the baby to her.  SHe put her down on the mat and put a fresh nappy on her, creamed and powdered her, then dressed her whilst I finished my bath and got dressed.  How wonderful is that!  It makes her feel so proud when I re-tell that story so I have written it here so we never forget :-)

As for Ben, well he loves to give her tiny kisses.  One time, when Nick told him that he'd kissed her enough for now he replied 'I just love her soooo much!'  :-)

my crazy kids :-)

It never ceases to amaze me how a new addition to a family can so firmly entrench themselves in your hearts and lives so quickly - Sofia really is the icing on our family cake (uh oh, another food label.....)