S B-B MMM-M

aka

Sophie Be-Bophie MeMyMa-Mophie

Kara starting calling Sophie this out of the blue, and kept it up for a couple of months. And she called her this every single time. So much so that we were all constantly calling Sophie this in a sing-song kind of way (it becomes quite catchy). Then as sudden as its onset was its abrupt end and I was told last week that it was not very nice to call Sophie this. Pity, as I had gotten quite used to calling her this.

Sophie Be-Bophie is still the happiest little girl and she remains my little angel.

Sophie will smile and giggle all day, and it's lovely to hear the girls giggling hysterically as they chase each other around the house and push each other in the play stroller (even at 11 months Sophie was able to push Kara around in this). There is the occasional tug-of-war with toys, but not nearly as much as I predicted. Kara in fact makes a point of sharing with Sophie ... most of the time ... and Sophie often gives things to Kara when prompted. It's funny at meal times when they are eating and I'm still in the kitchen - I'll look over and they will be passing food back and forth across the table, with guilty grins and laughter when I catch them.

But there is a stubborn streak that has emerged with Sophie and I have a feeling she will be as stubborn as I was as a child (and recalling my mum's stories ... this is definitely not a good thing). It often comes when Kara is sitting in my lap reading - Sophie grabs her own book and hip-and-shoulders her way in until it is she that is in my lap reading and Kara is sprawled out on the floor wondering what happened.

Sophie has become quite the prolific artist and my office walls are adorned with her colorful creations. (I know I have my priorities right when my degrees are propped on the wall behind my desk, my awards are in a box somewhere but Sophie's artwork is splashed on my office walls for everyone to see). I often think I should spend more time with them in our 'arts and crafts' basement ... but it is kind of hard watching them both when Kara is wielding paint brushes in one direction and Sophie is wanting to glue paper to the walls (or her tongue!). Luckily our basement has linoleum floors and wood panels for walls ... so if I am in the mood I just let them paint and glue whatever they desire!

Not surprisingly, Sophie copies Kara in many ways and often wants to be doing exactly what Kara is doing. It's nice that she is getting older, stronger and generally more coordinated so she can join in with Kara. Sophie does get frustrated when she can't communicate what she wants - she is saying several words but most aren't all that clear if you aren't used to hearing them. And it's about the only time you'll hear Sophie cry when she can't get the adult to understand what she wants. Soon enough she will be 2 ... then 3 ... and I simply cannot wait for Sophie to grow up so I can swap stories with her like I do with Kara.