Sofia's Island

Guess What? I Turned One!

Hello, my peoples! Sofia here again with more tales from my wonderful life!

Man! I have been sooo busy the last few weeks getting ready for my big day! I have been practicing my walking everywhere I can and tearing apart anything made of paper to get ready to open presents!

Well the big day came and went like a pair of Paris Hilton's shoes! Whew! I don't think I've seen Momma and Poppa run around the house like that in a long time. Chill out, people! ... Hello? Hello!? ... Pay attention to me, people! Birthday girl over here! Hey what's that smell? Is something burning?

Yes, as a matter of fact, something was burning. Momma managed to start a fire in the oven cooking all the chicken for the party. Momma started yelling "Help! Fire! It's burning!" Poppa came running in and got the baking soda and put it out. Yikes! Time to back off on the cooking Momma! I'm too young for flambé!

Anyway, things calmed down a little and people started to arrive. Lot's of 'em. Too many, I was thinking for a little while. "Who are you people and what are you doing in my living room?! What's that? You have presents for me? ... Well, OK. I guess you can stay."

Eventually I warmed up to all these home invaders and played a little with my friends Nathan, Josh, Drew and my friend Beatrice who is so big now! Some of my even younger friends Leila and Sadie came too! Cool! I was a little sad that Zoe and Nicholas were sick and couldn't come, though.

Let them Eat Cake!
Finally, after a bunch of munching and playing and socializing, it was time to eat cake! We had a lot of cake! Three cakes in fact, a strawberries and cream cake from Palo Alto Bakery, an ice cream cake from Baskin Robins AND Momma made me my own little Black Forest chocolate cake with raspberries on top, mmmm, raspberries!

Mommy tells me that the Black Forest cake is a tradition in the Stalder family and apparently as the birthday girl I am expected to smash it into a big, squishy chocolaty mess. Well, apparently I missed that part of the birthday briefing, because when Momma put it in front of me, I had no idea what to do. I froze, there's no other word for it. Probably it was all that "Happy Birthday" singing that threw me off. So many people singing for me all at once. I was a little overwhelmed.

Anyway, cake munching ensued and Momma was pleased to see the guests demolish almost the entire strawberries and cream cake and make a good dent in the ice cream cake. Mmmmm. Caaaake.

<Sniff, Sniff> Do I smell presents?

The next day was like an early Christmas for me. So many presents! Wheee!

I must confess, I was a little confused about the whole unwrapping procedure. "You mean I can rip all this pretty paper to shreds? Cool! I'm gonna enjoy this!" After my initial confusion, I dug into the present unwrapping with my usual delicate touch, tearing off postage-stamp-sized pieces of wrapping paper and handing them to Poppa to put in the recycling bin. I musta spend 15 minutes unwrapping some of them!

I got a few outfits that Momma did a bunch of "Oooo-ing" and "Aahhh-ing" over AND I got a lot of cool toys!! Thanks everyone! You guys have to come over and play soon, OK?

Love and presents,

Sofia

Walkin'!

Hello, my peoples! Once again, I have returned to tell you tales of my fan-TAB-ulous accomplishments!

This time, it's a doosey! Yesterday, I took my first steps on my own! Wheeee! It feels GREAT to be able to get where I want to go on my own two feet. Momma and Poppa were very proud and made walk back and forth between them over and over again last night. I was totally exhausted by bedtime. Whew!

Poppa calls me the "drunken sailor" when I walk around, because I'm still a little shaky in this new, vertical position. But hey! Every sailor has to get her or his sea legs eventually, right?

Now, for all you other babies out there trying to get your own sea legs under you, I feel the need to give you some advice: Get a walker!

Ok, ok. I know what you're thinking: "A walker? Isn't that for old ladies?" Well, frankly...yes, but as a baby you get special dispensation. Having a baby walker is super cute! Plus, they make all kinds of cool versions, some with wood, some in plastic, I'm sure some of you eXXXtreeeme babies could probably find a baby walker made out of carbon fiber. Nice! Check out the one I borrowed from my friend Beatrice:

My friend Nathan has one with alligators on it that snap at the people in front of you when you push it. Cool! Poppa said it might be fun to do the same thing with his car. Heh heh.

Alrighty then, folks, gotta go! Lot's more walkin' to do!

Love and strolls down the avenue,

Sofia

Teeffs! (a.k.a. Teeth)

Hello, my peoples! Sofia here again to tell you of my baby hood adventures. I must apologize for not providing more regular updates recently. I have been SUPER busy figuring out how to stand up as quickly as I can and growing a TOOTH!

Personally I didn't think it was a big deal at first. I really didn't make much of a fuss about it, none of that keeping everybody up until the wee hours. Mommy finally noticed something was up on Wednesday last week, because I was touching my new dental creation with my tongue and making my bottom lip stick out like a monkey. It feels weird! I can't help myself!

Anyway, Momma started poking around in my mouth, discovered a new front, left tooth (my left, not yours) on my bottom gums and called Poppa immediately. Yikes! I have to say I was a little concerned when she whipped out the cell phone and hit the speed dial. What? What'd I do? Am I in trouble?

All was OK, though. Momma was very excited and proud and Poppa sounded very pleased.

I was very encouraged, so I got started on growing another one! Momma's already been poking around again and discovered a bump on the front right, next to the other one.

Having a tooth is fun! I really enjoy biting down on my bagel chips now (which--by the way--are my new favorite food). Very satisfying! I can't wait to try these "cookie" things I've been hearing about.

Love and nibbling,

Sofia

P.S. I turned 10 months old on August 20th! 2 months to my first birthday! WO HOO!! I think I smell presents...