Sophia's Switch

Sophia is a sweet 6 month old.... EXACTLY between the 3 and 9 month old children in this home with her. She has always been a very happy and very easy baby, but when Sophia started here a mere 3 weeks ago, she was on a schedule MUCH like the little 12 week old Liana. They would both bottle every 3 hours or so, take little naps all day long. Sophia liked to sleep in the swing. Her play time seemed to be laying on her back jingling things (keys to be exact)! :) It really surprised me at how much can change in those 4 months between 6 months (sweet little Sophia) and 10 months (my toddler-like Michaela).
The transition between infant and toddler is certainly a long process that gradually changes month by month with small mile stones. In just 3 weeks I have been shocked at Sophia's switch! She is probably getting more comfortable here and is just now able to show me all her true colors, but she is surprising me every day with how quickly she is leaving that infant stage.
She moves!! She is starting to roll EVERYWHERE. I think it is her mode of transportation! I always start her right on that soft rug, but she won't stay!! :) She rolls for toys, for people, or just for fun..... but when I turn my back and look again, she is several feet from where she just was. She doesn't seem to mind too much, but I DO always feel bad when she ends up on that hardwood floor! She is also starting to sit really well. She stays sitting for long amounts of time. Her tiny round little butt does cause the occasional topple, or perhaps the other kids are helping her down too, but she likes the new view on life. She will gladly take whatever toy is presented her and LOVES watching the other kids shake and move toys for her.
She naps!! In a bed! She still occasionally gives me those 20 or 40 min naps throughout the week, and she is always up for a car or stroller ride nap, but I would say that pretty consistently she is really starting to show the "morning nap" and "afternoon nap" schedule! Some naps have actually been 2 hours or more! She has her own crib in Maddi's pink room. When I see some signs of tiredness (usually about 2 hours since her previous nap), I lay her on her back with her pacifier in her mouth. Many days she just quietly falls asleep. Some days she will cry for a min, sing for a little bit, or work on a poopy back there, but she knows her bed and loves it. I peek in later to find her sweetly sleeping on her tummy with her little frog legs extended behind her! :)
She eats! There is actually nothing offered that the girl won't eat! :) She sits in her highchair seat next to Maddi and Michaela at breakfast time (around 8:00) and lunch time (around 12:00). She still enjoys a bottle every 3 hours, but it is not any set time. She will take it when there is a good quiet time for us to sit together, or she will hold it and watch the commotion of the room. She enjoys it, but is MUCH more interested in that bowl and spoon! :)
She is making friends! Michaela has been growing on Sophia like a cancer! :) I say that because, she was NOT quick to warm up to the physical and loud baby that Mj has proven to be. Sophia was sensitive to the new sounds, the less than gentle pats, Mjs desire to hug and kiss her, and really anything Michaela had to offer in terms of their friendship. I was doing a very elaborate rotation througout the day to keep Sophia safe from the little monster. I would do small amounts of each day where they would be on the floor together and I would play mediator and make sure Sophia was having fun and Michaela was learning a gentle touch. There were lots of times that Sophia would just cry seeing Michaela come close..... the whole idea scared her. But her friendship has changed. Sophia is starting to love her friend and (as a good friend does) accepts her for who she is. Now, she often laughs when Michaela pats her back or hugs and kisses her. She enjoys watching Mj move around and likes the shaking toys and noises that she makes. Sophia is even starting to grab at her hair and hold her own in some of their interactions! :) I think as she grows more mobile and interactive, they will really be great friends! :) This picture I got of them is PRICELESS!