An Early Christmas and The First Steps!

Nana, Pap Pap and Becky came up this weekend to celebrate an early Christmas. Sophie got everything that she asked Santa for (he can understand her language) as well as quite a few other things. She also took her first two steps! Aunt Becky is happy to say that they were toward her. Videos to follow.

She tasted each and every box. This one looks like it was especially good.

 Reading among the goods.

Sophie and Aunt Becky at Brad and Joan's annual tree decorating party.  Very color coordinated.

9 Month Check-up

On Friday Soph had her 9 month doctor's visit. We found out she weighs 20.14 lbs, which still puts her in the 90% area for weight. We were also given the go ahead to try and introduce some soy back into her diet to see if she can tolerate it now. Fingers crossed she's outgrown her colitis issues.

Later that night she spend some quality time reading with dad...

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving down in Virginia. Mom and Dad had a house full and Dave cooked the ENTIRE dinner for 16 people all by himself (well, I checked on some things in the oven, but we won't count that). 

Here he is with the 22lb. turkey. Thanks to Catherine and Hannah for bringing the meat thermometer or we might have been waiting until midnight for that sucker to cook. 

 Becky and me with Quinn & Carley

 Sophie had some close encounters with Vahid the tortoise. Soon he'll be as big as she is. 

 On Thanksgiving morning we ran a 5K (Sophie cheered with mom from the sidelines). She probably worked off at least one piece of pie... maybe. 

 Sophie had her first taste of turkey.  From the looks of it she seems to like it. But we haven't actually found a food that she doesn't like. 

 We went for a hike on Friday. 

The Coughlin clan 

Candice

I recently realized that I don't have any pictures of Candice on this blog. Since she's the person Sophie spends most of her days with - we must have a picture! 

Do you speak Swahili?

Apparently Sophie thinks it might be a good language to learn.
Her new things is clicking her tongue and then waiting for you to click yours back. Here's a video.

Hiking in the Poconos

This weekend we decided to escape the city and head to the mountains. Unfortunately we missed peak season for fall leaves, but it was still beautiful. On Saturday we did a 5 mile hike that was pretty flat, and on Sunday we did a shorter 3 mile hike that was very hilly. Dave did the brunt of the heavy work - with Sophie on his back the whole time.

It was chilly out so Sophie was suited up properly

One of the more challenging hills

Benson enjoying the view

Sophie can now pull herself up and does so every chance she gets. She's quite proud of herself here. 

We've got a Crawler!

For the last week or so Sophie has been on the move. Mostly she's after Benson, but in this short clip she's after one of his toys (yuck). Although we have what seems like hundreds of toys around the house for her, his seem to be much more interesting.
Click here to see her go!

Who's that baby in the mirror?

I caught Sophie admiring herself in the mirror the other day. Hello gorgeous!

Shannon's 2nd Birthday

Last weekend Sophie's 2nd cousin (I think) turned 2! They had a little party for her at a park in New Jersey. She got to hang out with a lot of family. 

Here's Sophie & Zoe (she was happy, despite the deer in the headlight look here)

Shannon had a blast. Here's the birthday girl with her mom Danielle. 

This was the first time Shannon & Sophie met. Shannon was really cute and kept touching her face and arms and feet. It'll be great when Sophie is a little older and they can play! 

Sophie's First 5K

This weekend we ran a 5K in our neighborhood. This is the first time Dave has run since his 1/2 marathon in September, the first time I've run in about 3 months and Sophie's first 5K ever! Overall it was a great success. 

It was a little chilly so we had her bundled up well. What a cutie! 

Getting Ready for Halloween

Fall is officially here - and Halloween is just around the corner! Sophie doesn't have a costume yet, but we thought we get in some good pumpkin shots (even if we picked up the pumpkin from Whole Foods...)

Welcome Vivian Maria!

Our good friends Erin & Joe had their baby on Friday - Vivian Maria, 8lbs 2ozs. We visited the little peanut today. It's hard to believe that Sophie was that small (actually, even smaller!).

 Sophie is unaware she's sitting next to her new BFF (the remote is obviously much more interesting).

 Erin looked amazing! I looked more like I had a close encounter with a Mac truck the day I brought Sophie home.

Seven Months and a Tooth!

On Saturday we celebrated 7 months with Sophie! She also cut her first tooth this weekend. She's been working hard at chewing everything she can get her hands on to and now we know why. There really hasn't been any crying about it though. Tough little girl :)

Time with Daddy

Some cute pics of Sophie & Dave from last weekend. As you'll see from the next post, I had to take these pictures quickly, because she only stays still for .2 seconds at a time.

Our Little Squirmer

Sophie is moving around like a mad woman. No crawling yet, but she's getting close. 

She's making it to all 4s...

And to the downward dog position...

And she's also uses those strong little legs and arms to pull herself right up in the crib.

(and yes, she does party naked)

6 Month Check-up

This morning we had Sophie's 6-month check-up. She is now weighing in at 19.5 lbs, which still puts her in the 95% for weight, and 26.5 inches long, also still in the 75% for height. She's a healthy, happy little girl!

Pap Pap's Memorial Weekend

My Pap Pap passed away in June and so that the entire family could say goodbye, the memorial service was held just this past weekend. On Thursday we had a memorial service and reception afterward and on Friday there was a private family burial and then small get together at Nancy & Jim's house. Although it was a sad occasion, it was also an opportunity to get together with family that we haven't seen in quite some time. A lot of family members also get to meet Sophie for the first time.
My mom's stepsister Kelly came with her new baby Pierce. He's just 3 months old (and obviously very sound asleep!)

My Great Uncle Earl was in love - he was happy to hold Sophie while Dave and I enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Here's one of Mom and Julia

Thumb Sucker

Well, we have a thumb sucker on our hands. The last few weeks Sophie has preferred to spit out her pacifier in favor of her own thumb. At least it's not something she can drop on the group 20 times a day :)

Happy 6 Month Birthday Sophie!

Six months ago today, almost to the hour, Sophie came into our lives! What an amazing six months it's been. Happy half year Soph!

Sophie's Baptism

This weekend we went down to Virginia for Sophie's Baptism. We did it at St. John's Episcopal Church, the same church that we were married in. Sophie was great through the whole thing - she was wide awake and very interested in what was happening during the Baptism, and then fell fast asleep afterward (for the pictures).


We got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. Here's a shot of me and Sophie with her Great Grandma and her GG (otherwise known as her Great Nana).

She also met up with her friend Lexi again. I think she was more interested in Lexi's barrette than Lexi... but we're getting there.

Sitting on her own

Last week Sophie was finally able to sit on her own (at 5 1/2 months). Aside from standing (with assistance) it's now her new favorite thing to do.

It also allows her to get very up close and personal with Benson. She still isn't his favorite person, but they're warming up to each other. It's a start at least...

Highchair

As we're moving into our 4th week of solid food (and loving it), Sophie has finally moved up to sitting at the table in her highchair. She's a happy baby as long as the food keep coming!

Vacation in Canada

We spent part of last week in Newboro, Canada. Brad & Joan have a house there, on a little island. There's not much to do but fish, read and relax... it's always the best vacation. Doug, Vick, Quinn, Carley, Julia, Nana, Mom and Dad were all there too (and Finn - Julia's dog).
Dave, Sophie & I slept out in the little cabin, which is separate from the main house. Here's she's enjoying my bed.

Sophie loved hanging out with her second cousins (At least I think that's what they are to her...). She just can't get enough of Carley in this picture.

Here's a shot of the whole group (including Julia who is behind the plant)

Nana brought back this outfit for Sophie from Paris. It's been too hot in Philly to wear - but it was much cooler in Canada and she was able to sport it before she got too big. Our cute little chicken.