Sophia (inadvertently) goes swimming

Swimming lessons have been on the docket for Sophia for some time. Fond memories of growing up swimming in my backyard pool, playing water polo in College and, of course, safety, make me want to ensure that Sophia (& Theo, when it's time) can hold their own in the water.

I signed Sophia up for classes to start after Labor Day. She, however, decided to test her skills a little earlier than planned...

Every time we go for drinks at the club, Sophia inherently runs right down to the docks to throw rocks in. It's adorable, fun, entertaining and of course, occasionally terrifying as she stands with half her foot over the edge, no matter how many times we back her up. Usually she stands on the beach side. In fact, here's a shot of her and her friend Ainsley doing just that: (Sophia is bent over in the darker outfit).

After this trip down to the water, she came back up the hill and grabbed Dave for some more rock throwing. Ainsley and her mom Meaghan joined as well. The rest of us stayed up on the hill, having our drinks and chatting. 

Before I know it, Dave was motioning to me from the bottom of the hill to "wrap it up." I figured Sophia had a meltdown (She hadn't napped that day) and we should head home. Then he follows it with "She Fell In!" 

Apparently, she had gone to the other side of the dock (essentially behind the black car you see in the picture above) to throw rocks with Ainsley. Dave & Meaghan had followed. Sophia was throwing with some force, lost her balance and tumbled in. Luckily, it was low tide and she landed on her feet in a little less than 3 feet of water (i.e. her head/mouth/nose were all above water). Dave jumped right in and fished her out. It's about 8 feet from sea level to the ground in that area. Meaghan grabbed her and concurrently held off an interested Ainsley from repeating the process!

After being carried up the hill, soaking wet, by Meaghan, (who, unfortunately, was wearing a white shirt)  I saw she was in good shape. A little shaken, sopping wet and a bit chilly, but in good spirits. I stripped her naked (yup - on the hill, at the New York Yacht Club, in front of about 40 people enjoying sunset and cocktails) and bundled her in a nursing coverup, toga-style. She couldn't have been more thrilled. (Maybe we've used the phrase, "Toga, Toga, Toga" a few too many times. It was at that point they shot off the gun for Colors, meaning we couldn't really leave. I held Sophia and the entire time we're at attention, she's whispering loudly, "I fall in the OCEAN Mama! Daddy Got Me Out!" 

She was such a trooper and for the entire week following, she would retell bits of the story, and with particular admiration and pride, telling how "Daddy got her out!" What a hero! :) 

She also made sure to tell us she wasn't going to fall in again. Whew...thanks for that Sophia!

So...swim classes it is!

Six Months of Baby Theo

Baby Theo, as Sophia likes to call him, is officially (and about 10 days past) being 6 months old.

Time has really flown - he's such an amazing little boy. Happy, content, loves attention when he gets it all to himself but happy to be entertained by the antics of his big sister.



He's starting to scoot around on his belly, pushing himself backwards and around in 360's. While he doesn't go very far, he does do well for himself.

He's currently enjoying a menu of foods including breastmilk, cereal, pears and whatever other purees I can drum up the time to make (or pouches to buy!) Since we began pulling him up to the table to sit in his high chair, mealtimes have become a blast. Even if he's not eating, he's content to play and chew on two spoons and Sophia, ever the helper, loves being able to get them for him when he drops them (often!)

This big news is due to his flat head, called plagiocephaly, Theo will be getting a helmet next week. This helmet, which he'll wear about 23 hours/day, will help to re-shape his head into a proportional, roundish head. There is no medical danger to plagiocephaly in his case. Due to all his time spent lying on his back sleeping, his skull & brain have just found other places with less resistance, to grow.

The estimate is that he'll have the helmet for 4-6 months. We go for measurements every two weeks and we'll see progress quite rapidly. Here he is being fitted for his helmet: 

He was a trooper. I know he'll do great with this and, in the end, have a head that is appropriately shaped, thus allowing him to wear sports helmets (or even just hats) that fit his head correctly and safely. Pictures to follow of the helmet!

Finally, here are some shots from the 6 month birthday: