Sophia started at the new daycare center this week. We're taking her there temporarily while her normal sitter has her baby. She seems to really like it and they really seem to like her. It hasn't been an easy transition or any of us. Erin and I have had to get up earlier so we can make it out to Webster by 7:30AM. Sophia seems to be doing alright with it. She's a bit harder to get out of bed in the morning (can't blame her there) and she tuckers out a little earlier than usual at night.

The first day we dropped her off all it took was her little feet touching the floor and she ran off into the play room and hit the toys. Later that morning Erin called to see how she was doing and the woman's comment was, "Is she always this busy?" Yep, that's my little girl. Apparently she'd been the little social butterfly, jabbering away to anyone that would listen. According to one of the women she had one of the other little girls laughing so hard that they were worried she'd pee her pants. At the end of the day we went to pick her up and as soon as she heard our voices she came tearing into the room at top speed. I saw her hair bobbing as she made her way around the table screaming, "DADDY!". She threw herself at me and I picked her up and gave her a big hug and kiss. So as to not let Mommy feel left out she next went to Erin and gave her hugs and kisses as well.

The ride home started alright, but slowly dissolved into an exercise in frustration. Sophia was beyond grumpy, she wanted something and she wanted it right then and there. We finally coaxed it out of her that she wanted juice and we had none to give her. Erin rode the rest of the way home in the backseat attempting to assuage the grumbling monster that was Sophia. Once we got home and she got her juice she was fine.

Yesterday went a bit smoother, though apparently Sophia is starting to get comfortable at the new daycare center as we received a report of a couple of big tantrums. She's just not used to being around so many kids and having to wait her turn for things. She'll learn though and Erin and I both think that this will be a valuable experience for her (and us). Picking her up was much of the same. We walked in the door and she lit up like a Christmas tree. We had the foresight to bring her some juice to drink in the car on the way home. This made for a much smoother ride.

Last night was interesting. It's so hard sometimes to realize that Sophia is growing up so quickly. I made us chicken, corn and rice for dinner. Sophia skipped the chicken which was expected, but she ate almost all of her corn and rice...with a spoon! It required a tiny bit of help from daddy on occasion, but otherwise she used her spoon throughout the entire meal. Erin and I were SO proud of her! After dinner we hung out and watched Spongebob Squarepants until it was time for bed. We took her upstairs and went through our normal evening ritual...a new diaper, jammies, hugs and kisses, etc. She was out shortly after her head hit the pillow. We went in to check on her before going to bed ourselves and for the first time since we bought it for her she was using her "big-girl" pillow. We almost drowned in the cuteness of it!

This morning went as well at the last couple. I think the routine that Erin and I have come up with has come together well. We didn't waste any time this morning giving Sophia kisses and saying goodbye once we were at the center. However, before we could leave Sophia came running back out of the play room..."Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. Come here!" She grabbed me by the index finger and led me into the playroom. She let go walked over to a little baby girl who was lying on the floor on a play-gym. She looked back at me and with her little hands outstretched toward the baby she said, "Daddy, baby."

She wanted to show me the baby. I watched her for a minute as she gently interacted with her, showing her the toys on the play-gym and gently poking at her belly with a huge smile on her face. Erin and I nearly melted and on the way out I commented to her that I was no longer worried about how Sophia was going to do with Molly around, I said, "She is just going to love her little sister, isn't she?"

"Yes she is," Erin said, "Yes she is."

We all have fears about our children. How they will grow up. Will they do well in school. How will they handle things like having a sibling...and it seems that sometimes they find ways to quell those fears without even realizing that it was just what you needed.

I wouldn't trade Daddy-hood for anything.

- Jeremy

It's official! We're having another girl! Her name will be Molly Julia Thompson.

Here's a ultrasound picture from the other day:



She's measuring about 15 oz. now. Little froggy!

I have two videos to post as soon as I can get them converted off the DVD.

- Jeremy

Here's pic from the other day...



I have to admit that she's starting to look like a little person instead of a baby. She's almost 3 feet tall, starting to string words together, and when she talks to you now you can tell that she is really trying hard to tell you something.

I guess what has really been amazing me lately is how good she is with her manners. She still needs to be prompted to say please, but whenever she hands you something and most of the time when you hand something to her she'll say "Thank you".

It's hard to believe that she'll be two in just over three months. Even more difficult to believe is the fact that we'll have two kids in January. FREAKY!

- Jeremy

Found this on the net the other day. Some of these are REALLY funny. Probably a lot funnier than they should be...

When NOT to Hyphenate Your Name

Enjoy

- Jeremy

A woman's right to choose is an issue that Erin and I both feel very strongly about. Considering the current state of the Supreme Court and the possibilities that loom ahead if another Republican is put into the White House next year this column by Anna Quindlen from Newsweek brings up a valid question.

How Much Jail Time for Women Who Have Abortions?

It's a question not easily answered, but it is one that requires an answer. I urge you to take the time to read it and ask yourself the same question.

We all must educate ourselves...on both sides of the fence. This column is a catalyst for a debate that needs to be had if the abortion issue is ever to be sorted out.

Knowledge is power, and debate is the sword by which we wield it.

- Jeremy