SOPHIE

Born in Paris in 1961, Sophie the Giraffe has taken on cult status amongst moms of all teething babies worldwide  This simple little squeaky giraffe has the magic ability to calm the fussiest of babies.  Something that looks like nothing more than a dog toy, yet costs an arm and a leg.  How is this possible?  Claiming to be made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, there has to be a secret ingredient.  Something like kiddie crack, or catnip for cats.  I'm convinced of this.

You were so addicted to yours, that after losing it, I broke down and bought another.  Of course the missing one turned up a few days later.  In a kitchen drawer of all places.  Thanks house cleaners.  

Today though, Sophie entered a new chapter in her life at the Hansen's.  She became a dog toy.  A $25 dog toy. 

PLEASE & THANK YOU

You're learning so many new words at such a fast pace, it's exciting and entertaining for us all at the same time.  After much work your dad and I finally have you saying "Thank you."  "Ta-tu" to you, it's good enough for us.

"Please" is still a work in progress.  If you really want something (like candy), you'll point to it and open your mouth big, trying to bite at it.  If that doesn't work, you then throw out the "more" sign with your hands.  All this effort when all I'm asking you is to say "please."

When none of those tactics works, you begin listing off every word that you can think of, hoping maybe that will be good enough.  "Dog? cat? Down? Cow? Up? Mama? Rock? Dada? Outside? Vroom Vroom?"  Only a handful of times have I been able to pull a "pease" out of you.  Oh well, we'll get there one of these days. 

MANNY

I finally convinced your dad to participate in a swim lesson with you.  Although I don't know who had it worse.  30 minutes of him having to hangout with a bunch of moms, or 30 minutes of me being stuck in the viewing room with a bunch of other moms. 

Yes, at first he was intrigued at the idea of a co-ed locker room, until I clarified that it was more like a clothing store fitting room.  From the looks of it, one other dad got dragged into spending "quality time" with the baby.  I wouldn't be surprised if this was your dad's first and last time doing swim class with you. 

Not that I would mind.  30 minutes of being trapped in the viewing area with other moms in a private swim school is not my idea of fun.  Conversations of being a stay-at-home mom or working part-time to spend more time with the kids at this "tender" age, all the activities besides swimming their kid participates in, and "casually" mentioning what their husbands did for a living...gag. 

I've decided that if there is ever a next time that I'm stuck in the viewing area, and somebody asks if that's Dad out there, I'm going to nonchalantly reply, "No, that's the manny.  I didn't feel like getting my hair wet this morning."  I can't wait.

FINE ART

I told your dad of my plan to put some blank picture frames up on the family room wall and have a rotating display of your art projects throughout the years.  I told him this as we let you draw for the very first time.  Looking at your very first attempt at drawing, he wasn't sold on the idea.  This is what you drew...

CHILDREN OF THE SEA

At 15 months, you've started swim classes at Children of the Sea Swim Center.  Yes, it's a goofy business name and I always think of Chicken of the Sea Tuna, whenever I see the sign out front.

It's pretty impressive that in two classes you've learned to hold your breath under water.  Although I'm patiently waiting for you to realize that holding your breath under water is much more effective when you close your mouth and keep it closed when going under water.

15 MINUTES

On a whim, I entered you into The Next Soft Model contest for Soft baby clothing.  Well, you made it into the final two.  The company asked if you would be able to fly out to New York for a photo shoot over President's weekend.  The one weekend we already had plans to go to Whistler.  The one weekend we ALWAYS go to Whistler.  I told them no. 

Needless to say, you didn't win the contest.  But your dad and I skied some amazing snow that weekend.  This is who ultimately won the contest...

Lex. "Lex has modeled for The Company Store, Babies R’ Us and Toys R’ Us, Hasbro, Broder Brothers, and Luvs. He worked in the reinactment segments of Mystery Diagnosis several times as well.”  All this according to his biography. 

FYI- a modeling agency wanted to sign you, but your dad and I did the math and with one of us taking time off work to take you to casting calls and shoots, the money you would make wasn't worth it.  So, you can blame us for your failed modeling career. 

INDIAN POKER

You can't stand to wear any of the cute and stylish hats I bought you.  Yet when it comes to Indian Poker, you have no problem running around with a card stuck to your forehead.  Go figure.

As you may have noticed, the video was cut short when you decided to throw the ball at your cousin, Adam.