Rocking into the first pediatrician's visit

Sophie contiues to do very well. She's settling into a bit of a routine, which includes a fair amount of crying, but now lasts for a shorter time. Mindy and I are working as a tag team to deal with her during the night, and so far it's working pretty well, though Grandma Fine had to pitch in and give us a break the first night we were home from the hospital.

One thing we've found that helps (surprise surprise) is rocking her in the rocking chair, which should touch Grandma Schmidt's heart, since she used the same chair to rock me and passed the chair on to us last Thanksgiving for Sophie. It still has magic in it, Mom!

Today Sophie had her first appointment at the pediatrician's office. She was very well behaved despite being naked (which she pretty much hates at the moment), and the doctor says that she looks great. Sophie's lost a little more weight, so we're going back in a week for another check-up, but everything looks great. We've met four of the seven pediatricians in the practice (soon to be six due to retirement) between today and the visits in the hospital, and they've all been terrific. They seem quite sensible regarding hospitalizations and antibiotics and so on, and they're very open to questions and are quite encouraging. And one's a Centre grad, so hey . . . . Here's a picture of Sophie at the appointment:

I went in to work yesterday afternoon to pick up the two Richard Scarry books I ordered for Sophie. I had them when I was a kid and still love the pictures. I think maybe my love for animals comes partially from his books, which are filled with animals acting like people. (I have to say, though, that they are a bit dated in places--the gender roles are a little traditional, the families are all pretty homogenous, and there are a few quaint notions like "grocers" shown, but I suppose reality can correct the oversights in these otherwise terrific books.) Sophie and I will work on the pictures in at least English and German, but maybe Mindy will teach us both some Spanish with them, too.

I'm also trying to work a little music into Sophie's routine. Besides grown-up music, we've got a Sesame Street greatest hits CD (maybe that's more for me to enjoy . . .), a beautiful CD of international lullabies from Phyllis Bellver, and some lovely acoustic lullabies from Deb Jones. They Might Be Giants and the Beatles would seem logical next steps, but the Beastie Boys are many years off, I think. Sophie's definitely got the hand gestures down for being an MC, though.

Finally, one more shot to show you her favorite way of sleeping at the moment. I love the little outfit, too. Quite mod, I think, while still being colorful.