Top Ten Tuesday - September 11 - 10 pictures of Sophie

Many people think of September 11th and remember the events that happened in New York and DC. In our family we mark this date for a little different reason. 6 years ago, before I even knew what was happening in the world I was aware of the labor pains that had started that morning. When a neighbor ran over to our apartment and told us to turn on the news I was watching the clock timing contractions. My husband called work and told them he wouldn't be in that day and we spent the morning alternating between walking around the block and sitting in front of the T.V. watching the news unfold. Then about 3:00 that afternoon we finally went to the hospital and Sophie was born a few hours later.
Our shocks weren't over there. When Sophie first came out the medical student who was "catching" fainted and then the doctor took over and quickly wisked the baby away. I had no idea what was wrong for a few moments.

Here is Sophie's first picture taken a few moments after her birth. You can see the large gap in her lip. After looking at all the information I was handed about Cleft lip/pallet I thought she looked pretty good. Later the plastic surgeon told me that her cleft was about a 9 on a 1-10 scale.

Here was our little family in August 2002

This picture was taken September 11th 2002 on her 1st birthday. This was only about 2 weeks after her third and most difficult pallet surgery. She had surgery on her lip when she was 3 months old.

I just loved this picture of Sophie as she explored some rose gardens.

September 11, 2003. Sophie's 2nd birthday. She was all excited about Thomas the Tank Engine and Blues Clues.

Ian was born when Sophie was about 2 1/2. This is when he was only a few weeks old. Sophie has always loved her little brother.

Sophie has always loved to have her picture taken.

Sophie is full of energy. We have other people comment on her exuberance. She just has such a busy mind that she can't sit still for long.

Sophie has always had a love of books. When she was small she would sit for book after book after book. This is amazing since some people think she is ADHD. We know she doesn't, because she can focus when she wants to. We often found her in her bed surrounded by books or sitting in front of her bookcase with a bunch of books around her. She taught herself to read. Other than reading A LOT to her I can't claim to have taught her this skill.

Here is a picture of the three kids shortly after Henry joined the family. They loved to take turns holding baby Henry

Sophie loves animals. This is Grandma and Grandpa's cat Minton. Sophie was visiting when Minton had to go to the vet so Sophie was thrilled to go along. Sophie says she wants to be a marine specialist.

Opps... that is 11 pictures. Oh well.

I hope your September 11 is good too.