Sophie

Sophie Grace Webster was born today at 9:30 a.m. She is a tiny, bright-eyed specimen — already observing, questioning, winking, yawning...sleeping. She has a most un-baby-like nose that is pointy and distinctly like her dad's, who is cute, thankfully. I like her. I hope Lu does too.

This newest addition to our circle of friends is happy and strange. Am thinking of the Stacy I met TEN years ago almost to the week, and is hard to imagine that we are mothers now. But then again, it seems just right. Stacy is already, even less than day into it, the perfect balance of sarcasm and shmoopiness, the funny mom. I can't wait for the Sophie stories. Her mother's wit will torture her later.

These babies. Humans, and...not. Like humans mixed with puppies — the sweet animal quality makes you tolerate things you never would from someone with teeth and cheekbones. I know I keep saying this, but I just can't believe it. A miracle every time. And we have had two in one week.

Laney

Caution: you are about to read some super sappy stuff. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Maggie and Adam had a baby today. Maggie actually HAD her, and Adam muttered jokes and held her hand — and smiled and frowned about as much as I have ever seen him do either thing. Maggie was a champ, a charming good sport and all-around athlete. Their daughter's name is Susan Lane Stephens. We will call her Laney (or Lane or "Lame" or "Pain" or any number of other nicknames we haven't thought of because we don't know her...yet). Suddenly she is not an idea or a bump or an inscrutable picture. She is a person. Made by two people I like a whole lot.

And it's a FREAKING MIRACLE. Yes, babies are born every day. I had one, I know how they are made, I know how they come out. But Laney is a tiny, Maggie-lipped miracle, even if she is one of 500,000 babies born on this planet today. They're ALL miracles, it's just that their mother is not my sister (in every way except parentage). So Laney is the most important baby today.

I just can't believe it. Well, I can on a few levels. As in, I have seen Laney with my own eyes, I was in the room right before Maggie started pushing her out, I know she is not imaginary. But that makes her no less magical to me. Laney was sleeping when I saw her, furiously sucking her finger and thumb, resting because being born is hard work. Laney makes me proud to be a person, part of this human race of people who are BORN.

So I warned you, didn't I?

For those who are only reading for the snarky commentary about Lu, here's today's tidbit: I went to get her out of bed this morning, shortly after getting off the phone with a freshly-checked-into-the-hospital-and-having-a-contraction Maggie, and the first thing I said to Lucy was, "Pie is having her baby today." And Lu said quit sucking her thumb and said, "Baby!" And we both smiled a lot.

100 Words

I don't want to be one of those mothers who inventories and measures every achievement, but yes, I have been keeping a list. For those of you keeping track at home, like I am, Lu can say 100 words. My criteria for what makes the Official Lucy Vocabulary List:
• She has used the word correctly and repeatedly.
• Proper names and animal sounds are included.
• They have to be understandable by me and at least one other person.

One of her funniest uses of words so far is pointing to people's bellies and saying "Baby." We have been showing her Magpie's pregnant belly to teach her this, but I fear it may backfire in a public place with a non-pregnant person. Never too soon to start embarrassing your parents.

Another time, we were in the car and she was eating chicken nuggets (uh yeah, I feed her fast food in the car, and she watches television, and I feel really bad about, but what are you gonna do?). And I explain, the same way I explain everything I have the energy to explain, "Lucy you're eating chicken. Chic-ken." Her quizzical response: "Bockbock?" I did NOT explain the politics of poultry production, the ethics of eating meat or the current standards for natural and organic. "Yes, Lu, bockbock. Good, huh?"

Ooh! I just thought of two more to add to the list — "wash" and "snack." 102! I will stop keeping this list soon, I swear. Or at least not tell anyone about it.