Sophie at 1

 Dear Pophins,

You must think that your parents are crazy. Not only do we now have two kids, but we also uprooted ourselves from everything we know and love to move across the ocean to America. I guess for you, you'll never have memories of Leeds (even Jake will only have fuzzy recollections!), and while you'll always tell people that you were born in England (when you're able to talk - now that's a terrifying prospect!), I think you'll always see yourself as an American first, which is weird for me. 

The bliss of being 1 is that everything is new for you, and you know that your heart is where your family is. We're currently living at Nana and Papa's house, and you couldn't be happier as there's an extra pair of hands to look after you and cheer you on as you begin to master feeding yourself and starting to crawl around their house. Your brother never crawled, so it's a brand new experience for all of us trying to keep an eye on you as you explore the world around you. 

You don't mind being cuddled by just about anyone, but there's something special about the way you play with and look for Papa. I wonder if it's a girl thing, but I think it's a baby/grandbaby thing because he was exactly the same with Jake when he was your age. You're very curious and you've got this look on your face half the time like you're trying to puzzle something out. You were very confused by your birthday cake today, but then you smudged some of it in  your mouth and you worked out that this was a Good Thing.

This coming year is full of unknowns for all of us. Your mom and I are looking for our first American house, but we've not really found anything that we like. Staying here with Nana and Papa would be no terrible thing, but at some point we want to stand on our own two feet (just like you're starting to!). We also need to think about daycare for you as your birthday party this year was family only, and we need to get you out in the world to meet some friends and other people. 

If your second year on this earth is anything like your first, you'll handle all the changes that come at you with a wide smile, an infectious giggle and a wave of your fantastically curly hair. I can't wait to see what this year brings for you and know that I'll be there cheering you on as you meet those next milestones. 

Love you,

Daddy