Meet Sophia

Sophia Charlotte, the newest member of the Saunders clan. She was born this morning at 8:40 and weighed 2355 grams (five pounds and three ounces.)

Maybe it's a cliché that the day your child is born is the best day in your life. Regardless, it is a pretty impressive experience, one that I've always heard runs the full gamut of emotions. And now that I've experienced it in my own right, I would certainly concur. They also say that you can already get to know your child immediately. I'd have to agree with that one as well. Here are a couple of interesting things that I think I might have already discovered about my daughter on the first day:

Sophie does not like to wait around. Perhaps it's the German half of her that appreciates Pünktlichkeit, or perhaps it comes from her American grandparents, who always like to get where they're going before they need to be there. Regardless, if Sophie's willingness to leave the womb -- she took only two hours after serious contractions set in -- is any indication of the way she intends to conduct her personal affairs, I would recommend that you all show up at the appointed time when you come to meet her.

Sophie likes to nap. Although she was a little fussy for a couple of hours after she left her mother's womb, she quickly proceeded to take a long afternoon nap, giving her mom and chance to doze off and her dad the chance to snap off a bunch of pictures.

Sophie does not like cold objects. She would much rather snuggle under a blanket or a freshly washed towel than, say, have her diaper changed, even though it's almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside. She also enjoys wearing stylish hats.

I'm sure Conny and I will learn much more about her in the coming days... thanks again for all of your calls and messages. Everyone's doing well. We're hoping to bring Sophie home on Friday after she undergoes another routine check-up.