(thanks to Betsy Fladung for taking these great pix!!!)

I've been thinking lately... maybe I'm overthinking this (I know, me??? overthink something???), but it's been interesting to see the way that Soren responds to family members/friends differently and to see that each person really brings out a side of her that he/she brings out in others as well. How could a tiny baby (well, tiny if you aren't counting her chubby self... rubber band disease as my Aunt Dana affectionately calls it) pick up on these character traits?

With Jeff, Soren is calmed and peaceful. She smiles bunches at him. I see this beautiful quality in him as he brings this out in so many around him. He seems to put people at ease and help them to look at the world with wonder and joy. I love that about him. I notice with my Mom that Soren likes to cuddle a lot. My mom loves hugs and kisses and is a beautifully warm soul. She knows no strangers and I see Soren offer affection so freely with her. With Jeff's mom, Soren is a talker. Probably more than with anyone else, Soren babbles and coos. My mother-in-law has a knack for listening to the words and the hearts of others. With my dad, Soren stares intently at him. She stares intently at the world around her. My dad is so observant and aware of his surroundings. If you glance at him out of the corner of your eye, he almost always looks back. He is perceptive and I see Soren become that way as well. With Jeff's dad, Soren lets her guard down. It's interesting that if Soren is fussy, my father-in-law isn't afraid to let her cry for a minute and this is because he knows that it's okay to vent. He isn't in the least phased by a little fuss and I appreciate that he knows how to keep his cool and that he allows Soren to know that's okay to be yourself around him. This is something he offers to so many with whom he's offered friendship.
I am a big question asker. Everyone knows this about me and for ages I've driven my parents, family, friends, and co-workers crazy with my many questions and "what-if-ing". I see Soren come to me with this quality at the forefront. When she was born, 2 different nurses commented on how inquisitive she was - alert from her very birth and seeking out how things worked. I love to watch her look from side to side when I hold her, a safe place to try to figure things out.
With Stephen (my bro), she is silly and joyful - a trait he brings out in those in his presence - people want to laugh with Stephen. (She also poops a lot with him... I can't really explain that...) With Emily (Stephen's girlfriend), Soren sighs outloud often - this speaks to the fact that being around Emily is like a sweet breath of fresh air. With Zan (my sis), she is often asleep or will fall asleep - she is comfy to veg out and chill. Zan makes people feel like they can let down and live in the moment. With Jon (Zan's boyfriend), Soren makes expressions and smiles. Jon has a contagious smile - his face radiates with it and his eyes light up, Soren responds in suit. With Jon (Jeff's bro), Soren is so cuddly and Jon always bring out affection in people - offering embraces and true concern. With Amy (Jon's wife), Soren also enjoys kisses and kicking her legs a ton. Amy is so fun and I think people always feel befriended and Soren responds with excitement! With Maigen (Jeff's sis), Soren talked a lot and responded verbally at Maigen's cues. I think this is because Maigen has an amazing gift for language and is so aware of the meaning behind people's words - so perceptive. We await Jim's (Maigen's hubby) interaction!

What a gift it is for Soren to learn these lovely qualities from her loving family...