Sophie gave me her first present. A little earlier this evening, she approached me with her hands behind her back and said, “Mommy, present?” And she then revealed her hands, which contained a crumpled up piece of paper wrapped around something.

I inquired, “A present for me, Sophie?” To which my little one responded, “Yes, Mommy,” with a big grin. She ran over to me and placed the gift in my hand. I uncrumpled the paper, and inside were two shiny quarters that I had given to her a few minutes earlier.

She was very proud of herself – of her generosity. I then “rewrapped” the present, and asked her if she’d like one. To which she replied, “Yes!” And proceeded to grab the present from me.

What struck me the most about the episode wasn’t so much that she wanted to give me a present. But the fact that she took the time to crumple up some paper and wrap up the quarters…if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

P.S. Rumor has it that Sophie climbed out of her crib a few minutes ago. This, according to my husband and Chloe who supposedly witnessed the miracle. I immediately ran upstairs, dumped Sophie back into her crib and asked her to replicate the act. She wasn’t having any of it. So, as far as I’m concerned, if I haven’t witnessed this feat personally, it hasn’t happened. When she does finally show up in our bed one morning without our assistance, then I’ll devote an entire blog entry to it. But until I see it happen with my own two eyes, I shall remain a doubting Thomas.