There were many sides and character traits to Sophie that didn’t get seen by everyone.
 
Troublemaker
Sophie was a troublemaker from the start, when she was first born, she wouldn’t eat or sleep, yet was always hungry just like her Dad. Being a troublemaker would continue throughout her life, whether it was hogging a large bed and forcing you to sleep on the edge despite only being tiny (pictures later) or trying to pull her feeding tube from her faceevery time we looked away.
 
Playful
Sophie loved playing, particularly at MOPS, with Sarah from Rennie Grove, the ladies from Alexander Devine, Katie from Portage and Jalisa her carer. It was always heart-warming for Jane and me to know that Sophie had so many people in her life who loved and cared for her. She loved arts and crafts (some of which will be on display at The Bull), music time with Little Star and reading books. Listening to us attempt to read Wonky Donkey was particularly amusing for her.
 
Determined
Sophie was a very determined little girl and had found her own way to communicate with us. She would always want to try our food, despite being tube-fed, and would sit slapping her lips together until she got some. Occasionally she regretted asking for the taste and her expressive face would soon let you know, although she never regretted strawberries, chocolate or curry which we her favourites. Despite all her problems Sophie really enjoyed standing up with our help and would show you that she wanted to by stretching her legs as far as she could and wouldn’t let you stop holding her up until she was finished.
 
Cheeky
Sophie was very cheeky, one of the requests she learnt to communicate was to go to bed. She would sit making the longest, and fakest in my opinion, yawns and moving her tongue in a specific way to let you know she was ready for bed. However, as she got older she seemed to think this was a game and the second you put her on the bed she would light up with the biggest smile and be wide awake. Sophie also took great pleasure in waking you up at 3 am or keeping you up all night if she could. Other cheekiness included; singing during everyone else’s turn during little star but not her own, laughing when someone fell over (which was often Tracy at MOPs), laughing at children crying, laughing when you had to change her nappy, being quiet all day and then calling for you non-stop the second you leave her to go to the loo.
 
Happy
Sophie was a very happy girl with the most beautiful, brightand infectious smile. Although, she wouldn’t give up her smiles and giggles without making you work for it. This would often include Jane or me barking like a dog, making fart sounds or embarrassing ourselves in some other way. She would at times just start smiling to herself for no apparent reason, although she may have been amusing herself with her own thoughts or just remembering when Tracy last tripped over. There were some things that were guaranteed to make her smile and laugh, like the wind in her face or even us using a hand fan until our wrist ached, she loved swimming, looking at trees and most of all her sleep overs with Nanny Sandy.
 
Brave
Sophie was a brave girl and would always try her best no matter how hard it was and even found time for smiles during hospital visits. Particularly for a Giraffe balloon!
 
Sophie
Sophie was a lovely little girl, who brought an incredible amount of joy and love to our lives. We will miss her every day, remember her every day and cherish every moment we had with her for the rest of our lives.
 
Love Mummy and Daddy