Sophie reached the 3-month mark last week, and while I haven’t been very good about taking a monthly photo of her in the same place I wanted to capture her in this adorable and smiley stage before she gets even bigger. So before we all go running off for the holidays, I thought I’d share a few photos!

Before Sophie was born, I remember thinking that the three month mark was going to be this huge milestone. She’ll be doing things! Less crying! Sleeping through the night! Ah, the optimism of pre-babydom… I can’t help but laugh at my earlier emphasis on an arbitrary timeframe. Sophie is so different now compared to her first few weeks as a newborn, but you definitely trade old challenges for new ones with each stage. Right now, we can’t get enough of her gummy smiles and tiny laughs. We’re still working on the whole sleep-through-the-night thing, but my mom reminded me that longer sleep often comes as a baby gains more weight. Sophie is a small baby (only 10.5 lbs at 3 months), so it could take a while and we’re trying to be patient.

Sophie has had such a sweet and happy temperament ever since she was born – we feel so lucky! She absolutely lights up whenever she sees us, and it almost makes my heart burst when I hear her making happy cooing noises at her papa while I’m doing something in another room. She also makes the most hilarious faces and noises that crack us up to no end – even though she has no idea that she’s been so funny! I’m looking forward to all the milestones to come, but I’m also really loving this stage in her life.

This weekend we’ll be making the loooooong drive up to Syracuse to spend the holidays with my husband’s family, and while I’m excited for Sophie to (hopefully) experience snow for the first time, I’m a bit nervous about how she’ll handle the several-hours-long car ride. Anyone have any tips for making long drives with young babies? I’d love any advice or tips that you experienced mamas could share!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper