More Milestones May 25, 2011

It’s been so busy around here, between long car trips and birthday parties and life in general. The blog has been low on the list of priorities. But! Lots has happened! Sam is three, he’s working on potty training, thanks to a nice diaper rash that keeps him naked a good chunk of the day, and he’s a great friend to the little kids in our neighborhood. He often says, “I want to go outside and play with my friends.” It’s so cute that he has friends.

Anna is laughing (when she wants to, she’s not a trick pony) AND she rolled from her back to her tummy a few nights ago! I couldn’t believe my eyes. First, she rolled onto her side and chewed on her hands for a while. Then all of a sudden, she swung her leg over. She almost made it on the first try, but rolled back. Then, with a grunt and a swing of the leg, over she went! It was amazing. She pulled her arm out from under her and reached out in front of her to tr to grab a paisley off the quilt. She is so strong!

Anna, Month Three May 17, 2011

Dear Anna,

I ask myself every day, “How did I get so lucky to have two mellow, happy babies?” Since Sam was such an easy-going baby, I was convinced that you were going to be some sort of dragon baby, all demanding and crabby. I couldn’t have been more wrong, Anna. You are delightful! Smiling is your favorite activity, next to staring at your hands. That’s right. You’ve found your hands. You spend a good chunk of your wakeful hours moving your hands and fingers in front of your face. You talk to your hands as if to say, “Look at this! Look at these things that wiggle. And I have two of them. Two! I’m so lucky.” I love this first stage of discovery.

And what a talker you are! In the last two weeks, you have found your voice. You are a champion cooer. It never gets old to listen to you “talk.” Your repertoire of sounds is growing every day: ah, oh, ooh, la, lo, da, ma, ga, goo, er. You’re still too young to connect these sounds and vocalize them with purpose, but you love to practice them! You also mimic me, saying “ah” or “oh” back to me. I have a feeling you will be an early talker.

Your neck is getting so strong, Anna. You tolerate tummy time, but get frustrated because you can’t see much from down there. Your favorite place to be is in someone’s arms, so you can look around. The other day, I had you strapped to my body in the Baby Bjorn while I vacuumed. I don’t know if it was the repetitive forward and backward movements or the sound of the vacuum or what, but you were giggling hysterically. Big belly laughs as we moved around the room. I was laughing so hard listening to you crack up!

You love the sound of Sam’s voice. He doesn’t have the patience to sit and talk to you for long periods of time right now, but he does love to snuggle you and say silly things. Hearing his voice makes you stop what you’re doing, whether you’re crying or wiggling, and pay attention. Sam made up a little song for you. It goes like this: Anna Banana, apples in my tum. He sometimes whisper-sings it to you. I have a feeling that when you’re up and walking steadily, you will follow Sam wherever he goes.

Anna, you are blossoming into a very fun baby girl. We love to listen to you coo and laugh, love to watch you wiggle and wave your arms excitedly, and love to memorize your baby face while you sleep. Someday, when you’re all grown up, I will watch you staring in wonder at the face of your own baby and see glimpses of the baby girl that I marveled at so long ago. Until then, sweet girl, I will soak up your baby smiles and squish those baby cheeks and tell you every day how much I love you.

Love,
Mommy