Dearest Hatchling,
We made it! You’re through the “fourth trimester” and by all accounts things should start getting a little easier from here on out. This month was already easier than last month, so let’s keep that upward trend!
One of your favorite things to do lately is kick and push with your little legs. Most of the time you can roll yourself over onto your tummy, and then you strain and strain to get back on your back until I give you some help. You’ve also become a wizard at wriggling out of your swaddling – Daddy calls you his little Houdini. Unfortunately, your magic powers don’t yet extend to sleeping much longer than two hours a pop at night and 30-40 minutes during the day. See if you can work on that, ok? You wouldn’t even believe what an awesome Mama I could be with a few more hours sleep.
Your biggest milestone this month as far as I’m concerned is that you laughed. You only did it once, but now that we know you can your Daddy and I have been trying every trick in the book to make you do it again. We’re basically complete whores for baby laughter – it’s like crack to us. (Note to self: do not let the Hatchling read these posts until she’s old enough to think crack jokes are funny.) Even when you’re just smiling, the smiles have gotten bigger and more joyful than they were last month. I’m sure it won’t be long until you figure out that your smiles and laughter will pretty much make us forgive you for anything. Lord help us then!
One way we can tell you’re getting older is that you can stay up longer than an hour at a time now without getting cranky. You’re also just beginning to take an interest in some of the baby toys we have. You still aren’t so good at grabbing or holding on to anything – you still haven’t quite figured out that your hands belong to you – but anything with lights or music is instantly fascinating. I’m hoping this explains the uncanny attraction you have to the TV right now. You loooooove watching the TV, nestled in my or your daddy’s arms.
Some of this may be genetic, as both of your parents are professional-level couch potatoes. As soon as you get to the point where you can start actually understanding what you’re seeing I’m planning on cutting us off, cold turkey, since I really don’t want you watching TV until you’re at least 2. (We’ll see how long that plan lasts.) But for now it’s the best light and sound show we’ve got, and sometimes it’s the only thing that will quiet you down. Add it to what I’m sure will be a lengthy list of bad parenting maneuvers on my part. Your therapist will be fascinated.
In a few days, you and I will be flying out to stay for a week at our family lake cottage in Canada. Daddy has to stay home, but Aunt Squony will be coming along to help me take care of you. I’m a little nervous about taking you on a plane – I don’t want to be one of those parents with a screaming baby who pisses off all the other passengers – but I must say that in general you charm everyone you meet, even when you’re fussy. I can’t go anywhere in public with you without someone stopping me to say what a beautiful baby you are. Sure, sometimes they think you’re a boy baby, but we put that down to people’s outdated notions about wearing the color blue. They’re right, too – you ARE a beautiful baby, inside and out. I’m so glad that I didn’t have to go back to work just when you’re getting interesting. We may have to survive on peanut butter and mac and cheese for a few years, but I wouldn’t give up this time with you for anything.
Love,
Mamala
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