Advanced

Your pediatrician always says, "Oh, she's so advanced."  You smiled within a week or so of birth, not randomly, but rather in response to us.  You laughed around 3 weeks, deep chuckles that have turned into giggles as we play with your face.  You have been turning your head toward us for kisses, opening your mouth (what is it with babies opening their mouths for kisses?!?) for so long we can't remember when it began. 

She always talks about how strong your legs are, as you push yourself forward with them.  And then notices the drool...you began the teething process at 5-6 weeks.  We've paid for it with screaming, though you seem to love ice cold teethers.

We're watching National Geographics "The Science of Babies" as they explain why babies who have the skills to take steps at birth (the feet movements) lose them as they get towards 6 weeks.  I stare at the screen, because when we allow you to stand (standing against us, no support from our hands) you will pick feet up in a way that the show is saying you shouldn't be able to.  Your legs enable you to push up, crawling of sorts up my body as you feed.  They are indeed strong.  And you can sit, leaning forward unassisted.  Your neck control allows you to turn it to look at things, and you can even lift off the bed, turn your head to the other side while having tummy time.

But most impressive is the coordination you display.  You have now conquered the grasping the binky and bringing it up to your mouth, though you lack the dexterity to turn it the right way.  This causes you to get pissed off, and the fussing begins.  Same with the Sophie the Giraffe teether...you can push it up to your mouth, occasionally getting a mouthful of her nose or feet, but usually missing. 

I'm both fascinated and terrified of all of this.  I crawled at 4 months and walked at 8 and I worry what will happen if you surpass that.  I am amazed by you, my sweetness. 

Lady Eleanor,

You are just over 6 weeks old, and I have never felt more love for anyone.  I love my mornings with you, where I sing to you and you look at me, alert, giggling as I get your chinny-chin-chin.  Your eyes squeeze up, crinkly and my heart swells up.  You let out a squeal of delight this morning as loud as any baby scream I've heard and startled me, before I too began laughing.  You have a personality for sure.

All day today you've laid in bed with me.  We've sung and played pat-a-cake (where you always try and eat your hands...I think you assume they will taste like this cake I speak of), and you've napped off and on.  I haven't gotten anything done I wanted to do, and yet I am more content than one should be allowed to be.

Your daddy and I think you're amazing, and wonder if we've simply gotten lucky, or if we should have another just like you.  I dream of you and I, tea parties in a few years and I wonder if there will be another one to join us or if it will just be the two of us.  I'd love to have 2 beautiful little girls, so we'll see. 

This is taking forever to write, because I keep stopping to play with you, to hear you laugh.  You are the best distraction I've ever known. 

My cup overflows.
Love,
Mama