Arwen's Weblog

Arwen protests now when a toy is taken away, sometimes even cries. And she scoots toward toys with more ambition. I was doing an errand today with Arwen and Seth in the stroller. She was lying back as usual. When she got tired of it, I turned her over on her belly and strapped her in again. It worked once before, but it didn't last long this time. So I tried a new thing, hadn't occurred to me before, guess it would've been too soon. I propped up the seat in her stroller so that she could sit up. She loved it! Not another peep, just a very interested baby ready to learn from everything in view. Pat on the back for Mama. Of course, I was just responding to the demand of her needs.

I big sigh of relief. Between her belly processing big girl foods (oats and applesauce) and the cold that she's fighting, she has not been happy at all to be put down. Lately, she stopped showing interest in toys. Putting her on the floor or the crib to roll around didn't make her happy for long. Today was different. In the crib, she went to sleep all by herself with very little fuss, twice! One nap was at least an hour. That's a lot for my little cat napper. I got so much done. Awesome. It did occur to me that she just needed more sleep because of her cold. I'm hoping it's not a fluke. Every now and then, just like with Savannah and Seth, I have to remind myself that she won't be crying and fussing like this when she's in college. I'm sure she'll change her method.

Posted by Georgia at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arwen is reaching up now from the floor. She's not quite as interested in the toys around her on the floor since she has discovered the adult world above her. She's especially interested in the basket where she'll usually find remote controls, diapers and pull ups, and an extra blanket.

I remember with each of my children, I carried them around the house trying to do housework. It worked as well as it could. Then they started reaching. They could pull a glass of water out of my hand or simply reach toward the sink and completely throw off their balance on my one arm and shoulder. It's a real strain for the parent, and it marks a milestone of sorts. They are passing the baby stage and needing to do some real play. Arwen's at that point now.

Posted by Georgia at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Arwen was on my bed, angry, crying, wanting to be picked up, I would lie down to nurse, (the only time I get to rest) and realizing the position I was assuming, she'd stop crying, smile, and give a chuckle.

Posted by Georgia at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arwen has been watching the Home and Garden network with me for a few minutes. I watched her, as if she'd grown tired of the show, turn in a very deliberate cirlce to look for toys in the floor. Writing this, I realized she turned about the time the show went to commercial.

Since getting back from our trip 10 days ago, she doesn't just roll over, she rolls over as if she's trying to get over her arm more easily. She digs her toes into the floor or bed, pushing her hiny into the air, then flips over her arm.

Posted by Georgia at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

She gets unhappy quickly if left with no toys. But surrounded by her little rattles and large blocks, she's happy for a good 1/2 hour or more.

Since getting back from our trip, she doesn't just roll over, she rolls over as if she's trying to get over her arm more easily. She digs her toes into the floor or bed, pushing her hiny into the air, then flips over her arm.

She is quite happy, and understands games. I make eye contact, then make a short, sudden sound, a cluck or a squeak, then look in her eyes. I make this sound every few seconds, keeping eye contact. She chuckles and her eyes turn into half moons. Last night, she really got to chuckling when I was up real close and tickling under her chin.

Posted by Georgia at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)