Mommy and Daddy says I've been making great strides this week! 

For one thing, I am getting so much more coordinated.  I am starting to grab things now (mostly Mommy and Daddy's hair) and when I want to I can even release them.   I also rolled over onto my tummy for the first time today! Okay, okay, so Mommy says I cheated.  I was on the couch and it isn't an even surface... but I still did it.  And if I can turn over on the couch, it won't be long before I can do it on other surfaces and Mommy will acknowledge my abilities.

I have also recently started the habit of chewing on my fingers. I used to chew my fingers before I was born and was caught on film once or twice doing it, but I really haven't done it since I came out into the world.  I am so glad I found those fingers again.  They are pretty tasty!

Speaking of chewing, I take a pacifier well now.  I used to spit it out almost immediately, but lately I find it rather soothing to suck on for a while.  Sometimes I use it to fall asleep with and other times I just like to chill with it.  Daddy is just happy that he and Mommy now have something else to try to calm me with when I start crying.

I am getting really good at smiling.  I practice quite often now, especially when I have my diaper changes and I get to look at the ceiling fan in that room.  Besides, it makes Mommy and Daddy wonder what I'm up to!  But I always make sure to stop as soon as Mommy gets the camera.  I'm not ready to have my smile captured on film yet.

I am also starting to enjoy playing.  I have learned about my tongue and like to stick it out and move it all around.  I have recently acquired an interest in some of the toys Mommy likes to keep around, and I even smile for some of the animals as Mommy moves them.  My favorite is still the mobile, because I like the way the animals consistently move.  Mommy and Daddy quickly tire of winding it up, though.

 I just love the great outdoors!  Mommy and I go out for a little walk every day to check the mail.  I love to feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.   Sometimes I lay back in her arms so that I can feel the sun all over. 

Mommy says I can't be in the sun too much because I can sunburn quickly, but it is nice to get out for a little while.  Today we even took a little walk in my stroller.  It was so comfortable I fell asleep.  

I've been working on my vocabulary lately.

Instead of just crying, I am working on a variety of noises to express my mood.  I now have my quiet cry, which I use to get some attention.  My "I'm frustrated" cry, which I use when I get hiccups or need a diaper change.  And my loud "I'm upset" cry, which I use when my tummy hurts.

I also have a couple coos I'm working on - mostly reserved for quiet times when I'm looking at my mobile or the ceiling fan.  And Mommy's favorite is that I have learned to click my tongue.  The first few times were by accident, but I am doing it more and more as I get better control.

I had a doctors appointment today.  It went very good and the doctor says I am growing well.  I am up to 9 pounds, 4 ounces and 22 inches long - in only 5 weeks!  The only problem with the visit was when they stuck a big needle in my leg.  They say it was for a vaccination, but all I know is it was a loooonnnngg needle and it hurt. 

Then this afternoon a photographer came over and took my pictures.  I tried to pose pretty but it was hard work to strike those poses.  The photographer says I am a strong girl because I was able to hold many of the poses better than most babies my age.   He thinks the pictures are going to come out great, but they will take a few weeks to be done.  You'll have to tell me what you think of them when we are able to post them. 

I had my first smile!  I smiled up at Daddy tonight as he was holding me. 

Mommy wasn't so sure that this was the real deal, but two other witnesses confirmed it was spontaneous smile action and not just a "baby gas" moment.  I held the smile for a short time to make sure everyone could recognize it for what it was.

I found something new last night!  I found my hair!

Twice Daddy has responded to my cries to find me pulling at my hair.  I know it's up there, but I can't figure out what it's for.  The other problem is... I've figured out how to grab it, but I haven't yet figured out how to let it go.  So I just keep pulling until Daddy pries my fingers away.  It doesn't feel very good. 

Hmmm.  Perhaps this is why most of us babies are born bald....

Mommy seems to be upset that every time she tries to eat, I start to cry.  She says I have the ability to sense she is eating even when I am fast asleep and the second she sits down for lunch I wake up.

Now two days ago this is because she was cooking and it made my mouth water.  Yesterday she used the microwave.  Can I help it if I have a good sense of smell?  Today she really tested me by making a sandwich.  No cooking involved.  But I still figured it out and woke up from my nap!  Aren't I smart?

Mommy's running theory is that for 9 months I got to eat whenever she did, and therefore I still feel the need to eat at the same time as her even though I don't have to.