Saturday, December 01, 2001

Mia's been pulling herself up on everything! Slightly open drawers, laundry hampers, step stools. Anything with an high enough edge is an invitation to her, it seems. She clambers up to her knees first, and then finally to her feet. She'll then look around to see if we've noticed. Of course we have. Each time she does this, it seems easier and easier.

Today, she seems to have learned how to let herself down without falling. She gingerly bends her knees, one hand clinging to the high edge, and the other stretching for the ground.

I've been videotaping her efforts. I don't know whether her development is relative to other children, but it does seem as if she seems to be acquiring each new 'skill' faster and faster.
posted by Rick Umali 11:03 PM

Mia's teeth are partially visible now. Small whitish bumps on her lower gums. Jenn encouraged me to put my fingers on them, and they were sharp!
posted by Rick Umali 10:55 PM

Thursday, November 29, 2001

Somehow, somehow, I found a video recording of Jenn feeding Mia from her bottle. There was also a few moments of footage showing Mia crying on her play mat (which we've since retired, along with her swing). It was amazing to watch. She was so small! She cried so loudly!

Finding this video tape (8MM Sony Handycam tape-analog) was like finding lost treasure. The few minutes on this video tape was instantly precious.
posted by Rick Umali 12:01 AM

Wednesday, November 28, 2001

Jenn said she felt Mia's lower tooth a few days ago. I can't see it yet. She said if you feel around her gums, you'll touch a definite edge.

Mia's trip to the doctor Tuesday went well (i.e. routine).
posted by Rick Umali 12:21 AM

Monday, November 26, 2001

Mia fell down while trying to pull something off my ottoman. Big cry! One book I have says "falling down is part of the process for learning". Indeed.

Also today: Mia started batting small objects in front of her, as she crawled forward (sometimes on her hands and feet). Sort of like dribbling a basketball or a soccer ball. Very good!
posted by Rick Umali 11:57 PM

Sunday, November 25, 2001

The New Yorker magazine (11/26/2001) had a terrific article by Malcolm Gladwell on the research and development behind the modern diaper. Yes, the diaper. It's a fascinating article, from which I learned a new synonym for a baby's bowel movement: 'an insult'. As in: "After three insults, the diaper will surrender at most, only two millilitres of moisture...". Brilliant!

The article not only touts the modern miracle of the diaper (a complex amalgamation of polyfilms, liners, and a super-absorbent 'core' that can absorb up to three hundred times its own weight in water), but its profound effect on grocery store shelving and transportation costs. I hope it gets posted to Malcolm Gladwell's article archives.
posted by Rick Umali 9:18 PM

One of the nice things we heard on Thanksgiving was how smart we were to 'figure out' that we had to leave the baby alone when she cries in the middle of the night. We can't take credit for this. In the few books that we've read, plus in discussion with our pediatrician at the time, we've learned that it makes sense for the baby to learn how to get herself to sleep. I think we're simply lucky that Mia took to sleeping so well, but I do remember it took her a few days before she became 'easy to put down to sleep'.

Tonight, after a long day of pulling herself up, and walking our entire first floor, Mia fell asleep with her evening bottle. I put her to bed without her usual ten minute 'protest' cry. This qualifies as an easy night for Jenn and I.
posted by Rick Umali 9:05 PM

Mia is now starting to clap her hands. Jenn's father actually tried to bring Mia's hands together in a clapping motion on Thanksgiving day, but over the past weekend, Mia's been trying this for herself. She watches Jenn and I clap our hands, but so far, her clapping is tentative.
posted by Rick Umali 9:00 PM