Apparently I haven't made the time to write about all that is going on in our lives. I have often thought about it but rarely do I come up with anything creative or exciting to share. The funny part about that last statement is there is plenty of excitement going on in my life and I realized last night, as I listened to my 3 month old baby girl giggle a real grown-up giggle for the very first time, that my cup runneth over.
I can't hit on everything that has been new, exciting, or even not so exciting or so fun but I can certainly tell you a few highlights. Jada is thriving, thank God! She eats like a champ, sleeps well at night, and is generally a happy go lucky sort of gal (she got that from her dad). She began smiling pretty early on which probably looks more like a BIG yawn, mouth fully open, dimples on both cheeks (she got those from her dad too), and eyes alight with excitment (she got those from me)! On June 18th, she rolled from tummy to back for the first time and promptly began screaming from fear. Some of these new experiences are fantastic for Mommy and Daddy but not so much for our little girl! Jada holds her head steady and wants to sit up these days. She will still be cradled when she's sleepy but the majority of the time, she wants to see the world. Last weekend we put her in the Bijorn and went to the Farmer's Market where she was able to see all kinds of people and new things. We didn't hear a peep out of her. In fact, she just rode along staring and chewing on her bib!
My favorite parts about the few months we've spent together have been watching her really learning things and those times that I get to cuddle her as she drifts off to the land of Nod. Jada takes time to really look at things, to listen, and really study, all qualities that we could take note of ourselves. She loves the tv (I don't know that this is good or bad just yet) and watches as the colors change and characters flit across the screen. Rocking her to sleep brings me a lot of joy, so much so that I tend to shower her with kisses and study her face and body just to remember it for as long as I can. I don't get to do these things as often as I want now that I'm back to working full-time and since I know just how fast time flies, I really take the time to relish in these quiet, peaceful times. Sometimes she studies my face and in the last few weeks has begun reaching for objects. This morning, as I sat cradling her while she woke up from her long night of dreams, she reached up to my face, put her palm and fingers on my cheek, and just stared with an awed expression. I wish we could all look at ourselves the way our children look at us!
The most recent changes are pretty notable, too. Jada is laughing non-stop! She smiles a lot and we've noticed she's more of a morning person (she gets that from her Grandma J). Last night was the very first real giggle and it was in the top 5 best sounds I've ever heard in my life. I got so excited, I jumped up and down and clapped which scared her to death. That still can't erase the wonderful sound of my baby giggling for the first time! Jada is really trying hard to roll from back to tummy now, too. She gets frustrated because she can get to her side but can't quite get that rear end to roll. I still say it'll be any day now, though.
Aside from changes there are interactions with other adults and kids to note. Jada has lots of friends her age because many of our friends had babies this year, too. We've spent time with Monroe Easley, Adalyn Fast, Kimber Elo, Kellen and Rowen Roth, Lena Roth, Michael Castillo, and probably several more kids that I can't remember right this minute. So far she barely takes notice of her pals with Monroe as the exception. The girls have spent lots of time together so while Monroe reaches and squeals in delight trying to grab at Jada, Jada simply looks at her with an expression of "What is this fool doing to me?" Friends are one thing. Nothing compares to seeing your family with your baby. My Mom is the one I watch the most. She LOVES being a Grandma and Jada loves being a Grandma's girl! My sister was a surprise to me. She loved holding Jada, even changed a diaper or two, and talked and played with her as much as possible before she went home to New Mexico. And then there is my husband.
Now that Jada is here, she is his whole world and that isn't a bad thing. He gets right in her face and they "talk" to eachother. She loves to cuddle on him because his chest is wide and soft, not like mine. He also makes really strange sounds that I can't make and that always sets her off squealing in delight. We take turns rocking Jada to sleep at night and Robin's approach is to sing her songs. Sometimes I take the monitor downstairs and just listen in, even going so far as to turn off the tv so I can hear that sweet sound (if you're reading this, Robin, no you cannot stop or be embarassed).
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I never thought I would be a good parent, have the patience, or that I should even attempt to have kids. Boy was I wrong. Thank goodness I got some sense and figured that out!
