i remember thinking that 12 weeks was the magic age where a baby wasn't really a newborn anymore and that things would get so much easier. I was so exhausted and overwhelmed the first few weeks, I remember thinking I would never get there! The books all called the first 3 months the "4th trimester" and explained how because humans have such large brains, they need to be born after 9 months so they can fit through the birth canal, but if you look at most mammals (take horses, for example), they are born already able to walk, etc. I think, from what I have seen so far, that is true! You are so different today than you were at birth or even just a few weeks ago. You are active and playful when you are awake. You babble and coo and have little "conversations" with me. You can hold your head upright almost all the time- even when I pull you from laying to sitting. You can move around- you have rolled from tummy to back 3 times, you turn in half circles in your crib (your head was pointing the chair, but when i go to get you your feet are pointing the chair), you move your legs in a crawling motion when on your tummy and use your arms to pull yourself (but you're not going anywhere in that position yet), and when you are on your back, you push your feet up against anything nearby and scoot yourself backwards. You smile all the time and even laugh a little bit! You are very good at our little routine now and are so easy to put down for naps *knock on wood*. You can hold toys and shake them around and you just started bringing them to your mouth to suck on. You always have your hands in your mouth- not your thumb, your whole hand hahah- and are great at self-soothing. you drool like crazy now and it gets everywhere! you interact with your toys- grabbing on to things that hang above your head and moving them around if they make a noise. you grab at books when i read to you. you are SO much fun!
I am loving getting to stay home with you and be your mommy! I am so thankful that I do not have to return to a full time job and that I will get to be with you almost all of the time and watch you grow!
Your daddy has been working so much- he misses you soo much! He is so precious with you- I love watching you two together. When he is home, he really savors his time with you and plays with you and talks to you- it is too sweet.
and of course, everyone else loves you too! your grandmas are crazy about you! your great grandparents came to visit you! and your cousins love you! and lots more extended family are coming in the next few months just to meet you :) you are one very loved, very special little lady!
