Life:
Parenthood is becoming much more enjoyable now that Harmony is a more animated and active baby. We now spend a lot of time in our day talking to eachother and she is more interested in our outings. Harmony is such an intellingent baby and everywhere I go, I hear the same descriptions for her over and over from people that meet her- "She's so alert!" and "Bright as a button!" and I wholeheartedly agree. Diaper changing has become more fun, especially now that I barely notice what I'm doing because it's become second nature for me. Harmony gets to see her toes for once (since she can't lift them herself as high as I do while changing her) and she still finds it really funny when I blow on them!
This week has been really busy. We've both been kinda sick (me more so than Harmony) but we've kept up with our regular activities for the most part, except missing Baby & Me on Wednesday morning. We also missed Buns on Tuesday, but because of another meeting, and so Harmony hasn't been weighed this week. On Thursday I dropped Harmony off at my grandmother's and she and her friend Ann babysat while I went to the the local university's Campus Day. I did worry a bit of course, but it was a nice break. I'll probably end up at that university next year, from the looks of things, although I've applied to the second university here in town as well. On Thursday night we went to a get-together and had a really good time. It's so nice to have adult conversation after baby talk all day! It also helped ease my fears about Harmony not having enough father figures around- "Uncle" Paul got her an adorable little stuffed bunny for Easter (it went right for the mouth of course!) and the guys there were actually pretty good at playing with her and talking to her. Friday was also busy- a friend of mine was in town from Toronto and I played tour guide, bringing the baby along as well. Our main trip was to a museum and it was Harmony's first trip to a museum. After an hour and a half of staring this way and that, she got a little overwhelmed and need some quiet cuddle time with mommy away from all the noise, but she enjoyed herself for the most part. What a cultured kid! :)
Today (Saturday) has been pretty quiet so far. I gave her a bath and she spent quite a while just swatting and kicking at the water experimentally. This was also another experience for her to see her toes ("What are those?" seemed to be the expression to see on her face...). I can't wait until this summer when I take her swimming for the first time!
I'm still trying to work out the arrangements for an Easter visit for Harmony's father, but he doesn't seem to be willing to give more than a visit every few months and maybe child support. I get the impression that he just can't make up his mind about what role he wants to play in Harmony's life. He wants to see her, but wont commit to many other "dad-like" responsibilities. I want him to either be a consistent, stable figure in Harmony's life or no part of it at all, but he seems to be pushing for a 5% role. I've spent many frustrated moments trying to figure out what his intentions are, and I've tried to make him understand that I don't want him to be in a position to hurt Harmony by letting her become attached to him and then taking off again, but I doubt he understands a mother's instinctive urge to protect her child from harm. I often find myself wishing I had a typical family structure to offer Harmony- a mommy, a daddy, a house, a car, etc. but I know that she will be just fine in our little two person family. She's definetely a mommy's girl!
Harmony's Growth:
As I've mentioned, I didn't get a chance to get Harmony weighed this week, but I imagine she's somewhere around 14 and 1/2 pounds.
Towards the beginning of this week Harmony learned how to make noise with her lips and tongue (which also results in her spitting all over the place). "What to Expect the First Year" describes it best- a "wet razzing sound". :) So of course upon learning this she's been doing it all the time and it's just too cute!
Another new little habit she picked up from somewhere is "hiding". I'll have her on my shoulder and she'll be looking at someone and then she'll all of a sudden drop her head to burrow into my neck. Then she'll venture out for another peek and then burrow again. She used to do this before, but it was because her neck was tired, and there was no burrowing, just a drop. I'm not sure if this new behaviour is just a game, because she's shy, or merely because when faced with new people she likes to totally surround herself with a familiar smell and touch to comfort herself, but it is pretty funny. I notice she also tends to "burrow" when she's tired, so I think my last theory may be correct. When meeting new people, she does tend to prefer still being in my arms or sitting on my lap, especially when she's tired. I once handed her to a friend that she hadn't met before and she started her pouty face, along with little sniffly fussies, then a little tear appeared below each eye and the she started with her full blown "waaaah! waaaah!" which I've noticed tends to mean she's overwhelmed, overstimulated, scared or surprised in a bad way (if I "surprise" her with peekaboo she laughs).
I'm still tossing sleepers into the pile for my 2nd cousin's baby and I'm glad Sarah had some of Arianna's old undershirts handy because I was close to running out! I just can't believe how fast she's growing! She'll be four months old soon which means I'll have to start thinking about giving her some real food!