Staying Down, Reaching Up and Things In Between

2012 is off to a great start, with lots of new things happening daily!  Here are some of the highlights:

…The Gracer slept through the night – 6:30pm to 5am – for the first time in her life this past week. We won’t discuss that the very next night she woke up 6 times, and instead optimistically focus on the potential sleep I might get this year.

---Speaking of Grace and sleep, one of the sweetest things of this year is her Daddy’s inability to resist peeking at her sleeping at least 3 times between the time she goes to bed and he does. And though I’m sleeping when he leaves for work, I’m guessing there might be another gander then as well.   He's a sucker for seeing her sleep on her stomach or side after months of her patented "starfish" back sleep.

….Grace started reaching more consistently in response to “up” just this week. She’s even reached for me a few times, which I don’t imagine will stop melting my heart anytime soon. We won’t mention the time that she clung to her speech therapist, Laura,  rather than going to mommy. I can’t compete with someone who looks like Cinderella and feeds her every time she sees her.

…Grace is rolling like a pro. Don’t get distracted, because if you don’t watch her for a minute she just might be in the next room! We joke about how Grace just might show up anywhere unannounced on the ground at any time like she's planking...at work, in the subway. Oh well, we think that's funny.

---Grace is finally tolerating more weightbearing on her arms, and her hard work is showing. She’s had some fleeting moments of sitting with her hands propped on her legs all by herself!

….Grace is continuing to be a great eater. She now demands a little semi-solid food each meal, and loves to try to feed herself, although her exuberance usually results in her opening her hand to place the food in her mouth well before her hand has come anywhere close. She did show a pincer grip the other day, but has kept it hidden ever since.

….Grace is tolerating me putting her ponytail in now, so it's time to take on that cowlick and try for pigtails!

...Grace has said her first word: Hahjblah.  We couldn't be prouder.   And we now have a secret weapon, 24-point Scrabble word.

First sitting!  Look at that posture!!