6, er , 7 month check-up

Due to several scheduling snafus, Rachel's six-month check ended up being at seven months. She's very healthy, 19lbs, 26.75" and 17.23" head circumference which is the 78th, 53rd and 73rd percentiles. And, someone told me she was "so small" yesterday. I asked if she had ever seen a baby before ;)

This month was eventful. She is now sitting very well and able to go from her belly to a sitting position. She also has learned she can pull herself up on things and that her crib mattress really is a great trampoline! She got her first tooth on Oct. 16; the better to bite me while nursing with...and looks as though she's getting a few more. She learned how to wave bye-bye (whole arm wave) and can say hi though I really don't think she knows what it means. However, whenever she is on my lap while we're reading other baby's blogs, she'll wave at the baby and say hi about six thousand times.

I have also begun teaching her some simple signs--milk, eat, more, all done, cup and poop (you know all the important ones). Anyway, after her shots yesterday, I nursed her as usual and when I thought she was done, I started getting her ready to go. Let me tell you, she made the sign for milk like there was no tomorrow. Poor baby wasn't done :) But, I'm hoping this helps alleviate her grunting when she's not getting what she wants.

She also has learned how to bounce in a sitting position which can scoot her a little. However, the funnier thing is watching her reach for something in front of her, fold completely over, make the crawling motion with her hands but have her feet still stuck underneath (video forthcoming).

With the first one, you want them to hurry up and move--crawl, scoot, walk, whatever. But, with Rachel, I'm really happy right now knowing I can sit her down and she'll still be there when I get back. Over the next few weeks, Ben and I are going to have to baby-proof the house because I'm sure the inevitable is going to happen soon!

4 month check-up

She's healthy! 15lbs11oz, 25.5" and 40cm head circumference. She's doing just fine at the 75th, 50th and 90th percentiles.

New tricks for this month: in addition to shoving her hands in her mouth, she has also learned how to screech (and no, I don't mean scream...there is a big difference), how to barrel-roll across the floor though she's only done it twice, how to sing (in about the same key and tone that I sing...poorly for those who don't know me), and she's started reaching and grabbing. After she started grabbing for our food, we decided to try cereal. She does like her cereal and grabs onto our hands and shoves the spoon in her mouth. However, the applesauce gets an "I just ate a lemon" face that we're try to capture on camera. She also is fascinated by our mouths. She loves to stick her hands in my mouth and moves her lips like she's talking but all that comes out is either baby babble or a loud screech.

2 Month Check-Up

"Little" Rachel weighed in at 13lb3oz and 23.5" and is perfectly healthy according to our favorite pediatrician at our 2 month check-up... that would be the 95th percentile, so I guess she's getting enough to eat!

Bath Time (how does her arm bend that way?)

She has been getting more and more alert every day and has taken to her bouncy seat (the one that vibrates) and has just started getting interested in her activity gym though it scares her when her hand accidentially hits Elmo or Big Bird which are hanging and they begin to swing or make noise.

Playing with Big Bird and Elmo

She's sleeping a little longer (which does not mean I feel more rested). In fact, last night she slept six hours straight! She continues to try to suck her thumb but mostly settles for her hand since she hasn't quite figured out how to coordinate sticking her thumb out, putting it in her mouth and not stabbing herself with her own fingernail.

We've also decided that we should begin a resume for her. I'm still working (from home) but we've been cutting commercials and working on several other projects. She has experience supervising commercial production and edit, media buying, Web site design and edit, print advertising copywriting and placement and writing policies. I'm pretty impressed! I made the comment the other day that she cut her first commercials before she cut her first teeth. And, to brag about what a good baby she is...she sat through four hours of TV edits, twice! What a trooper! I'll make a PR pro out of her yet!