Week 9

Dear Zayde,

This week I learned how to pick up my head while lying on my tummy.  I've been practicing this neat little trick for weeks, but only recently did my accomplishment warrant the applause of my parents.  Since my second week I've been politely but firmly pushing myself slightly away from the chest of whoever is holding me, but that wasn't nearly as difficult as lifting my head directly off the ground.  Gravity is a serious force, indeed!  So far, I can get my head two or three inches up, making a 45 degree angle.  (Apparently I know some geometry, too.)  My neck muscles are about as strong as Mommy's abdominal muscles right now, so I can't keep my head at that height for very long, but I know this is just the first step in a long process.  I look forward to something called "rolling over," as well as the grand adventure referred to as "sitting up."  (Which is clearly different than spitting up, something I conquered weeks ago.)

I am also beginning to learn how to use my hands to swat at the brightly colored objects hanging over my play mat.  One of them makes a delightful tinkling noise when punched.  I have figured out that waving my arms around makes these objects move, but I feel that I haven't quite put together the whole process.  Mommy says I'm working on "cause and effect."  Little does she know that I'm also working on something in my diaper.

This is also the first week that I saw Mommy run.  Well, run probably isn't quite the word I should use. It was something more like rapid lumbering.  We were out on one of our lovely daily walks around the neighborhood.  The sun was shining; the wind was gently caressing my plump but precious cheeks.  We were strolling at a leisurely pace...and then Mommy got the strangest look in her eyes.  The next thing I knew, we were hustling down the street.  Mommy was breathing heavily and hitting the pavement with rhythmic thuds.  There was some jiggling going on; I was most concerned for my lunch.  I wasn't in the mood for a milkshake.  If I knew how to laugh, I would have giggled all the way home.  I hope Mommy tries this running thing again soon.  It was the most entertaining thing I've seen since my naming ceremony when the rabbi got my whole family to sing.

On a more serious note, this week I learned that the doctor's office is an increasingly dangerous place.  On the day I turned 9 weeks old, I knew something was amiss when both Mommy AND Daddy strapped me into my car seat and drove me to see my doctor.  I was weighed and measured as usual and learned that I've gained 4 1/2 pounds and over two inches since birth.  Thinking that perhaps this was the extent of the day's ordeal, I let down my guard.  Then the nurse arrived with four syringes.  I've blocked out the rest of the visit.  It was just too traumatic.  I advise you to be extremely wary of health care professionals in general; they simply cannot be trusted.

All this writing has made me sleepy.  If you need me, I'll be in my rocker taking a much deserved nap.

Above the 50th percentile,
Zelda