Friday, October 12, 2001

While I was at work, Jenn called and said that Mia is starting to "babble".

When I got home, I heard immediately what Jenn meant. Mia is starting to talk! Before, she made sounds, but they were more like grunts, or gasps of exertion. Now, these new sounds are more like "wa, wa, wa, wa, wuh".

She was making these sounds fairly regularly all afternoon and evening. I think she's learning something very new here. Jenn swore she heard "heh-wo (hello)" from her.

Exciting.
posted by Rick Umali 9:29 PM

Thursday, October 11, 2001

I put up more pictures (85-88) of Mia.

Jenn said to me that at day care, she had to turn on the lights in the infant room this morning. I guess she got there first. Someone else came in and started her questions when she had to announce that she didn't work there.
posted by Rick Umali 9:46 PM

Wednesday, October 10, 2001

Mia didn't fall asleep after I fed her in the evening, so I took her upstairs and read her Goodnight Moon. I like this book. The illustrations of the 'great big room' grow dimmer and dimmer as the book progresses. The little rabbit rabbit is seen climbing into bed.

I've been reading this book to her pretty regularly, althought not every night.

Mia tries to reach for the book as I read it. She looks intently at the pictures, and I'm not sure what she sees. I do know that after the book is relaxing to read, and puts her in a goodnight mood.

"Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere."
posted by Rick Umali 11:43 PM

Tuesday, October 09, 2001

Mia can crawl backwards and spin around now.

She has been lately pushing herself backwards and in circles with her arms. She hasn't explored forward motion yet, but now she's a little more mobile. Jenn's Dad has brought over some baby security gates for around the house.

One time in our bedroom, Mia put her leg out and tried to reach for it, like a dog chasing its tail. It was amusing.
posted by Rick Umali 11:22 PM

Monday, October 08, 2001

At night, as I putter around the house, I carry the monitor. Normally, I have it on the lowest setting. Whenever it feels too quiet, I'll put the monitor near my hear, and try to listen to her breathing, a rhythmic shushing sound.

Jenn and I had a conversation the other day about how lucky we've been that Mia's been fairly 'normal'. She's in a workplace with a few women who recently have given birth, and a few of them have had to spend an awful amount of time in the hospital.

In the book I just finished reading, the mother says to her daughter that you don't have to wish for a hard life. Life is hard. Yes. Which makes it important to realize when life is good.

I thank God for a healthy baby girl. I thank God for my wife who has become a terrific mother. Mia is having a good life.
posted by Rick Umali 11:20 PM

Mia seems to be getting better every day. Today, when I got home, she was her usual active self. She got tired around the regular time (a little after 6PM), and by the time I was feeding her (a little after 6:30PM, after washing the dishes), she was well on her way to sleep-land.
posted by Rick Umali 10:59 PM

Sunday, October 07, 2001

This afternoon, I exchanged Mia's carrier/car-seat for a larger single-purpose car-seat. We normally driver her around in Jenn's car, but since we received two of these car-seats, I've installed one in my car. I can't wait to drive Mia around in my car!
posted by Rick Umali 10:23 PM

During the weekend, Jenn has been giving Mia medicine for Mia's ear infection (amoxicillin). It's a familiar smelling pinkish liquid. It sure brought back memories for me.

We originally administered the medicine with a medicine dropper. 3 ml of the medicine is quite a lot, and Mia was quite reluctant. She'd spit some of it out, making quite a sticky mess.

So lately, Jenn found out that you can actually mix the medicine into formula, and into parts of the baby food. Another eight days of medcine (three times a day!).
posted by Rick Umali 4:35 PM