It's been a while since I've written to you, mainly because you're actually a real, tangible baby and I see you every day. My original theme was writing to my "unborn child". Looks like I have to change that.
I wish I could have tape recorded the entire birth-- starting when your mom first started feeling contractions all the way to when we left the hospital. It's an experience I'm never going to forget, but I so badly want to share with you. I might share that with you later.
There was a noticeable change from newborn to six weeks. You changed from newborn monkey to baby human. It was definitely a milestone.
And now, at three months, there's also a huge change. You're almost a toddler.
Your motor skills are improving day by day. You can now find your thumb and stick it into your mouth, though you still get a little frustrated when you can't find it. For some reason, you just have to have something in your mouth-- your hand, your fingers, or the new addition: the pacifier.
Your mom and I decided to introduce you to the pacifier. The jury is still out on whether or not we made the right decision. It definitely helps "pacify" you. It calms you down and has lowered the frequency of crying spells. The only problem is that you're starting to get addicted to it. You have developed a new cry/whine/pout when you want your pacifier. It's not a cry... it's more of a whine. It's unique and your mom and I can actually tell the difference between your pacifier whine and an actual cry. Whenever I'm watching you and the pacifier falls out of your mouth, I usually will put it into your hand and let you try and put it back into your mouth. You're pretty good since you can find your mouth most of the time. Your motor skills are definitel improving day by day.
"Tummy Time" is getting a little more productive. Just a few weeks ago, you used to hate being placed on your stomach. Now, you're a little more tolerant and don't mind it as much. Your neck has always been very strong, so it's never been a problem with you keeping your head up. You just never liked that position. Now, I'll usually put you on your back and try to teach you to roll to your stomach. You're just starting to learn to pull your other arm out with a roll success rate of about 25%. Pretty soon you'll be able to roll over by yourself and you'll actually like being on your stomach since it's the predecessor of crawling.
But I'm not sure what you'll do first: crawl or walk. You've always been very strong, and your legs can already support your body. You stand up all the time with our help. I try to make you do as much of the standing as possible, but you still need to work on balance. Once you master that skill, you'll be standing in no time.
You're also smiling and laughing more than ever. Whenever you smile or laugh, it make my heart melt. You're a very happy baby. Last night before we gave you your bath, you just loved being nude. It was the most I have ever seen you laugh and smile.
We also graduated you to your own room now, so you're sleeping in your crib finally. It's a little more work for mom, since she now has to get up and get you to feed you. But you're such a good baby that your mom can feed you once in the middle of the night, and put you right back to bed. We have not really had any "bad nights" with you. You've been a really good baby. We've never really had any issues with sleep deprivation.
I can't wait to come home and see you after work.
Love,
Your dad.
