Dawn Patrol: July 12, 2009

Abby's friend came over to play yesterday afternoon. The mommies and daddies got together too. It was fun for everyone. Abby and her friend got to sit together on the blanket where they had an intense spit-up contest. One would spit up and the other would raise the stakes with an even more impressive spit-up. This, in turn, would be answered with yet an even more substantive effort. This went on for at least ten minutes, and ended in a clear tie and a new-found mutual respect.

Abby has almost entirely abandoned the trills in favor a full-throated baby roar. She lays back, takes a deep breath, and screals (that's a cross between a scream and a squeal). It is high-pitched and very loud. Then as she exhausts the air in her lungs, the screal decays into a low-pitched grunt. Big breath, SCREEEEEEEEEAAALLLLLLLAAAUUUUUGGHHHHHHH. Over and over and over and over ... and over again. For an hour or so at a time. It is very cute and strong evidence that she has a good set of lungs and healthy vocal cords. Only four months olds, and already our young woman is making herself heard.

I also have good evidence that she has a strong desire to be mobile. She lies on her belly and intently stares at a toy in front of her but just out of reach. She wriggles, kicks her legs, undulates and shrieks in obvious frustration that she cannot move to the toy. She's still quite a way from being able to scoot around, but she has managed to lift her belly off the ground for a second or two from time to time. I've taken to helping her up on all fours when I play with her, so she can see what it feels like.

One more thing: It seems impossible, but I do believe that she is cuter this morning than she was last night.