Dear Joslyn,Our fourth month with you has been so much fun. You are interacting with us and with your surroundings, so much more now, that we constantly feel rewarded by everything you do. We truly know how blessed we are to have been chosen to be your parents.
There have been so many new developments this month! Despite much debate found in baby books and online sites, we decided to start you on pablum. We give you a little bit before bed, which we find helps you to sleep. We felt in our hearts that you were ready, and boy were we right because you just loooove it! Yum yum! Our first few feedings were pretty hilarious, because you didn't know what to do with this new foreign substance found in your mouth. Usually, you'd give a funny face, push it out with your tongue, then we'd laugh, and you'd smile the rest out . . . showing an even more hilarious cereal grin. You also didn't know that you had to open your mouth when the spoon was coming your way. But now you open up big and wide like a little birdie, and down it goes with a little chuga chuga choo! (Daddy's "chuga's" of course. As on a side note, he still swears you will be a Thomas The Train fan. I on the other hand, feel we'll be seeing more of Dora than Thomas. But we'll let him give it the 'ol college try anyway. The tv show is pretty adorable).
A few more firsts, are that we saw your first back to front rollover on May 13th. May 23rd was your first big belly laugh. Daddy had you laughing so hard, it brought tears to our eyes. You were so funny. We took you on your first vacation. We went to Minneapolis for some sight seeing and shopping! And on that vacation, you had your first swim. There'll be plenty more where that came from, as Nana has a swimming pool that will become your summers' addiction. (If Nana ever talks of moving Joslyn, there would be no better time to bring out those long eyelashes of yours, and bat away girl! Because what do we say in this household? "Long live the pool!")
You've taken much more notice of Nikki this month. We can tell she is becoming your friend, and that you will share many special moments together in the years to come. She is a good dog Joslyn, and will always be so very protective of you. It is so cute how you watch her walk around the house, and when she gets close enough, you put out your hands to feel her fur. No grabbing yet, although I do see that in our future. When you show Nikki attention, she responds by licking your hands, and feet, and if we don't catch it right away, the odd face or head wash too. You can tell how much she loves you and knows that you are her family.
You discovered your feet this month. And when I say discovered, that's not to say you didn't know they were at the bottom of your legs before. It's just that you've really taken notice this month, because we've seen you grab onto them, and try to put them in your mouth. Teething much?? With such proven flexibility, we're thinking of pre-registering you for the Olympics. If Alpine Skiing doesn't float your boat, there's always gymnastics! Perhaps we'll just start with Gymkyds, and see where that goes. :-)
You've developed a new funny face this month. You bite down on your gums, which then puffs out your lips and cheeks, and what results is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. It is adorable. It kind of reminds me of what your Great-Grandpa R used to look like without his dentures in. Grandpa looked cute. But your little face is about one thousand times more so.
And last but not least, this past month has shown us the biggest, brightest smiles, every time we come to get you from your crib. It completely melts my heart, and makes every waking (even the night time ones) incredibly special. I have never minded getting up with you at night, because I've always felt that it is what I am lucky enough to be doing at that moment. Being on maternity leave, and having you with us, my #1 responsibility from now until forever, is to make sure you are well looked after. But with all these new smiles, I completely look forward to going and getting you from your crib. It is the single most cherished moment of my day.
It is always hard for us to imagine how the next month could ever be better than the last. But it is. It always is. And with each passing day, each passing minute, I fall more and more in love with you. In case I don't say it often enough, now and in future, thank you for inviting us on this incredible journey sweetheart.
Love,
Your Mama Bear
