A few steps forward, a few steps back

Dear Catalina,
I have noticed so many changes in you these last few days--actually since we returned from our trip.  You seem so much more jolly lately--it is really easy to make you smile.  You are "singing" more and more too, and when we swing you around you have a little chuckle that I've never heard before.  More and more, you want to stand or sit and look at the world around you.  It is so amazing to watch you change.  I bought you a little "jenny jump up".  You don't really jump yet, but you seem to enjoy spinning around and almost making yourself jump!

We took you swimming for the first time last Friday.  At first you were a little overwhelmed at the kids and the noise (to be honest so were Daddy and I).  I was nervous because the water felt a little cold.  I really didn't know how you would react.  You didn't cry and gradually you really seemed to enjoy gliding around in the water.  I think we are going to make this a fairly common outing.  You slept very well afterwards as well which was an added bonus!  That same day I took you for a jog in your jogging stroller for the first time.  You spent the entire time singing and shouting--so I guess you enjoyed that too!

Yesterday, Daddy figured out a way to get you to roll over again.  So once again you rolled over twice in a row and failed to repeat it today.  So frustrating, baby girl!  I'm not as anxious about your motor development as I once was, but I still do worry a little.  I can't help it.  Your 4-month visit to the doctor was last Thursday.  She said you looked great.  You were 15 lbs 8 oz which is about 70th percentile for your age.  Not bad!  You've slipped a little in height--once upon a time you were 75th percentile and now you are only 63rd--still better than your mom has ever been I'm sure!  Your noggin is 81st percentile which is great!

Today we officially started to give you some solid food.  We've been giving you tastes for a few weeks now, but today I actually pureed some fruit and Daddy "fed" it to you.  It was nectarines today.  You seem to enjoy the eating part.  Sometimes you would make this hilarious sour puss face, but you didn't refuse it afterwards, so I guess it wasn't so bad. It is going to be fun to experiment with different foods for you.  Tomorrow--avocado!

So those were the steps forward.....  Unfortunately, while we were traveling you apparently decided that you shouldn't have to sleep alone.  When you wake up and find yourself alone, you let out the saddest little wail I have ever heard!  It breaks my heart!  As soon as you have someone to cuddle, you quiet down and fall back to sleep, but until then you sob your little heart out.  Oh I can't tell you how well you can manipulate me at such a young age!  I was hoping to start working toward getting you to sleep in your own crib, but it seems you have other plans.  I must admit, I love cuddling with you, too.  I'm sure that doesn't help matters much!  I wish I could describe how awesome it feels to have you put your little arms around me and fall into a deep sleep.  Sometimes you wake up and look straight into my eyes for a little while--like you're looking into my soul.  Man, you are a masterpiece!

Well sweetie, Dad is trying to get me to watch a movie with him, so I better go.  I can't wait to see what new things you have in store for us in the next few days.

Love you,
Mommy