Hitting the 3-month mark

Hi gang!  Sorry for my absence in posting my thoughts; I think Mommy & Daddy (M&D) filled in nicely so I could focus on growing.  This past weekend I hit the twelve-week milestone - that's THREE months for those that are counting!!!   Apparently three months is a pretty big deal and a huge accomplishment.  I'm still here gang!  It's also when a bunch of new changes will start to happen....or at least that is what I'm being told.  I hear Daddy griping to Mommy about how "we" need to re-read those baby books and get refreshed on what new signals & behaviors I will be giving in the weeks ahead (I think when Daddy says "we", he's usually referring to just Mommy).  I'm already starting to show them some of my new tricks!

Sure, I can roll over like it ain't-no-thang, but I don't think M&D told you how I'm also learning to reach for and grasp objects that happen to be dangling right in front of my face.  Not sure when babies usually begin doing that, but I'll go out on a limb and say 8-10 months, which means I'm way ahead of schedule!!!  Daddy though seems to be more amazed that such a thing actually has to be learnt, as if he were expecting a baby that wasn't a complete blank slate.  C'mon Daddy!  [DADDY NOTE:  I am continually astonished at how much of a "blank slate" little babies are.  Everything is brand spanking new to them.  I mean EVERYTHING.  It all has to be learned.  I'm sure moms everywhere will think "yeah, and....?" as though it were intuitively obvious for anyone with a grade-school education, but c'mon, it's not THAT obvious!  You would've thought that SOME behaviors would be instinctual...but outside of breathing, apparently nothing is.  I just find it fascinating, is all...and fun to watch!]  M&D introduced to this device called a Bumbo seat; I think it is supposed to help me sit upright.  Whatever it is, I find it quite obnoxious and boring, but M&D love to watch me in it!  

"Are we done here, or....??"

"So should I be doing something right now?  Not sure why I'm here."

"I may look happy & cute now, but you should've seen the picture they took 10 seconds later!" 

I'm also noticing this strange, somewhat viscous, clear fluid beginning to drool and/or bubble out of my mouth in copious amounts.  There have even been times when Daddy lifts me up and a strand will come from my mouth and go all the the way to Daddy's chest without breaking!  Talk about impressive!!  M&D think I am starting to teethe, because I'm also beginning to put things in my mouth not called my pacifier.  Recent favorites have included my thumb (I say thumb, but it's more appropriate to say fist....I haven't quite figured out how to separate my thumb from my hand, so to make it easier I've resorted to shoving my entire fist in there!), the side of my arm, and the Baby Bjorn (BB) whenever M&D is carrying me.  I'll even suck on Daddy's thumb if it gets to close to my mouth!  And of course, I'm still master of the un-swaddling stretch routine.  Whether it's arms stretched giving all sorts of face contortions, or absolute motionless expressions, M&D still love to un-swaddle me to see how I'll react!!

Hudson was in this position for a while.  Mommy got worried...she had to put a finger under his nose to make sure he was still breathing!

Sttrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttcccchhhhh!!!!!

Huddy still isn't used to the way Daddy carries him on the BB!

This weekend, Lolly & Pop went off to a wedding in Maryland, and Aunt Shannon & Uncle Drew dropped off cousin Anderson (and their dog Cooper) because they went to a wedding in Louisville.  Anderson is such a great cousin!!!  Although for some reason, he always wants to force a pacifier in my mouth....and he hasn't appeared to learn the word gentle yet, because he will try to shove it in there even when my lips are closed tight!   Anderson and I had a great time taking all the dogs for a walk with M&D.  The thing is, Mommy had me in the BB and I was trying to sleep, meanwhile Anderson would jibber-jabber and point out all the things he saw by mimicking the sounds they make - seemingly with his loudest possible voice. The kid wouldn't be quiet!!!  And Daddy didn't help by encouraging Anderson to keep on doing it!   Needless to say, I couldn't get too much shuteye on the walk.  Back at the house, Anderson helped me play with my toys and was so nice watching me super up close as I stared up at stuffed animals.   Fun times!!!

Anderson forcing the paci into Huddy's mouth

Daddy had the dogs and Anderson most of the walk, honest!!

That's all this week!    I'm making good progress on rolling over (I rolled over again on my play mat just before I typed out this sentence!) and Daddy thinks I'm starting to laugh.  I do give off a "heh..heh..heh" every now and again when I'm smiling, followed by a gurgle sound or two.....is that what laughing is?   The 3-month mark is when a bunch of changes are happening, and I can't wait to throw it all on M&D and see how they react!!  I'll keep you all posted!