A Facial Expression is worth a Thousand Words

We went on our very first hike a few weeks back, just a 90-minute walk through pristine BC forest complete with a waterfall, mossy trees, standing in the icy cool river, and a little rest on a grassy knoll.  It was a perfect day, and the extra 15lbs I had to carry was an added bonus for my cardio-experience (especially uphill).  I suspect the up-coming crawling sessions will also add to my cardio needs, but lets leave that for now.  So far, she hasn't managed to coordinate the whole thing, just pieces of it.

This picture begins to show the personality that is emerging and I suspect she's going to be quite a character!  Can't tell you how much joy that brings me, getting to know her more and more each day.  Right now, she's on her belly having rolled-over for the 100th time this morning and while she can pull her knees under her, she has no concept of what to do with her arms yet.  And she doesn't know how to roll back over onto her back when she needs to relax, that's mum or dad's job at the moment.  Only a matter of time until it all comes together, and I'm willing to wait because I know what comes after that!!

She recently went through a rough sleeping period, I suspect because of all the physical development that's going on.  Up almost every two hours for a few minutes each time, I was definitely feeling it.  However, I was very pleasantly surprised last night when she did a 5-hour sleep, followed by a 10-minute feed at 2:30am, and then a 4-hour sleep after that.  Honestly, I feel like the bionic woman today... I haven't had that much sleep at once in over 4 months now.  I am reminded yet again that everything comes in cycles, like the seasons, except a baby doesn't come with a calendar... I never know when the winds will change direction.  So, bend like the willow trees, flow like the rivers, and try my best to take each day, and night, as it comes.  That way I won't miss the small stuff.

There is SO much I think about writing here during my busy days with baby girl... but never seem to find the time to sit down and write.  Can you imagine?

Last week was a week of firsts:

1. She rolled over on her own!  I had her on her play-mat and was in the kitchen preparing dinner.  I listen to her noises and keep track of those sounds that make me peek around the corner.  Suddenly, I realized the grunting of her efforts to roll-over had ceased and it was very, very quiet.  In a small moment of panic, I threw my head around the corner to find her peacefully languishing on her belly... observing the world from this new angle!!!  Amazing.  She practices all the time now, although she still has some difficulty remembering how to get her arm out from underneath her.
2. She LOL'd for the first time!  Her first LOL (Laugh Out Loud, just in case you aren't in living in 2010) was one of the most incredible sounds I've ever heard!  It was so exquisite and beautiful, it was a giggle really and I repeated what I'd been doing to make her do it three times in a row.  Then I had to squeeze her tight to me in a "oh-my-gosh-I-love-you-so-much" kind of mummy hug.  I just melted when I heard it.  She'd been giving me big silent, toothless grins up until then when she finds something amusing and I've been waiting for sound to accompany those but it was silent up until this moment on Friday, May 7, 2010.  And I have to admit, I haven't heard it since that afternoon despite my ridiculous efforts at trying.  I know I need to give it up now and let it come when it comes, but it was just SO adorable!  I wish I had caught that moment on video, but it was just for the two of us that one.  I know there will be many more to come.

Oh my, days go by so fast and she's calling me now... gotta go!!