Back from a week out of town, I came back to a clean home, a warm wife and a baby I could barely recognize, such were the changes!
Not only is Margaret longer than she used to be, but her dexterity and her all around acuity seem to have improved. She is purposeful now in what she does and what she reaches for. She can feed herself a rice cracker. She can use her mesh feeder by herself to suck on an apple slice without dropping it. She can push a bottle out of her mouth, look at it and reposition it. She can remove and replace her pacifier now.
She can sit up stably for long periods of time now and she can reach far out front and to her sides - and even behind her for things.
But most impressive, to me today, was that we discovered that she will wave back at people when they wave at her.
Over the past few days, Sarah noticed that she was starting to open and shut her hands and wiggle them at the wrists. At the time, it didn't seem like she was doing it for any reason other than to try out her limbs. Today, however, at the grocery store, a little toddler started waving at her and, lo and behold, she looked at him and waved back. Then, later in the afternoon, our friends Shan and Sarena stopped by and when they were leaving and waving at Margaret, she looked at them and waved back as well. As if THAT wasn't enough, while Sarah took her to bed tonight, I said, "Goodnight, Margaret" while waving at her and she waved back again.
It has been simply breathtaking to watch the process of her learning a movement, then attaching meaning to that movement.
Today was, thankfully, a holiday here in Hong Kong which I was extremely thankful for. After a week of traveling between Hong Kong, Norwood, MA, Peoria, IL and back again, it was good to have another day to de-jet-lag.
Tomorrow, it's back to work with a trip into China. After a weekend day like this past one, with gorgeous weather and such an incredible time with my family, it's always tough to think about going back to work.
But return I shall, and look forward to next weekend.
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5 comments:
Wonderful! The teeth, the knocking the bottle away and, especially the waves! Who doubted from early on that Ms. Margaret would be a controlling extrovert?
What a beautiful family... inside and out. And such growth in Margaret! Blink, and you miss something. Thank you, John for keeping us so close to all of you. We are truly blessed. XXOO M/R
Yep, definitely the most precious being ever. No competition there (yet.). What amazing accomplishments Margaret has undertaken in the last few weeks. And TEETH?! Absolutely amazing.
WOW! Margaret can wave! So many changes from when I last saw her. You must be so proud of your wonderful daughter, she is a very quick learner. I think she got that from both her Mom AND Dad, with such smart parents, who wouldn't be a quick learner. Nice haircut Aunty Sarah!
Love, Philip
commenting on a blog is new for me.
I feel like I did when people started getting answering machines (around 1984 or so?)
How should your voice sound? casual? chatty?
should the message be short?
who would be hearing it?
Now it's completely natural. I actually hope to get the machine sometimes so I can leave a clear succinct message and add in some pleasantries.
Now I feel this way with a blog comment, but I'll plunge right in and join your many fans.
(well "M/R and Pa" aren't exactly unbiased.)
Margaret is enchanting and it is fun watching the changes in her. Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
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