Dear Zealand,
This month was full of fun adventures for you. You started your first playdates with other babies your age. Early on in the month we met a few mothers and their babies at the sculpture garden at the De Young Museum. You were particularly fond of a baby boy named Ben. The two of you reached for each other’s hands and at one point you placed both of your hands on his head. You and I are now part of a mom’s group that we (try) to attend once a week. I hope this becomes a nice source of support for me and an opportunity for you to socialize with other wee ones.
Early in the month we took you to the San Francisco zoo. We took you on a steam train that let out many loud “choooo, chooos”, blew great clouds of steam, and roared through a dark tunnel. We weren’t sure how you would respond given the high level of stimuli. But, lo and behold, you did fabulous! You mostly wore a brave face and were very stoic as the wind blew your face.
You seem to take new experiences in stride. This month you rode for the first time the bus, a ferry across the bay to Oakland, and the underground transit. You also had your first day trip to the wine country and experienced your first mass protest for the environment. We carry you along with your wide brimmed “explorer” hat and you let out frequent squeals of delight at whatever happens to catch your fancy. Not only are you unflappable in the face of new experiences, but you also seem to really enjoy yourself.
I would say that this fourth month has been all about your new ability to experience and express joy. Although we have seen smiles and squeaks of delight earlier, this month you started to develop more fully a wondrous and joyful relationship to the world around you. In Sonoma, for example, we held you in full view of a tree that was shedding leaves that fell down the hillside in the breeze. This sight thrilled you to no end. Your feet were kicking and you ooohed and aahhed and occasionally squealed. When we brought you to the car you began to cry uncontrollably – not for hunger or pain but because something you enjoyed stopped.
Your face also lights up at the sight of your toys in a way that wasn’t evident previously. We will hold a toy in front of you and your face lights up as if you are meeting an adored friend you have not seen for ages. You are also demonstrating that you understand cause and effect in new ways. You now shake your rattles purposefully for the sound they make in addition to their purpose of being an object to suck on.
As you continue to find the world a joyous, wondrous, and silly place our enjoyment as your parents swells right alongside. You are such a good natured, silly, adventurous, and fun little guy. Usually your father and I try to be the first one to make it to your crib when you cry out after a nap. There is nothing like a wide Zealand smile on a face fresh from a nap. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Finally, your gross motor development has really begun to take off. The infrequent rolls to the tummy have now become a regular occurrence. You are starting to push your little butt up into the air and roll around on your mat. Something tells me that our back lying mellow, observant infant is on his way out. Stay tuned!
We love you Zealand.
Love,
Momma
This month was full of fun adventures for you. You started your first playdates with other babies your age. Early on in the month we met a few mothers and their babies at the sculpture garden at the De Young Museum. You were particularly fond of a baby boy named Ben. The two of you reached for each other’s hands and at one point you placed both of your hands on his head. You and I are now part of a mom’s group that we (try) to attend once a week. I hope this becomes a nice source of support for me and an opportunity for you to socialize with other wee ones.
Early in the month we took you to the San Francisco zoo. We took you on a steam train that let out many loud “choooo, chooos”, blew great clouds of steam, and roared through a dark tunnel. We weren’t sure how you would respond given the high level of stimuli. But, lo and behold, you did fabulous! You mostly wore a brave face and were very stoic as the wind blew your face.
You seem to take new experiences in stride. This month you rode for the first time the bus, a ferry across the bay to Oakland, and the underground transit. You also had your first day trip to the wine country and experienced your first mass protest for the environment. We carry you along with your wide brimmed “explorer” hat and you let out frequent squeals of delight at whatever happens to catch your fancy. Not only are you unflappable in the face of new experiences, but you also seem to really enjoy yourself.
I would say that this fourth month has been all about your new ability to experience and express joy. Although we have seen smiles and squeaks of delight earlier, this month you started to develop more fully a wondrous and joyful relationship to the world around you. In Sonoma, for example, we held you in full view of a tree that was shedding leaves that fell down the hillside in the breeze. This sight thrilled you to no end. Your feet were kicking and you ooohed and aahhed and occasionally squealed. When we brought you to the car you began to cry uncontrollably – not for hunger or pain but because something you enjoyed stopped.
Your face also lights up at the sight of your toys in a way that wasn’t evident previously. We will hold a toy in front of you and your face lights up as if you are meeting an adored friend you have not seen for ages. You are also demonstrating that you understand cause and effect in new ways. You now shake your rattles purposefully for the sound they make in addition to their purpose of being an object to suck on.
As you continue to find the world a joyous, wondrous, and silly place our enjoyment as your parents swells right alongside. You are such a good natured, silly, adventurous, and fun little guy. Usually your father and I try to be the first one to make it to your crib when you cry out after a nap. There is nothing like a wide Zealand smile on a face fresh from a nap. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Finally, your gross motor development has really begun to take off. The infrequent rolls to the tummy have now become a regular occurrence. You are starting to push your little butt up into the air and roll around on your mat. Something tells me that our back lying mellow, observant infant is on his way out. Stay tuned!
We love you Zealand.
Love,
Momma
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