I know we have been woefully remiss at posting new offerings. Life is speeding along at a breakneck pace, and our baby girl is growing far faster than we are wiling to admit. Interestingly, the past four months have been somewhat lacking in updates (except for photos, which most of you are able to peruse regularly via Facebook).
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56711&id=537904122&l=fdbacBut, I am pleased to report that the last two weeks have been chock full of advances in her development, and so I have been inspired anew to boast, er, publish some of these highlights!
I believe it was February 1st when I sensed her dental discomfort, stuck my index finger on her gums and discovered the point of her first little baby tooth! Sharp little guy, like a puppy tooth. It is the center tooth on the bottom, just right of center. I'm trying feverishly to catch a little picture to post, but it is still somewhat stingy in its revelation. The gums around it are so swollen (presumably trying to push forth it's left-sided counterpart) that I cannot see it very well. Over the last three weekends, though, it is becoming decidedly more apparent. Pictures will surely follow in the next week or two.
Eric and I have been working with her for months to teach her clapping. She is always mildly amused when our hands make that anticipated sound - but she had never once been inclined to mimick it. At best she would grab our hands... for weeks, we would teach, unable to see the fruits of our efforts. Well. Last Thursday, I got home from work late - after 7pm - and as I looked to my left, I saw Belén in her high chair. In my usual, mama's-rather-crazy kind of voice, I exclaimed, 'Sweet Pea!' and looked up with a huge smile and began clapping her hands! She repeated the act the next morning when I walked in to kiss her as Eric was changing her out of her pajamas. :) She is a happy, clapping little girl! I was encouraged not only because she expressed joy at my arrival, but because, while it seemed that all of those weeks of teaching were not yeilding any fruit, they were producing something deep - under the surface, gathering strength, just waiting for the right moment to be revealed. I expect this is one of the most important truths of parenthood from here on out: even if it doesn't seem like they're getting "it" (whatever you may be trying to teach them), do not give up. Your input, guidance and encouragement are sowing seeds that take time to sprout. God is that way with me. I'm so grateful for His patience and persistence and unconditional love.
Another development that will change our lives forever has begun taking place over the last week or so. As Belén crossed the threshhold into her eighth month, she finally got the hang of rolling over expertly. Previously, she would use this skill only to relieve herself of the burden of Tummy Time, to which Eric and I were relentlessly committed for her. Now, she rolls around the room with gymnastic proficiency. She has also begun pulling her knees up underneath her, with her arms extended. She rocks back and forth like that for some time. She appears convinced that she ought to be able to move both knees forward simultaneously, and so she is fixated on that tactic. Unfortunately, this usually results in a face plant and subsequent tears. But she has had a few moments of shining success where she moved one coordinated crawling motion forward before collapsing into the posture of tummy time. Putting her to bed now is a rather futile process. As soon as we lay her down she quick flips over and begins the work of lifting the weight of her midsection up on her toes with her arms extended in front of her. Then she preforms a series of tuck-and-rolls around the crib until she hits her head on the bumper-less slats. I'm rethinking that decision to return the bumper now. :) She will survive.
Now we just pray that Eric and I will survive as she enters this very fun, very new, very mobile season of life.
Now that she has discovered the possibility of mobility, she has actually become a pretty determined little girl. Cuddle? Not so much. She understands now that there is a world out there and she must learn how she can first access and then conquer it. She will do this first by rolling with authority. And as seen in the picture below, she is very close to full and complete dominion. If only she can master the crawling maneuver. For the present, she pulls her knees up under her... and she's pretty sure she is supposed to do something after that, but she hasn't quite worked out the particulars of how.
Here she is at her play table. She is getting pretty good at holding onto tables to hold herself up. Standing is her favorite thing. That, and when Papa walks her through the house. Here's a little video of that. I know the lighting isn't so good, but the giggle is worth the poor quality of the video.
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