Friday, July 06, 2007

Holy cow! and Happy July 4th

We had an exciting development today: Roan rolled over from her tummy to her back! We had no inkling she was about to do it. It was just a regular old "tummy time" session like any other. Except that Aunt Jen was supervising instead of me. And also she was playing with a new very special rattle from her Uncle Jim in San Francisco; maybe she likes it so much it literally made her "flip!"

We got some video of (most of) her second, third and fourth rolls. It looks like we're torturing the poor child in them because she's crying and crying and we're going "Come on Roan, do it again!" What mean mean grownups she has.

I did not actually see her first roll, even though I was sitting about 5 feet away, working on my laptop. Jen was so surprised Roan rolled over that she jumped up. Neither of us could believe our eyes, but there she was on her back. I figured it was a freak accident, something she had done unintentionally and would be trying to figure out "Now how did I do that?" for weeks to come. But wouldn't you know, she kept doing it. We'd put her back on her tummy, she would start to cry (she really does hate tummy time, I'm not kidding), then she'd stretch out one arm, cock her head back for leverage and bingo! go right over. It was amazing.

We were all so excited about today's developments we thought we should check in with the "experts" on Roan's progress so far. She just turned 3 months on July 2nd, and to our surprise she can do all of the activities they list. According to What to Expect the First Year, they say "Your baby..."

Should be able to:

  • lift her head 45* while on her stomach

Will probably be able to:

  • laugh out loud
  • lift her head 90* while on her stomach
  • squeal in delight
  • bring both hands together
  • smile spontaneously
  • track an object 180* when held 6" from her face

May possibly be able to:

  • hold head steady when upright
  • raise chest, supported by arms, when on stomach
  • roll over (one way)
  • grasp a rattle
  • pay attention to an object as small as a raisin

May even be able to:

  • bear some weight on legs when held upright (she's been doing that practically since she was newborn)
  • reach for an object
  • keep head level with body when pulled to sitting
  • turn in the direction of a voice
  • say "ah-goo" or similar vowel-consonant combinations
  • razz (make a wet razzing sound)

That last one, the razzing, is pretty cute. We call it making motorboat sounds (with her top end, as opposed to the usual bottom end). She starts out by getting a good supply of spit bubbles perched on her bottom lip and then just sort of blows sound through her lips. It always makes her smile. Anyway, that's the latest on what Roan is up to.


I also thought I'd mention that for 4th of July we went over to our friends Molly & Scott's house, who have an adorable little girl Audrey who is 5 months old. They cooked up some delicious ribs chicken, and brats with all the fixins. Jen made a wonderful pasta salad which was a big hit and she and I made star-shaped cupcakes, iced white with red and blue sprinkles. Roan had a great time making new friends. She is a very sociable little girl. So far she's not met anyone she doesn't like. And she wore her newest little party dress from her Uncle Brian and Aunt Hali.

True to form, she partied till she dropped - literally - and crashed out on a blanket under a tree in the backyard, oblivious to the toddlers and other babies running around her shrieking.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a star! She is so beautiful, just like her Ma & Pa. It is wonderful to be able to share the life and times of Miss Roan Marie -thank you for all the info.
Love, GGD

Anonymous said...

GPops says she's ready for the AT - already "camping" blanket style - she's a true die hard! Love and Kisses & Keep those photos coming.

Love, The LolliePops

Joy N. Hensley said...

Gosh, I love the photos :)

Oh, and the book we're reading is Babywise...I believe you know it :)