Month 3 developments

It is hard to believe it has been a month since I created a new post. I cannot say it is for a lack of sleep, because Grace has blessed us with a third month full of sleepful nights. That is just one of several exciting developments during the third month.

Sleep
Starting right after the 2 month pediatrician appointment, we decided to move Grace from the bassinet in our room to her crib in her own room. The first night, she slept about five and a half hours straight, or about an hour longer than she was averaging before. Each night she slept a little longer over the next week. Since then, she has consistently slept at least nine straight hours and as long as 13! How amazing!!!

Baths
Baths are increasingly fun and somewhat relaxing. She is still not a big fan of rinsing her hair, but otherwise doesn't mind the time in the water. She especially enjoys the cuddle time afterwards in her Mommy or Daddy's arms.

Picture in her hooded bath robe, July 12, 2007:













Her thumbs
She has discovered the wonder of thumb sucking. At about 7 weeks, we started using an occasional pacifier if she was fussy but there was no obvious need other than soothing. Somewhere around 10 weeks, she started being able to consistently find her thumbs on demand, and now the pacifiers are hardly being used. She often wakes up in the morning only to put her self back to sleep while sucking her thumb. On one or two occasions, she has even been caught sucking both thumbs at once!

Picture taken July 10, 2007:













Toys!
She has increasingly started to enjoy toys, including her gymnasium, rattles, her toys on her bouncer, and her current favorite, Toodles. Toodles is a small stuffed lamb with a rattle inside. It is perfect for her in size and weight. She loves holding it, swinging it by the ear or leg, and throwing it to the floor.

She is also now patient enough to sit through reading her a book. So her library has finally come into use.

Picture taken July 23, 2007, with Toodles:

Smiles
She is clearly smiling when happy or when Mommy or Daddy enter the room now, and that is lots of fun for us. Nothing beats coming home from work to your daughter giving you a big smile.
Picture taken August 3, 2007