Dear Ri’

Right now, you’re snug asleep. You’ve created a personal spot nestled among the many pillows of our bed. Daddy is probably nearby watching the news, because he says you know when he leaves and will immediately wake up. I’m a little skeptical about that, but he insists that’s a thing ya’ll share. Admittedly, you do like to be close to someone – and you still pick and choose who that’ll be and when.

It’s been interesting seeing your subtle changes in personality these past three weeks (eek!). Today, you’re 16 weeks old and on Sunday, you’ll be exactly four months “new.” You are *almost* sitting up, though the sit looks a bit uncomfortable as you lean forward and support yourself with your arms. I worry that you’ll force out your last meal if you stay in that position too long. But never fear, you have created a lean and roll technique that gets you out of the sit and out of tummy time when you are ready.

There’s this new arched-back scoot that you’ve begun. It got you off a pillow once, and apparently that was all the success you needed to make efforts to perfect the move. Now whenever you’re where you don’t want to be, we can expect you to propel yourself from the offensive placement (or kick and fuss until someone assists you). It’ll be no more simply laying you on the bed or setting you in your bounce chair for a second without seat belting you in for safety.

You have become so interactive now – babbling on and on, flashing smiles, clinging to a willing loved-one during frequent kisses and embraces. We love the games you play. Ya was trying to get a good picture of you the other day and every time he said “Smile!” you dropped your face into the plush covers of our rented townhouse in Edisto. He’d suck his teeth or groan in frustration, and you’d lift yourself up on your arms and smile broadly at him.

Oh, and you love playing with your big brother. You grab at his ears, you continue to trace the contours of his face with your hands, and you always offer him smiles when he is near. I’m always telling him to get out of your face, but you never seem to mind the close proximity of your noses or the intermingling of your exhalations. Except when he goes to kiss you, you always offer him a cheek.

You’ve experienced so many new things during our Spring Break trip. You saw goats, deer, donkeys, ponies, ducks, peacocks, and chickens in a petting zoo. There was no fear, no concern as each sounded their calls or passed near. You simply looked, brow furrowed with inquisition. I wonder what you were thinking.

At the beach, you gasped at the wind. It definitely challenged you as it swept past your exposed face. On a warmer day, your toes toyed with the gritty sand. You didn’t get to wade in the ocean waters, but you enjoyed a dip in a lukewarm Jacuzzi where bubbling jet streams of water massaged your outstretched arms. I think you just might be another water babe.

And you laugh. Always unexpected, it lights up our world, warms our spirits. Sometimes a squeal, sometimes a spritely “ha,” it’s a sound we treasure.

I can’t say it enough – - I’m loving learning who you are.

From BabyCenter.com:
Week 14 - Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — touch is a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, but it’s comforting when she’s upset and soothing when she’s irritable.

Week 15 - Your baby is starting to draw conclusions about the world around her. He’s looking at everything with curiosity, even her own reflection.

Week 16 - When placed on her stomach, your baby will probably lift her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support. This mini push-up helps strengthen her muscles and gives her a better view of what’s going on. She may even amaze you (and herself!) by rolling from her back to her front, or vice versa.