Week 10

There are obvious benefits inherent in the ability to communicate effectively verbally, such as having it understood that sometimes my cry is to alert my caretakers that the tag on my dress is bothering me, and not to indicate hunger. However, I find there are some things, emotions particularly, for which the English language is woefully inadequate. Anger, discomfort, confusion, delight, wonder and surprise are all so much more easily expressed with what I will refer to as The Full-Body Language. In this language, no words are necessary and indeed fall far short of the efficacy with which one may communicate one’s feelings through the use of the whole body. Thus, a simple smile is conveyed not merely facially, but even the smallest of my fingers and toes are exercised in the display of delight,every fiber of my tiny being wills itself to be understood and there is no confusion as to my meaning in these instances. The rapture with which this particular expression is met provides absolutely no inducement to learn a single English word; there can be no purer form of communication than that which I share with my mother in that moment. Except for the inconveniences mentioned previously, I should never wish to lose this language.

We still have not reached an amicable agreement on the issue of baths. She bathed me the other day and I must say the beginning was shocking,(liquid over one’s entire body is always surprising) but not too unpleasant. It wasn’t until she started washing my hair that I really had to complain. At last, it was all over, and she had the audacity to “comfort” me as she wrapped me in the warm towel by declaring, “See? That wasn’t so bad! Now we’ll get you all dry!” Nevermind that I was already dry and quite comfortable before the bath.

A few recent pictures:

2 Months old! (My brothers think I can play with toys already...)

You can see which implement for comfort I prefer....

My newest cousin, Moses, and I. Maybe next time he'll be awake and we can actually, you know, interact.

My brother Giosué and I in the same suit. Mama thinks we look alike and dressed me in a boys outfit (!) to see if you agreed. What do you think?

Week 8

I had my first experience in something known as the ER on Friday; not for myself, but for my brother Isaac. He fell and scratched his chin, or some such thing; I didn’t really understand. I was merely painfully aware that all attention was diverted elsewhere and, in addition,Mama forced me to take dinner from a nasty bottle while we were in this ER,ignoring my persistent demands for my regular sustenance. I did eventually give in, as I believed I would otherwise starve.

My eyesight is steadily improving and I have made a new friend as a result! The positive aspect regarding this friend is that he is always in the same place and I am not required to attempt to follow him with my eyes as he moves about me as the other beings in this house are apt to do. He is always on the ceiling,delighting me with his four constantly twirling arms; sometimes he is all lit up, providing additional pleasure. He never fails to bring a smile to my face and as much conversation as I can conjure!

I am just a few days out from my 2 month birthday and I’m weighing in at just over 8 pounds and I can stretch to about 21inches long. I have developed a rigorous exercise regimen that helps me maintain my trim figure. I take advantage of every opportunity that I am placed on my back to raise my knees to my stomach and then stretch them out again, performing as many reps as time allows, and keeping my legs elevated between each. All the while, my arms never stop moving as I repeatedly practice guiding my thumb towards my mouth. I have managed to get my thumb a few times, and even to keep it in my mouth for a protracted length of time once or twice. This is,admittedly, a frustrating exercise at times, but when I am successful it proves comforting and enables me to put myself back to sleep, two very valuable tools in a house where I am often left to myself. I am confident I will conquer the thumb habit, despite Mama’s annoying and insistent use of that synthetic article she calls a “pacifier!”

Week 6

Mama has taken to making all sorts of strange sounds with her mouth at me that cause me to stare about in wide-eyed amazement; she seems to find it quite entertaining.I have yet to ascertain the purpose of these noises, which do not seem to convey any actual meaning that I can discover. Speaking of sounds, though, I am now capable of recognizing everyone’s voice that lives in this house and can usually locate the face that matches it. This is especially true for Mama; I can be perfectly content in my swing or someone’s arms until I hear her voice at an uncomfortable distance from myself, at which point I promptly make her aware of my sentiments on the matter.

There are also several things I particularly enjoy gazing at: Mama and Papa’s faces, anything bright pink and the lovely red and gold hangings in the living room near where Mama often feeds me. The boys are often trying to interest me in various soft creatures, even some that emit music by some unknown magic; but I have not caught their enthusiasm for these objects.Mostly they are just annoyingly close to my face.

I am becoming much more dexterous in my bodily movements; I have managed to get my fists into my mouth a few times though I can’t seem to make them stay there. It requires quite a lot of effort and concentration to accomplish this; Mama finds it entertaining to observe my efforts without actually helping me along. My neck strength is also improving dramatically which has greatly increased my field of vision.

The excitement of the week occurred on Friday when Mama decided to attempt our first road trip. We loaded seven people into one vehicle, four of them very loud boys, and drove to another town to visit something referred to as a Zoo. Judging from the volume of this location once we arrived, it seems to me staying in the car would have afforded us the same experience. From my vantage point I observed very little besides beautiful overhanging greenery and blinding sunlight and the entire length of our stay Mama repeated the same two phrases every minute or so: “Giosué! Slow down!” and“Isaac! Catch up!” However, since Mama carried me throughout the visit, I cannot complain. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the trip in the car to and from this Zoo, which I made quite plain in a way I had hoped would put an end to all such future endeavors. Alas, it seems I have failed as Mama apparently intends to embark on an even longer road trip this very week! I shall let you know the result of this experience next week…