Baby Log: Week 19

Marlie is getting to be such an active and curious baby. I can hardly wait for all the milestones we will experience as a family in 2010...first solid meal, first steps, first birthday! If this week is any indication, she is going to be mischievous and keep her mommy and daddy on their toes. She wore us out! But we were all captivated by her every move:

• Everything has become a struggle thanks to her constant wiggling...diaper changes, putting on clothes, everything! She has even started to squirm when she wants to be put down. Thank goodness for the activity mat her grandma bought her for Christmas. I feel secure putting her on it to play. It's a hoot to watch her twist herself from end-to-end and use the "monkey bar" to try and hoist herself up. She is so clever!
• Her daddy says he has seen her roll over from her back to her tummy...twice! I am disappointed that I missed it, but also upset that he didn't bother to tell me about it until several days later. He claims that he thought I had already seen her do it. Excuse me but, I've only seen her roll off her tummy. She's been flipping onto her back like a flapjack for weeks! If she had rolled off her back, I would have announced it to the world...um, hello! So, I am calling a do-over. It only counts when I see it for myself.
• Marlie has discovered thumb-sucking. Yikes! She only seems to be rubbing her itchy gums with her thumb instead of using it to soothe herself. She doesn't do it all the time either. I really hope she doesn't develop a habit. She also likes to suck in her bottom lip...it's so cute!
• Her feet are officially her favorite things to play with...she has forsaken all other toys.

• Marlie developed her first (and, hopefully, last) eczema flare-up (in her diaper area, no less) thanks to her mommy's nonstop munching on pumpkin cupcakes, apple pie and Moroccan chicken over the holiday. None of these foods would normally cause an eczema reaction, except in this case they were accompanied by cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, and yogurt. Her little bum and inner thighs were so inflamed, plus she scratched herself pretty bad. I feel so awful...a few dairy treats is not worth any amount suffering on her part. I'll repeat this in my head next time I am tempted by a piece of cheesecake.
• Marlie is ready for some real food! Her pediatrician insists that we wait until the AAP-recommended six months. I am already planning her first meal of rice cereal for Valentine's Day. I don't know if we can keep her from snatching some food before then. See how she is looking at her daddy's hamburger? Just like a lioness waiting for the right moment to pounce on her prey. Her eyes are bigger than her stomach! LOL!
• She really likes when I sing Baby Love by Diana Ross and the Supremes. I'm on the lookout for new songs to add to my song list. Suggestions are welcome.