The Muscle Man - Week 19

Undoubtedly, Theo is developing astonishingly fast and is meeting, sometimes exceeding, his developmental tasks.

By this time, he is increasingly becoming more responsive to outside stimuli and his attention span can last for an hour or more. He can vocalize his moods and enjoyment and can laugh heartily during play. When we playfully and repeatedly run a soft cloth over this head, he can show anticipation and excitement. His spontaneous social smiles have also become much more frequent, to our friends' delight.

One difficulty we're facing however is that he's no longer content with lying down on his crib and playing with his mobile toys. His favorite position recently is sleeping on our shoulders. This can be a very relaxing experience for baby and parent, but over long periods, he becomes heavier and heavier, esp. when one is standing up. If we're lucky, we can put him down to sleep on his crib without awakening him; otherwise, he would squirm, wake up and let out a brief cry that promptly stops seconds after he's back on our shoulders; he then returns to sleep almost instantaneously.

Another amazing thing that we've found out recently is that his leg muscles have become much stronger. As long as we keep him from falling over, he can readily support himself considerably longer if held upright. We're predicting that he might be able to walk at 9 or 10 months of age. (I started walking when I was 9 months.)

Finally, as far as his favorite pastime, bathing, is concerned, he has taken to kicking and splashing in his small tub. Previously, bathing time was spent on the kitchen table; since this week, Mommy D and Theo have moved to the shower.

Time certainly flies, but since Theo will pass through this stage of rapid development only once, we are certainly savoring every moment of it.

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By the way, to Mommy C (my mom), Aunt Nalik, and Mommy D, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY! Your children owe you their lives!