She's a big giggler!

Teagan was keeping us laughing this weekend with her cute giggles. She started doing this funny laugh "heh heh heh" and we think it is pretty cute. She has also really picked up on the social aspect of laughing. If Paul and I are laughing about something, she will join right in, even if we didn't do anything to get her to laugh. On Saturday, Paul and I were having a very animated conversation that Teagan found pretty amusing. Paul was telling me the price of the new gun he is planning to add to his collection, and right on cue, Teagan started laughing. I think she was saying, "Yeah right Dad!"

Teeth

Teagan's first teeth are starting to come in! I noticed the first one a few days ago, and this weekend we can feel another one. Before long she'll be showing off her two bottom teeth with her big grins. Of course she chews on anything and everything that she can get her hands on. When I put her in her high chair with some toys on the tray, she usually goes for the seat belt strap first. Apparently, it is much more fun to chew on a strap than to play with toys.

Teagan talk

Although she can be pretty quiet when we are around other people, Teagan is nonstop noise at home! She really likes to say "ba ba ba" and has discovered that it makes a fun noise if she puts her hand on and off her mouth "Native American" style while she is babbling. In this video it looks like she was experimenting with moving her tongue all around.

Those tasty tootsies!

As soon as I get Teagan's diaper off to change her, she immediately grabs her feet and sucks on her toes. I happen to think that it is just the cutest thing! She does not appreciate it though when I have to pull her legs back down to get her diaper back on.

What's that noise?

People had told me that after working with babies with developmental delays, you tend to be hyper vigilant with watching your own child's development. I really haven't found that to be the case. I have noticed though that when I see her learn new things, I find myself specifically noting it. For example, I have been noticing lately how good she does with localizing sound. Paul was holding her on his lap playing with a rattle toy. As he shook it on each side, above her head, or behind her, she immediately turned to where the rattle was. She has also learned the sound of the back door opening. Whenever we are playing in the living room when Paul gets home, she immediately looks toward the doorway when she hears the back door open. This skill can be especially problematic though when I am trying to get her to sleep or when she is nursing. If she hears even the slightest sound, she will immediately turn her head to investigate. That is why I have all these silly rules that ask Paul to follow when I am trying to get her to sleep. On the list of things to NOT do include: opening the front door, using the ice maker, closing the microwave door, and laughing too loud. He thinks I'm crazy, but if you have to put up with a cranky baby who cuts a nap short due to loud noises, you'd be on my side.

Bouncer

I'm proud to say that thanks to these two baby holder devices, I have managed to take a shower every single day since Teagan was born. Now I didn't say she is happy while I'm in the shower, but at least we manage. I started with putting her in the bouncy seat when she was younger, but she has now moved on to the standing bouncer. She isn't quite tall enough for the standing bouncer, so we use some towels to raise the floor a little. I use the bouncy seat in the office now and she occasionally lets me put her in it while I type an email, although she would rather be on my lap to "help" me type.

Polka Dots

Teagan's Aunt Beth got her this polka dot outfit and she seems to really like it. When Beth brought it over in her bag, Teagan kept looking at the outfit when we were sitting next to it. We gave it to her to hold and she seemed so fascinated with looking at the brightly colored polka dots. I think when she outgrows it I will have to cut it up and make it into a blanky for her. It is a really nice soft velour fabric, so I am sure she will love to have it.

Is there anything sweeter....

Is there anything sweeter than holding a sleeping baby? I get the pleasure of holding a sleeping baby for hours each day, but Paul doesn't get the opportunity very often. Teagan generally takes two short naps in her crib each day and one longer nap in my arms. Although it would be nice to have a little time to do whatever I want to do, I really shouldn't complain about being forced to sit down and hold Teagan while she sleeps for an hour or two. I generally sit on my bed with her and just read or watch tv.

If Teagan could talk, she would probably most want to say to us, "Don't put me down! Don't put me in the crib, don't put me in the bouncer seat, don't put me in the car seat, don't put me in the high chair, don't put me in the rocker, don't put me in the swing, don't put me in the exersaucer. Just hold me!" Needless to say, I don't plan on buying a stroller any time soon. Teagan even views being held by anyone other than Mom & Dad as the same thing as being put down. She protests!