Fussy State of Mind

Sylvia's fifth week finds her in a fussy state of mind. Perhaps it's the increase in gas prices or the long waits at the box office that has her diaper all in a bunch. Or, as one of our books says, the fifth and sixth week is just when babies get the fussiest and we best just buckle down and quit complaining. The speed with which she can move between content and cranked is remarkable as shown by the images below.

3:34 PM

3:35 PM

(no babies were pinched in the production of this image).

What this fussiness has meant is the broadening our of search for things that calm her down. Swaddling her tightly while making load "shooshing" noises is remarkably effective as is bouncing on the rubber exercise ball we purchased for Aurelia's labor (and never used).

Combining these strategies is doubly effective and is part of the techniques Aurelia found in the book "Happiest Baby on the Block" that seems to have a cult following in some circles. Since it seems to work and Sylvia spends a bit less time shouting in our faces I suppose you could consider us acolytes.

Perhaps connected with her increased fussiness is a marked increase in her engagement in the world. Evidence of her new emerging awareness is the interest she showed in the mobile that hangs over her crib (that she never sleeps in because reclining in your parent's arms is more fun even if they do make occasional whining noises). Before this week the mobile didn't seem to grab her attention. Now her world seems to have expanded a bit. (At this rate I fully expect her to begin playing the violin soon).











And, because movies are fun, here's one of Sylvia diggin' on the mobile.

What is it with kids and cows with fuscia udders?