I just had a fabulous 3-day visit from Kate’s aunt, my very best friend in the world, Kel. It’s amazing what good company can do to your spirits.

Just in a week Kate has become so much more expressive, it’s amazing to see the difference in a short time period. Just last week it was as if she realized there is so much going on around her. For the first time she started enjoying being in her stroller, as long as she is moving and the sun shade isn’t blocking her view. Around the block and through the mall she stares everywhere. Unfortunately for me this interest in new things means she’s not so content to just sit on the rocking chair all day, she wants me to hold her (vertical, facing out) and walk her around. I can tell she’s getting bored with the living room. Our house is small, I don’t have many options here! In the car she’ll only last about 10 minutes awake before getting fed up and screaming, so it’s still hard to get out.

She’s now found her ears, hands and feet and is fascinated with all of them. She sucks on her fists all the time now (drool, eewwww), tugs on her ears, stares at her wiggling toes. She shrieks and coos and babbles a ton, too, significantly more than even a week or two ago. (No giggles yet.) Yesterday she started this new kicking thing when she was excited, eyes wide, face serious, all 4 limbs flailing around with so much power. It is SO FUNNY, I took a video I need to upload.

My girl has a huge personality. When she’s happy she’s huge smiles, when she’s upset she’s ear-piercing screams, and when she’s playing she is extremely serious and focussed. I just love it.

She’s still sleeping great (as long as she’s with me, of course). She goes down for the night at around 9pm, is easy to nurse to sleep, and the last two nights she’s only woken up once between 11pm and 6:30am. Not bad at all!

She’s changing so much, but it feels like a natural evolution. I am so enjoying watching her grow.