Over the last couple of days, we’ve noticed quite a few changes in Katherine. Katherine is soaking in her environment like a sponge. We’ve noticed her watching TV, watching us eat, and starting to imitate what we do. In the first picture, Katherine is sucking her thumb and staring up at me. If I laugh or smile Katherine will imitate me. It’s become a game for us. I smile and she smiles. I giggle and she giggles. Katherine really likes the attention and I love the interaction. I can see her think and react to me and the environment. It’s very rewarding.
Katherine Loves TV
Katherine loves to watch TV and unfortunately so does dad. Dad and mom don’t want Katherine to become addicted to TV at an early age so the TV goes off when Katherine’s in the room. Christine and I believe than when Katherine’s awake our focus should be on her. Sometimes though, dad slips and mom catches the two of us watching TV together. Notice how Katherine in the picture is able to sit up and focus on the TV with only a little support from dad.
Katherine Prefers to Sit Up
Katherine prefers to sit up. Christine and I believe that Katherine wants to take in her surroundings and can see more when she’s sitting versus laying on her back. This makes burping much easier as you no longer have to burp with one hand and try to support and hold steady a wiggling Katherine.
Playing with Dad
Katherine loves to play with dad and dad loves to play with Katherine. Our latest game is to place Katherine on my legs and elevate her over my head. Katherine likes this because she can stretch out her arms and look down on dad.
Reading is Fundamental
Over the last couple of days, we’ve noticed that Katherine remembers certain books and is starting to have favorites. She loves the Rainbow book because of the bright colors and each progressive page fills in a rainbow made of ribbon. Christine and I decided that we’d go beyond a simple reading of “Where the Wild Things Are”. The LeVines gave us a set of “Wild Things” puppets so we decided to read the book and act out the parts using the puppets. I think Christine and I had more fun than Katherine. Katherine liked sitting up in the chair by herself and watching mom and dad make fools of themselves.
Bonding with Patty
Katherine and her nanny Patty have really bonded. Patty speaks and sings to Katherine in Spanish. Christine and I decided that exposing Katherine to another language when she was little would hopefully make it easier for her to pick up new languages when she’s older. Patty reads to her, encourages development in Katherine, and takes her and Bisco for walks. We’re very lucky to have found Patty. Having to say goodbye to Katherine in the morning and go to work is much easier knowing that Patty is taking care of her during the day.
