Four months

Today, Genevieve is four months old. I can easily say that in the last four months, my life has done a complete 180º. Being a Mom isn't easy, and not all of my days are good days. But the good moments and good days make my heart swell with all those excellent mommy hormones that the books promised.

I love staring at her.

She's amazing, and probably the smartest, funniest, and most talented baby in the whole world. No bias here; just the facts. She's growing like a weed, and every day I have the distinct privilege of watching her world get *just* a little bit bigger every day.

I think the best thing (to date) was on St. Patrick's Day, when she realized that Mealtime Is For Talking. Our family is the kind that can make dinner last six hours; we're having a great time telling stories, jokes, and enjoying all the elements of a family meal.

"Oh, Unkie Sam. Not THIS story again!" (Picture by Laura)

At mealtime, she'll sit on someone's lap, and babble and laugh away. I'm endlessly charmed by it. Connections are being made; I put her down in her crib for a few minutes, and I heard her talking to her stuffed dinosaurs, pause, and then HYSTERICAL laughter. I can only assume she was doing stand-up for them.

She rolled over for the first time this last week, and there have been no shortage of other milestones- discovering that hands were for reaching, finding her feet, and then actually INTENTIONALLY reaching for things! And grabbing them!

In related news, I'm wearing my hair in a ponytail again.

Other fun DangerMouse facts:

- Farts are funny. It doesn't help that everyone who helps change diapers laughs when she farts. I know that we are unintentionally reinforcing this.
- We love the word "booty". Also "naked" and "squish".
- Fake sneezes will still get her mother to say "gesundheit". Which is another funny word.
- She laughs in her sleep.
- She can work a room. She's all smiles and charm when we're out and about.
- She can sleep through dogs barking, loud music, hammering, leaf blowers, and the sewing machine.
- When she stretches, she makes the Blue Steel face from Zoolander.
- Any problem can be solved through the judicious application of a fresh diaper, a boob, or some time in the baby sling. (We have loved the Moby Wrap from the start and the ERGO now that she's stable enough for it.)

The most important thing I've learned in the last four months? Everything else can wait.