I thought everything DD5 (turns 5 in May) did was perfectly normal. She was my first and I was quite clueless about milestones, etc. I expected her to know and do "stuff", because she
did , KWIM? I recall the nurses commenting shortly after she was born that she struck them as a quietly, intense child and one nurse laughed that it was apparent that DD was taking "mental notes" and I was going to spend the next 18 years on my toes - Boo was 2 days old. Still I thought nothing of it. I figured they were just being polite to the new mom.
A few weeks later, (I have this dated as early/mid July in Boo's blog, but I am notorious for sticking a post-it on my computer with just a month), I had a home visit from a Parents as Teachers educator and after observing Boo for about15 mins., she turned to me and said, "I've been a child development specialist and a teacher for nearly 15 years and I have never seen a child so young do *that*!" Boo had been on her stomach on a Boppy pillow and had dropped a toy out of reach in front of her; so she pushed herself forward off the pillow, practically landing on her face. Her legs were on the pillow now and her upper body down (plank style). She then rolled herself over twice. Now fully off the pillow and back onto her stomach and where she could see around the pillow to the toy, still unfortunately out of her reach. She then pushed up with her arms and did a sort of turn. So she was looking directly at the toy. Again, onto her arms this time a mini push forward and then another, both times landing on her face and I was certain she'd hurt herself and cry. Again not a peep, only silent determination. She got up again, arms fully extend resting on her hands (cobra style) and struck! This time she reached the toy, snatched it up and let out giant giggle!
Again, no big deal...right? All kids under 3 months do stuff like that!
Thus far, the nurses were spot on!
DS3 was a sleepy baby when born. He was a little "early" born on exactly what the doctors consider full-term 37w1d and was jaundiced. Three weeks later at what would have been the 40 week mark, if he had stayed cooking, he "woke up" with a ferocious intensity and an exacting nature that he *still* has to this day. He has abundant energy a strong sense of justice. His loud intesity made me think he was "different", I thought it was because his sister had this quiet, determination about her and he was so very loud. Now I know better.
