What happened to my tiny little babies? My tiny helpless babies who were not even remotely threatening to become mobile EVER? My tiny, quiet babies who never made a peep?
When the babies were in the NICU, their cries sounded like kittens mewing. It was cute, even, and it never lasted more than a few seconds. The never moved much, even unswaddled. They would stare into space, and they’d look for me if they heard my voice, but beyond that, they didn’t do much. Still, I thought they were just the bees knees. I mean, most people probably didn’t think they were all that interesting, but I sure did. Was I complaining that they weren’t smiling yet? No. Was I complaining that they weren’t running and jumping yet? No. Was I complaining that they weren’t winning any debate competitions yet? Was I complaining that they weren’t writing their dissertations yet? No. Was I complaining that they hadn’t yet made their first million? N-.. er… maybe, but that’s just because I wasn’t sure what the hospital bills were going to look like…as it turns out, insurance covered the full cost of their NICU stay.
Still, grow they must, and my babies are certainly growing. Abby started smiling in early January and Ellie followed soon thereafter. Sam didn’t like the nickname Smiley, which we’d given him before he had a name. His revenge was that he refused to smile until February, but now he’s the smiliest of them all and giggles and squeals along with his big gummy grins. They are all cooing and giggling and smiling and squealing like normal babies now. Abby grabs for toys, and this morning instead of drinking her bottle, she played with my hair – completely fascinated – for a full 20 minutes. They have discovered that there are many things in this world that are far more interesting than the inside of a pack n’ play or their cribs and they want to know all about it!
Unfortunately, Sam’s figured out that he’ll learn much more about the big wide world if he can move into more of it. To that end, the big guy rolled over Tuesday night from his back to his tummy. He didn’t like it much, because that landed him on his tummy and if there’s one thing my babies hate, it’s tummy time. But he must not have hated it too much, because the next morning while playing in his crib, he did it again! And I missed it both times, darnit (I saw the result, but not the actual action). And by golly, that little stinker keeps doing it, and keeps doing it when I’m not around. That’s okay, because I’m not eager to confirm that it’s any more than a fluke, because rolling over… well, gosh, rolling over is just the first step (no pun intended) toward mobility and then my life will become H-E-double-hockey-sticks!
Can you imagine? I can, and it’s not going to be pretty. In fact, this might be worse than the dreaded transition to solid food!*
Dear Lord in Heaven, HELP ME!
* (Which, by the way, I’ve pretty much decided can wait until after Passover when they’re closer to 6 months adjusted… so there!)
ChezPerky 
I’ve thought your babes were the Bees Knees from the get go as well too… And fwiw, I’ve been waiting on our first million with baited breath as well.
Yay Senor Smiley for the Big Roll of ’08… He’s so cool…
When Ruby learned to sit up, she would only do it when no one was watching. we would leave the room & she’d by lying down. We’d come back – sitting up! I kept accusing Brian of sneaking in the room & sitting her up! Not that we left her along for that long. Oh, now I just sound like a bad parent!
I hope you share smiling pictures soon!
oooh, i do miss how teeny they were back in the NICU days, but smiling, now that’s the bees knees!
mobility, however…is just plain scary.
Trust me when I tell you that mobility is truly frightening. We have great crawlers (usually following me everywhere) and my house looks like the county jail with gates everywhere. One of them is pulling himself up and climbing things now and another is right behind him.
Solids were a piece of cake in comparison!