7 weeks and all's well

Two. That would be the number of times there was an unassisted roll from tummy to back. Not exactly an advanced gymnastic maneuver, but progress is made as a small milestone is reached.

But the most amusing incident recently was born out of the growing proficiencies with facial expressions, whether deliberate or accidental. Picture mom and dad holding their precious 7-week old daughter. Then, her blank staring expression turns to a beaming smile. Parental surprise and delight causes their faces to light up and exude little sounds of joy. From a baby's perspective, however, this reaction is merely change. Change is a cause for stress. The smile is quickly replaced.

To call the new expression one of distraught would severely undervalue the enormity of sheer distress that now blanketed her tiny face. The forehead wrinkles would make any shar-pei proud. The eyebrows were now at 60 degrees of inclination, rising up from the far corners of her eyes. But the true kicker was that tiny bottom lip. It wasn't just sadly protruding out further than Cyrano's nose. It was quivering.

Suffice it to say, a very small child just taught herself one big lesson in parental manipulation. We're in so much trouble.