Jan. 27, 2000 - Thursday
Last time Harry went to the doctor and got a shot, he showed off his version of the classic big red-faced, delayed-audio wail. But, it took only a few, albeit very long, seconds for him to regain his composure, or lost interest, and all seemed right in his world (except with his mother who did not enjoy Harry's displeasure and took a little extra time). Today was Harry's second visit to the doctor for a shot and again he brought a tear to his mother's eye with his visible distress at the encroachment. As before, Harry's initial terrified reaction - red face, mouth agape - was mercifully short. But this time, after the big noise ebbed, Harry dragged it out with great baby effect. He's been vocalizing recently, with new coos and gahs, and in this case that seemed to translate into the quintessential baby sputtering and sobbing. He seemed to have it all: the pouty lower lip, the short little breaths, and the sad whining of "crying like a baby." Fortunately, that too passed with little more than a hint of things to come.

On a cheerier note, Harry actually seemed to be trying to copy his mother as she was making her own cooing noises to him. It's sounds too remarkable to be true, though maybe all six week old babies do this and it's just fascinating to us, or maybe we're just forming our own parental view of Harry's reality. However, twice (there were more, but two were very striking) as his mother was vocalizing to him, he responded with almost exactly the same vowel sound and presentation. Moreover, it sure looked like he was concentrating and trying hard to form his lips just like his mother's for the sounds. Unfortunately, a baby's attention span does not lend itself well to robust testing and confirmation procedures.


Comments, opinions?