March 19, 2000 - Sunday
Harry seems like the perfect size now. He's more stable - flops around less and holds his head more still - than when he was younger, so he's easier to carry without worrying about him falling over whether he's facing forward, backward, or sideways. It also makes holding him with one hand much easier than before. At the same time he's still flexible enough to be wonderfully comfortable in most any position against my chest, be it face over my shoulder, with his back toward me and his feet dangling forward, or curled up in the traditional baby-rocking position.

He's coming close to doubling in weight since birth, but since it's easier to switch positions or arms now, the added bulk isn't really a deterrent. I do notice that my lower back has been aching more lately, so I've been trying to be very deliberate when I pick him up to bend properly and lift with my legs. So, far I haven't experienced the serious back pain I've had sporadically in the past, though I suppose I ought to renew my commitment to back exercises before that happens. Perhaps I can work Harry into some routine.

Harry's portability came in quite handy this evening as he woke up again is something of a fit of hysterics. Unlike the last time, he did not come around to realized that he was now awake and that no apparent danger remained. Rather, he seemed quite earnest that something was terribly wrong. His mother and I both had the sense that this was not a physical problem, as with past meltdowns, but rather some anxiety born in a dream. We both carried and tried to console him - rocking him, patting him, and reassuring him with soft words - and that seemed to move him toward serenity after his initial outburst of some 5-10 minutes. However, dare we put him down and he would quickly correct our misguided thoughts of complacency.


Comments, opinions?