Long-overdue three month post

Piper has crossed the magical three-month mark! She is becoming much more aware of her surroundings and wants to interact with them more and more. Here are some snipits of her world:

• She knows how to fuss at us instead of screaming all the time. Her fussy cry is lower and more staccato than her regular cry and often involves the consonants "n" and/or "m". It almost always makes us laugh at her instead of feeling sorry for her.
• Although she still coos, Piper has started to babble. Like her new cry, she is learning to utilize consonants in her speech.
• She will talk to just about anything. Her favorite toys are a flower that has a big smiling face and a plastic penguin.
• She has begun to reach and bat at anything within her sight. This includes her toys, mommy's hair, fabrics with interesting designs, jewelry, etc. Every once in a while she knowingly grabs ahold of whatever she's aiming for. This will, no doubt, become more deliberate.
• Talking and reaching for things have made feedings more difficult. Several times in the past few weeks she has been more interested in what's going on around her than eating.
• Giggles. Enough said.
• Piper is a total mommy's girl. Daddy is jealous, but I remind him that I have had to work very hard for those smiles and giggles.
• She finally has rolls on her legs and arms. She's still tiny for her age, but at least she's putting on a little fat!
• She has mastered the art of poking out her bottom lip. Between this and her long eyelashes, I don't think Daddy has a chance.
• If we're going to be in the car for more than an hour, Piper must have her own personal attendant to keep her entertained. It sounds crazy, I know, but there's no other way to get home for a visit without her screaming the entire way.
• Along with her dairy and soy allergy, we strongly suspect that she's allergic to both eggs and coconut.
• She has started medicine for acid reflux, something I desperately hope helps her nap and keeps her from wanting to eat every two hours during the day.
• Piper has been consistently sleeping through the night for about three weeks. Bedtime is 8:30, and she usually gets up in the morning between 6:30 and 7:00.
• After many weeks of trying, she finally has enough control over her hands to suck her thumb (and it's finally big enough to latch onto!). Mommy is thrilled about this development.

I have many pictures to post, but my computer is being uncooperative. I will upload them as soon as possible.

This week we are spending quality time in East Tennessee. Along with visiting family, Piper will have her first lake experience in two days!!! Her daddy has been talking it up to her since she was born. I hope she likes it as much as we do!