I came down with a cold this week, and we decided to be cautious, so I didn't hold her for the first day or so. That really made me realize how much I've gotten addicted to holding and being close to Arianna; it was very hard not to! In celebration of Ari's third week, Ania and I watched the video of her birth, and looked at the pictures from her first few days. We're really enjoying having Arianna as part of our life!

Ari doesn't seem to have caught my cold, but she has definitely been giving her lungs a workout! To say she's found her voice is putting it mildly. I'm glad our neighbors all have kids, so they know we're not hurting her or anything; I don't think torture victims could hold a candle to some of her screams! Fortunately, it's pretty clear that it's digestion-related; her system is still developing. I know it's still relatively new for us, but I have to say, she's even cute when she cries!

Ari got her first piece of U.S. mail this week; her Social Security card arrived! Next week, I'll pick up her birth certificate.

Ari really enjoys stretching, something I think she picked up from her dad. She has a whole routine to how she does it, and I really get a kick out of it. I think part of why I like it is because it's something unique about her developing "personality". I know babies stretch, but her routine is almost certainly different from that of other 3-week-old babies.

I can really start to see a special bond forming between her and Ania, and it's a beautiful thing to watch happen!

She continues to enjoy her time on the floor, almost seeming to start taking an interest in the animals, mirror, and shapes on her "baby entertainment center" and the mobile hanging over her crib. We've also been exposing her to different seating arrangements, in addition to being held in our arms & laps. We hope this will make her less likely to be extremely partial to any one, though it's actually we who have the problem of wanting to hold her too much! :) She seems pretty happy spending time in different places, like the bouncy seat, the swing (goes forward and sideways), her crib (even when she's awake, just to get comfortable with it), and the Boppy pillow on the sofa (it's a good way for her to hang out close by but not being held, with her head and upper body inclined).

We went for a nice autumn walk in our neighborhood this week, to share the beautiful weather with her while it lasts. She napped most of the time, but got a little sun and a lot of fresh air, both of which were good for Ania and me as well! We also enjoyed some family time laying down on blankets on the grass in our backyard. Fall is Ania's and my favorite season, so it's fitting and makes us happy that Ari is a Fall baby. We're glad to be able to share some of this Fall's beauty with Ari, even if she can't really appreciate it yet.