Alex has learned a new trick: she's learned how to scream. No, I'm not talking about crying at the top of her lungs when she's upset -- she actually rarely does that. What she has discovered is that she can open her mouth as wide as it can go, and let out the most blood-curdling, ultra-sonic shriek known to mankind. Glass shatters. Everyone on our block falls to their knees, their hands covering their ears in pain. Dogs from miles away start barking.
And then, supremely pleased with herself, she smiles.
At first, Marcus and I thought it was the cutest thing. "Oh look," we clapped with glee, "she's discovering the power of her own voice. She's communicating. She's entranced by her own sounds!" And we grinned like dim idiots.
But now, after about 3 days straight of this screeching, it dawns on me that perhaps other people in the world won't be nearly as charmed by her new little skill as we are. People, say, at the same fine dining establishment that we are. Or, say, people on airplanes. Or funerals.
Unfortunately, now we can't get her to stop. "Shhh," we say, cajolingly. "Be quiet, sweet little one."
And she looks at us, smiles, and takes it up another pitch.
So, apologies in advance if we happen to be on your flight, or sitting next to you in church, or just happen to be driving through your quiet little neighbourhood. And if anyone has any tips on how to keep a three-month old somewhere below the decibel level of say, a supersonic jet, please feel free to pass them along. We're open to anything.
My son does the same thing. Don't worry you learn to tune it out. The only time he does it now is when we do something he doesn't like, such as not pay attention to him. : ) Enjoy it this is the good stuff.
Posted by: jenni | Sunday, June 06, 2004 at 06:53 PM
I remember Noah doing this! And then later he started shoving his hands down his throat until he gagged and then would laugh and do it again. He would do it while I was driving and the sound of him almost-vomiting repeatedly was ... well, it made merging on the freeway very challenging. I'm really hoping Madison avoids all of that and just goes straight to speaking in complete sentences. That would save me a lot of stress. I think I'll go talk to her about that now.
Posted by: Dawn | Sunday, June 06, 2004 at 07:06 PM
My 6 month old blows raspberries and spits all day long. She can get pretty loud, and her spit can fly pretty far. No amount of "sshhing" has worked, so I've resigned myself to the fact that it's something that makes her happy, and that it's merely a phase! :-)
Alex is just so darn cute, btw. She kinda reminds me of my baby.
Posted by: Wendy | Monday, June 07, 2004 at 05:18 PM
ironic how it is 2 years of wanting them to walk and talk and then 16 years of wanting them to sit down and be quiet :)
It is amazing though when they realize they are actually making something happen
Posted by: twyla | Tuesday, June 08, 2004 at 04:48 AM
Agreeing with Jenni, you will learn to tune it out and as soon as she stops getting as much attention from it, it will get old and she will move on to something else. Until then...How cute!!!!
Posted by: Angie | Tuesday, June 08, 2004 at 05:32 AM
Perhaps she is just learning leadership communication skills like her mama?
Posted by: Dan | Tuesday, June 08, 2004 at 01:53 PM
THat is adorable. I remember my niece doing this for hours. She will tire out soon enough!
Posted by: Rachael | Wednesday, June 09, 2004 at 05:28 PM
That was Alex??? I wondered what that far-off sound was!
Makena is now 4.5 months and she has been doing the same thing now for about a month. She also spits and drools and blows bubbles and raspberries. Her big brother, Aidan, who is 19 months and all boy, loves to imitate her various noises, and sometimes it's like they're actually conversing.
I've chosen to cherish these sweet little noises. Soon enough they will be replaced with slamming doors and back-talk and other teenaged nonsense.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Tina | Monday, June 14, 2004 at 01:10 AM
I love your blog and your baby is adorable! This entry on the "noise" made me crack up and laugh out loud.
And, most importantly, your blog is grammatically correct!!!!
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, June 18, 2004 at 04:38 PM