•  May lift head slightly while on tummy.
• May hold an object briefly if placed in open hand.

•  Movement of arms and legs become more fluid and more voluntary.
• Can turn head while lying on back.
• Is starting to experiment with sounds other than crying. (thank goodness!!:)

He is becoming more responsive and social. He is starting to learn how to express his feelings in ways other than crying. He may even smile or kick to show affection.

He will stop sucking to listen to an interesting sound or to watch something he finds captivating.

His movements are still generally reflex actions, but he is gaining control and learning how to move his arms and legs more fluidly.

•  Switches from reflexive to voluntary movements.
• Moves arm and leg on one side in unison and then arm and leg on the other.
• Can lift head for several minutes

 She is starting to be largely in control of her movements and may even be able to sit briefly with support.

Remember that the first years are the most important in learning and brain development. Talk to your child, hold her, sing to her and read to her. Play games with her and just enjoy her. Try and see the world through her eyes. Everything is big, new, exciting and full of wonder. The simplest things are cause for joy.

• Can lift head and chest from floor while on tummy.
• May roll from side to side while on tummy.
• Can maintain sitting position for several minutes with support.

 She is learning new things everyday and now she can stay awake and alert for up to an hour at a time.

She recognizes the faces and voices of those she sees and hears most often and may even show dislike or resentment toward new ones.

She may be making her first consonant sounds, generally 'p' 'b' and 'm'.

• Can roll from tummy to back.
• On tummy, lifts head and chest high off surface.
• May be able to sit briefly without support.
• When supported under arms, stands and moves body up and down, stamping feet alternately.

 He's really starting to get going now. He may be able to roll over from tummy to back and maybe back to tummy as well.

He can probably sit briefly and his laugh is something most of us will totally humiliate ourselves for.

By the way, as your baby is learning to speak, it is crucial that his parents speak correctly, not in 'baby talk'. Otherwise, no one will understand him and years down the road you may have to pay a speech therapist quite a bit of money to reteach him how to talk.

•  Reaches out to grab things with better coordination
• Learns that objects don't disapear when they fall; they drop to the floor.
• Begins to string consonant sounds along like she's talking.
• Studies objects from ever angle she can reach or get them at.

 Now she may stay alert for up to two hours in a stretch. She is beginning to noticeably mimic how you talk, the tone, volume and rate. If she is growing up with yelling, she will begin to learn to yell because she thinks that's the right way to do it.

Around now, you will probably start to feed her baby food. Talk to your doctor first, but it's recommended that you start with something simple, only a few teaspoons and don't force her. Make sure that you only introduce one food at a time and wait a week before introducing another one. This way, if she turns out to be allergic to something, it will be easy to see what it is.

•  May begin crawling
• Can sit unsupported for longer periods of time.
• Is able to stand supported.
• Hand-eye coordination is improving.

 He may be able to crawl or he may scoot on his bottom or pull himself forward with his hands. However he chooses to do it, he is most likely working on getting around by now.

He also may have teeth coming in. Bibs and teething rings are a good idea to have handy right now. Don't be discouraged if those first teeth take months, chances are it will be nothing and then an explosion when they're ready.

•  Sitting is improving and continues to steady.
• May push up into a crawling position from tummy.
• May pull herself up on furniture or your legs.
• May need help getting down from a standing position.
• Learns pincer grip (thumb and forefinger)
• May be afraid of strangers.

This month brings new awareness and insight as your child learns such concepts as "in" "out" and "all gone". While she probably can't vocalize these yet, she's learning them just the same.

Some of her favorite games now include "Peek-A-Boo" and "Drop Everything So Mom Can Pick It Up" While this last game is especially frustrating, remember that she is working on her depth perception and that sort of game is what helps her.

Remember to take her in for her regular doctor's appointments. Immunization, a good diet and routine check-ups are very important to having a happy, healthy baby.

•  May control speed while crawling.
• May try and crawl up the stairs.
• May be able to stand without holding onto something.
• Waves "Bye-bye"
• May begin "cruising" (walking from couch to coffee table, etc.)

 By this time, he may say "mama" or "dada" and he may show comprehension of some words and commands like "no" or "going bye-bye".

In the next few months, he will probably be taking his first few steps and soon after begin walking all over the place.

Make sure that you are continuing to read and play with him and if it's possible, it doesn't hurt to let him socialize with other children around his age although he may completely ignore them. :)

•  Will search for hidden objects.
• Likes to walk holding on to parent's hands.
• Will hold something in one hand and use the other to "cruise".

 She will imitate your behavior in greater detail. If you talk with your hands you will probably find her making some of the same motions and believe me, it's a funny sight!

She may like to bounce and wiggle to music, especially music she hears often.

•  Recognizes and points to different body parts when asked.
• Knows when he's doing something wrong, may exhibit guilt.
• May climb out of crib or playpen.

 He's becoming more independent every day! You will also probably find that he is starting to try and do some things for himself.

Feeding time is going to be getting messy if it isn't all ready. It's a good idea to put a baby fork and spoon next to his plate if you aren't already. That way he can become comfortable with them and he will try and imitate what you do with them.

• May start walking
• Climbs in and out of crib or playpen.
• May show preference to one hand.
• May be able to pull off clothing.
• May make swimming motions in tub.
• Continues to develop self-identity.
• May enjoy playing with siblings and other children.
• Solves simple problems.

 She is finally beginning to realize her dream of independence and mobility although at the same time, she may experience fear of going too far away from Mom.

For us parents, this is another step in the long process of teaching our children to fend for themselves. By now, your little one probably seems less like a baby and more like a little boy or girl, especially as she starts to talk and perfects her mobility.

By now, you probably realize how fast this all goes. All I can tell you is that it gets faster from here. :) Just take one day at a time and a lot of pictures; before we all know it, we'll be holding our grand babies!