The big world out there

Up until a few days ago, Cooper wasn't really that "into" the world around him. Sure, a toy might catch his attention, or a bright light or big colorful object might get stared at. For instance, when the city bus drove by the bay window- oh boy did that look neat!

It seems like overnight he decided the world is really exciting. He has begun enjoying sitting in my lap facing outwards, where he can watch terribly exciting stuff like Dad shoveling gravel. Oooo! Crunchy sounding AND watching Dad! And Matt has started stuffing him into the wrap with his body facing out, rather than inwards, and by golly is that the coolest thing Cooper has ever seen. He stares out into the world, waving his arms excitedly from time to time. It is so darn cute!

I'm not sure if this represents a pure mental shift, or a mental plus eyesight improvement (along with huge strides in upright head control), but it is very funny and interesting to watch Cooper engage with the world around him. Stuff that previously was ignored is now utterly fascinating. I feel like he must have a constant running inner voice that goes like this...

"LOOK! There is that big black dog again! and a window! and now we are going outside! There are plants outside! And we are going into the shed! There is pointy stuff in the shed! And we are going outside AGAIN! So exciting! LOOK! A chicken! And there is our house! And more flowers! So exciting!"

As an added bonus, he likes to look at himself in the mirror. He smiles at "the other baby" that lives in the mirror and seems to really get excited when that baby is also smiling. Of course, "the other baby" simultaneously gets excited, so the whole thing feeds itself. Very funny.