What is she thinking?

Extensive scientific research has only given us a limited understanding of how newborns' brains work. What is really going through their minds? How are they making sense of what they experience? To what extent can we even understand the proto-thoughts of a newborn?

In the last couple of days, we've gotten an interesting window into Elaine's thoughts. She is a very alert girl. Spending long periods of time looking all around the room with the slightest bit of calm consternation on her face. Of course, newborns can't focus beyong 18 inches from her face. One wonders what she thinks of the faces, shapes, lights she sees. Elaine is also a keen listener. We don't know how she regards the voices and music she hears. She does stop and listen intently when one speaks or sings. She does recognize her mom's voice and often starts seeking food when she hears it.

Elaine treats us to a variety of facial expressions--both while she's awake and in her sleep. We're already debating whether she makes faces like her sister, her mom, or her dad, particularly with her furrowed brow.

Today was a more relaxing day, Elaine slept and ate a bunch. She had some spit up, but was able to keep some down. Meredith went back to preschool today. She brought a picture of her and her new sister to show her teachers and her friends. She was very proud.

Meredith loves to spend time around her new sister. It's been a big change for her and has resulted in a mixed response. After being asked to go back to her bed for the fifth time about an hour past bedtime, she yelled, "You don't let me do anything!" I thought it was a more likely response from a 13 year-old, not a three year-old. Yet, there she was expressing her thoughts on the parental attention deflected from her. Though, earlier in the evening, she offered to help change Elaine's diaper and was an excellent assistant. We know she's going to be a great sister and will teach Elaine so many things.