Screeching, cereal, and plane rides...

Christian started to screech. Not just cooing anymore. We hope it's a sign he's developing verbal communication skills ;)
That's not all he's learned since rolling over three weeks ago. He's eaten rice cereal, flown on a plane, swam in a pool, dipped in the ocean, and is still learning to fall asleep by himself. It's such an amazing thing to see how fast he picks up on things, but at the same time one feels like it's taking time. You look for the next development and then suddenly it along with five other things have taken place.
To back up...
the rice cereal was almost a non-event. He accepted the spoon - indeed he had been eyeing us eating for awhile - and made faces at the food on it when inserted into his mouth. But he was still interested and even ate the whole tablespoon or whatever it was. Later that night in his crib, though, he was Mr. Grunters for a long time. And the following day, my husband told me, he had one of the most forceful poops of his life, pooping out of his diaper onto his clothes as well as on Dan's arm (he was holding him). So because of the possible digestive immaturity or sensitivity, we have yet to give him the cereal again. But perhaps tomorrow the bowels will cooperate.
Luckily the plane rides were short. The first was delayed and so we were able to fly with a sleeping child. Very cool. The return flight, however, started at nap time, which we missed because of the loading and taking off and cabin pressure, etc. He had a freakout, even though I tried to nurse him through it. Dan turned out to be the better comforter. When we were boarding, a couple with two children related their experiences flying with their kids. Apparently their son was not a pleasant companion his first two years of life. I can understand why. Adults aren't necessarily comfortable either on planes. The seat's small, the air smelly, the food nonexistent, the service getting less. Though it is still exciting to be flying over land - people, houses, cars, farms, cities, oceans...Another woman approached us when Christian was freaking out to say that the air blower - term? - that you can adjust helps babies get through the pressure cooker situation. I opened it as wide as it would go, but am not sure it did much. I think Christian just eventually cried himself to sleep.
I'm beginning to understand that Christian is a sensitive yet very good baby. You just don't really know what's normal - ever! But as his personality begins to shine through the babyness I think he is a lovey, sensitive boy - but one with some frustrations and tempers. Typical human perhaps. Typical relative of mine most likely.
More next time on family, finding a babysitter and cereal continued...