February 10, 2026- Hana has established a spot in her sleeping bassinet, where she is comfortable being by herself and snoozing for hours. I know when she is ready to go from my shoulder to the bed, as she will shift from my shoulder to my chest. A rib cage is a poor substitute for a soft pad. All she wants in the latter is a small blanket covering her torso and legs.

She is also content being by herself in the bassinet with a mobile. She now likes watching the revolving dogs, and talks to them. The only time that doesn’t work yet is during our dinner time in the next room. She wants to be a part of the gathering, even though it’ll be a while before she can eat solid food. Our girl is very sociable.

It helps to tune in to each little move towards her independence, both for her self-assurance and for her parents’ feeling of personhood. The first month of a child’s earthly life is full=blown newness of everything that is encountered. It is also hard for the parents, who have been so used to adult-centered routines. I am glad to have been around and to let them know that this is just standard for a brand new relationship-one that will figure in their lives, for the rest of those lives, in one way or another.

Hana is slowly getting a sense of her own space, and while she will revert to needing comfort at times, the arc is bending towards a slight independence.