What do newborns think about?
What do you think is going on in a newborn's brain? Do you think they're basically like, well, bugs or something in that they pretty much operate on purely biological basis? Is there anything going on upstairs other than EAT/SLEEP/STARE AT WALL WHILE LIMBS WAVE UNCONTROLLABLY? Dylan's starting to emerge from his initial all-coma-all-the-time mode but he's still very . . . well, let's just say this video looked awfully familiar to me. I definitely think of him as having a personality, thanks to all the goofy facial expressions and weird noises he makes, but I doubt any of that is actually under his control. Which is probably good news for his long-term likeability; let's be honest, no one likes a grown man who rips giant farts while turning purple, grunting, and flinging his arms around like a drunken tai chi instructor.
He just started turning his lower lip down in an exaggerated pout when he's fussing, which I think is hilarious. I remember Riley doing the same thing as a little baby; isn't it crazy that we come pre-loaded with instinctual expressions like that? What Darwinian function does the dramatic pout serve?
When he's sleeping I watch his face twitch as the appearance of different emotions drift across like clouds. He's test-driving the enigmatic smile, the deep furrowed frown, the grimace of distaste. His eyes flutter, and open: blue, and completely mysterious. What color will they eventually turn? What kind of kid will he grow up to be? Will he be like Riley, or like me, or like his dad, or completely unique and unpredictable?
He's not talking. But oh, I'm enjoying the show.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
claire 2-28-2008 @ 6:46PM
Ahhh, I don't have any answers, but I sure remember wondering the same things as I stared at my newborn son for hours on end. And at least once a day, my boyfriend looked at him in awe and wonder and said "What on Earth is he THINKING?"
I'm sure there are studies (that I haven't read) that have some kinds of answers, but I'd rather keep wondering myself.
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rebecca Biernesser 2-28-2008 @ 6:52PM
I personally think that mine last two wanted to know what was happening on General Hospital and hated cliff hangers...my first child wanted to know what happened to that voice he always heard bitching at me when I was at work and pregnant...They all were thinking about feeding time and being snuggled though..
Just what my kids thought about :-)
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ame s 2-28-2008 @ 7:27PM
Oh, such a sweet little face!
I'd bet they often wonder why we parents are making those goofy faces and talking "in that way"!
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Monica 2-29-2008 @ 9:28AM
Here is a cute take on what they're thinking :)
http://www.weevictory.com/
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