Month 3

 Senses: Eye coordination has improved so much that your baby can now easily follow an object through a 180-degree arc. That means playtime is more fun and dynamic -- patty-cake, anyone?

Body: When lying on her stomach, your little one peels her chest off the ground and lifts her head up 45 degrees (in yoga, this is aptly called Baby Cobra).

Brain: Your baby's burgeoning understanding of the world is based on predictable patterns, so when you stray from your normal routine -- traveling to visit family or staying out later than usual -- she may act upset or unsettled.

Communication Skills: It's ooh and aah time as your newborn begins making vowel sounds.

Aww Factor: That first amazing smile turns you into a big puddle of mush.

Fave Toy: A rattle. Your baby loves grasping objects and exploring sounds.

Playtime: Sing-along. Now that your baby is more responsive, she'll whoop with glee at your off-key performance.

Month 4
Senses: As a newborn, he would only respond to black and white and high-contrast colors. He can now distinguish all the shades of the rainbow.

Body: Your baby is starting to sit with the support of his hands or a pillow. He's also beginning to reach out for objects.

Brain: He's becoming more aware of his surroundings and connecting the sight of things with pleasure -- his mother's face with warmth, the breast or bottle with nourishment.

Communication Skills: Cries are now more deliberate. He may pause between sobs to see whether you're coming to the rescue. He may also cough or squeal to elicit a response.

Aww Factor: Your little one has started giggling, and all is good in your world.

Fave Toy: Bubbles! He'll get a kick out of watching them float through the air.

Playtime: Lay out a playmat or a blanket and scatter toys around. Get down on his level and encourage him to reach out and start rolling or inching toward them.

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