Genetics

The human reproduction process is bizarre at the best of times. The whole birthing process has still yet to be sorted out by evolution and the sheer amount of time it takes babies to learn about their own bodies, let alone about other people, is a constant source of amazement to me.

Added onto this is the craziness that is human genetics. Many people who have met Jake are aware that he has bright blue eyes, with some small patches of brown in his right eye. However, neither of us have blue eyes, and it's only my mother and an uncle on my wife's side who do. It amazes me that this is still a possible combination. Fortunately, he is in the 98th percentile for height so it's clear that some genes are stronger than other given the number of 6 foot plus men on both sides.

The reason why I've been thinking more about genetics than normal is that Jake is now able to sit up unaided for extended periods, meaning that his hands are free to start grabbing at things (and generally putting them in his mouth!). At first, he would grab with whatever hand was closest and he would flail around until he managed to grab it.

Now, however, he's showing strong tendencies to reach for things with his left hand first, and only uses his right when his left is already full. We've tested this a little things by putting things in the middle of his vision, and he grabs with his left. We've even put things next to his right hand and he'll twist himself round to grab with his left. Again, neither of us are left handed, but my mother, maternal grandmother and older sister are. The family theory was that the first born was left handed, but my niece isn't. It's just interesting watching Jake develop this and wondering whether, like his eyes, it's a permanent part of who he is. If it is, I'm going to have get some help teaching him to write (more than if he's right handed!)