After their now routine post-breakfast cleanup, mobiles, and diaper changes, today’s playtime was the texture books again, but this time it was pictures, with different materials for different parts of the picture. A bird could have a soft felt for the down, and canary feathers for the tail feathers, and the nest could be twiggy. A beach ball would have three different smooth materials for the different colors of the ball, and the beach sand would be very slightly gritty. After a few pages she asked Ken and Karen to predict the texture of something before they touch it.
When that was done, Maribel asked for Ken and Karen’s tablets from under their caddies and they allowed her to take them so that she could upload a few 3-D apps that were good for their coordination. She lent out her mobiles kit and the texture book to them and instructed them and their mom on how they should continue. She also brought out some other toys to lend to them for use when they were more skilled in their new bodies. The inflatable tubes were free and Ms. T. said she would get a good rolling mat for them before they could get used to the texture of the low pile carpet in her house.
Then, it was time to use Maribel’s mat for one last time. This time Maribel had the two of them exercising their legs and arms on the log, and then rolling along the mat. She told them that the primary purpose of the battery of exercises this week was not so much to strengthen their tiny muscles, it’s mainly psychological: to encourage their “high-energy child” instinct a little more. Studies showed regenerates really benefited from this activity early, as well as non-regenerate infants. The little consultant also talked to Emily on nutrition and to encourage as much bonding as possible. She told her that jarred food is great but home-made baby food is most flexible. She handed Emily her compliment of home made infant meat dinners for when that time comes, and told her to make it a surprise every meal time and rotate everything around while adding new stuff. She reiterated that it was up to her, but do not feel hesitant to continue breast feeding directly, while occasionally supplementing formula and cow’s milk. Along with the meats, Maribel gave Ms. T. the rest of her preserves, another week’s worth, minus the strawberries that were thrown out earlier, and told her that the Millie Mosquito kit has already uploaded the allergy test data to their pediatrician.
Lunch time was peaches. Karen hated peaches, and had always her whole life. However, she really did not want to upset the routine so she asked them to ignore the reflexive gags and yucky-faces and she will try to get used to them. Ken was very tolerant of anything sweet. That’s just the way he always had been.
After diapers, the regenerate infants were put in their caddies for their naps so Maribel and Emily could go over a few more things with Ms. T. When they wake up Maribel wants to have a talk with both of the Hendersons about their future.