Jack’s Quest Up The Beanstalk

Jack has finally figured out to suck on his fingers and fist. This means that being swaddled causes immense frustration for him but it does mean that we are closer to not needing to swaddle him. The reason why swaddling helps babies sleep is because when they are newborns they are unaware their arms are in fact, their arms. They wave them about unknowingly and wake themselves up with the sensation or they scratch and poke themselves while asleep. If you swaddle them, it comforts them and prevents these awakings. However….when a baby wants to suck his fist and he cannot, he certainly will tell you about his annoyance with you.
Jack has also started mastering smiling. He smiled at Mommy today when she went to wake him up from his morning nap; three times, in fact. He loves playing the nose game, too. It’s where you pretend to eat his nose, then lower your’s so he can do the same. Then he grins.
He has also learned that if you cry out ” ENH!” when your fish mobile stops moving, Mommy or Aunt Sally will run to start it again. He likes that game, a lot. Maybe this post should be called “Manipulation of Mommy!”

Jack is getting bigger each week. Today our midwife Lisa announced he gained another four ounces, bringing him up to 8 pounds, 7 ounces. He’s gained a pound beyond his birth weight, or so. Trust me, Mommy can verify how it all happened.
Jack is also becoming very interested in things around him. Yesterday, he smiled and cooed at the fish on his swing and today, he tried to follow the fish on his mobile on the swing for quite a time. Then he wiggled his fingers and tried to focus his eyes on them. It didn’t work as well, as he kept getting crosseyed.
Jack is also learning to sleep on his own. Last week, we began a sleep routine that was a little more parent lead, not Jack followed. Mom and Dad are learning to watch his sleepy cues and body language more carefully, and are learning more about how babies at this age sleep and use sleep to grow and learn. Much thanks goes out to Tracy Hogg,( the Baby Whisperer) Dr. Karp and Dr. Weissbluth for making Mom and Dad feel more in control of what happens to Jack and understanding his needs better. Not every cry means he’s hungry, although….he is OFTEN hungry!

A special happy Mother’s Day to Grandma Tish and Grandma Edith. Jack wishes he could cuddle you today!
Love,
Matt, Marcy and Jack

Jack has discovered his latest love- his car seat. It makes him very happy and he loves to take his naps in it. In fact, if he’s fussy, he likes to get in it and go for a car ride. Tonight, we went to Dairy Queen and Jack enjoyed his car seat ride so much, he had a nap, which made us very very happy.
He also likes looking around and has discovered that he can see further and further each day. He is also making friends with the cats. In fact, Matt tells that Jack patted Quentin( accidentally, of course) and Quentin kept purring each time Jack’s hand brushed him. The cats enjoy sniffing at Jack but hurriedly back away should he start to fuss or cry.

Jack smiled, a real smile, not one of gassy substance. Yesterday, while Mom was busy making a fool of herself cooing over Jack, he smiled at her-TWICE!

Jack is 12 days old today. We went to the midwive’s clinic today, where Jenni said Jack is doing very well- he gained another 1.5 oz, bringing him up to birth weight already! He’s now 7 pounds, 9.5 oz. He continues to feed as though it were going out of style and loves to snuggle afterwards. His schedule is crazy erratic but not impossible to deal with.
He went to JCR and met some of Mom’s students and colleagues, all of whom thought he was gorgeous. Everyone was hoping he’d wake up and show off his eyes but he slept through the whole experience. Perhaps next time he’ll be awake!
Tomorrow is Dad’s first day back at work, and Mom’s a little nervous about being on her own all day but it will be an adventure!