Today Jack is...6 weeks old.

Six weeks old and it really hit us this week how much he's grown. He's feeling markedly heavier as I carry him around all day and he's much longer. Of course, that means more exercise I guess which is great because today I put on a pair of my old jeans. Woohoo! They're tight but it's an accomplishment. We can now hold Jack over our shoulder like a real kid and not a tiny newborn. His head control is decent. It would probably be better but Mommy can't stand tummy time because all the little guy does is scream. So tummy time lasts about 60 seconds and then it's over. But while the pediatrician and every website insists that you do it for a long time each day, I maintain that I'm sure babies in Africa aren't getting their mandatory "tummy time" and guess what? They'll still learn how to lift their heads. As will Jack. Sort of a human inevitability. I hope...

The lil' one kicked off the week with the cutest day ever and it was all downhill from there. I've read that 6 weeks is the peak of fussiness and I really hope that's true. He's only sleeping a couple hours a night and now, when he wakes for a feeding, he is so alert and it is very hard to get him back to sleep. Last night at his 1am feeding it took an hour and 45 minutes to get him down again. Mom and Dad were not happy. Myself more so and thank god John is there to teach me a little something called "patience". It's eluded me these 32 years but I guess I have to embrace it.

At six weeks he's starting to respond to us more. Meaning he really looks at us, smiles back at us (rather than random smiles), and is maybe starting to imitate our movements (spastic dance moves). He still won't take a pacifier and spits up what seems like most of the milk he drinks, but he's clearly gaining weight. He's still not quite interested in toys or holding anything, but hopefully that changes soon. Nighttime baths are routine now but he's still stuck somewhere between a happy and mad state in the water. Like a bewildered cautious optimism. I don't blame him. The bouncing ball is still the only guaranteed way to soothe him and, sadly, some days I think I spend a good 5 hours on the ball. I'm worried we're training him to only calm down with that bouncing motion but, like most things, I don't really care. When the baby is screaming, I'll do whatever I can to make it stop.

And now, pictures!

These pictures are keeping it real. He isn't always adorable. This was a popular look this week.

He likes to bounce on the ball right next to the big french doors because he's mesmerized by the outside.

My focus is not good. Or this may be a really good RayBan ad.

Love the whispy grandpa hair.

Cutest Day Ever

Yesterday was what I like to call Jack's cutest day ever. He was all smiles all day. Alert, happy (for the most part) and having fun. While today already seems to be going a different direction, I thought I should document how wonderful he can be as a constant reminder. I apologize for all of the pictures but he's just so darn cute.

Today Jack is...4 weeks old.

For those of you doing the math, he is one month old! It's amazing how much he's changed in 4 weeks. Physically, his features are more defined and mentally, he's so alert. My favorite times of the day are those 15 minutes or so at a time where he is a) awake, b) not crying, and c) just looking around and smiling. He loves all the bright colors and things on the nursery walls. He can stare at that stuff forever. The little guy really has started smiling more and I think this past week I heard what can only be described as a laugh. He still doesn't love baths but we're working on that. And at night he's certainly not sleeping 3 1/2 or 4 hours at a time like some of his peers, but, hey, at least he seems healthy and I can't help it if breastmilk is so enticing that he wants it every hour.

We're not sure how much he's grown but we'll find out at his one-month doctor's appointment this week. I'm guessing he's done a good amount of growing based on the hours of breastfeeding I've logged. Daddy went back to work this past week but he's done an amazing job of getting up for every feeding at night and doing all the diaper duty. A much appreciated respite for myself. And, luckily, I've been feeling pretty good. Not totally back to normal but I like going on walks with him and am not sore anymore. What the baby books don't tell you is that you don't lose your pregnancy weight from breastfeeding...you lose if from literally not being able to feed yourself much all day. It's a great diet that they should market to the public. Just have an infant or, if not, a doll, that you're not allowed to take your two hands off all day. Then see how much ice cream and brownies and burritos people can eat.

Anyways, happy birthday Jack! You're pretty awesome!

Today Jack is...3 weeks old

Three weeks of age and Jack is getting more and more alert. He enjoys looking at the bright wall decorations in his nursery and he is making eye contact with me and John. The best part of any day is when he's in his light sleep and breaks into a giant smile. Must be having amazing dreams about nursing or getting swaddled. Unfortunately, his title of champion sleeper will have to be revoked as he's only been sleeping about an hour at a time during the night. Makes for some very exhausted parents who aren't sure what they can do to fix it.

Jack still doesn't adore sponge baths but his love of the bouncy ball and lamb swing continues. Mainly he just likes to be held and he's had no shortage of volunteers with grandparents and aunts around. He'll wake up every now and then and stretch and flail his hands about but he can go right back to sleep. His dad is an expert at calming him down, usually by singing indie rock songs. I caught him singing "You Shook Me All Night Long" with a Scottish accent the other day and he defended his choice saying it was the indie rock Arab Strap version. Jack bought it but I'm not sure...

"My right hand is so fast that you'll never be able to capture it on film!"

Smile. No question mark.

This pic leaves no doubt... a real smile!

Of course, it was captured by Grandma while Mom was sleeping so I can't take credit for it. But the nap did feel pretty amazing. She also took this photo where I think Jack looks just like his dad, complete with the suspicious side glance.

Smile?

Come on, he's too damn cute.

Not sure if it was a real smile (maybe just a transition from frown to yawn). But I caught it on camera and I'm gonna say it was his first half-smile.