I don't know who programmed babies to have a growth spurt during their second week of life, but it is a a bit cruel to do to an already emotional mother. It's amazing how much Jackson's facial features have changed within the first two weeks and how much more alert and active he is with each passing day. It seems like he's always moving and making little squeaks--even in his sleep!
In England, parents need to register their child's birth at a registration office within 42 days in order to receive a birth certificate. This means one doesn't technically need to have a name picked out before leaving the hospital which seems strange to me. Last Tuesday, we travelled to Ormskirk to register Jackson's birth and buy copies of his birth certificate. We received a 'short' birth certificate free of charge, but had to buy any additional longer versions for £4 each. These versions are used to open bank accounts and order a passport. The meeting was fairly short and luckily, Lee and I were able to answer all of the questions posed, so we essentially 'passed' and our baby was registered.
Earlier that day, we visited a pumpkin patch to get Jackson out in the sun--trying to escape any remaining signs of jaundice--and to fetch a couple of pumpkins so that he gets the most out of his first Halloween. A British pumpkin patch is apparently a new tradition because the owner said this is only their third year of operation and Lee's grandpa said he had never seen a pumpkin until he went to the USA in the 1960s. Therefore, the pumpkin patch was no Honey Haven Farms, but I did like the mini wheelbarrows they had available to collect the pumpkins and push them back to the storefront. Halloween itself isn't celebrated a great deal here. For instance, last year only three children came to our house for candy. It also isn't spoken of at Catholic schools so I'd have to search long and hard to find any bobbing-for-apples, costume contests, or spooky stories like we had at Montgomery Elementary long ago. Halloween doesn't have to be 'evil.' When I think back to Halloween as a child, it was all fun and games and great memories...that is except for going to the Delaney house for candy. Mr. Delaney knew how to scare the bejeezus out of every child in the neighbourhood by recruiting former students to create scenes of horror and sneakily follow behind trick-or-treaters from his cul-de-sac up the steep Rook Drive. I remember feeling as though my legs wouldn't move trying to get up that hill running from the masked characters. For a few years, I just avoided all the houses in that cul-de-sac because it wasn't worth the tricks for the treats.
Last week, the health visitor and midwife came to see how Jackson was doing. His weight went down to eight pounds and four ounces, but she reassured me that was a normal weight loss. Today, my favourite midwife came to visit--her name is Laura--and Jackson has gone up to nine pounds and six ounces. She noticed his strong neck and ability to hold his head up and to sit up on my lap with great competence. Since all was well, we were both 'discharged' from midwifery-led care and we're now in the care of the health visitor if there are any questions.
Today was also the day that Lee returned to work and Jackson and I were left to our own devices. Because he is still going through a growth spurt, he is eating a lot and left me with only two and a half hours free--believe it or not. The midwives warned me about these big days of non-stop feeding, but I didn't take the warning too literally or seriously. Whatever Jackson needs, I'll provide so I am happy to spend these days at home with him and centre the hours around his schedule.
A couple of things that he hasn't 'grown' out of yet: small tufts of hair on the side and back of his ears, quiet peeps of snoring, and sweet little whispery puffs of breath.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
