It seems as though Jackson has grown up "right before our eyes" like everyone has warned. All in one day, we have noticed we have an even more alert and interactive baby on our hands. On Sunday, Jackson turned five weeks old and spent the entire day eating with very little time for sleeping. For twelve hours, he took two half-hour naps and spent the rest of the time snacking with great fervour. The midwives said that he would have two of these feasting days toward the beginning, but Jackson has exceeded expectations and this was the seventh day like this. I don't know if all other babies have experienced this or if it is just a symptom of baby boys. Either way, all of this eating is paying off because Jackson now weighs 10 pounds 13 ounces and he is more aware of his surroundings--so his brain must be growing, too.
Besides getting cuter by the day, Jackson started to smile in response to singing and high-pitched 'silly' noises as well as when toys are dangled in front of his face. Sometimes, he reaches for the toys and taps them lightly. During changing time, he has stopped crying and enjoys watching his rainforest mobile go round and round. For a bit of respite, I'll let him lay a bit longer watching the leafy carousel until he gets bored or the device automatically turns itself off. Once this past week, I noticed that Jackson's pacifier fell out of his mouth and he actually pushed it back in from where it was on his chest with his fist. Jackson has luckily began to hold his food down much better than before and Lee and I can feel the difference in his weight when we hold him. He's still lean without much 'baby fat,' though. There's also been a big difference in his height because he really curls around me when he eats. (Next week, he will finally be measured officially at his first doctor's appointment.) And lastly, Jackson now stares into our faces for lengths of time and responds to us if we change facial expressions, sometimes.
This growing-up deal is tricky because although we want Jackson to be developing on track or ahead of the curve, we also want him to stay our little baby for as long as possible. After he gets his immunisations next Tuesday--which I am hoping to get through without any tears from either of us--we will start attending the mommy and baby groups where I'm sure comparisons amongst the babies will be made. I'll be able to see then if Jackson is on track with others his age. Also, hopefully I'll make some friends who live in Southport.
Over this past week, Jackson had some other changes: he grew out of some of his clothes and moved on to the next diaper size. All of these milestones are signs that our little bundle is growing up right before our eyes.
One month old!
A picture from Halloween
Our happy little baby
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
