Six Months

On Monday, Jackson will turn six-months-old.  This is a big milestone because he will begin eating solid food and move into his crib in his room to sleep at night.  He has been noticing food and snacks more often and has been watching us eat and make our morsels 'disappear,' but it's his turn to taste something other than milk.  I think the biggest change for me will be moving him into his own room and not having him within arm's reach during the night.  Sometimes I wake up and listen carefully for his little breaths to make sure he's still breathing.  Other times I can't go back to sleep after feeding him, so I just watch him curl-up under his covers and dream away.  It will take some adjusting for both of us, I assume.

This week we had a really nice visit from one of my best friends who lives in Preston.  We took Jackson on a walk and he had his first trip to the beach.  It was surprisingly very warm and sunny that day, so we took advantage of the sunshine and walked as long as we could.

Jackson also received his first Easter basket from the Easter Bunny and although he got many nice books and stuffed animals, he of course reached for the fake grass and pulled all of it out.  On Monday--which was a public holiday or "bank holiday" in England--we visited Lee's relatives in Chester at his grandpa's house.  His uncle brought some baby pictures of Lee and Jackson does look very similar to the pictures; although, we decided that he did inherit many of my facial expressions.

Looking very dapper in his Easter outfit

Going straight for the paper grass.  Books from the Easter Bunny and stuffed animals from Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter and Aunt Paige.

Happy First Easter, Jackson!

Jackson with Lee, Grandpa McRae, and Great-Grandpa McRae

Enjoying his visit with Karen

Reading a puppy book during his 'independent play'

Developmental updates:  Jackson has become very interested in little things like tags, labels, and buttons and likes to turn them over and over, examining their textures and images or words.  He is making the 'd' sound now and has become more talkative in public.  Jackson has started getting into a crawling position and reaching forward for toys that he wants.  He usually does this from a sitting position and then rolls sideways to get onto his stomach.  During diaper changes, he doesn't stay as still as he used to so we need to give him something to hold for a distraction--he usually grabs the wipes bag and listens to the crinkly sound.  Jackson has started to play 'independently' for short sessions during the day.  He will think that I have left the room, but I sit behind him and he selects which toys to play with and surprises me sometimes with the new ways he chooses to play with his toys.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.