Sleep Patterns

Although the plan was to have Jackson start sleeping in his own bed when he turned six months old, we didn't enact the new rule until this past week (he's now seven-and-a-half months old).  I wasn't quite ready to move Jackson to the other side of the wall and I didn't see much sense in it since I was still getting up every two hours to feed him.  So, instead of walking to another room, I just had to wake up and walk two steps.

Jackson seems a lot older lately, for a baby, and I felt like he was ready to finally move into his own room.  I am still getting up every two hours (on average) to feed Jackson.  One time this week, I got to sleep for three-and-a-half hours in a row.  On two other occasions since October, I have had the good fortune of sleeping longer than two hours.  Surprisingly, I have gotten used to this weird sleep pattern.

I still feel lucky because Jackson goes right back to sleep after he's full and has done this every day.  I've heard stories of other babies who like to get up for an early morning party that could last two hours.  I'm not sure which situation is better.

Can you imagine setting your alarm clock to go off every two hours?  (With no 'snooze' option available.)  That's what feeding time feels like with a baby, for the mom.  All I can do is laugh in the morning when Lee says, "Jackson's getting better at sleeping through the night; he didn't wake up at all last night."

The nurse said that once Jackson started eating solid foods--which has been going on for two months--he would sleep for longer stretches during the night.  I've heard that presidents and geniuses can't sleep for more than four hours at a time, so imagine what we've got on our hands here with a two-hour-sleeper!

Learning how to feed himself with apple rice cake snacks

Why, Jackson, why?  He reached into his bowl, then onto the spoon, and then all over his face.  This happened within the span of about eight seconds.

Feeling happy and strong

Playing and exploring on his own

Developmental updates:  Jackson now weighs 21 pounds 13 ounces.  He mainly only wears 9-12 month clothes, but still fits into a few of his 6-9 month outfits.  This week, he has become even more playful and laughs endlessly.  In his Little Tikes garden centre, he can push open the shutters to find someone hiding on the other side.  Usually, it's Mommy or Daddy, but sometimes his monkey and bunny stop by to visit.  The first time he found me through the shutters, he smiled, giggled, and reached through to touch my face, proving to himself that it was indeed his mom.  He has also figured out how to change the songs on his mobile by pushing the buttons--with his feet!  Jackson tried watermelon for the first time this week and didn't like it; however, he likes everything else including courgette (zucchini), sweet potato, beef, roasted potatoes, strawberries, and cauliflower with cheese.

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