Jackson at 2.5 months

Jackson is now 2 1/2 months old.

Growing Boy

At his 2-month well-baby appointment a few days ago, Jackson weighed in at 12 lbs 12 ounces. He measured 23.5 inches long. He has outgrown most of his 0-3 month outfits, and has moved to size 2 diapers. He got his 2-month shots and two band-aids (Curious George and Sponge Bob) as badges of courage.

Eating

Jackson is still a great eater- as evidenced by his steady weight gain! He is on a fairly routine feeding schedule, eating 7 times a day. He is still exclusively breast-fed. On workdays, I feed him 5 times a day and Jon gives him 2 bottles of pumped milk. When I get home from work Jackson has an extra-big appetite, like he is making up for lost time. According to Jon he takes a bottle very well, but prefers his milk "fresh". I love that I live so close to work. I have time to come home for lunch to feed Jackson, which really breaks up the day.

Sleeping

Jackson has been sleeping very well at night, and has been going to bed with relatively little crying. He normally goes to be around 7:30pm, wakes up at 3am for a quick feeding, then wakes up around 5:30-6 (this is actually perfect, so I can feed him before I leave for work at 6:30). After I leave for work he will occasionally sleep for 1-2 more hours (Jon loves those mornings when he can sleep in!), but usually Jackson is ready to play. 

Our biggest struggle with Jackson is napping. He still fights naps so bad! He can be completely exhausted but cries and fusses and won't got to sleep. We want him to nap in his bassinet. He sleeps in his bassinet at night with no problem, but only wants to nap if he is getting held or laying down next to us in our bed. Our pediatrician suggested that we let him cry it out for 20 min so he can learn to self-soothe. So far, letting Jackson self-soothe works about 10% of the time. The rest of the time he cries for 20 min then we pick him up and try to wrangle him to sleep. Thank goodness he has been such a good night-sleeper, because thinking about his napping habits makes me tired!

Social Development

Jackson smiles and coos let us know when he is a happy baby. Besides his interactions with us, he also smiles when he sees the mobile above his changing table and when he plays on his activity mat. He likes to coo at us from the stroller when he talk to him.

Physical Development

Baby Jackson is working on controlling his hands and arms. About a week ago we got out an activity mat for him to play with, and he is enjoying batting at the toys with his hands. In just a week's time he is already more coordinated and hitting the toys more consistently. He can amuse himself with his playmat for 10-15 minutes. 

He is also getting better at bringing his thumb into his mouth to suck his thumb. On some attempts he gets his index finger in, or occasionally tries to get his whole fist into his mouth. Sometimes he shoves his hand so far back that he gags himself! 

Jackson is still not a fan of tummy time, but now he has an escape route. Jackson rolled over for the first time at 2 weeks, but now he can do it more purposefully and more reliably, and he has a new method. He lifts his chest and head up high, lets gravity pull his torso over, then throws his hips. 

Cognitive Development

Jackson is turning into a very curious baby. He loves to sit perched on our shoulders so he can see all the action while we walk around. I think he's going to really enjoy sitting face-out in our baby carrier once he gets a little more neck control. 

Mom and Dad

 Tuesday is my last day off from work, then I'll be back working full-time instead of just 3 days a week. In my ideal world I think I would work just 3 days a week- it's the perfect mix of time with baby and adult/professional stimulation. But alas, the Air Force needs me on a full-time basis. 

Jon has been staying at home with Jackson. Jon's a great dad, and I think he's doing a wonderful job. He recently met another dad from our neighborhood who's going to be staying at home full-time with their twins. What a brave guy!

The weather here is starting to turn to fall. The evenings and mornings are now a little cool, and the last few days have been windy enough to warrant a little blanket around Jackson's legs in the stroller. Dressing him in onesies is so easy; I'm going to be sad when we have to dress him in pants and long sleeves.