At about week 2 or 3 Jack would make "Ahhh", "Woooo" and squeal noises involuntarily when excited about something. Over the next couple weeks he would do them more and more - mainly when playing. Then it progressed further and he added to his repertoire with gurgles, chortling, "Gooo", and his favourite, "AGoooo". He started doing them when he was left alone (in bed or while laying at the window), then he started doing them to us while we were bathing or changing him. Now he's doing them at any time.

Al went back to her work the other day to catch up - they have an official Mum's and Babies meeting once every two months to keep in touch with people on maternity leave. They did an official presentation and Jack spent the entire time loudly yelling "AGooo", "Ahhhh" and "Woooo" at the other people and babies in the room. (He is particular fascinated with other babies.)

Posted by Doug at 8:02 AM

Jack has three screams. The "Oh, I can't really be bothered" scream, that starts out loud but quickly falls away. The "Oh, life is so terrible" scream, that sounds very moanful. And the "Oh my god, they are killing me" scream, that is high pitched, and you would swear he was in physical pain.

You don't want the third type of scream in public.

Posted by Doug at 6:36 PM

Al made a sweet and sour stir fry yesterday. We know and are careful about the relationship between what Al eats and Jack's behaviour, but we thought a small serving of the meal without pineapple should be ok. We were wrong. Jack had a lot more gas and discomfort today.

Last night Al ate some Jelly Beans. Last night and half of today Jack was over active. The speed and impact of how Al's diet affects Jack still surprises us. We feel horrible when we make mistakes or misjudgements.

Posted by Doug at 11:12 PM

. Jack is over 2 months old already - amazing how fast the time goes.

. Current routine is Mother and Baby yoga Mondays, Mothers group Tuesdays, and a 4-week baby massage course (with the antenatal group) on Wednesdays. Jack loves watching the other babies, and coos and 'a-goos' (his favourite word) quite loudly to all and sundry!

. Had his first trip away from home to meet his cousins Hayley and Larissa. Slept in the car the whole way there and back. An unsettled period after first arriving, but then slept well overnight, and enjoyed the rest of visit.

- Seems to have gone back to only 3-4 hours sleep at a time overnight, and in the last 2 nights wanted a play between 2-4am - not so good! Think the glucose jellybeans I had might have contributed to the first night - sugar induced hyperactivity!

Posted by Al at 8:07 PM

And before we knew it, he was too big for his pram bassinette.

Posted by Doug at 10:14 PM

Jack had his 2 month immunisation needles tonight. There were 40 odd babies and children there - the mothers of young babies being particularly friendly, asking after Jack and appreciating being asked after their own children. Jack actually broke out in a smile when the two nurses readied to put needles into his legs - and gave a startled cry for a few moments when the deed was done. He then quickly calmed down and got over it. We expected a lot more noise from him.

He hasn't slept much today, and already seemed out of sorts, so we are a little worried about how he will be for the next 24 hours. We shall see.

Posted by Doug at 9:50 PM

I ran out of energy tonight - somewhere around 7:40pm. I am meant to be doing the pre-cleaner clean, but instead am languishing at my keyboard.

After a relatively good sleep last night, Jack has been a little more out of sorts than usual today. This turned into an hour-long cry / scream fit tonight that was only placated by lying him under his mobile. I'm not sure what fascinates him more - the spinning little brown and white bears, or the jerky uncoordinatedly circles they make as Al batters away at them.

I guess that means we might have got away lightly with the effects from his immunisation.

Better get myself to bed.

Posted by Doug at 10:50 PM

I was on a training course yesterday, and will be again today. It is in the city and has provided an unwelcome reminder of the inconvenience, long travel times, and the oppressive unending herd of darkly clothed people.

In an acknowledgement of the high petrol prices I am driving Al's car. Ninety minutes of flashing the converter from 0 to 30km/h in my car would chew through the juice.

The course has been half interesting. It has reminded me that I am a little set in my ways at the moment. I need to take on some of the new ideas, and push forward on some old ones. Lets see if I keep the mindset when back within the rushed confines and urgencies of the job.

Al had a scare last night. She was on the single bed in the nursery with Jack sleeping on her shoulder. Jack makes a point of wriggling to get into more comfortable positions, which normally has his head hanging off the side of his mum. Last night Al woke with a start as she felt Jack slipping off her and halted his movement. Jack's sleeping options will now; sadly for him and his mum - be restricted.

Posted by Doug at 8:43 AM

Waiting to hear news of Brendan and Donna's baby today - very exciting, particularly being my first 'direct' niece or nephew.

. Jack survived his 2 month vaccinations very well - just one scream as the injection went in, then fine, and slept even better than usual overnight.

. Starting to like tummy time more – he had his best session yet at baby massage class on Wednesday while looking at other mothers and babies.

. He loves his baby massages.

. He is scratching himself daily at moment. A 'Houdini' in getting out of his gloves – we have started putting socks on his hands to try to stop the scratches.

. Had a big long walk in pram yesterday while the cleaners were here (since I don't like being in house while they are here), then morning tea at the cafe and a supermarket visit, then a further long walk to post his 'gymbaroo' application.

. He loves practising his noises, including seeing how they vary when he hiccups, and rolling his rrrs, and noises from the back of his throat. (Doug practises that one with him - I can't make those noises to imitate!)

. He has the most beautiful gummy smile that we love seeing.

. He has started using his rocker in past week. He enjoys playing with the balls and dog hanging from it – although hasn't quite worked out that he can rock himself in it yet. Makes it easier when cooking dinner now as he can be in that and watching me cook.

. He smiles and laughs when I do 'when you are happy and you know it' (hands on head, clap hands, hands in air, tickle baby, touch nose, tap shoes together, etc) and when I dance for him.

Posted by Al at 10:19 AM

Brendan and Donna have a baby boy Ryley, 7lb 13oz, all well. Very happy to hear! Another cousin for Jack.

Posted by Al at 1:45 PM

Sometimes Jack looks far older than he is.

Posted by Doug at 10:05 PM

. Jack surprised us on Saturday by rolling from back to side multiple times while we both watched. He ended up 180 degrees from where he started and looked very chuffed with himself. Glad Doug got to share in this first. Jack is already starting to wriggle himself backwards. In his cradle he often ends up at far end or horizontal. Last week he even ended on his side with both legs stuck between bars and called out to me to come and rescue him, giving me a cheeky grin. Makes us even more aware we have to be careful where we lay him down and keep a close eye on him.

. I am starting to consider moving him to his cot in the nursery before he gets too dependent on being in same room as us. He sometimes wakes before us in the morning and happily practises moving or his noises, but keeps a close eye on me. Scary big step though to have him in a separate room since I like being able to look across and see him. Will of course have the monitor to hear him.

. Spoke to Brendan and Donna yesterday. Ryley came home on Friday and all is going well so far, which is good to hear.

Posted by Al at 8:25 PM