Between activities, visits, and visitors, it has been a very busy week on the social front. On the whole Jack held up very well to it all. He certainly enjoys all the stimulation – but he gets a little over stimulated/tired on occasion. He has slept a lot over last 2 days - we suspect it was his way of recovering from the overload. (It has also helped me have some recovery time.) A reminder though that where possible I need to stick to my original plan of limiting outings to one per day, and keeping at least one quiet week day and weekend day at home. That seems to be a better balance for both of us instead of cramming too many outings in.

At the mother's group restaurant lunch on Tuesday I could have sworn Jack was on a sugar high, but I couldn't think what I had eaten that may have caused it. I later realised a honey and nut bar was the likely culprit. Imagine a small kid on red cordial and this was a similar effect. Jack has a range of activities that are amusing to us at home but when all combined must have been quite a sight - sucking on my nose and chin, pulling my hair, bouncing crazily on my shoulder, legs kicking wildly when on my lap, loud happy squeals, and deliriously happy smiles throughout. I had ordered a drink and the first time I went to take a sip Jack grabbed at the glass and sent liquid flying. The waiters went scurrying to get me napkins. The second time I ventured to have a sip he grabbed the straw out and waved it wildly about spraying liquid everywhere - first time I've ever seen him do anything like this.

When I put him up next to one of the other mothers to chat to her and her son, he reached in and grabbed her 'food source' - much to her surprise. (It is too early for us to try to explain to him that this is not sociably acceptable behaviour - although perhaps some males would think he should make the most of being able to get away with it.)

It was the first time the other mothers had observed all this sort of behaviour in him and they couldn't quite believe it - nothing like their own babies. They decided that Jack has lost the 'golden boy' title to Lachlan, who seems a quieter more reflective boy than Jack at his boisterous best.

The 3 girls have their own versions of loud squeals, but none seem to have Jack's active bouncing and kicking habits. At least this week involved happy interactions between the babies with none of them in tears after the interactions.

Jack currently really likes touching our faces and hair. When I feed him, he often pats my face then puts his fingers in my mouth for me to suck on for the duration of the feed (which was another thing that took the mothers by surprise, and rather limits my ability to chat). He also likes to hold my hair when he is going to sleep, and sometimes just giving him my hair to hold means he is asleep calmly within a couple of minutes. I wonder whether it is like a 'security blanket' or perhaps he thinks that if he has hold of my hair, I won't put him down while he sleeps. (Which is mostly true since I still hold him while he sleeps during the day while I watch TV shows, read, or sleep myself.) Of course sometimes he doesn’t calmly hold my hair –instead giving it a good yank, which can be rather painful! My hair is one of his favourite toys at the moment. I swish and sweep it back and forth over him while he gleefully swipes and grabs at it. The length of that game tends to depend on how hard he is ends up yanking on the hair.

Posted by Al at 10:25 PM

Jack supervises as his bath is filled.

Within a couple months Jack had grown out of his baby bath. (Or more accurately, he splashed too much water out of it.) Since we don’t have a bath in the house, we had to move him up into the spa. This involves one of us sitting in the 1/4 filled spa holding him, which is not overly ideal, but half amusing. Initially Jack delighted in kicking off the spa edge, then migrated to furious splashing, and then more recently has concentrated on just sucking his toes. Just recently he has gone back to furious splashing.

Posted by Doug at 8:46 PM

Jack is 5 months old today - and is thriving and happy.

A few observations

- He is starting to reach out and grab at things around him, such as toys lying besides or behind his head. He has enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror for quite awhile, but has just starting to reach out for his reflection with a big grin on his face. I took him Christmas shopping in the Baby Carrier on Monday, and had to make sure he didn't pull anything off the shelves. I also have to be careful that nobody rushes past into his arms when they are reaching out.

- He is getting harder to hold as he is so wriggly and active. He is full of energy, and enjoys kicking his legs up and down a lot – laying on the ground, in his rocker, his cot, the change tables, and even on my shoulders.

- He seems to enjoy pushing down on his bum and the back of his head, arching his back, and looking back up at me while in my lap.

- He has started making a few new noises in past few days - ba, pa, aboo, boo-p, boo-ba (a couple of these sound rather like what we call his food time...)

- At his weigh in yesterday he was 7.6kgs (so now more than double his birth weight!) and 69cms (19cms more than when born)

- His cradle cap and the scratchfest seems to have stopped in past few weeks; since his hair has grown longer. Hopefully that is now behind us, with him only getting the odd short term rash here and there. He is looking really beautiful at the moment with clear skin and soft blonde hair.

- He is starting to outgrow some of 00 clothes and moving into 0 clothes

- Jack was a good host for mother's group afternoon tea yesterday, and was on his best behaviour for most of it. When lying on the ground next to Kiara he threw a few toys over to her. He gave Liana an appreciative look in her flowery dress and frilly underwear! Lachlan and Jack put behind their differences this week and happily played side by side in their rockers - we looked down at one stage to see them holding hands (oohhh). The babies all enjoyed lying in a circle while we posed them for some photos, and were all looking around at each other and arms out reaching to each other.

2 minutes later…

I had just finished typing the last post and went back to find Jack on his tummy on the activity mat, with his legs either side of the mirror (so think he might have used that for leverage!) So first time he has rolled from back to tummy (and I didn't get to see it!)

Posted by Al at 6:59 AM

Mum is comfortable to drape on... oh Hi Dad - your upside down!

Posted by Doug at 10:28 PM

It has been an especially busy and tiring week at work, and as a consequence I’ve been feeling particularly drained.

Managed to knock half the Christmas shopping off last Saturday, and completed the rest of it today. That should make the rest of the month a little more relaxed.

Jack turned 5 months old during the week. I can’t quite believe it – it doesn't seem that long. He celebrated by adding to his vocabulary with Paa Paa Paa, Bbaa, Bboo, Boopa and Booba. That last one worries us, and we will only have ourselves to blame if his first real word turns out to be Boobie. We use the term regularly whenever Jack is about to feed. “Time for Boobie Jackles” one of us will excitedly tell him.

He repeated those noises over a couple days, which was rather cute. He then relegated them to his once in a while noise list, and moved on to perfect a steady toned and loud AAAAaaaaahhhhhhh… That one is not so cute.

This afternoon he started repeating Muuurra regularly. Hearing the possibilities, Allison repeated Mummy over and over again to him. He responded with grins and raspberries.

Last thought for the night – Jack has found his laugh. The chortle is still there and regular, but he gets a belly laugh going, particularly when being tickled or playing “Where’s Jack”. It is a top sound.

Posted by Doug at 10:54 PM

We were preparing to go to Al’s work Christmas lunch today. Al put Jack down in his cot and went to get changed. I was in the Nursery with him, making up the single bed. As I was fluffing up the doona Jack broke out laughing at the sight. Every time I gave the doona a shake, Jack would laugh. I think this is the first time he has laughed at something not specifically affecting him. I’ve also noticed he has started to laugh in anticipation of tickling or playing “Where’s Jack”.

Posted by Doug at 7:00 PM

Al tickles a laughing Jack.

Posted by Doug at 8:56 PM

In the early days the pram was magic. It didn't matter how unsettled Jack was, a pram walk would soon have him sleeping. Nowaways he spends most of his pram walks turning his head from side to side looking at the scenery, with regular glances over his shoulder as his parents. He doesn't seem too phased by what he sees, although loud cars tend to startle him.

 

Posted by Doug at 11:19 PM

I was woken this morning by Jack making noises over the baby monitor. I lay there listening to a constant stream of happy, exploratory and loud AAArrrrrrr's, GAAaaarrrrrrr's, and Raspberries. He kept them coming at a pace that didn't allow the monitor to have a break in its transmission. I mumbled something to Al about how cute that was, and she responded in an affirmative moan. I then rolled over to check the time. The cuteness factor dropped somewhat under the glaring green glow of my bedside clock. 3:10am.

The Baby monitor is attached to the side of the cot, overlooking Jack. For the last few weeks it has been common for us to respond to his noises and find him half on his side, looking back over his shoulder at the monitor as he talks. It flashes a green light each time it transmits. I'm not sure if he just likes the flashing, actually realises that it relates to him making noise, or if he is simply calling to the green light to make his parents magically appear again.

I'll have to check with Al, but he doesn't seem to get too upset calling from his cot most of the time. He seems to stay pretty calm, and sometimes can chat away happily for 20 minutes without the "Hello, I want a parent here now thanks" tone. He also almost always turns to face you at the first spoken words, and gives you a huge happy grin. In the morning it will often be accompanied by a giggle and outflung arms. Oooo this Kid is good at the parent manipulation.

He is still stuck on the loud AAArrrrrr noises at the moment, but has taken to doing them with his fingers in his mouth. This as triggered all sorts of variances, including AaaaHHHhhoooo (as in Yahoo) and UughhHooo (a rather clear Uh Oh). I look forward to him saying them without the help of 4 fingers.

I’ve found it fascinating to see him experimenting with sound, and the obvious pleasure and joy he finds in it. The same goes for movement. He has taken up doing the wheel borrow shuffle at the moment – lifting his bum off the ground with his feet, arching his back up by forcing down the back of his head, and sort of doing small little shuffles backwards. Or, instead of him lifting his legs up and throwing them down over and over, he lifts his bum up and lets it drop, over and over.

Posted by Doug at 11:07 PM

The pure happiness of a child is contagious.

Posted by Doug at 10:37 PM

We baby sat our 8 week old nephew last night. One baby plus one baby seems to equal four. It is a lot more work.

Posted by Doug at 9:33 PM

Jack tends to be fascinated with the rear end of his soft toys. Invariably that is where he finds the tag – usually one of his favourite parts.

It is Al and my 14-year relationship anniversary today. While our 10 year wedding anniversary comes up in May next year, we still note December 19th as when we first became a couple. While my nervousness in asking Al out still makes me cringe today, I am eternally grateful that I persevered. She has played a huge positive role in my life, and I am so much better off for it. She is the perfect partner for me. I hope years down the track that Jack is as lucky in finding a partner.

I remarked a little while back about Al being a push over for Jack’s manipulations. Tonight I was reminded about the other side of the equation – when Al manipulates Jack. She was cooking dinner and Jack was in his rocker watching. He was unsettled, complaining, and reaching his arms out to indicate he wanted to be picked up. Instead Al walked around preparing the food, calmly telling him the names of the utensils she carried, and what she was doing with them. Intermingled with this were plenty of smiles at Jack, encouraging comments, and short sung nursery rhymes. By the time we sat down to our meal Jack was happily talking away to himself and kicking away with his legs, unsettled mood forgotten. It was a very skilful display.

Posted by Doug at 11:05 PM

One more day at work before a much needed 11-day absence. I finished up the complicated coverage schedule, communicated with all the clients, and have completed most of the documentation and handovers that will allow me to go on leave. I'm in serious need of a break - although a 1/3 of it will involve running around for season festivities.

Jack has been active the last few days.

In amongst his b and p sounds, he's come out with bob and barb over the last day. The bob is particularly clear and amusing to hear. It isn't spoken as a word obviously - just him playing with sounds. You can see him actually twisting his tongue around and poking it in and out trying to make different sounds. We make sure we cheer and clap on all new noises - which brings a huge smile to his face. (He seems to associate clapping with goodness.)

He has also suddenly taken up rolling over from his back to his front. He soon realised that he couldn't then roll himself back, so after half a day of doing it now tends to stop himself 3/4 of the way over with a steadying leg. When that slips, he soon yells loudly at his parents to come and roll him back over. Like many of his achievements, he is very calm when he is rolling over - like it isn't such a big deal, and that he's been rolling over his entire life. I can see some long nights in the near future as we continually get up to roll him back over in his cot.

Al had brunch with her sister today, escaping from the cleaners. Jack was, as he normally is, pretty good out in public. He got a little restless at times, but normally just looked over his mum’s shoulder with great interest, grabbed at items in Al’s hands (including causing another drink spill), or sat in his pram quietly looking around / played with toys / wriggling a bit.

We have both been remarking a lot lately how lucky we are to have Jack in our lives. His temperament and personality are certainly making the whole experience more rewarding, and a little easier on us.

Posted by Doug at 9:09 PM

A couple weeks ago we finished up the last of Jack's activity sessions for this year. I anticipated that this would free up some of Jack and my time until they start again next February, but it doesn't seem to have slowed us down at all.

A review of the activities completed this year:

. Baby massage course - was a worthwhile one-off course to learn the techniques. Jack still gives me big smiles each time I start a massage for him (which I try to do most days), and now laughs when I do the tummy rubs and tickle him under his chin. It was also a good opportunity to see a few of the mothers from our ante-natal class with their babies, and gave me the opportunity to have since kept in touch with one of them. I would not need to repeat this class for any subsequent children.

. Mother and baby yoga - was also worthwhile. Jack loved his instructor, gave her big smiles each week, and was one of the first people other than his parents that he bonded with. (It makes me a little sad that he doesn’t get to see her anymore!) Jack enjoyed all the exercises, and we still do them daily at home. He also enjoyed watching the other babies in the class, and seeing all the mothers doing the exercises. From my point of view it was a great way to fit in some exercise while still being able to take care of and stimulate Jack at the same time. While it would have been good for me to continue the class, the baby exercises were the same each week, so Jack wasn't learning anything more by continuing. If I did this for another child, it would be more for my own exercise benefit, since I know the baby exercises now.

. Baby Gymbaroo - has been a great. It allows Jack to explore different equipment and toys, be involved in group activities, watch other babies, and interact with nursery rhymes, dance and exercises. It also introduces me to different toys, stories and generally ideas on how to stimulate Jack. Again I have been able to incorporate many of the ideas into our daily routine at home, such as playing with balloons and balls, little musical instruments, every day objects, nursery rhymes, story time while on his tummy, and further exercises. I fell it is worthwhile to continue next year and ongoing, and would be worthwhile for any subsequent children.

I have organised a busy schedule for next year – continuing the baby Gymbaroo, and starting baby music classes, baby swim lessons, and when we can fit it in - story time at the library. I will of course also continue with mother's group and catching up with family and friends where possible.

I wonder at times if I am trying to squeeze too much in - but I want to make the most of the opportunities available while I am on maternity leave, and actually able to do all these activities with Jack. So far he really loves all the stimulation and interest of it all. Now I just have to sit down and work out how I am going to manage to fit in work from the end of March next year!

We have booked Jack to start childcare from the start of February. We aim to start slow with 1 hour a week, and build up gradually so that, hopefully, by time I go back to work he has adjusted to it. That would certainly ease my mind in starting back at work.

In addition to organising all next year's activities, the last few weeks have flown by with picking up last minute Christmas items, delivering gifts, writing out cards (including belated thank-you notes for all Jack's birth gifts), and continuing to catch up with family and friends and colleagues at Christmas parties and general catch-ups.

One of these catch-ups was meeting and babysitting Jack's cousin Jackson (now 8 weeks old). This was a reminder that looking after 2 babies is considerable more effort than one in splitting your attention and juggling both their needs. Family members are currently flying in from interstate and overseas to be here for Christmas, and the family catch-ups have already commenced.

A few days ago, Doug and I celebrated our 14-year anniversary of when we started going out. It is wonderful that at this stage of our relationship we are happier than ever. In becoming parents, we have grown further as a couple and as a family unit, and had the opportunity to see new sides of each other and appreciate each other all the more. I know that I am very lucky to have found Doug as a partner, and I realise that more than ever since becoming a parent. We operate very much as a team and try to do what we can to make each other happy and balance each other out in many different ways.

Coming up to the end of the year has further made me reflect that between the joys of pregnancy, and followed by how much I have loved watching Jack grow and develop, I would rate this as the most special and rewarding year of my life to date. It is a great feeling to be happy with where we are in life as a couple and as a family, and to be happily anticipating the future. I can only stop and enjoy the moment, and hope that we can continue to be as happy in our relationship and in our family into the future, as we are right now, through all the ups and downs that life will surely bring.

Posted by Al at 10:44 PM

I’m a bit of a bar humbug person when it comes to Christmas. I approach it quietly, and enjoy it more when it is quiet. I do however have fond memories of going to bed on Christmas eve with mum watching the Carols, lights off, and a couple candles burning on the coffee table, then waking up to a full stocking at the end of the bed.

Tonight Al is watching the carols, illuminated by only the glow of the TV, flashing Christmas tree lights, and candles. Jack managed to watch the first few minutes of the carols before conking out. He is too young to take anything in, but his parents are taking everything in for him, and enjoying it.

Posted by Doug at 11:55 PM

And so that was Christmas...

We started with Christmas morning at home. Al and I gave each other a couple small presents, and had breakfast as we watched Jack play with some of his wrapped gifts. He turned them over and over, pawed at them, and shook them up and down. As expected, once opened he was far more interested in the wrapping paper than what was inside, and delighted in pulling it apart and ripping it up.

At this stage of his development Jack seems to particularly love anything that he can shake or rattle and produce noise from, and anything that is nice to stick in his mouth and chew. Lately he has also grown very interested in anything he can affect the form of – be that paper to rip up, or objects that change shape when you press or pull on them.

The drive down to visit the in-laws was wearisome. It took 50% longer than usual due to heavy traffic, and was riddled with horrendous examples of poor driving, selfishness, and a lack of charity. It really seems to get worse year by year. We would normally try to miss driving during the busiest hours, but with Jack you go when you can, not when you plan to. We arrived a little late and feeling slightly frazzled. Not a good start considering sometimes Al’s family events can be a little crowded, rushed and fringed with stress.

This time though Christmas lunch was particularly well done, and we were soon relaxed and enjoying ourselves. We exchanged gifts and it felt like a good catch up. Jack met an Aunt, Uncle and Cousin for the first time, and had a good visit.

Boxing day saw us pack the car again and head further a field to my parents place. Generally I find the Christmas visits with my parents are nice and relaxed. With 3 infants, a toddler and 8 adults in the house however it didn’t run to its usual script. I kept finding myself having to make concessions – biting my tongue, masking my true opinions, and even leaving a room on one or two occasions to stay diplomatic. Thankfully we did manage to spend some quiet time with my parents, and they got to interact with Jack on a one on one basis. Jack was once again really good on the visit, and we left the next day feeling everything went reasonably well.

Jack woke up half way home, and after a period of calmly looking around and playing, spent the last 45 minutes complaining. We had gone past all the roadside rest areas by that time, so Al had to climb into the back and try to placate him with nursery rhymes and direct attention. She worked hard, and kept him to only a couple short crying sessions in amongst all the complaints. We were all thankful when we pulled into the driveway – Jack back to his normal self the moment he was out of the car and in through the front door.

We are all recuperating today, Jack more restless than usual, which seems his way after a busy schedule.

Posted by Doug at 1:25 PM

Al is off getting her hair cut, and I’m here babysitting Jack. She gave him a feed before she left, and after letting him sleep on her for 20 minutes, put him down in his cot. He does not usually sleep in his cot during the day (and lately, during the night either!), but he’s been sleeping peacefully ever since. It would amuse me if he does not stir until Al returns.

Ok, some quick thoughts before Jack calls for attention –

. Al has stopped feeding Jack unless he actually demands it, or it is convenient (about to go out for example). His feeds have dropped from every 3 hours too more commonly every 4 to 6 hours, which is more appropriate for his age. This has seen no other change in Jacks behaviour.

. Jack is quite strong and deliberate in many of his movements – like when he rolls to his side and reaches backwards for example. He has actually caught a balloon and ball on occasion if you drop it into his arms, and when he has dropped it during play, has quickly rolled over and grabbed at it before it rolls away. (With varying degrees of success!)

. His backwards shuffling, rolling on to his side, and manoeuvring off objects has continued to get more coordinated. He will commonly move himself 4 or 5 feet, and reorientate the direction he is facing if left alone for any time. We have had to replace his mat by the window downstairs with a new Portacot, and Al has started to have showers in our biggest bathroom, so Jack can play on his activity mat in the bathroom with the door shut. We also have to start looking at baby proofing the house soon – and have allocated money in the budget to do so.

. We have been around a few different babies of late, and have been reminded about the different parental approaches. I remember that before Jack was born I had thought I would look to train his behaviour from early on. Instead we have done very little of that – instead concentrating on making him feel loved, comfortable and happy. We don’t pander to his every call – but then again because he is generally happy, he doesn’t seem to be overly demanding.

. When Jack reaches 6 months old (which is just over a week away) we will start to work on his sleeping – getting him to drop off to sleep by himself, and getting him to sleep in his cot for a majority of the time. This will be the first time we try to specifically train his behaviour.

. I got an SMS from Al the other day at work – it went something like “Jack peed on me, then laughed!”

Ok, off to check on Jack.

Posted by Doug at 11:39 AM

Another observation.

In the early days we suffered a number of periods where Jack would scream for hours on end. Now on the rare time he does scream, it normally lasts for under a minute – just until we can rush to his side and let him know we are there. The only times he tends to scream is when he wakes up with either stomach pain or from a nightmare. We can generally talk, walk, hug and sooth him out of screaming fairly quickly, although it hurts us to hear him in such a state.

The stomach pains I can understand – but the nightmares are hard. He was obviously dreaming from very early on, and having the occasional nightmare ever since. In the early months he did not always seem to realise the difference between what he had been dreaming about, and the reality since he had transitioned into wakefulness. It could take 5 to 10 minutes before he would fully calm down. Now it generally takes under a couple minutes at most. I wonder at what in his subconscious might cause him such distress.

Now he finds obvious comfort in his parents – especially Al. I watched him today when Al got home from her hair appointment – he gave her some particularly fierce hugs when she first picked him up.

He can and will often cry, complain and whinge for short periods of time, but that is something both he and his parents find easier to handle. He does this mainly during the times Al tries to settle him to sleep, when over tired, and on occasion during burping or nappy changes mid feed. That is just his way to communicate that he wants attention, or isn’t entirely happy with the current situation. We don't mind him communicating in such a way..

Posted by Doug at 3:41 PM

Sharing Jack's first Christmas has been a really special time. I have enjoyed being able to introduce him to little traditions already, even though he is too young to understand what they are about. We can appreciate them on his behalf, and know that they are things we can continue to do with him in years to come. He has been intrigued looking at the Christmas tree and reaching out towards it. Watching carols on Christmas Eve is something I've always enjoyed doing, and it was great that Jack stayed awake long enough to see the start of this. He got to see candles for first time too.

Christmas morning was exciting - watching him shake and rattle his presents before his dad helped him to rip open the wrapping. He then enthusiastically played with the wrapping paper – he loved being able to pull it apart and rip it up, and was more excited by this than the presents themselves.

You never know what new item will capture Jacks interest, and what he will quickly toss aside. He opens his mouth in an 'o' shape and reaches his hands out excitedly whenever he sees something for the first time. I love that he already reacts to new experiences in this way – and even realises when something is new compared to things he has seen before.

It was great to have a little time for just the three of us to enjoy this special time together.

It was also wonderful to share in Jack's first Christmas with both of our families. My families Christmas day was extra special - having my brother there for first time in about 10 years, and getting to meet his new son (my first direct nephew) for the first time. My sister did a great job of hosting in her new house, and my brother cooked the lunch to perfection. Doug's family celebration was on Boxing Day, and was a busy affair with 3 new babies and a 4 year old dividing attention. With all on different schedule, it made for a hectic time. It was great to see all the kids together on the one day, for the first time.

People often say that Christmas is more special with children around, and I have certainly found that. I think it has been the best Christmas that I have experienced since I was a kid myself. Jack is certainly lucky to be part of two big families, and has been provided with many new toys and clothes from his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

It was interesting to remember that last Christmas we were happily announcing the pregnancy to our families, and here we were a year later with Jack - a happy, healthy 5 1/2 month old. It is good to be able to reflect back over a great year, and to be looking forward to the year ahead.

A couple observations:

. Jack now hugs back. It is fantastic to feel him squeezing back in response to cuddles, and to know they are now a two way process.

. Jack has started waving his hand at himself in past few days. He hasn't yet worked out to wave to other people - this that is something we can look forward to seeing.

Posted by Al at 10:07 AM

Here's Jack's new spot by the window -

Two new observations for today. Jack was laying in his portacot this morning. A small section of the cot was in direct sunlight. Jack was laying on his side, holding his hand out over this lit area, watching in fascination the shadows his hand created as he moved it. During a play session Al put Jack on to his stomach twice today, and he rolled himself over onto his back by himself. He seems to have worked that one out quickly.

It is 37 degrees here. The new air-conditioning we installed upstairs the other month is working very well, and the entire house is nice a cool.

Jack is a bit moody and unsettled. Not sure if it is the heat, he's not feeling well, is teething, having a growth spurt, or he just feels like being crabby. The books suggest it is around the time for his next unsettled period, so we might be starting a week of it.

Posted by Doug at 3:25 PM