Christmas Preparations

Daddy's Birthday!

Just a few highlights. Interested parties may view or be given a disc of photos of the whole party upon request.





We had a party with cards, presents and huevos rancheros in the morning.





It wouldn't be a party without an altercation between guests (one of whom may have been jealous that her usual ribbon-play was co-opted by someone else.)



We went on a walk along the seafront and through town; it was Jackson's first time in "pushchair" mode on his pram. Big boy!



Jax loves bubbles (more on that subject in another post).

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Cold!

It's turned cold this week. Here's how we bundle up Jax in such situations:



(Though this photo is from 2 or 3 weeks ago, when we had another cold snap.)

Hop on Pop

Happy Birthday, Lili!

(Special outfits courtesy of the birthday girl.)

Update: Immunisations

Jackson seems to have recovered today, and simply has a slightly snooty nose, like after a cold.

In case you're interested, you can find out more about his immunisations schedule here:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/health/immunisationchart



Happy 4 Month Birthday, Jackson!

Sick

After his immunisations yesterday afternoon, today Jackson seems to feel very unwell and has developed a little cough. It's common for babies to feel a bit under the weather after their shots, though, and he doesn't have a fever. We're keeping a close eye on him, and this afternoon he seems to be feeling a lot better following some Calpol and a big morning nap.

Monday Morning

Jackson helped Mama garden out front.



Then he tried out his new borrowed Bumbo chair, which he likes ok, but arches his back and tries to escape (he'd rather be standing!).

Jackson on a supermarket trolley

Short but educational

Updates (For The Record)

Jackson weighs 6.7kg, or 14lbs 12oz, and will be 4 months old next week! He'll also be having his last round of immunisations until he is a year old.

He can now roll from back to front and back again, and can roll to either side. He enjoys spending time on his tummy, though he sometimes gets frustruated that he can't propel himself forward. He also occasionally gets frustrated in his rocker because he can't pull himself up out of it.

The week the US grandparents were here, he started really laughing at things, and he now smiles not only at people, but at objects and sounds and images (such as the TV!) that give him pleasure.

He can now grasp objects, and loves to be handed toys to play with. Most things, however, end up in his mouth.



At swimmng lessons, as of this week, Jackson was happy to be submerged underwater 5 times. Each week we add another underwater dunk. Today (and last week), Jackson was the only baby who didn't fuss at some point. He seems to love being in water.

On Monday night he slept "through the night," a full 7 hours without waking. He always sleeps well from 8am till about 8pm (sometimes earlier or later), but we're hoping he drops that middle-of-the-night feed soon. His move into the "his" room and the cot is imminent, as is a move to the normal bath soon, to give him more splashing room.

Jackson is also considering living out his mother's dream of being an experimental documentary filmmaker.

U.S. Visitors: A Few Highlights

Happy in red.



Chatting with Grandaddy.



The papparazi attack Jackson in Victoria Station after his very first train journey.



We went to the Terracotta Army exhibition at the British Museum.



In London we also checked out the Christmas decorations at Fortnum and Mason, Bond Street, and this arcade.



A nice nap with Jackson's maternal grandmother, who still has no name. She shall hereafter be referred to as "No Name"* until she comes up with something.



We had high tea at the Grand in Eastbourne. Jackson napped on Grandaddy part of the time.



A strong reaction to Grandaddy and No Name's imminent departure.




*Though she can't seem to provide a name, she did provide some of these photos. Thanks!

Jackson & Daddy

I'm a little behind on more recent video footage and it'll probably take me till the weekend to update, but in the meantime, here's a slightly older clip I've been meaning to put up for a while. Enjoy!

Preview: US Grandparents!

The US grandparents have come and gone. We had so much fun! Somehow they taught Jackson to laugh out loud and to grasp things. We went to London, had tea in Eastbourne and many other things. And Mama and Daddy even got to go out to dinner and a movie. More images and some movies to come...

Sunday Lunch

Last Sunday we had lunch with Rebecca and friends. Jackson is wearing a hat and vest that Rebecca knitted him. Sweet!

The chatter never stops!

More chattering!

After a bit of a technical glitch, here is the next installment of Jackson's ramblings!

Lots of chatting

Lots of Swimming

This week we have 2 swimming lessons because we missed last week's thanks to bad traffic.

Here is Jackson BEFORE his lesson:



And AFTER:


He went underwater 2 times!

Rolling and Talking with the Boy in the Mirror

Sunday Lunch

Our friends Helen and Andrew came over for homemade macaroni and cheese on Sunday.

New Pet

We seem to have acquired a leopard cub. Piper will be so pleased!

Updates!

Jackson weighed 13lbs 15ounces, or 6.33kg, today.



Today we went to a baby massage workshop. It was being held for health visitors and other childcare workers (one of whom runs the St George's baby group we go to), and Jackson was one of 3 volunteer "models." He was the youngest baby, and the best behaved, since he's not so mobile yet. I learned how to massage him with oil, and he loved it! We will try make it a regular thing at home as he seemed to really enjoy it and slept for ages afterwards.

The big news, though, is that he has really started rolling onto his tummy from his back! He does this constantly when on the play mat, so we really have to watch him. Sometimes he manages to roll himself back onto his back from his front.

Jackson has also started "talking" a lot as of last week. He talks to people, and sometimes he just rambles on to himself. This is both funny and annoying when it happens in the dark at 5am.

On Monday, he slept in his cot for the first time. This was just for an afternoon nap, but soon he'll have to make the big move out of our room at night (or for most of the night!), as his Moses basket is getting a little bit cramped.



Someone else has discovered the cot, though, and already sleeps there regularly:



But that's ok. Plenty of room for all!

--Jackson's Mama

It's a Rollover!

Here's what happened this morning:






Then it happened again, from flat on his back, and without the play gym bar for assistance!