Jack's First Month

Our first night home with little Jack was a bit of a doozy, but as I got to know him and his cries things quickly got easier.  If Jack is fussy or trying to go to sleep, he loves to be walked, rocked, patted, and shushed.  He is nursing every two hours during the day and gaining weight.  He left the hospital at 19 inches long and 6 pounds 14 ounces.  At his doctor's appointment two days after being home Jack was 19.25 inches long and weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce.  At his two week doctor's appointment Jack was 20.25 inches long and weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces.  At one month he weighs 9 lbs and 15 ounces!  I am so happy to see how much he is growing! At night, Jack gives us one four hour stretch between feedings but is up every two to three hours otherwise.  Even though our sleep is broken up, John and I both feel that this time around with one baby it is way easier to handle.

 

Jack loves to be held and cuddled.  Jack loves to gaze at the ceiling fan just like his big brother did.  He also enjoys being outside.  Jack is very interested in George and Clara.  He watches them intently while they kiss him, talk to him, and play with him.  Jack also loves his Daddy.  When he was two weeks old, Jack was fussy when John walked in from work.  John took Jack from me and said, "Hey Buddy.  Hi Jack."  Jack immediately stopped crying and looked intently up at his Daddy.  He definitely recognizes John's voice and is easily soothed by his Daddy.  We call him the "Jack whisperer."

George and Clara have adjusted to the new little person in our house.  George didn't bat an eyelash about the whole thing.  He adores his little brother.  When George wakes up in the morning he often runs into our room asking for Jack.  He frequently tells him how much he loves him.  George also talks about things they will do together when Jack is bigger like "play rough."  George has given him the nickname Jacky Jack.  George told me the other day that he was "glad Jack was out of my belly."  He was so "happy that he got a boy."  George also said that Jack was his favorite friend and he misses him while he is at school.  I enjoy every minute watching them together.  It is so sweet.

Clara had some issues adjusting to the changes in the house.  She struggled sharing Mommy.  That first week home Clara was often teary.  She had trouble going to bed at night and overall was sad.  She moved on pretty quickly and by the second week her mood had adjusted.  She also adores her little brother and wants to love on him all the time.  Clara likes to sing to Jack and cuddle with him.  She is a good little helper too.

One thing that has come out of the last month that I didn't anticipate is George and Clara's bond is even stronger.  I think they figured out that even when everyone else is busy they have each other. They are playing so well together.  Sharing toys.  Playing elaborate games of pretend.  Laughing a lot.  These are some of my favorite moments in the past month.  Watching their relationship grow has been amazing.  I am so happy they can lean on each other during these first few hectic months where Jack requires a lot of attention.  I'm pretty proud of my two monkeys!

We've had lots of firsts this month too.  Jack celebrated his first Easter.

 

He had his first bath.  There were lots of tears at first but he seems to enjoy the warm water now.

We've even seen glimpses of first smiles.  Jack's first smiles were during sleep just like most babies.  His first real smile was in reaction to the ceiling fan and then he smiled big when Pop-pop Beard was over for a visit.

 

 Jack went on his first greenbelt adventure with his brother and sister to the park.

Jack didn't really enjoy his first time on the activity mat because he wants to be held a lot.  I know he will soon enjoy it just like his big brother and sister did.

Happy One Month Birthday Sweet Jack! As Clara says, "We love you to the moon and back!"

This past month is a bit of a blur with the sleep deprivation and figuring out how to juggle three kids.  At the same time it has been absolutely wonderful and I am soaking in all these moments with our teeny tiny Jack.  He will only be so small for a short time.  I am definitely one tired but happy Mommy!