6 Weeks

It was my goal to post monthly stats for Jackson, but with all of the craziness, I missed the one month mark!  I'll start with his stats at 6 weeks and hopefully get back on track when he turns two months old! 

- At his doctor's appointment last week, Jackson weighed 10 pounds 12.7 ounces, which is almost a three pound weight gain since his birth!  They didn't measure him as they were checking his weight to make sure he is still gaining as he was still having lots of issues with his acid reflux, but he seems to be getting longer/taller every day.  As I mentioned in my previous post, it's so hard to believe how much he seems to grow each day. 

- Jackson is wearing size 1 diapers, but he has been waking up for feedings during the night with leaky diapers, so we may be moving a bigger size at night very soon.  He has outgrown most of his newborn onesies and clothes and is now wearing mostly size 0-3 months. L

- Jackson is eating approximately 3 1/2 ounces of formula (Alimentum) with 2 teaspoons of rice cereal every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day and every 3 1/2 to 4 hours at night.  In regards to sleep, Jackson is notorious for fighting sleep during the day.  It is usually a struggle to get him down for naps.  However, luckily, we have developed a good nighttime routine!  Between 7:30-8:00p, I will give him a bath and then get him changed and swaddled.  By the time we are done with this, he is ready for a bottle.  After his bottle, I put him in bed; he still in his Pack N Play in our room right now.  Sometimes he will go to sleep right away and sometimes he will lay in bed and look around for a while before falling asleep.  Either way, he usually goes to sleep on his own.  Even on the nights he fusses a little, he usually only needs his paci to calm down and fall asleep.  He typically wakes up between 12-1a and 4-5a for bottles.  For the past week and a half, he has been falling asleep right away after the 12-1a feeding and will stay sleep until his next feeding.  However, he usually wants to stay awake after the 4-5a bottle, which is a struggle for this mama! J

 - Jackson is still a pretty colicky baby, but seems to do a little better every day.  He usually has a pretty fussy period after waking for the day (usually between 5-6a - again, a struggle for this mama!) and then just randomly throughout the day.  Thankfully, these periods are decreasing!  For the most part, he is now able to be consoled when upset, whereas before there was no calming him!  Oddly enough (and thankfully!), he does really well when we are out of the house, whether we are at the park, shopping, or just taking a walk through the neighborhood.

- Last week, we were still having trouble with Jackson's acid reflux so we went back to his doctor for a checkup.  His doctor decided to switch him from Zantac to Prevacid, which we feel has made a big difference.  He is spitting up much less and isn't screaming after eating.  The doctor told us she feels his acid reflux will be less of an issue once he is able to sit up and becomes more mobile and we are praying this is so!

- Over the past two weeks, Jackson has started focusing on our faces when we are holding him or talking to him, which is awesome!  In general, we've noticed his focus sharpening, as he has become very intent on watching the mobile on his swing, staring at pictures on the wall, looking at the toys hanging from his play mat, and watching items throughout the house/while outside.  Jackson has started gripping on to our clothes when we hold him.  When I go to set him down, he really latches on and refuses to let go!  Just this week, he has started reaching for the toys on his play mat and the bears hanging from the mobile on his swing.  When I put him on his play mat, I usually position him so that when he kicks, he will hit a noisy toy.  It's hilarious to watch him kick the toy over and over.  Jackson's neck strength is also improving daily.  When on his tummy, he will hold his head up and look around for longer periods of time.  This week, Jackson has also started "talking."  Usually while playing or being held, Jackson will coo along with making other noises.  I love watching these skills develop and can't wait to see what the coming weeks h0ld!!

- Likes:  As I've mentioned before, Jackson loves being in his stroller and riding in a car.  We hope this continues, especially since my family lives 3 1/2 hours away...it will make trips home much more enjoyable!  Jackson also loves taking baths.  He can be screaming and the minute we put him in his tub, he immediately stops.  He is perfectly content to lay in the tub and look around for a long time!  Jackson LOVES being outside.  When we are on walks, at the park, or even sitting under the back patio, he becomes very calm and looks around.  For the most part, Jackson also enjoys being on his play mat, both on his back and tummy. 

- Dislikes:  Jackson does NOT like having his diaper changed, although he does better during the day than at night.  Jackson also hates when I put lotion on him after bath time.  I haven't figured out why, but the minute I start, the screaming begins!  Jackson is pretty indifferent to his paci.  We are usually only able to get him to take it when he is fighting sleep and fussy.  Otherwise, he usually spits it out or refuses to take it at all, shaking his head back and forth.  Most of all, Jackson HATES having to wait for a bottle.  When he decides he is hungry, he wants his bottle right then! I have no idea where he gets that... J

The last few weeks...

Everyone always talks about how time seems to speed up and fly by once you have kids and it is so true!  It's crazy how fast Jackson is growing...he seems to get bigger and change every day.  The last few weeks have flown by and our sweet boy is already 6 weeks old!  I will be going back to work in two weeks and although part of me is ready to get back to a regular schedule, the other part of me already dreads the thought of losing all this one-on-one time with my sweet boy.  We've been pretty active over the past few weeks and I doubt there will be any slowing down!

Jackson was four weeks old on August 3rd and we spent the afternoon with our friends, the Cunninghams, at Pinnacle Mountain, playing and walking a trail.  Afterwards, we all went out for dinner at Larry's Pizza, our first time out to dinner with Jackson.  Other than waking for a bottle while at the park, Jackson slept throughout the entire outing.

 

Eric's birthday was August 8th and we celebrated that evening by having Eric's parents, my mom, and my sister and brother-in-law over for dinner.  We had a great time hanging out and eating yummy food!  We continued his birthday festivities the following Saturday, inviting several of our friends over for dinner. My brother-in-law cooked some delicious food and we all just enjoyed hanging out and visiting.  Our group of friends doesn't get together as often as we use to so it was wonderful spending the evening with everyone!

 

Eric & Jackson taking a nap before his birthday dinner.





Last week, my mom and I went grocery shopping with Jackson for the first time.  For those who don't know, my mom and I work for the same company and she is actually covering for me while I am out on maternity leave.  She has been staying with Eric, Jackson, and I and has been the biggest help!   Once I return to work and she goes home, I believe we are going to be in for quite an adjustment...  Eric and I are so very thankful for her help and will definitely miss her when she leaves!  I'm glad she was able to help with this first.  All I can say is from now on, any grocery shopping done with Jackson will require the help of my sweet husband.  It's impossible to shop with a car seat...there is NO room for the groceries!  Luckily, Jackson did very well and, again, slept most of the time.

 

Jackson & Mimi (5 weeks)

 

This week, Eric, Jackson, Zoe, and I took advantage of this amazing weather (is it really August in Arkansas!?!) and spent some time outside at Two Rivers Park.  Jackson, Zoe, and I met Eric there after work to walk around, eat a picnic dinner, and just enjoy the beautiful weather.  We had a wonderful evening and can't wait for fall so we can be outside more often!

 



Besides these outings, Jackson and I have spent more time out of the house recently.  Jackson LOVES going for walks in his stroller so Jackson, Zoe, and I usually try to get in at least one walk through our neighborhood a day.  We have made many trips to Target and Babies R Us, along with several other stores, and even went on a short shopping trip to the Promenade this past Friday.  Jackson also loves riding in a car.  He will usually fall asleep right away and typically stays asleep while we are in the stores.  On the few occasions he hasn't fallen asleep, he just chilled in his car seat and looked around while I shopped.

I startled him when I took this picture, haha!

 



Here are a few more pictures I've taken recently.

Jackson loves tummy time!

Jackson also LOVES bath time.