Bed Of Roses

Another week has come and gone. Jackson's 18th week of life brought about a new crib, the first feel of sand and ocean on his feet, and daily progress in personality and developmental skills. Tonight we discovered what the word "kiss" means. It's so cute - if you say "kiss" Jackson will give you a kiss on the cheek. It is more like a slobbery suck, but it is the best he can do and I'll take it!



David and I bought Jackson a new crib. Tonight is his first night sleeping in it. He seems to like it and he gets to play with some new toys inside it (his favorite is the lobster given to him by Cousin Myles). We have rearranged the furniture in his room to accommodate it...check it out!




Only two more days of winter and already it is getting hot. Jackson experienced his first really hot day - we actually turned on the fan and airconditioner... he didn't do too well until we did. We stripped him down to his diaper, but he was hot and sweaty and in true Bennett fashion complained (or shall I say uncontrollably sobbed) until he was the "perfect" temperature. As a result, we ventured down to our favorite beach which we lovingly call McGuiser Beach. Jackson had his first experience of sand and water on his feet.



Jackson is able to grasp things well with his hands now. His hand-eye coordination is getting a lot better! He has a rattle and a teether he is particularly fond of, but we also discovered his taggie blanket which he enjoys cuddling with, sucking on, and talking to. (Please disregard all the badly placed prepositions... I am really tired at the moment and can't be bothered to follow my own rules).



He still enjoys his playmat and talks to most everything. He likes talking to Duck Duck in the car, but can't resist talking to that baby in the mirror.



We have finally been able to put away most of his newborn/0000 clothes and PJs. He fits nicely into his 0-3 month/000 clothes now.

We'd like to wish Nana a Happy Birthday! We love you Nana!

Happy Feet

17 Weeks Old...


And a few short days later... 4 Months Old!

Jackson had his 4 Month Doctor's appointment with Dr Henderson this week. He currently weighs 5.8 kg (12.5 lbs) and is 62 cm (24.5) long. I asked about starting rice cereal and the doctor gave a resounding "NO!" So we wait until he is 6 months old.

He has definitely found his feet AND LOVES THEM!


Jackson does lots of cool things... like grab onto Mommy's hair and not let go; play the kissy game and giggle; stand stand stand; play peek-a-boo; sing songs with Mommy; grab for almost anything in sight; SUCK on everything in sight; and as of this morning, plays the piano...not banging on it like you would expect a child to do, but pushes one key at a time. Being the musicians that we are, we are SO proud!!





He is such a good baby. We have started putting him to bed awake and unswaddled. He puts himself to sleep no problems and lately when he wakes up in the middle of the night will sing himself back asleep (with the exception of a couple of nights ago when he peed all over himself and it got cold)! Of course, he has the assistant of his succulent thumb.


Even when he cries he's cute. We are his parents, and are quite biased I'm sure... but he is the smartest, cutest baby in the world!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

16 Weeks Old

We have had a good week here in the Bennett household. Jackson continues to grow and make us laugh. Some of the highlights of this week are:

Jackson's new favorite activity: standing! He loves it! Wants to do it all the time! His little legs are so strong. He can hold on to our fingers and just stand there. And when he gets tired he just plops down.


Jackson's other favorite new activity: looking at the baby in the mirror. Keeps him entertained for hours... well, ok... at least 30 minutes.


Jackson also took his first bath in the big boy bath tub. He seems to have outgrown his little baby tub... too long... his legs hang over the edge!


Daddy and Jackson also had some one on one time while Mommy was teaching. I came out to check on them and caught them watching TV together.


Jackson still likes to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. Last night we put him to bed awake and unswaddled. 15 minutes later when I went to check on him he was asleep with his thumb in his mouth. And he slept for 10 hours straight!

Also, much to my delight he has laid off the screaming/squealing thing and has gone back to precious coos. While David was off gigging this weekend, Jackson and I watched So You Think You Can Dance America. He watched the first dance in awe and when the judges started talking so did Jackson. I think it reminded him of Nana and Bapa's voices. Here is the little video I took of it:


Big week next week: Jackson has a doctor's appointment on Monday, Mommy's birthday is on Friday, and the little man turns 4 months old!!

I Can See Clearly Now My High Chair's Here

We have survived 15 weeks! It has gone so fast and Jackson grows every day. He has developed quite the little personality. He likes to play with the baby in the mirror and just smiles and talks all the time. He still likes to scream and squeal and is so close to a laugh I think it will come anyday.

I managed to get Jackson to take a nap by himself one afternoon while I started dinner. He looked so sweet.


And we took out the newborn accessory in his carseat. We were testing it out and discovered Jackson liked to fly... while in his carseat...


And the biggest addition this week: a new high chair. It is a high/low chair as it has adjustable height and 3 recline positions. He finally gets to eat at the table with us. While we eat, he plays with his spoon and toys. He enjoys watching us eat and studies us eating and the food with such intent. Here he is testing out his new high chair:



Tomorrow Jackson's friend Julian and his parents Bianca and Jon are coming over for dinner. We look forward to a playdate (both adults and kids)... No videos this week - we were very busy!

Tootsie Roll

Jackson's 14th week of life was filled with fun and firsts. He is still in his 0000 PJs though. He found his little feet... it started with just looking... "What the hell are these?" ...and progressed to grabbing them. He looks at them a lot and he has discovered that they reach the end of his baby bath and if he straightens his legs he can touch. This results in a lot of splashing. Also, he has discovered his voice. Loudly. Squealing in delight and screaming for the fun of it... daddy thinks it is cute and mommy did the first day. Now I am just confused... he starts screaming in the other room and I go running for fear he is hurt only to find him happily "talking" to his toys. He has discovered "the baby" in the mirror - and if he smiles that baby will smile back. We are also in search of a high chair (mommy would prefer a high/low chair) as Jackson is no longer content to sit in his bouncer while we eat. He would rather watch us eat. And he has spoons of his own with which to play. He is very good in getting them into his mouth. If you hold a spoon out to him he will concentrate very hard and reach his hand up and take hold of it from you! But the most exciting thing this week is his rolling! He rolled three times last week, but I couldn't manage to get it on camera. This time I was ready. I think it startles his every time he manages to roll... he looks at us like "Woah...what was that? I was on my tummy now I'm on my back????" I discovered my video editing tools so enjoy this homemade Old Skool video...



Some other worthwhile moments of the week:
Jackson's new favorite position in which to watch TV...


New ways to wear the bib and play with Daddy...


And the post nap happy baby:


The little guy actually went down for a nap this morning by himself in his cradle. Hopefully this is the start of the morning nap taking place in his room by himself. I still like taking his afternoon nap with him :) We have a strict bedtime routine, but are moving towards a stricter daytime routing as well. Things are carefully planned nowadays as daddy officially started University last week!