10 Weeks

Take a look at this dapper gentleman! Right now, JJ...

Is a drool-machine. Seriously, if it's not spit-up, it's slobber. 

Has discovered his hands. He's always liked to suck on his hands, but I think now he's starting to realize those things are attached, and he can control when he puts them in his mouth. It's the simple things, isn't it?

Is a pretty happy guy most of the time, unless he's tired, or not feeling so good. Which is like most people, I think.

Talks to himself before he falls asleep for naps. It's pretty cute. He coos up at the animal pictures on the walls of his bedroom. I think he truly believes that if he's charming enough, they're going to talk back to him at some point.

Unswaddles himself, which is rather impressive but also annoying, because then he won't fall asleep for his afternoon naps. "Who needs 'em?"-Jace Plessman.

Is a big flirt. He smiles and coos at anyone who smiles and coos at him first, and sometimes even with strangers who don't coo at him at all. I'm hoping he'll work his magic on the person working the cash register one of these days, so they'll give us a discount. 

Is so aware and alert. He loves looking at whatever is hanging on the walls, or on the shelves at the grocery store, and at people's faces. He tracks Colt with his eyes and his head as he walks across the room.

Is finally starting to enjoy reading books :) We found some of the simple board books that my mom read to me as a baby, so I've been reading those to JJ and he loves to look at the pictures as I read the story aloud. I think the ones I was reading to him before had a little too much going on-a little overstimulating for such a little guy.

Has slept through the night a few times, but isn't doing so consistently. I think he must really love the Pack'N'Play at Mimi and Papa's house, because that's the where he sleeps the longest. Which means...I must have that Pack'N'Play.

Has great head control, can hold up his head, neck, and chest for almost all of tummy time, and can support his full weight when we stand him on his legs. If the size of his thighs is any indication, we're raising a future soccer star.  Or just an awesome kid with thunder thighs.

Is 15 lbs, 5 oz. Woof.

Time is flying, J-money! Thanks for being such a cute little bug.

Buds

"Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine."

-James E. Faust

Nine Weeks

This little peanut turned 9 weeks old on Monday! The days are long but the weeks are fast. He changes so much so quickly! At 9 weeks, Jace...

Weighs 14 lbs 14 oz, landing himself in the 93rd percentile for weight. Such a chubby bunny.

Lifts his head and chest during tummy time like a 4 month old.

Smiles at Colt and I when we come in to get him from a nap, and also when we are trying to get him to go to sleep. I read that smiling and and making eye contact with a sleepy infant gives them a little adrenaline rush and makes it harder to sleep, so I try to avoid smiling back-but it's too hard. He just looks completely delighted to see us and I don't want to hurt his feelings!

Laughs in his sleep.

Was sleeping really well and only waking once at night...but has since decided that sleep is for the weak. We're back to 2-3 night wakings now, although one of those wake-ups is at 6-6:30 a.m. and not exactly in the middle of the night.

Wears 3-6 month clothes.

Has a full head of hair. However, the top is still short and really blonde, so it's hard to see. He's got some reverse ombre going on. 

Inconsistently imitates us when we wave to him by opening and closing his fingers.

Loves face-to-face interaction. He isn't super interested in his toys or books yet, although he does like to look at the pictures in his book of colors, and at pictures or paintings on the walls.

Loves his dad. Colt is the one who has figured out all the good tricks for getting JJ to fall asleep and the ways he likes to be held. What's not to love?

Hams it up for the camera. He's his Grammy's boy.
Had his 2 month shots this week. Three injections and a supplement taken orally. He screamed for a minute, then got right back in the saddle and handled it like the bossman we know and love. He slept through the night afterwards (I, of course, woke up about every hour and a half. Why does this happen to me?).

I haven't been great about documenting each week, and he changes so fast. He definitely keeps me on my toes! I'm loving all the smiles and conversation. He's so much fun these days.

Roozengaarde

Don't mind me as I zip an infant under my jacket

Haha! Trying to get a picture of JJ with the tulips while he was strapped to my chest. Don't mind his slobbers.

Yesterday, we drove about 45 minutes north to the Roozengaarde, an annual tulip festival that was started by a Dutch couple some time ago. It was a little windy and chilly, but it's supposed to rain the rest of the week, so we took advantage of the sunshine. Jace and I had watery eyes and runny noses the whole time, but I'm glad we went, because it was so beautiful. Tulips are my favorite flower, and they were everywhere.

Colt said these gardens and fields are about a hundredth the size of those in Holland. He also told me the waffles and frites at Bruge's (a small Dutch-owned restaurant in Salt Lake which sells the yummiest dessert waffles I've ever eaten) aren't as tasty as the ones they sell on the streets in the Netherlands. 

So I guess he'll just have to take me there soon. Waffles and tulips all-around! ;) 

University of Washington

Last weekend, we decided to spend the afternoon walking around the University of Washington campus with our friends Rusty and Jennica and their new little baby Henry. The campus is really pretty. We didn't take a ton of pictures, probably because we were too busy visiting with actual grown-ups, and admiring each other's beautiful babies. Jace and Henry seemed very comfortable in each other's company, as they both nursed and promptly fell asleep.

Afterwards, we met up again at our apartment to eat Costco pizza and cookies and watch some March Madness- the mark of a truly successful day. We're so glad we've got such good friends up here.