Updated 9.21.99

Well, we're coming up on the third week with Jackson and things are settling in quite nicely. Over the past week, we've had a lot of things going on -- baptism classes, the first doctor's appointment, car rides and all that fun stuff!

The Doctor
So, first things first -- Last Thursday was supposed to be our first pediatric appointment with Dr. Campbell, but she was sick, so we rescheduled for Saturday. When we got there, we were ushered right in to the examination room without having to wait in a room full of sick kids -- good for us!

After a few minutes, the nurse came in and took some measurements -- you know, the vital stats for a baby. It turns out, he's 9 pounds 8 ounces, (90th percentile) and still 21 1/4 inches long (90 - 95th percentile). The doctor said that's great. All they really expect on the first visit is that the baby regain his birthwieght -- so Jackson's just fine. We were concerned because sometimes breast fed babies have a slower time getting started -- the learning curve of mom and child -- but we're just perfect. So far . . .

Jackson got his foot stuck for a blood test, too. Since we haven't heard anything from the lab, everything's ok. Basically, the doctor just said to keep going the way we are and to come back to see her at 2 months of age -- Next visit: October 25 @ 2:30.

Take a look at the pics in the photo album.

The Baptism Classes

We had to go to two classes to 'prepare' for the baptism. What a joke! After the first class, which was last Tuesday night, Katie and I thought we were in the 'beginner's theology' class -- pretty basic stuff on all the sacraments, not just baptism. But that class seemed actually on-topic compared to the one we went to last night. The class basically covered child rearing and discipline -- taught to a room full of parents who, like us, were mainly dealing with just getting the baby fed, changed and to sleep. When the lady started telling us how to deal with a 7 year old who won't listen to you because he's watching tv -- well, I just lost it. I tried to -- gently -- let the instructor know that the viewing habits / disciplinary challenges of a 7 year old were so far out of our everyday dealings that we really couldn't relate, and that maybe the packet they gave us would be useful years later, but what did this have to do with the teachings of the church anyway??

Well, we weren't her favorite class, I guess. Anyway, we're set for an October 10 baptism, 2 PM at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. Who are the God parents, you ask? Well, we are honored that Jeanne Lee (my aunt) and Eric Lauritzen (along with his wife Sara, some of our best friends) have accepted the roles. We are very excited to have such good people looking over Jackson.

 

Katie's doing pretty good with the mother thing. She's got a book where she keeps log of when Jackson eats, sleeps, wakes and dumps -- that way she doesn't forget! It's easy to do, with everything just blurring together.

She's getting a slight bit more sleep in a row than last week, but nothing like normal. She has settled down, though, and will sleep when Jackson does. I think that's as much a result of her getting more comfortable with motherhood as it is a result of having fewer guests!

Katie is still really protective and attached to the little guy, too. But that's something you just learn to manage, not get rid of.

The little guy is doing well. He's gotten through the first big hurdle -- learning how to feed. I'm really proud of him. I know it's got to be hard to come into a weird world and have to learn how to do all kinds of things you never had to do inside mommy.

As far as baby activities, he still pretty much eats, sleeps and makes the diaper companies profitable. But he's settling into a routine where he's awake and aware for longer periods -- and is sleeping for slightly longer periods, too.

Right now, he really likes to be held and talked to while he's awake. When he's alert enough, we try to put him in his 'tiny love' hanging stuffed animal toy -- you have to see it to understand. He likes to look at all the stuff hanging and try to swat at it with his hands and feet.

And then he goes to sleep -- to wake up and eat again.

 

Well, I'm doing what I can -- but still not much help in the wee hours of the evening and morning. I think in a couple of weeks I'll start being able to give him a bottle of mom's milk at night -- and let mom sleep. But for now, I get to stay in bed, even if I do wake up when they do. I just don't have to stay up . . .

During the day, though, I try to play with him as much as possible -- it's hard when he's eating and all. But when I can, I take him and talk to him, maybe read the newspaper to him and just let him know that I love him as much as his mom, it's just that I can't give him any milk-love yet!

He really is a wonderful baby -- the photos don't do him justice. You just have to hold him -- or maybe it's that you just have to be his dad.

On a side note: Tom and Laura asked us this week if we would be Spencer's God parents. Of course, we heatedly accepted. Quite frankly, it's an honor. Spencer's baptism will be October 24 at St. Michael's Catholic Church.