Wintry Weather...

that's thankfully already feeling milder! (we had -13° one night last week!).

Eleven Weeks Old

I'm eleven weeks old now and just beginning to hold things and to explore what I can do with my hands. Okay, for the moment, it isn't much but I am beginning to touch and explore and also to realise I can suck my thumb....

10 weeks old

Here I am on my Big Brown Bear suit.. that only a few weeks ago seemed FAR TOO BIG for any reasonable baby. But now it fits.. and for good reason as the doctor measured him on Friday and discovered he's now 59cm and 5.5kgs. In real terms, that means he's grown a centimetre for every week he's been alive and in the same time he's gained 2.5kgs. There's nothing unusual about such growth (I think it's what babies are meant to do.... ) but all the same it feels incredible!

The adventure continues.....

Nine Weeks Old

A funny thing!

I went to the dentists last week and mentioned I had a funny feeling that Jack has grown his first two teeth.. and he has! Okay, so they are only wee bumps of teeth but they are there.. on the bottom right of his mouth. He's actually had them for about a month now but to begin with I thought they were ulcers because, surely, they couldn't be teeth!

He's continuing to sleep through the night (last night he slept from midnight until 8am) and so life is just so much easier :-)

He's obviously also continuing to grow but we'll have to wait until this Friday's doctors visit to know just how much...

2 months old

Now I'm two months old I've decided (with my mum and dad) that I'm going to sleep at night.. and so for the last week I've been sleeping between 1am and 6am, 7am, or even (once) 10am. Now, okay, one night I only slept between 1am and 4am but mum didn't seem very happy so I'm going to try and avoid doing that again!!!

Me and my Mum!

8 weeks old

Yep, I'm getting older by the minute.. though, call me 'Scarface 2' and remind Mum and Dad to cut my nails the next time you speak to them!!

Seven Weeks Old and Smiling About it :-)

What? I'm already seven weeks old? No problem, mate! I've already got my parents under control! Afterall, all I need to do is smile and they melt and do whatever I want them to do for me (hug me, feed me, hug me, change me, hug me.. and, for goodness sake, leave me alone for ten minutes so I can sleep a little ;-)

and more smiles!

Smiles

Merry Christmas

I think Jack likes Christmas because... he's started smiling proper smiles (that is, he smiles not only when he's about to fart or burp!).

And, he has good reason to smile because in the seven weeks since he was born we have received over 50 greeting cards and too many presents to count. Indeed, Christmas was made much better by the fact we saved a good number of his parcels for Christmas day and so we had a real family Christmas with presents from everyone (thanks Aunt Jen, Gerry and Jackie, Shona and Iain, Sam and Fraser, Jillian, Josef and Aina, Mum and Dad, Nina and really to everyone who has sent presents and cards over the last few months). Living in Alsace is wonderful but it does mean that we are away from so many people we care about.. and that our living room has been continuously decorated with your presence has meant a great deal to me, Ben, and Jack!!

So, I hope you all had a lovely, lovely Christmas Day (and that Santa was good to you ;-)
much love,
Robyn

Now I'm Six Weeks Old!!

In the last week I've become a bit more 'independant'
. Now that doesn't mean I'm out driving Dad"s car and having wild parties but it does mean I can hang out and 'talk' to myself for an hour or so. I'm also working on my smile and on lifting up my head so I can charm the girls... even more!!!

Visitng Germany

Last weekend Jack visited Germany for the first time.. and so got to spend time with Aunt Juliette and cousins Antoine (5) and Charlotte (3). He was really relaxed throughout the weekend (though he rather rudely threw up on Aunt Juliette!) and even enjoyed a walk out to this, their garden plot situated outside of the town.

Five Weeks Old!!

Jack has really changed for us in the last couple of weeks as he now looks at the world and smiles when he likes what he sees!!

He's also developing a daily pattern -- in the mornings he's 'independant' insofar as he's happy to lie on his mat and chill out by himself; in the afternoons he likes to eat and sleep and to be carried around or to go out for a walk(or rather his mum likes to do this while the weather is still good); then, in the evening, he feeds more often and really looks to interact with us (I have to say between 6-9 he's at his most adorable as he's completely relaxed and chats and smiles away to us); finally, as the night approaches he quietens down but needs more reassuring and more hugs before morning comes and the cycle begins again!!

Just now he's in the baby carrier attached to me (like a kangaroo pocket) and we're listening to Eddie Reader. He's completly relaxed looking around him and swinging backwards and forwards as I type. His hands are out to each sie and every now and then he gurgles as if in confirmation that,yes, the world is an okay place to be :-)

And, it really is for him.. because our visit to the doctor on Friday confirmed that he's growing nicely. Indeed, he's grown 4.5 centimetres and gained a kilo since he was born. I can hardly believe it - though he no longer fits some of his smaller pyjamas - and both Ben and I are ridiculously proud of him (yep, all 53.5cm and all 4 kilos).

But iit's all perfectly normal for him and so watch this space ashe continues to grown into a right wee.... Jack!!

Now I'm three weeks old!

.. and I'm super proud of being just so old!!

going for a walk!

grandma and granddad come to visit!

We obviously passed an excellent time gooing and cooing over Jack and generally catching up!

Today I'm two weeks old!

Hello there,

Jack's enjoying his afternoon nap and so I thought I'd write a wee message to say all is going well so far (phew). He's sleeping, eating, and pooing as he should.. and his parents are still in seventh heaven (though beginning to look in need of sleep..).

He really is a joy to be around, as he's normally very quiet and calm. The first ten days in particular were very peaceful as he was asleep most of the time. Now, he is beginning to spend more time awake.. looking around him, enjoying cuddles, wondering when he can eat again. And, this time awake is a lovely time to 'meet him' and to watch him as he encounters the world for the first time.

He can't yet appreciate the number of gifts and cards that are filling our letter box.. but I can and so I would like to say a hugs THANK YOU to all those who have sent their well wishes (and more). Knowing that so many people are thinking of us and are eager to meet 'the wee man' really is a comfort during this time of change. So, cheers!

This week is another big week for Jack, as his Scottish grandparents are coming to stay this Thursday. Mum's already made sure that we have whisky so Dad and Ben can 'wet Jack's head' and while they're busy with that business I'm sure mum and I will find our own ways to celebrate!!

Watch this space for news and more photos...
much love,
Robyn

Day 12: don't I have a cute hand!

Ten days old: just look at me!!