Highchair

We started putting Jack in his highchair last week. We're not feeding him in it yet, just getting him used to it. It's also a great way for him to practice reaching for toys from a sitting position (as recommended by his developmental therapist).

Keys are a current fave toy, as well as the always-popular dinosaur.

Charlie enjoys the highchair too.

Mirror, mirror

Jack loves the new mirror I bought! He grabbed at his feet for the first time this morning. Sitting on his own!

Talking to the cute baby in the mirror.

Colorado Baby

Jack had his developmental evaluation appointment yesterday. It was a lot of fun! We met with the developmental therapist who saw him in the NICU - it was fun to see her again. She spent about an hour and a half evaluating his progress in fine motor skills, gross motor skills, verbal/social interaction, and others.

She had him play with toys, practice rolling over (she thinks he's really close!), and evaluated his sitting, among other things. She also had him look at himself in a mirror; for the first time he actually looked at himself rather than me. He talked and giggled at himself for a long time - she said it's the most engaged she's seen a baby with the mirror in while. She also was impressed with his trunk muscles, considering that he hates tummy time (and therefore I don't subject him to much of it!).

After the appt, we went to the 7th floor to visit the NICU. Unfortunately, most of his regular nurses weren't working that day, but we did get to see one who worked closely with hiim, as well as one of his primary doctors. And several other nurses stopped by to see him, having remembered his name. He was talking and giggling the entire time - he had everyone oohhing and aahhing over him. He's at such a social age, compared to the average NICU preemie. They reminded us about the NICU patient reunion next summer. It's at the Denver Zoo, and they rent out a pavilion for previous patients, nurses, and doctors to get together. We'll definitely be there!

Today was much more low-key. Jack and ran a couple of errands, and I got a flu shot. (Flu season is coming up soon, and we're trying to do all we can to prevent Jack from getting a cold/flu/or the dreaded RSV.) We took Jack for a walk to see the sunset over the mountains. He really enjoys the Baby Bjorn.

Baby Bjorn

Trying out the Baby Bjorn for the first time. Jack liked it for a few minutes but then started fussing (I think he was tired). It was more complicated to get him in there than I expected though!

Teeth

Jack got his first 2 teeth today! The lower middle ones - right side first. We hadn't really even realized he was teething, although he has been drooling copious amounts recently. And he always wants his hands in his mouth - or his burp cloth, or a second choice of our hands. I guess the signs were there!

Goodbye swaddle

Yesterday morning, I went into Jack's room to find him completely out of his Swaddle-Me - it was bunched up next to him. Time to move on...now he sleeps in a sleep sack! (And did great with the change.) The only problem is that his hands are cold in the morning - I'm not sure what to do about that, since he also sucks his hands ALL THE TIME now. So I don't really want to put mittens on, because they'll just be wet and cold then. Any ideas?

Jack's First Road Trip

Last week, my parents drove up to visit us. On their way back, I went halfway with them. We stayed a couple of nights in Dalhart at Christine and Jerry's house. It's normally about a 5.5 - 6 hour drive. Jack overall did very well - on the way down the last 2 hours weren't great. But he didn't cry at all on the way back. I'm so glad we did it. Jack got to meet Christine and Jerry, and it was a good first time away from home. Jack's now been to 3 states (CO, NM, TX).

one of his many happy faces =)