Update: 4 months and going strong!

Jadyn turned 4 months a couple of days ago, and we celebrated with a doctor visit and some immunizations. At the doctor appointment we learned she is now 12 pounds and 23.75 inches long; she is just 'perfect' in her growth progression; she is not yet teething; and she just might be learning to manipulate us. We got some tips as to how to get her to sleep without creating bad habits that will be hard to break. We were also given the green light to start solid food if she shows interest in the food we're eating. She hasn't yet, so we'll put off the soupy mess of rice cereal dripping all of her and us until she does.

Two weekends ago we spent a couple of nights in Ocean Park, a beach community on a peninsula in the southwest corner of our state. The peninsula is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay, which is known for oyster farming. Ed and Marcela were kind enough to invite us on this trip (that's Ed and Jadyn below). We did take Jadyn onto the beach while we were there, but both times she was napping, so she didn't get to experience the beach in all its glory. But the Bob stroller was great!


This weekend we were invited to a cookout on Puget Sound with some of Jeff's co-workers, and Jadyn plunged her toes into the sand for the first time. We weren't sure what she'd think of it, but once she realized she was feeling something different, she broke out in a huge smile and made cooing noises. This is a short video of her with her feet touching the sand. (We're working on getting the video rotated properly. Sorry about this kink!)



Also, this weekend we hooked up for a picnic of sorts with some friends who also have kids. There were six each of parents and kids at this gathering!!! Jadyn napped a little in Nancy's arms while the other kids rode bikes and kicked a soccer ball. Though it was overcast it wasn't too cold -- officially, summer is right around the corner!

We've got 2 more pictures to share. The first is Jadyn grabbing her toes. At 16 weeks, though she had touched them and grabbed them before, she became much more aware of her feet and interested in holding her toes and squealing in delight. It happened virtually overnight. Now she grabs her toes all the time! Second, we have Jadyn in her jumper. We were planning to install it soon and really moved on it when the doctor told us it was good for her, since she likes to stand so much, and is age-appropriate stimulation at this point. She is a little small for it, and ends up shifting to one side in the too-big seat after a few minutes. But it won't be long and she'll have this contraption all figured out. She is just so darn cute, don't you think?!?!

Saying good-bye to May

May ends today, amid great spring weather in Seattle. Here are a few of the things we've been up to lately. Jadyn got to see Elliott Bay and the Olympics for the first time while we visited the Olympic Sculpture Park on one of these nice sunny days. There have been several BBQs in the neighborhood, and Jadyn has loved spending time on other people's backyards. In fact, she loves being outside in general, strolling in our arms or in the car seat affixed to the Bob stroller, checking out trees, flowers, and neighborhood activity. It's tough to keep the sun off of her, though we try with the flappy hat we've borrowed from Jeannie and Alexa. Jadyn has become very interested in 'reading' her first book, a gift from Doug. The book photos below were taken on two different mornings in the last week or so. And today we made a quick trip up to Edmonds to visit with Deann and her twins, Emma and Kaylin. It'll be so fun when Jadyn can chase the 'twinkies' around!

Jadyn's schedule has become a little less predictable over the last week or so, with her waking earlier and/or more often in the night for a snack. Either she is going through a huge growth spurt, or a developmental milestone is around the corner. She is on the verge of rolling from her tummy to her back on her own, so maybe that's the reason. Our next visit to the pediatrician is in a week and a half, and we'll get weight and length updates then. Stay tuned!

At the sculpture park

Reading in bed

Cute!



Hanging with the girls at Deann's

14 weeks old today

Jadyn is 14 weeks old tonight. In the last week or so she has been trying to roll over, and her neck strength continues to improve. We've really noticed more neck control during tummy time. Often when she is reclining (for examples, in her car seat, bouncy chair, or swing) she tries to pull herself up to sitting with her neck and stomach muscles. Little BabyJ does crunches! She has learned the most fundamental lesson from all the yoga classes she has attended with Mommy -- it all begins with a strong, engaged core. Check her out in these photos....



The photos below were taken today

BabyJ is 3 months today!

Our little Jadyn is growing bigger every day. Today marks 3 months since she arrived in our arms! It's hard to imagine her at that newborn stage, as she is now interactive, smiley, and so much easier. She has grown into many of the super cute outfits given to her, so it seems like she is a whole new person -- her wardrobe has expanded that much! Here are some of the things that we've noticed about her developmentally, since our last post:

-She smiles and giggles a lot, especially when being reunited with Mommy and/or Daddy after a separation.
-She likes looking in mirrors, and will make eye contact via the reflection.
-She likes gripping things (toys, strap on the stroller, Mommy's hair).
-She likes to be pulled to a sitting position for a better view of things (she still needs to be supported in this position, but not for long!), and can balance her head exceptionally well.
-She prefers to face out, observing the world, when we're holding her (unless she's eating, burping, or super tired).
-She enjoys watching other kids play or interact with her.
-She can make it through an entire bath ritual (undress, washing, rinsing, and toweling off) without melting down.
-She can sit in her bouncy chair or swing and entertain herself with toys for 15 minutes or more, especially when Mom or Dad is within view.
-She squeals to get our attention.
-She has slept overnight for as long as 8 hours without interruption!

The trip to visit family for Grandpa's birthday in Vega$ was a success! Jadyn appeared to like the bright lights and fun sounds of the casinos, and she seemed to try to stay awake so as not to miss anything while we were there visiting with family. Mom was a little concerned about her erratic eating and napping schedule, but Jadyn just rolled with the short vacation's natural rhythm. The plane rides were very uneventful for her, as she pretty much ate and slept through them with very little fussing. And Jadyn enjoyed all the people paying special attention to her. Thanks, Grandpa Jim, for Jadyn's first out-of-state travel opportunity! See pictures below of Jadyn with her Grandpa and Auntie Julie.






Jadyn sleeping on Mom's shoulder

Jadyn facing out while eating her fist

Gearing Up for Vega$, Baby!

We're heading out to Vega$ tomorrow to visit family, and so we're all gearing up for the trip. The occasion is Grandpa Jim's birthday and a big boxing match. Woo-hoo!

Here's a few photos of Jadyn's last couple of weeks (and then we'll post more after we return). Lately she has been reaching for toys and starting to grab onto them, too. Way cute!

Mom and Jadyn, about a week and a half ago


Sleeping on one of Jenny's colleague's shoulders, at Jadyn's SECOND math conference, in Pasco, WA, last weekend


Playing in the bouncy chair, batting at the turtle and snail, today




Also today, grabbing the winkel toy -- thanks Doug, I love it!

A Perfect 10!

A quick update on Jadyn's 2-month doctor appointment, which was yesterday morning. They took weight, length, and head circumference measurements, and Jadyn is now in the 25th percentile for each of these! She now weighs 10 pounds, 0 ounces -- a perfect 10 pounds! She is 21.75" long now as well, which is why she is starting to grow out of the smallest of her clothes. At this appointment, she received her first round of immunizations, which consisted of an oral dose plus 3 different shots. She screamed violently upon receiving them, and then took a couple of long naps yesterday afternoon, with notable fussiness and crying in between. Not that anyone would blame her; we all know that shots hurt.

Our Easter Sunday celebration was a potluck dinner spent with neighbors and their clan. Check out a few photos below.

This outfit premiered for Easter. Finally, she fits in it! Thanks Dad and Pat; it looks super cute on her.

DaddyJ with Hannah, Jadyn, and Cleo

Cleo loves the camera!

Happy Jadyn

8 weeks

Jadyn is now 8 weeks old. We can hardly believe it! In the past couple of weeks, Jeff, then Jenny, and then Jadyn came down with a cold. Jenny is still coughing occasionally to clear her lungs, and Jadyn still has some nasal congestion, but on the whole, we are doing very well, all things considered. Mom and Dad have learned how to extract snot from Jadyn's nose with a bulb syringe. Fun! Needless to say, that's not one of Jadyn's favorite things.

Another first for Jadyn: a math conference! Jenny and Jadyn went to Central Washington University in Ellensburg (about 100 miles away from Seattle) last Friday, stayed the night, and then returned Saturday evening. Jadyn did exceptionally well for her young age, and was quite a hit with the mathematicians. (She has a high cuteness factor, as you can see in the photos below.) Jenny actually got to sit through a few talks; bedtime and through the night played out pretty typically; and the car rides, including a big back-up at the pass due to avalanche control, were well-tolerated by both ladies. There is another math conference on the Laveglia/King agenda later this month. It's further away and for two nights. We'll see how that one goes!

Oh, and by the way, how 'bout those Heels?!?! A national championship for Tyler and Ty, a second ring for Roy, and a year of bragging rights for UNC hoops fans everywhere. Jadyn doesn't quite understand the significance, but she will be told many times over as she gets older how she had the good sense to be born on Jenny's birthday rather than during the Carolina-Dook match-up the previous evening.

Jadyn smiles at Mom and Dad frequently, follows brightly colored toys with her eyes and by turning her head, and is one the verge of grabbing a toy purposefully. She is losing her hair, and her eyes are still blue. She has several different cooing noises now, and likes to lay on her back to exercise as well as exercising during her supervised tummy time. Self-soothing takes the form of sucking on her entire fist, or as much as she can fit in her mouth. It's quite cute, as you can see below.... ;-)

On Monday we visit the doctor for a check-up and the first round of immunizations, plus Mom and Dad are looking forward to an update on her weight and length.... Stay tuned!