Checkpoint: Two Months!

Hello Family and Friends!

We did it!  Two months down, seventeen years and ten months to go!

Harrison grew SO much this month, both physically and mentally.  His 8 week appointment was pushed back to next Wednesday, so we still don't know how much he weighs officially, but we're pretty sure it's a lot!  Seriously, this kid might have a future in Sumo:

One of the most notable things that happened this month is that Harrison started to smile in an intentional way.  He was still drowsy when we brought him to bed this morning, and he opened his eyes to see us there with him and smiled.  As I write it, this seems like such a small, simple thing!  But each first is so profound to us, and smiles especially bring so much joy.  Here are a few photos from last week of morning time with Daddy:

Despite his newly found ability to smile, he still seems unimpressed by our monthly birthday celebrations.  It wasn't until Nate came in to help him blow out the candles that he really got animated.  It is also interesting that, while he loves looking at lights and out sunny windows, the candles don't seem to hold any magic for him yet.  Maybe they are too small?  (I like where this line of reasoning is going! -Nate)

Midway through month two Harrison suddenly started following us with his eyes. One day he would sort of startle when he noticed we were in front of him, and the next day he'd see us approach from the edge of his vision and turn to watch us move. Lots of direct eye contact and we're hearing more and more adorable coos!

He continues to love music, and we spend all day introducing him to new things.  There is a product called Rock a Bye Baby that transforms classic rock songs into instrumental lullabies for babies, and we have been listening to a lot of those.  They do everything from Bruce Springsteen to Fleetwood Mac to Eminem.  We are planning to have him listen to them for the next few years, and then casually play the originals in the car for him and see if he recognizes any of the songs as his childhood lullabies.  

A few nights ago I was trying to make dinner and he was getting fussy, so I sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to him.  Turns out he was enchanted by the song and the hand movements together.  Nate took a video of it tonight, sorry that it's a little dark (we need to invest in some tall lamps!).

He's only waking up 2-3 times a night now, and it's heavenly.  And while cluster-feeding growth spurts are still a challenge, he is finally starting to find some consistent sleeping patterns.  All in all, we're having a great time!  

Love to everyone!

-Justine, Nate and baby Harrison