6 weeks

Happy 6-week birthday, Matt! We can't believe how much our little guy has grown in 6 weeks; surely he'll slow down some time soon…

Yipes, stripes!

Week 6

Last Monday we had Matt's 5-week check-up. He weighed in at 12 pounds 11 ounces - although he's at least 13 and a half pounds now - and was pronounced healthy. That was my first real outing alone with Matt, and we upped the ante by then stopping by some friends'. The rest of the week Matt was busy working hard to grow big and strong in time to reach his 6-week birthday. We see him fill out and get taller before our eyes each day; in fact, I swear outfits that fit fine in the morning become a little too snug by the end of the day (if they last that long, that is). In fact, Matt only has 3 articles of 0-3 months clothes that still fit; otherwise he is in 3-month or 3-6 month clothing. In other milestones, Matt is straightening his legs out more and more. He'll stand - with help, of course - on our lap with his legs straight. His neck is stronger; he can hold and turn his neck quite easily and well. His eyes are focusing better, and he's starting to follow better as he or objects move. And we're seeing some more smiles, but they're still involuntary.

Chubby cheeks and a squished mouth

 Happy baby!

Ahoy, matey!

Making silly hand gestures while asleep

Working on holding his head up during tummy time

The home team's lucky charm?

For the past 3 Sundays Matt has been wearing his Patriots onesies, and the past 3 Sundays the Patriots have come back in the 4th quarter. Coincidence? We'll see what happens today…

Update: Sadly, no such luck today. It's probably just as well: these are the last 0-3 month onesies that fit, and it's highly unlikely they'll continue to do so through the end of the season, much less through the playoffs.

Week 5

Matt's fifth week was one of big change. Jon went back to work, leaving Matt and me by ourselves at home together during weekdays. Unfortunately Jon's first day back coincided with a massive growth spurt that left all of us exhausted after a night of non-stop feedings and fussiness, so we didn't get off to the strong start we wanted. By the end of Monday evening Matt was back to his usual self, however, and by the end of the week we were starting to become more comfortable with the new schedule. Matt and I took advantage of the relatively nicer weather to get in a few walks around the neighborhood. On Thursday we hoped to join some friends for a baby-friendly movie showing, but my car had other ideas, sadly. Next week we'll go on some outings...

Some of the many faces of Matt

Sitting up - with a little help

Preparing to go outdoors

Lazy weekend...

Busted!

Look whom I caught napping in the baby's bassinet:

Bad cat!

Is she feeling at all guilty or ashamed? Nope! She's a cat, after all.

(I didn't realize she had been napping in the bassinet until a few weeks before the baby's arrival, when I discovered it was covered in cat hair. After a thorough de-furring and washing, I put some foil in it, which did, ahem, foil her attempts to sleep in it. We've taken the foil out now that the baby's here, however. I had seen her eyeing the bassinet, but this is the first time I've actually caught her in it.)

Happy 1-month birthday, Matt!

Monday was the four-week anniversary of Matt's arrival, but if we go by the calendar today is his one-month birthday. As you can see, Matt is a strong, robust, hearty, growing baby. In fact, he now weighs 12 lbs.! He has outgrown half of his clothes sized 0-3 months now. (One of the remaining items that still fits is the 4th of July onesie you see below; I had tried to dress him in one of his Christmas outfits, but he had already outgrown it! So we're going to pretend this says My First 4th of December instead…)

Week 4

Matt's fourth week was another one full of eating, sleeping, and growing. He may not have grown taller (or longer), but he is definitely filling out. His arms, legs, and torso are much chubbier, with more muscles underneath those cute rolls of baby fat. He can hold his head up for significantly longer periods of time, and he is pushing off with his increasingly stronger arms and legs. We're enjoying watching him articulate each finger and grab more.

Yawn!

Red Sox championship onesie!

Rooting for the home team