My Smiley Guy

He finally almost fits into his onesie!
This was the first thing I bought when I found out I was pregnant.
He really looks like Cody here!

Our big boy is 7 weeks old today and reaching major milestones! Last week little Jackie Boy made his first real social smiles at us and even some giggles. He's been smiling in his sleep since day one, so we've gotten to see his potential cuteness but this really trumps it all so far. The giggling was mixed with a little crying, and sounded on the edge of majorly losing his shit over what seemed like nothing. But to him it must be something! Lots of emotions. From what we've read the 6 week mark is when babies typically "wake up" and start to realize all the new sensations around them in their huge environment. That must be intense.

To say the least, the last week or two has been quite the ride. Hours of trying to soothe the baby, and trying to soothe ourselves also is necessary. Thank goodness for hot coffee in the morning, and for our rock and play, which allows me to set him down while he's napping and take him with me into the bathroom, and I get a nice hot shower. And for being able to have a beer or two at the end of the day finally, after being pregnant for so long, is such a treat. Oh, and these brownies. I am not allowed to make them anymore because we have been eating a pan a week. Comfort-eating at it's finest in my opinion.

So this baby stuff is totally mind-blowing. Who knew that a tiny 9 pound person can have so much power over you?! The helpless feeling is felt by both child and parent much more than I ever thought before.

But really, all those tears (yes - crying REAL baby tears now) and screams are rewarded with his extra need to snuggle with us right now, and of course with those precious smiles and smirks. Jackson has even started crying what we call "the fake cry," which is just his way of saying that he isn't pleased with something. It's a cute little shrill, screamy-cry.

And during the wee hours of the morning I find myself thinking all these sweet thoughts, holding him as his face is nuzzled up in my neck and chest, listening to his breathing and coos as we rock together. I think to myself that the moment is so precious and fleeting. I tear up and think that I should remember all the thoughts and write about them so they aren't forgotten. But at 4 am, somewhere between another night of little bursts of sleep and yet another diaper change, all the exact thoughts are forgotten quickly. I don't recall them at all. All I can know for sure is that this time is so special. He won't be this way for long, so tiny and innocent and helpless right now, so we must just let him be this way and embrace him, and not forget about each other in the process.