Firsts

JJ is now just over 4 months old and continuing to thrive.  He tips the scales at 17 lbs and is almost 70 cm tall (or as his Grandad puts it; almost 40% of the way to being 6' tall).  He's had his latest shots and checkup.  He is so strong and stable now.  He is also continuing to change at such a fast rate!

We've been able to achieve several firsts in the last month or so:

• First milk via a spoon (those of you that know E and I know how important food and dinner time is to us so we're getting JJ ready to start at an early age!)
• First time in the front pack and not the car seat (which he loves as he can see so much and interact with people)
• First experiences in the Exersaucer and Jolly Jumper (again, which he loves, although drool ends up everywhere)
• First visit to the playground (and accompanied slide and swing, I think E enjoyed that part more than JJ)
• First classic thumb sucking (you know, with only the thumb in his mouth and his fingers kind of curled up rather than him trying to shove as many fingers from both hands in his mouth)
• First giggles (although these are hard to earn, E and I must not be very funny)
• First long car ride (see last post)
• First dip in a swimming pool (I think he just thought it was a rather large, not so warm, bath with no bubbles)

JJ is really developing a personality and he is incredibly social.  We recently had a few errands to run and stores to visit on a Saturday afternoon.  This used to fill us with fear but with JJ strapped into the front pack I wandered about with him all over the mall and he just loved it.  He was chatty, smiley and very happy.  Everyone that interacted with him got at least a smile (and most thought by his size that he was a 9 month old!).  I also got a good workout, carrying a big baby about really works your back!  When we were done he simply passed out in the car and had a nice nap (and we took the very scenic way home to let him sleep that bit longer).  It must be nice for not to be confined to the car seat.  He is almost big enough to go in his stroller now and I am sure he'll like that too (so will my back).

It is almost exactly a year to the day when we found out little JJ was headed our way and we really were in such a different place.  Life has changed so much, we have an entirely new focus, so much has happened.  I really could not have been prepared for this but feel like I learn a little more every day about how to be a good Dad (and husband to a new Mum).

It is amazing to see JJ first thing in the morning, when I get home from work or even in the middle of the night and see his big wide smile, little kicks of excitement and usually some accompany noises and drool.  The bond I was looking for in the early days (and having trouble with) is absolutely there and nothing (short of the bond I have with E) can match it!  The last four months have passed by in a daze.  I'm the next four and beyond will pass similarly quickly and he'll be walking and talking before I know it.  I hope that I remember as much as possible about this stage in his life, how dependent he is on E and I and how amazing that is.