Hello 3 Months Old, Goodbye Fourth Trimester

I have invested a good bit into The Happiest Baby on the Block.  Karp, the author, believes that babies are born 3 months early.  He calls the first 3 months of life "the missing fourth trimester".  I've read other parenting books, but this is the one I've favored.  I've relied on the 5 S's quite a good bit and felt confident in soothing my child.  Now I just need to find another book to aid me in the next three months!

Here is what our 3 month old is up to these days:

Jackson is now wearing 6 month clothes.  We can't even snap most of the 3-6 month onesies because he is so long and the cloth diapers add bulk to the behind.  The good news is, we have lots of new clothes to wear.  ("New" to us at least.)  Who doesn't love a good baby fashion show?

Another step in the big boy direction is that Jackson now sits in the high chair at the table with us during dinner.  Until this past week, Jackson was in the swing in the corner of the kitchen.  He seems much happier at the head of the table having his mommy and daddy's full attention.  He just talks and talks while we eat.  (So much for trying to have a conversation that doesn't revolve around your child.  It's hard for Jesse and I to get a word in edgewise.)

Jackson is definitely getting curious and grabbing at toys.  He entertains himself in the carseat by pulling down the stretchy toy. He now grabs for the dangling toys while on his playmat or in the bouncer.  He has full conversations with his favorite stuffed animal, Ducky, during most diaper changes. 
 

Every item Jackson holds inevitably ends up in his mouth.

Jackson's head control is certainly better, albeit inconsistent.  We're increasing the amount of supervised bumbo time.  The bumbo is hit or miss, depending on his mood and how tired he is.  He's definitely not ready for the exersuacer yet.  My favorite thing about improved head control is foregoing the infant insert in the Ergo carrier.  Since Jackson can now peer out without the insert, he was wide-eyed, absorbing all the new sites at Ikea the other day.  The Ergo is so much cooler and less bulky without the insert.

Excuse the gum in my mouth and crazy expression

Jackson isn't showing much interest in rolling over, though he is great at it when we assist him.  Every time Jesse or I are on the floor with Jackson and we hold our hand out, he grabs it and immediately rolls over (from back to tummy).  We don't pull at him at all; he just needs something to hold onto.  He had a tough time learning how to roll over his opposite hand and shoulder initially, but he's quite good at it now.  We have yet to see him roll over unless we are holding his hand.

Jackson nurses every 2-3 hours during the day, and usually 2-3 times during the night (9 pm-8 am).  We generally give him a 4 oz bottle every other day.  On a few occasions he has received multiple bottles in one day.  I now have a freezer stash of 250 ounces and counting, so it's never a big deal if I am away from Jackson longer than expected.  He still spits up like it's his job, but it doesn't seem to bother one. 

Developmental things we are still working on:

• Arm control (He still needs to be swaddled at night)
• Head control for extended periods of time
• Rolling over
• Extended tummy time (without crying)

Things Jackson has mastered:

• Smiling, laughing
• Range of sounds
• Following voices
• Facial recognition

Happy 3 Months, Jackson Lee!