Jason Karl turns the big 3-MO

Today Jason officially became a 3 month old baby. Amongst the day's activities were taking pictures, going to our autism screening research project appointment (not that we suspect he has autism, but they need normal babies in the research as a comparison), buying a new outfit for family pictures next week, and trying to get in some naps. I even got to feed some mallards that wandered over to our apartment pool during one of Jason's naps. (The pool is literally right out our front door). Here are some of the pictures from today.

Still loves to gnaw on his hand. Don't know when that phase will pass.

When Jason wants to smile really big, he just opens his mouth as wide as he can. We love it.

He's about to fly up on my legs and be "Super Baby". I love how he looks in his hoodie!


These next two are similar poses to his 2 month pictures, so they'll be easier to compare. Does he look like he's getting bigger to you?

And here's one last treat for everyone. When I was getting him dressed, I noticed he had TONS of lint stuck in the creases of his neck. All the drool and then the hoodies and bibs and other fabrics up in there; it only made sense. I never could clean it well during bath time, because he doesn't really like bath time much and while he doesn't normally cry, he did fuss when I spent too much time cleaning around his head and face last time. So I decided to try just lifting him up with my hand behind his neck so he would arch backwards and then using a baby wipe to clean up as much as I could. I did that, and he startled me by the sound he made. At first I thought he was about to cry but then I realized he wasn't crying; he was laughing uncontrollably. Jason was incredibly ticklish underneath his neck! It was awesome. I did it once more to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and same reaction. I quickly grabbed my camera to record the moment. I didn't take the time to find the tripod and set it up, so the camera was propped up on a box on the bed, and the shot isn't too well framed, but you see and hear what I mean. I was so excited to show Dustin when he came home, but after having done it 4 times in a row that afternoon, Jason apparently had learned to control his tickle urges because he didn't do it at all for Dustin. Oh well, at least I got in on video when it did happen, right?

Happy Two Months, Jason Karl!

So on Friday, our little boy officially became 2 months old. I can't believe how big he is getting. My friend gave me the idea of taking a picture of him next to the same stuffed animal every month, so we can see how big he really is getting. So I decided to do that. Anyway, we took a couple pictures that day and here they are. Jason is fascinated by reflections in the mirror, and he finds a lot of joy in his fists, especially when he gets to put them in his mouth. Enjoy!

"It's in the vault"

For those who don't know, that phrase is a Seinfeld-ism. Don't be ashamed if you didn't know that. I used to be just like you - I used to be one of those people who could count on one hand the number of Seinfeld episodes I had seen. But since my husband owns all 9 seasons on DVD, and since I spend a lot of time nursing on the couch in front of the TV, (not to mention the fact that I bought him the Seinfeld Scene-it game for Christmas and my pride requires that I be able to compete with him), I have taken to watching the sitcom starting with the very first episode. I am now half-way through Season 9. I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed of myself. But either way, at least now I understand such classic lines as: "These pretzels are making me thirsty," "No soup for you!" and "It's in the vault".

For those who are as I once was, according to Seinfeld, what you keep in the vault are secrets. However, despite all the episodes Jason has been subjected to watching with me, he doesn't seem to understand that. Maybe it's because his back is to the TV. Maybe it's because he has a boob to distract him from paying attention. Maybe it's because he's not even 2 months old yet and doesn't understand the English language. Who knows. But for whatever reason, Jason seems to think that vaults are not for keeping secrets, but rather something else far more valuable and precious -- Vaults are for lint.

Jason has cleverly converted his two fists into the strongests vaults I have ever encountered. But once, when his defenses were down, I caught a glimpse inside. Hoards of colored lint were balled up in there. In the wrinkles of his palm, in the crevices between his fingers -- he had stashed the stuff everywhere. Since my discovery, I have done what any good mother would do; I've tried to rob my son when he wasn't paying attention.

I say "tried" because as embarrassing as it is to admit, this almost 8 week old creature continues to outwit his almost 25 year old mother. While he's nursing, I do my best to pry his fingers open, but as soon I move my finger to his palm to try and rub the lint away, he closes his fingers around mine, and I'm trapped. I spend the next minute just trying to free my appendage from being locked inside the vault forever. And to add insult to injury, once I've freed myself from my failed attempt, he mocks my failure by slobbering all over his fists and then extending them to the burp cloth, the sofa, my t-shirt, anywhere he might ambush some more unsuspecting lint and add it to his collection.

So there you have it. Mother vs. Baby and Baby is showing her who's boss. But we'll see. After all, there's always bath time. Mwah-ha-ha-ha!