Sarah and Adam: The Next Generation

Video Tuesdays: Lots of Laughing

Sorry we missed the last week's video but we were on vacation with the family. Lots of fun pix and video from that trip--those pictures and some other new ones are linked from the previous post (below). The videos will take a little more time to edit but here are some Jasper belly laughs to tide you over.

Jasper's First Joke, Family Vacation, and Sleeping through the Night

A few vignettes from the life of Jasper...

Jasper's First Joke:
I believe Jasper may have made his first joke today. Although it has to be considered 'potty humour', that is not too much of a surprise, given his age. This morning, as I was changing his diaper, Jasper began to pee. When I let out a little shriek of suprise and put a diaper over the stream, he laughed.  When, a few seconds later, I removed the diaper, he began to pee again, with much additional laughter.  I don't exactly know whether I should be proud or horrified.

Sleep Training
About 10 days ago, poor Jasper had to endure sleep training (Or as some like to call it "sleep shaping"). This has gone remarkably well, with very little crying after the first night. In fact, last night he actually smiled at me when I lay him in his crib, and went to sleep with no crying at all. Despite the fact that we agonized over the decision, and the first night was really really hard, everyone is sleeping much better these days!

Photos from the Family Vacation
There are some new photos up, most of these are from Jasper's first family vacation on the Oregon coast. There are also a few pics from the camping trip the previous week, and several adorable pictures of naked Jasper wearing his bib like a little cape. The family vacation was great fun, but I have to confess that we somehow failed to get photos of all of the family who were actually on the vacation (my mom and her husband Rick didn't hang out with us on our photo filled days). Enjoy!

Super Jasper!

Video Tuesdays: Kicking & Camping

This past weekend we went camping with Jasper (the last clip in the video below is Desmond, our friends' kid, on the hike we took together). We were feeling adventurous and ready to give it a shot, and generally it went quite well. We timed our travel so he slept in the car most of the way there and back, and he slept unusually well in the tent. At least until 5 A.M., when it was full daylight and he was wide awake and ready for the day.

Read more:

Video Tuesdays: Massage time

Jasper's sleep habits have been erratic, at best, so we've been spending a bunch of time exploring the Sleep Wars ("cry-it-out, babies are supposed to cry, why else would they have lungs" vs. "How dare those heartless bastards let a baby cry and stand idly by").

We've yet to choose sides, but both sides can agree that you should start by creating a bedtime ritual, which is legally mandated in 28 states to include the reading of "Goodnight, Moon." So, we've started one. The fun part is baby massage. Sarah took a little class on it a couple months back, and Jasper's now old enough to really appreciate it.

He lies on his tummy happily (which makes him cranky at any other time). He smiles when Sarah touches his back. And he displays his current sign of pleasure, a steady spray of drool. Watch and enjoy (with a little clip of J. chatting on the changing table at the end).

New photos

Sorry we missed Video Tuesdays last week--we were travelling. We were in DC for 4 days, a trip that went surprisingly well given how tough the last trip to Boston was. The key was to stay out of cars, and rather than going around to see various friends, we invited them to come see us at our hotel.

We also went to the Natural History Museum which Jasper loved. First was the hall of mammals, with animals everywhere and animal noises playing. It was a little overwhelming but fascinating for him. Then we went and sat on a stool in the insect exhibit, facing outwards, and watched all the little kids watching the insects. Finally we sat on a bench and played with Jasper's feet, which was highlight for him.

When we got home, Jasper's grandparents (Adam's parents) were here. They had a great time with Jasper, and best of all, they spent all yesterday with him so we could go out an run some errands (ah, Costco, how we missed ye) and even go out for an early dinner.

Jasper's somehow gotten cuter in the last couple weeks. His face is a little rounder, he's a little less cranky and more interested, and he's much easier to get to smile. See for yourself:

See all the new pictures at http://sarahandadam.typepad.com/photos/jasper_month_4/streeetch.html