more pics and Video

Sorry for the late addition but here are some more pictures (stills and a video) from the 25th and 26th. Jackson is getting more alert he is looking around. Today we got our first social smile as he is reacting to us and there is a lot more interaction. As you see from the video he like music. But he is not as vocal as Miguel is yet, but we do have a few weeks to catch up. But I will blame the dogs in advance. Because I will bet they are not talking with Jackson as much as Tenzin is with Miguel.

Jackson 5 Weeks old

Today Jackson is now five weeks old. We have a picture from today. We have also made an ongoing page that compares all the weeks together. Things have drastically changed for us in this short amount of time. He is a lot of fun. He really likes music, he dances (okay wiggles might be a better description) and seems to be enjoying himself. I can only imagine how much more exciting things are going to get. We are taking him out for walks, both with and without the dogs. We have gone to the park and other fun places, we have not yet taken him on errands. We are waiting until there is a need. Currently we divide and conquer. His neck is getting much stronger he can hold his head up longer and still looks around at everything.

Pacifier

We have been able to get Jackson to take pacifier this evening to help him calm down. I was able to shoot a small video of him. It is similar to the mobile or the hiccups videos.

DWJ BBQ

Today was the second annual Johnson-Hof BBQ. This followed the first annual Johnson-Hof Symposium. Though it is our second science meeting last year we met up at the ISMSC, that was in Victoria, BC. This year our northern neighbors came down here. On Friday we had ten talks then today it was BBQ at the Johnson house. This is Jackson first meeting with my co-workers, it seemed to have gone well. Mary and I made Deviled Eggs that did not last long. Melanie brought some wonderful chocolate cookies that I will have to make. Tim made some beer utilizing hops from our garden from last season. I liked the beer. I was great for this time of year. And as usual our boss made so great stuff from the grill. Like every other time I came home stuffed.

Jackson's Bath

Today Jackson got a bath in the kitchen sink. This one worked much better on us than our attempt in the regular tube. There is less back trouble and a much smoother event. He seems to like it, or at the very least not dislike. I guess that we should not get too picky. We, I, took some pictures of the bath.

Just around home

Just a calm day around the house, not a lot to report. We just took a few pictures and thought that we would share them.

Four weeks old

Today Jackson is 4 weeks. It is hard to imagine. Things are going well. We are learning some of his personality and his needs. Sleep is better some days than others. We will get one night of 11PM to 4AM then the next is 12M, 2AM, 4:30AM, and then again at 7AM just to make sure all is well. We will see what tonight brings, but in the interim we have some pictures from today

Fathers Day

Fathers day trip up to Salem to visit with lots of family. I have some pictures here from the event. We were able to get a few 4 generation pictures of the Rubys as well as us. We got some great pictures of cousins from my generation and some second cousins from the next generation.

Graduation

Today I "graduated" from the UO. It is not quite real as I still have lots of work to do, but it was nice to walk while my parents are here. There is lots of writing to do. But what I have to do now is no longer lab work, so I can get some of it done at home ( in all that free time) in small chucks as I can. I will get it done this summer and then defend at the beginning of the fall. My dad took some pictures and I have posted a few here.

Jackson Faces

A busy week with Nana and grampa visiting from the east coast. Jackson is getting very expressive. I was able to get a few pictures, here from him showing off. I am going to believe that he is acutally listen and responding to us. We have taken him to the dog park a few times and a few walks around the neighborohood he does like to get out in his front carrier.

Jackson 3 Weeks old

As you can tell from the lack of update we have all been busy. But for the least little bit I have a weekly update. As usual there are busy times. Jackson's paternal grandparents (Nana and Grampa not to be confused or mixed with Gram and Bebo) arrived on Saturday. Then on Sunday Great Aunt B, Aunt MiKy and with cousins Hannah and Emily came down from Portland for a visit. I have some pictures here from the weekend. We had great time visiting. Everyone left tired, and those of us that stayed had a nap. This evening we went to the dog park with Jackson, but when we got there an got him out of the car we needed a complete change of clothes. So Mary, Nana and the dogs went for a walk while I went home and changed him. We were able to make it back to do one loop with everyone else. The "babyBjorn" carrier works quite well. Not a lot is planned for the week. Thursday Jackson will go in with Mom to her work to meet the co-workers. Saturday is graduation here so he we get another outting. The Chem Dept grad should be small but we will see how he does. Then Sunday we be crazy as it is fathers day and we are all going to Salem for the afternoon. I have lots of pictures from those events to share later.

Jackson 2 Weeks old

Well, on Sunday I told you that I had not seen the "old Faithful" Today I sit here corrected. To clarify, I saw something different. I would more describe it as a Hawaiian lava slide or small eruption. There was not a lot of force and distance like say a geyser but more of a prolonged steady flow. Engough of the imagary. Today we had the two week Dr. check up. Baby is doing great, he is 9# [up past the birth weight of 8# 6oz] not bad for two weeks. He is at the 50%, dead center, good news I guess. And he is now only 21.5in, so as was expected his cone head has shrunk down to the normal round. They did another PKU test, results to follow, he was not too keen on them drawing blood from his heel. I have some pictures here from this afternoon. Tomorrow the hockey season may end and we [yes, Jackson and I - not just the royal "we"] will be wathcing it. Jackson has already been a good influence on me there has been less yelling, especially at the diving on Monday. Some of these players should get their own Oscar nominations [..cough..Neil...cough... Emery..cough] but tomorrow will be a sad and fun day as we get to see the cup. Ah, I remember Wednesday October 4th like it was yesterday. My point is Jackson likes hockey so I guess that we will keep him. More news as it happens. But as promised here are pictures from day 0 and today [day 14]

Poop Monster

We are all doing well - had a few nights with less sleep than normal (before baby). It has not yet caught up to me. I seem to fall asleep during his 11PM feed and then awake for the 3 or 4 AM one. And then again for the 7ish one, but on a much more positive note I am getting a lot done in those earlier mornings between 7 & 8 AM. For example Mary had her Sunday morning breakfast in had around 9 instead of the usual 11:30ish. Mary is being a real trooper and doing so well. Since I have been negligent on web stuff we have a few days worth of pictures here including a visit from Great Grandma Gatlin as well as Great Aunts Diane and Leslyn, from this afternoon. I am looking forward to my parents showing up next week so that he can meet his other set of Grand parents. Then on Father's Day I am going to get a four generation picture, we have one of me as a toddler and I am looking forward to starting a father's day tradition. It looks like Miguel in Michigan has been talking to Jackson here as they are soiling fresh diapers as soon as they are secure. Of course I should not complain, on Thursday Mary had an "Old Faithful, only with bright orange poop." [ this is a direct quote, some things I am happy to miss]