Jack is 1 month old

We've kept him alive and well for a whole month! Actually, one month and one day! One month of a baby's life goes much faster than one month of pregnancy. It's a lot more fun too.

So yesterday, we took a few pictures to mark the occasion. We took pictures with the bear from Dad. When you look at these pictures and compare them to the first photos with the bear when he was four days old, you can see how he has grown. It's most obvious in his face.









It's fun to look back over the last month and see how far we have come. Jack is now consistently eating on a three-hour schedule, occasionally he goes even a little longer. His eyes are working together now too instead of rolling around separately. He stares at both Steve and me pretty intently. He is starting to smile with his eyes open now. We've caught him smiling at us a few times; although I'm still not positive it's not gas.

Today was pretty fun. I think I caught him starting to roll over. We often lay him on his back on the couch with us, and I did that today while I was on the phone with my mom. Jack started to kick his legs and rolled onto his left side. I put him back on his back and he did it again. He didn't get all the way over to his tummy though. So now I'm watching him like a hawk!




This picture cracks me up. It looks like he knows he's doing something sneaky.

Well, that's the update. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Big News!

So this is getting it's own entry.

Steve has been accepted into Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management! He will start the part-time program this summer. He was a little shocked when he got the phone call and wanted to wait until he got the packet in the mail to make sure (of course, it was true!). The packet came within a few days of the phone call.

He is so excited, and so am I. It will take him about 4 years to complete his MBA. It will be a fun ride for the next four years!

Cousins!

Jack and I took our first trip out of the house just the two of us today. We went up to visit Aunt Susie and Cousin Nick in Gurnee. The roads weren't too bad, which helped keep my blood pressure in a normal range!

Anyway, while we were there, we took some pictures. Enjoy my new nephew!

Visitors

Here are some pics of the people who have come to meet Jack!


Beth


Aunt Cathy


Aunt Shayna and Shane


Nana


Pete


Papa


Grandma Anne


Grandma Sue and Pepere


Uncle Peter


Aunt Susie


Aunt Kim


Aunt Connie


Aunt Cathy


Uncle T and Michelle


Uncle Lup and his Family

Jack is sleeping!

I talked to my friend Sandra today, and she confirmed what Steve has been telling me for the last week: I cannot expect Jack to be on a schedule yet. As hard as I try to get him on a 3 to 4 hour eating schedule, sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. So I'm now trying to go with the flow more but keep myself on some sort of schedule.

After a long night last night (there was some crying, by me and Jack), we got up today around 10. I made it a point to shower right after Jack ate. I also made it a point to put on normal clothes. I think wearing sweats and pajamas all the time is taking a toll on my psyche. Anyway, that started a very productive day. I got the laundry done; I paid bills; and I got off the email to organize meals for Susie and Peter.

Time out! I need to give this the attention it deserves.

I am an aunt again! Susie gave birth to Nicholas Paul on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb 3) at 1:47 p.m. I tried to go see him, but by the time I got to the hospital they had taken him to the nursery already. I couldn't stay long enough for him to get out. Tomorrow, Jack and I are going to try to go visit the new little guy. Hopefully, the weather and the roads will clear.

Okay, back to the Barrett family. So in my new found productiveness, I'm getting to update the blog. I think I'm going to do little posts so it's easier to figure out what's going on. Enjoy the photos!