Six Week Checkup

Xander went to the doctor's on Friday for his second well-baby checkup. He's now 11 pounds 6 ounces, 22 1/2 inches long. The heart murmur that the doctor heard at his first checkup has healed.

Starting three nights ago, he began sleeping for 4 1/2 to 5 hour stretches. The lactation consultants mentioned that at around 12 pounds babies have enough weight on them to stay asleep longer without getting hungry. This is pretty lucky for us--once he gets 5 1/2 hours at a stretch he's officially considered to have "slept through the night."

Mommy and Xander in Moby
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Six Weeks Old

Baby Xander quietly stalks the milk source. At the right moment he will pounce on the unsuspecting prey.

Xander Stalking Mommy
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Knitted Presents

Alexander has recieved some very thoughtful gifts from lots of people. Here are two items--a hat knitted by Grandma Dixie and a blanket crocheted by Buckland family friend Dorothy. Beautiful! Thank you!

Knitted Presents
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Beginning Smiles

Beginning Smiles
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland
Click on the photo for more images.

He looks a little concerned here, but he's about to smile.
For those of you who haven't been able to experience the baby-talk first hand, here's a partial list of nicknames we have for the little bumpkin:

Xander (official nickname)
Xander the Meanderer
Squiggly Worm
Wiggly Worm
Squigglebert
Mr. Burp-a-lot
Baby
Baby-boo
Mr. Cute
Sir Cute-a-lot
Mr. Man
Little Monkey
Cutie
Cutie Pie
Sweetie
Sugar-Pie
Mr. Mump (my favorite, coined by Micah)

In other news, we just found a daycare for Xander. It's a family day care run by a woman who used to be a nanny, her daughter and an assistant. They have five kids right now and Xander will be the sixth and youngest. The references I called all had glowing reviews. When I called tonight, the owner said that after we left the daycare, her daughter said, "oh I hope they place him here, he's such a little man." He will get lots of holding and love there. It's nice to have that taken care of.

One Month

Tomorrow young Xander will be four weeks--one month--old. What did he learn this month?

• puts hands in mouth (erratically)
  
• self-soothes by sucking hands
  
• can hold head up when on belly or on shoulder
  
• can move head from one side to other when on belly
  
• latches on very well
  
• makes occasional "coo" sound--mostly by accident or after a yawn
  
• focuses on faces and toys
  
• turns toward mom or dad's voice
• smiles randomly
  

Click on any of the photos to see more pictures.

Young Buddah Baby
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland