New things about our baby

• Weight summary:
  
  • July 5th: 7 lbs, 12.8 ounces.
  • July 6th: 7 lbs, 5 ounces (as far as we remember?)
  • July 8th: 7 lbs, 1 ounce.
  • July 13th: 7 lbs, 12.4 ounces.
  So, Jolyon is definitely getting enough to eat now that Stephanie's milk has come in!
• Breastfeeding is going very well, as confirmed by a visit to the lactation consultant today. We experimented with new positions so Stephanie can have one hand free, and when we get even more advanced, lie down while feeding. Basically, Jolyon is ready to move to Varsity-level breastfeeding. We're so proud.
• Supplementing with expressed breast milk fed by bottle immediately after a feeding (in order to make sure he was eating enough during the first very sleepy days) went well in that it in no way diminished Jolyon's enthusiasm for latching on to the boob. In fact, he'd only do it if he was really hungry. Lactation suggested that we keep on having me give him a bottle of expressed breast milk twice weekly so that he doesn't forget how to do it, since he really prefers the boob. I'm excited, since it's fun to be able to feed him.
• Umbilical cord now replaced by healing scab that looks like it will become an innie (optimistic view, Jenny) or an outie (pessimistic view, Stephanie). Stephanie thinks she's been convinced of the innie-ness, though. Either way, it will be cute!
  
• Jolyon has been having periods of alert, non-hungry time which he spends pumping his legs victoriously in the air or against whoever is holding him, delightedly chewing on his hands while shaking his head back and forth with glee, with occasional cheerful squawks that are not at all the same as the angry "how dare you remove my clothing" squawks.
  
• His asleep half-smile has morphed into a both-sides asleep sort-of-smile and also an awake version of the same. It makes appearances during the aforementioned flail-fests, and also after a satisfying burp or gas emission out the other end. He's quite loud and proficient at both, often without assistance.
  
• His food coma continues to be as rosy cheeked and blissed out as always. He sometimes opens an eye briefly and shuts the eye again, or opens both eyes with his eyes rolling back into his head because he is really totally asleep. It's pretty adorable.
• The carseat is still a big hit. We are only using our carseat in the car and in the stroller, not as baby furniture, but I can understand why people become tempted to use it inside also.
• Clothing removal continues to be not a favorite. Zippered sleepers are a big no in these parts. Jolyon does too much kicking and going rigid to make it possible to stuff a leg into the non-zippered leg. Snaps on sleepers (think stripper pants) on the other hand are great. Not only can you whip the outfit off expediently, but you can coax it back on incrementally around the flailing limbs. We bought one gown because it had stars on it and looked a bit like a wizard robe, and it's adorable but does not adequately contain the kicking.
  
• However, once clothing is removed, baths are absolutely awesome. With peeing, of course. But we're quickly figuring out to keep the non-head end of the baby submerged to avoid fountain effects.
• Jolyon was able to turn over from his back onto his side, unassisted, and also tried to launch himself off Stephanie's chest by pushing with his hands. Lesson learned - one cautious hand on baby is becoming advisable rather early, including on the changing table.
  
• Tummy time has been a big hit, especially because it brings his hands close to his face for chewing on.
• Jolyon totally has started gripping on to my finger when he's sucking on it. He also started fisting my hair.
  
• He totally was tracking my face with his eyes.
• Noises definitely startle him, but that doesn't actually wake him up at all.
  
• Jolyon also really likes foot massages. It's one of the few ways to keep him awake during a feeding that don't also enrage him. The foot massage love he totally gets that from me. :)
• All in all, the emerging personality seems to be that when he's sleepy, Jolyon is very very asleep, and when he's awake, he's very awake. This is pretty awesome in that he's slept longish stretches in his crib at night, and he's super-entertaining to watch when he's awake.