Jace ~ 3 Months

Jace has come a L-O-N-G way this past month!  What we described as a discontented, high demand baby who struggled napping has turned into a content, happy baby who naps well!  We are so very grateful for this progress especially as our family transitions to a new season with mom back to work. 

• Sleeping - Jace has been sleeping through the night nearly every night since mid-November.  He's also gotten much better with napping.  We discovered mid-November that he actually fell asleep better when we gave him space.  Instead of rocking him to sleep where he would squirm to get comfortable, we would swaddle and lay him in the crib or rocker where he would fuss for a couple minutes then fall fast asleep and sleep longer.    
• Eating - He's eating every 3-3.5 hours during the day and is still only nursing or having breast milk in a bottle.
• Growing - He's still wearing size 2 diapers but he's completely out of 3 month clothes.  He's wearing 3-6 month and 6 month clothes.  I can really tell how big he's getting when I see someone else hold him.  An unofficial weight at home shows him at 13.4 lbs, up 1 lb 2 oz from 2 months. 
• Fun - Jace has been discovering and getting better control of his hands.  He often has them entwined on his chest or in his mouth.  We've started giving him a few small toys to hold, but he hasn't coordinated getting them to his mouth very well yet.  We put the Christmas trees up last week and Jace is enjoying the lights.  He loves any lights really.  He is often turned toward the window, TV, or lights in the room.  He also continues to love the ceiling fans.  He seems to really like being wrapped in soft blankets in his car seat and when we cuddle.  He nuzzles his face into it.  We had one soft blanket that Nora picked out for him while we were pregnant and have bought a couple more.  
• Transition - Our family enjoyed a lovely 9 days off school/work together over Thanksgiving before I started back to work on Monday, November 26.  I had stressed about this transition throughout maternity leave, especially in the first two months when Jace was more difficult during the days.  BUT...I am very happy to report that the first week went great!  Jace did very well at my parent's house and I was even greeted on Thursday by my mom beaming: "He had such a great day!"  My heart is so happy 💓  My first week back at work went very well too.  My brain worked better than I expected and I'm adjusting 😊  Now, we're into basketball season full swing for Brent and Luke, Nora starts gymnastics this week, and, of course, we're preparing for and anticipating Christmas as a family of five!