Three Weeks

Today Jonah is about three and a half weeks old, and he's continuing to grow fast.  In fact, our last doctor's appointment revealed that Jonah is a bit ahead of the curve in terms of size:  babies his age are generally expected to gain half an ounce to an ounce per day, but Jonah--our champion eater--has been gaining closer to an ounce and a half.  He's lean, but he's long, much like his tall, thin daddy.

Awesomely, it's not only with his size that Jonah's been impressing us.  Every day he surprises us with new behaviors and signs of mental acuity.  He's increasingly alert, for instance, spending his wakeful hours staring intently and curiously at the things around him.  He's developed the ability to follow with his eyes objects that are passed in front of him.  He has come to realize and take advantage of the fact that grabbing and/or slapping certain objects--like a plastic ball attached to his crib mirror--will cause them to move and make entertaining noises.  He's also becoming more and more adept at mimicking faces.  Try sticking your tongue out at Jonah, and you'll see that he responds in kind!

Jonah's development over these past couple weeks has been aided, of course, by the lovingly enthusiastic attentions of his Grammy and Grandpa, who have been visiting from their home across the continent.  Check out Grandpa giving Jonah his first driving lessons (they used an imaginary car).  Jonah's got his hands on the wheel, and Grandpa is setting up the atmosphere with appropriate vrooming noises (and helping Jonah hit the gas and brakes as needed):

Grammy, on the other hand, preferred to read with Jonah, who, in keeping with the genetic pool from which he ventured, is already an avid reader.  Hello, Bugs! is currently one of his favorites.  Here he is learning about the butterfly.  Look at those animated hands!

Sadly, today is the last full day of Grammy's visit.  And Grandpa has already returned home.  We're sure to very much miss both of them!  (But already have plans for a future visit in the works.)

Bye-bye, Grammy and Grandpa!  We love you!