9 Months Old

Our big boy now weighs 22 lb, 10 oz, and is 31 inches long, again putting him in the 75th percentile for this weight and off the charts for his height. This has been a big month for the little man. After overcoming his first attempts, he now eats finger foods happily. However, he insists of being fed the finger foods directly - any placed on his tray or in his hands quickly becomes a Poika snack. We're seeing a lot of signs of increased mobility, but no crawling... yet! He can get into crawling position, but flops back down to his belly and ends up moving backwards, instead (and usually ends up wedging himself under a couch, chair or bed in the process). In general, he's turned into a very squirmy, wriggly, wiggly little boy.

He's also gotten to host his first Hanukkah party, and loves to play with his dreidels and watch the candles on the menorah. The lights on his very first Christmas tree is also a source of fascination, and we all can't wait for his first Christmas morning!

8 Months Old

First Finger Foods

Our little boy is growing, and is finally ready for finger foods (or so we thought)! After this first attempt, Jalen now refuses to open his mouth. For now, he's happy with his purees.

Bath Time Splash

Tubby time is one of Jalen's favorite moments of the day. His days of relaxing in a baby tub are over, and splashing has become serious business. He still takes the time to give Mommy big smiles, though!

Seven Months Old

This month has been so busy for Jalen, he's barely had time to update his blog!
He isn't yet crawling, but easily gets himself into crawling position - he now loves to sleep with his knees tucked under him and his bum in the air.


He's also become more aware of his body , and loves to look at himself and play in front of the mirror.
"Hello, handsome!"

He's found the time to pursue many autumn activities, including apple picking and trick-or-treating. He seems to have enjoyed the holiday more than the skunk did!

Six Months Old

Jalen is so excited to be a half a year old! At 19 lb, 11 oz, he is in the 75th percentile for weight, and at 28 1/4 inches, this tall guy is in the 90th percentile. He is sitting up on his own now, and has learned lots of other new tricks, too -- he loves to reach into his toy box and pull out toys on his own, turn on his crib aquarium by himself (sometimes with his head in the middle of the night) and pull -- hair, ears, necklaces, whatever he can get his hands on. His other interests are jumping in his jumperoo, watching Nana chase Poika (especially when Jalen gets to go along for the ride) and splashing wildly in the tub. What a multifaceted boy he has become!

Becoming a Boy

Jalen's development has taken off in the last couple weeks. He is finding that there are many benefits to growing up, including getting to go to his first Mets game. Unfortunately it is not a memorable year for the Mets and Jalen showed his displeasure by falling asleep. The good news is that this lucky charm helped bring a rare Mets win.

There are also signs of being able to sit up on his own, which meant that Jalen was able to get his first ride on the playground swings in Union Square.

Five Months Old

The little man is now officially five months old, and as you can see, is always on the go - he didn't even want to sit still for his monthly photo shoot. While he can't yet crawl, he sure is ready to! This month has also brought his first taste of real food (rice cereal), and he's anxious to broaden his diet even further in the next month. Weighing in at 17 lbs, 11 oz, Jalen is now 'only' in the 75th percentile.

Pool Party

After getting his toes wet a couple weeks prior, Jalen jumped right into the pool last weekend. Sporting a lovely blue one-piece, he was excited to splash around for a little while before lying back and relaxing. It seems as if we have a water lover on our hands.

Four Months Old

On July 15th Jalen officially turned four months old and at his check-up this week he clocked in at 17lbs, 3oz, good for the 90th percentile. And his height was up to 27.25 inches, which was literally "off the charts" according to the doctor, so we will call that the 101st percentile. While he has shown more and more signs of being aware of his surroundings, in the recent weeks Jalen has also learned how to roll onto his side from his back. He has yet to master the full rollover, thus keeping Poika ahead of him in motor skills. His sounds have expanded to include razzing, which he proceeded to do for the first 24 hours straight after he learned how to do it. He is quite the smiley baby these days.

Man of Many Homes

In a very busy couple of weeks, Jalen has spent a lot of time in the car. 100 miles on either the New York State Thruway or the Long Island Expressway takes him to his second and third homes in Woodstock and Amagansett. In Woodstock, while visiting his Mima's house in Dad's hometown, Jalen went on his first hike up Overlook Mountain. In Amagansett he visited his Great-Grandmother Cindy and his Great-Aunt Stephanie, while taking the time to throw on his bathing suit to dip his feet in the pool and the sand.

Nana Time

Jalen was very lucky to get a visit from his Nana, who came from Massachusetts to visit him in New York.
He loves to dance with her and cannot wait to see her again in August.

Three Months Old

On June 15th Jalen officially turned three months old. He now weighs 15lbs, 12oz remaining in the 95th percentile for size. Just before this milestone date he began to shows signs of gripping and reaching for things in front of him. While this new ability has not completely taken off yet, the signs are there that he will be grabbing everything in sight in no time at all.

Some of his happiest moments these days are right after finishing a good meal, when he is as chatty as can be. He loves to look up at Mommy after eating and tell her everything on his mind.

Wondering Eyes

It has been quite a few weeks for Jalen. He spent a week away from home, visiting his Nana and Vaari. While on the trip he even learned that he had a thumb. But most of all, it has been a time for observing. He seems to be trying to take in every moment and learn something from it.

Two Months Old

On May 15th, Jalen officially turned two months old. He now weighs 14lbs, 4oz and is 25 inches long, keeping him in the 95th percentile for weight and 97th percentile for length.

The second month has brought with it a lot more awareness of his surroundings. Jalen is constantly wide-eyed and now turns his head from side to side following objects and sounds. His sleep has improved to usually just waking up just once in the middle of the night. Of course that counts 5:30am as the morning. One of the most exciting things that has developed over the last few weeks is a beautiful smile. He is happy to share one of these smiles with you below.

Here Comes the Son

As he approached his 8 week birthday, Jalen and the family went away to Amagansett for his first night away from home. It also was a great way for him to celebrate Mom's first Mother's Day. Jalen got a chance to experience the beach for the first time and while it was a little misty and windy he really enjoyed himself and looks forward to going back this summer when he can play in the sand. For now he just learned the ropes from Poika on how to dig holes.

By Your Side

It has not taken long for Jalen and Poika to become friends. Jalen rarely likes to be alone (there is nothing like being in Mom and Dad's arms), but one place where he is happy is on his play mat. Well, Poika has made sure that he is not even alone during his time there.

Little Slugger

A true fan, Jalen loves to sport his Red Sox paraphernalia. He can't wait to go to Fenway someday, but in the meantime is quite content to sit at home and watch the games in Mommy's glove.

Bath Time

After graduating from sponge baths on the kitchen counter, Jalen has moved right into the sink. He enjoys these cleaning sessions much more than the previous method. But nothing is better than getting dried off when it is all over.

Rookie of the Month

Many colleges have already shown interest in the top prospect from the class of 2027. Jalen seems to have taken an interest in playing point guard and he is already working on calling plays while dribbling up the court. The problem is that he cannot seem to palm a regulation size ball just yet. So in the meantime he is sticking to a basketball his own size.

One Month Old

On April 15th, Jalen officially turned one month old. He now weighs 11lbs, 11oz and is over 23 inches long, good enough to remain in the 95th percentile. He is clearly a very good eater and is proud to show off his belly in the picture below.

FIRST MONTH
Favorite Things To Do: Eat, Sleep on Mom and Dad's chest, Look at his toys (longing for a time when he will actually be able to play with them)
Least Favorite Things To Do: Stop for a burp in between eating, Wake Up

Ready for My Closeup

Jalen loves to eat and sleep, but not the transition from one to the other, as shown here when this cute awakening doesn't last long before he wants his dinner.

Even before his birth Jalen would often get the hiccups and there has been no shortage of these bouts post-womb. Watch closely as Poika is doing his best to remain the star of this family these days.

First Holidays

Jalen celebrated his first Passover and Easter this week. He had his first Sedar at his Great Great Aunt Louise and Uncle Robert's apartment, getting to meet his cousin Annika. On Sunday he got a chance to dress up as the Easter Bunny. Maybe by next year he will actually be able to find the afikomen and go on an egg hunt. What a multicultural little boy!

Mommy and Daddy Time

In his first few weeks, Jalen's favorite place to be is in his Mom and Dad's arms. He loves to watch us before closing his eyes, just to be sure that he is in the safety of our arms when he is sleeping. Although just when you think there is a moment to relax, he is awake again. He often fakes out and outlasts Dad.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Nobody could take their eyes off the beautiful new boy. Poppi, Nana, Grammy and Mima.

Home Sweet Home

After spending his first two days at the hospital with Mom, Jalen put on his favorite blue and brown outfit, jumped into his bear skin coat and hailed a cab.

At home Poika waited with anticipation to meet his brother.

Jalen Jackson Bitterman Joins the World

On March 15th, 2009 at 8:12am, Jalen Jackson Bitteman officially joined his family. Jalen (the perfect combination of his Great Great Grandfather JAck and his Great Grandfather LENny) weighed 8lbs, 13ozs and was 21.5 inches long. He was born after 28+ hours of back labor, putting Mom to the test.

Dad couldn't have been more proud and excited to finally meet his son.

And Jalen couldn't have been more excited to get his life going. Although, he was so excited that he did everything he could to keep his eyes open, even at 4:00am.