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.