Three Months!

At three months my little boy is learning how to interact with the world! He looks around while he should be nursing. He smiles when he sees me or Alex; he watches Bella intently and laughs when she wrestles a toy or lets out a big dog sneeze. Oh yes, I failed to mention that he's laughing! It's adorable. With greater awareness also comes awareness of when he's alone. He will often fuss when he can't see me directly and he' starting to fight going to sleep because he doesn't want to he left out of the party! (and let me tell you--our house on Friday night is some rockin' party!)

He's developing his motor skills and his voice. He talks and coos and squeals and gurgles and laughs. He hits his toys and now grabs them...and grabs my hair and my jewelry! He's strong.  He holds his head up on his own.  He's able to arch his back, fly like "superman" on his stomach on the floor, and push himself up to a standing position when I'm holding him.  His eyes are already definitively brown.

He still loves music...from a toy or a CD or just a simple song sung by his mama. He still hates tummy time but we're working on it. He still holds his hands in a tight fist and moves his arms like he's punching the air. He still kicks often flailing his limbs as I know he did even before he was born. Trust me!

He is a joy to watch and be with. It just keeps getting better and better! I am blessed beyond measure.

Birthday Reflections

As I talked to my parents on my birthday this year, I realized something that I had never understood before: my birthday is not just about me--it's a huge event for them.  It's a day that they fondly (I hope) re-live every year while I'm just worried about cake and presents.  It's an important day for them in a very different way than it is important for me.  Every year on my birthday, they remember the day they became parents--the day their lives changed forever.  Sure they celebrate with me, but they celebrate with each other also, just as Alex and I will every August 16 to come.

So Many Things to Love

I love that baby smell.

I love the hearing his little coos and gurgles.

I love seeing Will smile in response to my goofy faces and exaggerated words that someday will embarrass him!

I love the way he sinks into my chest, his head heavy on my shoulder as I take him up to bed at night.

I love how he grabs my thumb with a death grip while he's nursing.

I love how he falls asleep best while I'm holding him, singing to him.

I love seeing the world new again through his eyes.

I love being able to cradle him in one arm.

I love seeing him smile as I put him to bed...and seeing him smile when he sees me in the morning.

I love washing and folding the little outfits and the smell of the baby detergent.

I love the little hats and socks.


I love knowing that life with Will only gets better and better.

Little People with Big Personalities

Will has some new friends, Lizzie and Micah.  When we had all the kids together last week for a play date, I was struck by how similar...and how different these young children are already.

They are so similar in their development--each gaining neck strength and verbal coos and gurgles.  They are all starting to show signs of being able to roll over.  They are all just mesmerized by the world around them and can look around contentedly for a long time...until they scream because they want to be fed!

But what is interesting is that they are also each so different!  Their little personalities are starting to reveal themselves.  Micah was just content to be left alone for a while.  He smiled a lot but didn't talk much.  He would allow any one of us moms to hold him or replace his pacifier.  He is laid back and interested in observing the world around him.  Lizzie is a people person.  She wanted to be with someone all the time.  She is much more serious, almost skeptical.  She is also quite particular about things.  She knows what she wants!  

I didn't really have a sense of Will's personality until I was able to contrast him with other babies his age.  He smiled and talked more than the others.  He is definitely adjusted to his routine and did best when he stuck to it.  He was content to look around until he got hungry or tired.  He also sat right next to Lizzie and grabbed her hand!  I think he's social...and a ladies man!  What we have to look forward to....

First Halloween!

Will had two costumes for his first halloween.  Frickin' adorable.

First, my sister-in-law gave me her daughter's old cat costume.  Will loved it because it was so warm and cozy! 

Then, I found a cute little doctor onesie at Target that I couldn't resist.  My dad brought up a surgeon's facemask and hair net and little Will was all set!

I wonder what he'll be when he grows up.  Dressing him like a little doctor is fun, but it also makes me think of all the possibilities for his little life.  Only God knows!