3 Months

My chubby, smiley boy, you are 3 months old!  While you're bigger than most babies your age, you seem so small to me (compared to your big sister).  I love hugging your tiny little body and snuggling up close to you in the mornings.  You are such a happy boy, and you make everyone around you just as happy.  You always have the biggest, sweetest smile on your face.

At 3 months you are:

Lucy's sidekick.

A stomach sleeper.

Underwhelmed by Story Time, but a mighty cute Big Bad Wolf.

So, so smiley.

Gumming every hand that comes close to your mouth.

Sleeping better than Lucy was at this age.  Bedtime is at 7:30 pm, and you wake after 5 hours, then every 3 hours after that until 7:30 am.  Naps are still a little tricky, only lasting an hour...  (HELP!)  The good news is that you self-soothe like a champ and putting you down is easy peasy (when we are home). 

Sleeping sans swaddle as of last week.  You didn't even notice it was gone.  (So glad we left your arms outside the swaddle from Day 1!) 

Making funny faces.

"Oy!  It's still November...  WHY am I already wearing Christmas gear, Ma?"

A master of tummy time.

"Ma, please, this is easy.  Give me a real challenge."

Just look at that high kick.

Joining us at the dinner table.

Whatcha got there, Lu?  Chicken?  Gimme a bite."

Keeping momma company while she cooks.

Standing on those big strong legs!

Giggling whenever someone undresses you.

Healthy!

Filling out your 3-6 month clothes.

17.6 pounds and ... inches  (will update!)

Exclusively breastfed and we have given up on pacifiers.  

We love you, sweets.  We love you mucho, mucho, mucho.  I know the best is yet to come, but we are having a ton of fun with you right now.  I actually have a hard time remembering what life was like before you were born-- it's like you've always been here.

So true.

20 Months (photo dump)

You are getting pretty darn close to your second birthday...like, close enough that I should start planning and maybe set a date.

This time last year I was sad to think you were no longer my baby, but a toddler...  Now I'm sad to think you're no longer a toddler, but a little girl.  Next thing I know we'll be signing you up for Girl Scouts and shopping for prom dresses.

At 20 months you are:

Parker's dutiful big sis.

Pitching in with the landscaping.

Wearing momma's chuuuus and Spongebob (knock-off) Crocs.

Still a messy eater.

A gorgeous Little Red Riding Hood and professional trick-or-treater.  (And toe sucker?)

Pumpkin-picker and painter extraordinaire.

Attending Story Time at the library every Thursday with momma, Parker, and Grandma Shelton.  You sing and dance along with the stories and songs, make little crafts, and play on the computer afterwards.

Pretty goofy in the shower.

In need of a legit toddler chair.  (Because, um, Parker wants his bouncer back.)  Ohhh, Santa??

A.K.A. "Olive Finger"

Moody...

Freaking out at 6:24pm

All smiles at 6:25pm

OBSESSED with fastening buckles.

Always on your BlackBerry.

Making some hilarious expressions.

Thoroughly enjoying your new toy from Auntie Meg.

So dang toothy and smiley.

Chasing ducks.

Too darn tall!  You can reach on top of the counters; you're always stealing cookies, hair brushes and anything you can get your hands on.  You're kind of like a raccoon.

Cookie thief!

A daddy's girl through and through.

You are so funny, so beautiful, so sweet, so sassy, and so smart.  You learn something new everyday.  I am in awe of you, Lu.  We love you; I don't think you will know how much so until you have a child of your own.