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I have much to share about our travels to Arizona and Minnesota over the last two weeks and Lucas' baptism, but I'm still trying to finish laundry and get life back on track. 16 days of vacation with a baby was exhausting... but beautiful and wonderful and grand.
Stay tuned.
He's not even four months old yet, but Little Buddy is getting his first teeth! He had been exceptionally drooly during our trip to Arizona and shortly before our return to Washington, I felt a hard little nubbin on his lower gums. A quick peek revealed a couple of white spots. Both grandmas were able to stick a finger in his mouth to confirm that they were, indeed, little teeth.
Lucas has been pretty good for a teething baby. A little fussy here and there and definitely wanting to nurse more, but, overall, he's been his usual happy self.
It feels like one of his two lower teeth finally cut through this morning - it's a sharp little booger! The other one looks like it's not far behind.
While teeth are exciting and adorable, I'm going to miss that little gummy smile!
My precious son.
You are three months old. A quarter of a year. Time keeps on zooming by as we watch you grow!
And grow and grow... you have passed up many of your 3 month clothes already and we are starting to tip toe into the 6 month section of your closet. You are growing big and strong! We do our exercises together each day - you are my jogging partner and I am your tummy time coach and standing supporter. Lately, standing is your favorite thing to do. I love to watch you work on standing. You stiffen up your chubby little legs and lock your knees, your body rigid, your eyes focused. Your arms teeter and flail as you attempt to keep yourself upright until you finally plop down. You celebrate each of your efforts with the kind of excitement that radiates through your whole tiny body.
You always have the best smiles, and love when we talk to you. You coo and squeal back, letting us know that our attention makes you happy. Your babble is starting to resemble the tone of a real conversation - you make your baby noises and pause for our reply. You are starting to mimic our inflection and facial expressions.You raise your eyebrows and open your eyes wide. You furrow your little brow. You make all kinds of shapes with your mouth as you talk and your hands are always going as if you're gesturing to make your point. You are turning out to be quite a social little critter!
You are discovering so much about the world around you. As part of our bedtime routine, we read books and sing songs. When we first started, I would take your dimpled little hand and guide it to touch the books in front of you. Before long, you started reaching out yourself. Your favorite book seems to be Little Hands Love with all the different textures for you to touch. You especially like the teddy bear page and you always seem to really take your time, working your fingers into the soft fur. You recently started to notice the dogs who share your home. You often stop and watch your puppies, curious about all that they do and the noises they make. One afternoon, we sat together on the back patio, enjoying a warm summer afternoon. Sammy, who is growing more fond of you every day, stood close, sniffing gently at you. You reached out and touched his face and kicked your legs in excitement. Whether or not you intended to make contact, you seemed to enjoy the experience.
You have a sense of humor! This past week, you have really discovered your little funny bone! You're still a bit unsure of the peek-a-boo concept, but you offer a tentative chuckle, probably out of sympathy and second-hand embarrassment for your crazy mother. You love the I'm gonna get you game, though. I run my fingers up your belly and tickle your chin and neck and you laugh big baby belly laughs and squeal with delight. I can't help but laugh with you and every time we play, my smile muscles hurt by the time we're done.
You are a master of tongue tricks. You have really been working on trying out all the cool things you can do with your mouth and tongue lately. You push your tongue out, you make all kinds of silly faces, you put whatever you get your hands on in your mouth... I laugh every time I see you get a hold of your poor monkey and then shove him ravenously into your little pie hole! Oh, and you drool. A lot.
You are such a joy in our lives! I am so very, very in love with you, my child. I watch you as you sleep and feel like my chest is throbbing so powerfully that it might shatter into a million pieces. I love watching your little personality develop and seeing how you grow and change. I love kissing you over and over again and holding your tiny little body close to mine. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't sacrifice to keep you safe and happy. You are a perfect manifestation of true love.
Lucas was working on his reach and grip the other day with a couple of his favorite rattles.
One rattle - doing pretty good!
Two rattles - even better!
Sammy figured two was one too many for Lucas, because, really, how many toys does a drooly little pipsqueak need? So he decided he'd try to relieve his brother of his excess.
It's a good thing mommy told Sammy no! I don't think Lucas is terribly keen on sharing!
Come here, kid, I has something to tell you.... you give food one day. Deal? You give food to Frankie and I no fart around you. Deal?
Seems like a fair bargain.
So this is love, So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine
My heart has wings, And I can fly
I'll touch ev'ry star in the sky
So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
So this is love
The first dance at our wedding - the lyrics to this simple cartoon song hold a whole new meaning now with our boy here. Amazing how your heart just keeps expanding to love more and more.
