Gifts From New Hampshire

Thanks guys!


Cheesin'



Yea, I got a dino-big head - What of it?

How'd You Get Like That?

From the Beginning, A Story by Camera Phone

The Early Morning You Arrived:



In the wee hours of the night:

Papa and Son

Going Home Today:

Home at Last:

Tiny Cuteness:

First Car Ride:

I am a Rock Star:

Peaceful Slumber:

Bouncing Away:

Beautiful Blue Eyes:

Chubby Chubberson:

Happiness:

First Bath on the Sponge:

Cuteness:

Sleep Boppy-style:

So Tired After a Long Day of Photo Shoots:

My Favorite:

Sweet Baby Boy:

Nico Indicates Play Time:

Self Soothing:

Today, a Beautiful Day:

We Like to Read in the Mornings

Letter to My Three Month Old

Dear Julian,

Today you are three months old! Time is whizzing by and you seem so different from the baby we brought home from the hospital. You've doubled in size, and quadrupled in personality. Your days are spent smiling for hours on end and cooing and shrieking about all that excites you. You're rolling over more and more - at least once a day now. And all of your clothes are looking mighty tight on you. There still isn’t much hair on your head, and your eyes are still blue – but lighter and clearer than before. Everyone is starting to say how much you look like your Papa, and I have to say I agree. Nico loves to bring you his toys and put them on your face or lap in hopes that you will play with him, and he snuggles up next to you when we're hanging on the couch. You even give him treats squeezed tightly in your little fist that he always takes gently before he snarfs them.

You love to suck on your fingers, thumb and hands, especially when you are hungry or ready for a nap. You love the sound of Papas voice when he talks in your ear when you are upset. It always calms you down and helps you relax. You love tummy time, pushing yourself up to look in your crib mirror or out at us, and then smashing your face into your blanket or hands. You're bouncer has become the biggest hit. You can sit in it for nearly an hour batting at the monkey and the parrot and watching the water fall go, bouncing away talking to yourself. The swing is on its way out, though it served a great purpose in the beginning, I think you're almost too heavy for it!

This month we jumped into the outside world attending babywearing and La Leche League meetings, and even got together for a playdate with another baby in the neighborhood. We've taken walks outside when the weather is nice, headed out to the library, and the thrift store. And yesterday was my last pregnancy/birth related doctor appointment, yay! You were so sweet and all the nurses ooh'd and awwww'd over you, telling you what a charmer you are.

You still eat like a champ, and your sleep is right on track with what it should be at this age. You usually give us a nice 4 or 5 hour stretch in the beginning followed by 2 hours until it's time to wake up. Unless your in a growth spurt that is, then it's eating every hour and sleeping very little! Hopefully this will be the last one for a little while. At night all we have to do is turn off the lights, turn on the sound machine, and snuggle up close to you and you fall right to sleep. If I get to far away you always scooch right up to me again so you can have your hand on my face or your feet in my belly. For naps if I lay you down in your crib and put on your wave machine usually all you have to do is stick your hand in your mouth and your out like a light. If you’re having a rough time of it, a little butt patting and singing Hush Little Baby or You Are My Sunshine goes a long way.

I need to get a woven wrap to use with you now that you’ve outgrown the Moby. I’ll miss the stretchy coziness of it, but not your sinking booty! You love the Baby Hawk and the Moshi when we go to the store or take walks in the neighborhood, but I want something a little more snuggly for you. Wearing you has been a really great experience, and I hope it is something we can continue for the next few years. I love having you so close to me, and exploring the world from such a different vantage point. I love that it keeps you safe and secure and away from the view/hands of strangers when we’re out. And it’s great exercise for me!

I now call you: munchy, munchy-munchy, punkin, punkin-poo, my little bean, little homie, and Ju-ju-Juuuulian .

And to end this long letter, I just want you to know how much we love you, every roly poly inch of you! You have brought so many smiles and so much laughter into this home; we couldn’t imagine life without you here.

Hugs and Kisses,
Mama

More Because I Just Can't Help Myself

Morning Tummy Time with The Beach Boys

Two pictures and a video from this morning. Tummy time is not as successful when there is a struggle for the thumb!

Daily Cuteness

Jules has some serious neck control and we're now sticking him in his Bumbo when we're trying to do something but still want him to be able to check everything out. He's a fan for a minute, but as you'll see at the end - gets a little frustrated.

Shots

Yesterday was Julian's two month well baby check up. He weighed in at a whopping 14lbs 8oz and is 22 1/2 inches long. The doctor said his eyes, ears, heart, and lungs were all very good and sent him off to get his immunizations. We gave him a bit of tylenol in advance and then they gave him the sugary oral vaccine which he seemed to enjoy. He then got one big shot in each thigh. I think I was was more distressed by the whole thing overall, but my little man let out some fierce cry's after each one. He nursed immediately afterwards, and then managed to smile in the car seat all the way home, maintaining a good mood through the rest of the day and so far today. It seems that the first round did not bring on fever or fussiness which we are very thankful for.

Once home we put him in his crib for some tummy time while we grabbed lunch and worked on some laundry. I randomly went into his room to get something I needed and I saw him beginning to rock his body back and forth. I yelled for Pete to come quick, and as soon as he walked through the door our little boy rolled over! It was so cool to see him do it. He's also working on his back-front roll, and is able to pull him self onto his side to find his thumb. I have a feeling our little one is going to be on the move before we know it!

First Smiles

Julian started smiling last week, but only briefly, and never long enough to get the camera out and set up to catch it. In the last few days he goes on runs of smile after smile after smile, getting worked up and almost giggling - but not quite. I can't wait to hear it though. He's such a happy baby and he loves to "talk" back and forth with us. Tonite he was just laying in the bed smiling away making tons of silly noises so I had to catch it on film. Enjoy!

New Skills Everyday

Last night while he was laying in bed with us while we were watching episodes of LOST we realized that Jules has a new skill!



He's found his thumb and it's the cutest thing ever. He gets so mad when he can't get it right, and is often seen using one hand to shove the other towards his mouth. This new skill led to a longer stretch of sleep last night, and less nursing in the middle of the night - this is good!

Some More Compare and Contrast

Three Days:





9 Weeks: