Peter: 1

Peter, you are one! How can 365 days have passed so quickly? Weren't we meeting you for the first time a few moments ago?

We all love teaching you new things. You can do a few signs - more, milk, dog. You point to everything, wanting to know what it is. You say "dog" with some regularity and I'm waiting to hear "Mama" in your little boy voice. You are days away from taking your first steps. It's going to get really crazy in our house when you can run with your sisters! And those sisters, by the way, take such good care of you. The "new" never wore off - you are still just as special to them today as you were a year ago. I'm thankful.

We're seeing more and more of your unique personality. Every day holds something new for you and we learn more about you. I love that. There are some things we've known about you from your first weeks of life and these things are still part of your makeup today. Like how your lovey (woobie) has to be smooshed into your face for you to fall asleep. Or how you love being close to someone, touching them or cuddling with them. Or how attached you are to your Mommy. (Had to throw that one in there. :-) ) You are sweet, happy, fun, loving. You are beautiful. I'm a lucky, lucky Mommy. I'm very happy that you're my baby boy.

We love you so much, Peter! Happy first birthday!

June 2012

I've let so much time elapse between posts that I honestly don't know if I need to go backward or move forward? I think this quote from an excellent recent read is somewhat applicable:

"Life, too, is like that. You live it forward, but understand it backward." -Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Thanks, Laura! I've already started your next recommendation! :-)

Looking back at the month of June...

A certain little boy keeps growing.

Caroline had a Senior K class program and graduation, shared moments with sweet friends, and had an awesome 2 weeks of swimming lessons.

The girls had a blast at gymnastics camp (especially Helen).

That's a lot of fun to pack in to one month. And it doesn't even include our week at the beach. It's hard to believe summer is half over. I'm certainly going to do my best to ensure we enjoy every last, hot minute of it!

Peter: 9 months

Length: 27.5 inches (26%)
Weight: 16 pounds, 9 ounces (4%)

How is it that my baby will be one in three short months?

Peter: 8 months

This baby boy is growing entirely too quickly. I'm enjoying him so much!

 

Peter: 7 months

Peter is absolutely adorable. His current bag of tricks includes rolling around, sitting, flirting, eating, and rocking on his hands and knees. So much fun. I'm not too ashamed to admit that he's got me wrapped around his little finger.

Peter: 6 months

Peter, you are six months old - half a year old. Daddy came home today (January 27) and wished you a happy birthday. I had forgotten that today is the 27th. I must be in denial. I told at least two people today that you were 5 months old.

I can't believe how much you have changed! You are almost 27 inches long (68%), but only weigh close to 14 pounds (3%). You are still long and skinny.

We've started feeding you solids and you love everything. You like playing with puffs on your tray and occasionally one makes it into your mouth. We're hoping you'll gain a little more weight once you start eating more.

 

You have the brightest, most alert eyes. You take in everything and are so engaged. It's the first thing people notice about you. The next thing they notice is your perfectly round head.

You like being sung to. The girls love singing "You Are My Sunshine" and "Pinkle, Pinkle" to you. I usually sing, "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck". But you're not picky. You have started to like playing peek-a-boo with us. It's very fun.

 

You love Mommy. I'm extremely flattered. You feel happiest when you know where I am. You also love to be held - mostly by mommy, but others do a fine job, too. You just like to be close. Sometimes you are so snuggly. And other times, you need to roll and stretch and be free. It's a perfect combination.

You roll all over the place. I haven't seen you on your hands and knees yet, but I know it's right around the corner. You can sit for a few seconds on your own. This makes me excited because soon you can take a bath in the tub and sit in a restaurant high chair and ride in a shopping cart. Plus it will make playtime so fun.

 

Your nights are getting better. On a good night, you wake up sometime between 11 and 1 to eat and sleep until 5 or 6 in the morning. We are working on moving you into your crib in your own room. It's time and I know it's good for you. But I'll miss you. Lately, you haven't wanted to rock at naptime and bedtime. You squirm and fidget and fuss when I try to rock you. You are learning to put yourself to sleep. You flip over on your tummy and grab your woobie and rub it in your hands. This is a bittersweet transition for me. I love rocking you. I'm looking forward to reading books with you in the rocking chair.

You are adorable. You are very loved. We thank God daily for your precious life!

Peter: 5 months

Oh, baby boy...your smile makes my heart sing. I want to do nothing but make you smile all day long. I have a gigantic soft spot reserved specifically for you. Everyone told me there was something special about little boys and their mommies. It's so true. Happy 5 months, sweet Peter!

3 months

Peter: 2 months

You are surprising. Nothing about your life thus far has been expected. We didn't expect to have a third baby. We certainly didn't expect to have a boy. I never expected that you wouldn't hurry into the world like your sisters did. I'm so very thankful that God's plans for us far exceed our expectations.

Your sisters adore you. And nothing entertains you longer than your sisters' antics and silliness. I can't wait for you to start laughing out loud at them.

Your little head is so round and perfect and fuzzy. You are a beautiful baby. We sit around and stare at you.

You are a snuggly baby. Daddy always wants to know how I get anything done around the house because you are so fun and easy to hold. The truth is, the housework gets left undone many days because I spend them holding you. It's an easy decision.

You love your Daddy. He knows just how to hold you that makes you feel safe and secure. His arms cradle you and you are instantly soothed.

You love your Mommy, too. Other mommies told me I would love having a boy. They were right. I'm very enamored with you.

You are my best eater, but my worst sleeper. That's not always a good combination. The first few weeks with you were hard. Really hard. Several of those early nights we saw you every hour and a half to two hours. It was exhausting. Things are moving in the right direction now. You are up once - usually around 2 - and then we can convince you to sleep until 6 or 6:30.

I was concerned in those early days that you would not be the easy-going, laid-back baby we needed. You don't cry nearly as much as you used to and we can almost always identify why you are fussy. You are becoming a very easy baby. We are always driving somewhere - school, church, errands. I'm so lucky that you are content in your carseat.

You love to be swaddled. You are strong, so we had to devise a "super swaddle" to keep you tucked in for longer periods of time. Daddy calls it "maximum security prison".

Your smile is easy and so very sweet. We get to see a lot of it these days. It melts my heart every single time.

You love being sung to. Your favorites are "You are My Sunshine" and "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck". Sometimes you sing your own little songs back to me. Then my heart melts again.

Your eyes are big and bright and inquisitive. You are absorbing all the activity around you.

At two months, you weighed 12 pounds and were 24 inches long. You are long and skinny according to the charts. Just like the girls were. You cried for 10 seconds when you got your vaccinations. You were perfectly fine once I picked you up. You are brave. 

We are so glad you are here, little Peter. We are so excited to learn about you and see who you are becoming. You are a perfect addition to our family and I already can't imagine what we did before you came into our lives. We love you very, very much.