three months: june 5, 2015
now that i've made myself even more sad imagining you as a grown man, i'll quickly dive into you currently, my still very little, not so grown up, three month old baby.
we started out the month with a celebration. my first official mother's day, on may 10. it was an extra special day, because you were also dedicated to God at our church with family and friends in attendance to show their support and love for you.
in the morning before church, you and daddy showered me with thoughtful gifts and so much love. daddy got a special bracelet with your initials and birth stone for me, as well as a ring engraved with an "a" and "c," for my boys. i haven't taken them off since!
when we arrived at church, we greeted all of those there to cheer you on (which they literally did, rooting for you and shouting your name when approaching the front during your dedication).
there were a few other families with children being dedicated, so when it was your turn, daddy carried you up while i prepared to read a passage we had chosen for you to live by.
since you are the product of no greater love, the love between your daddy and mommy, and the love God has for you, we selected 1 Corinthians 1-13.
after sharing the passage, pastor chad and his wife prayed over you, while daddy and i held onto you and joined them in their prayer.
following the service, zia and zio held a lunch for everyone back at their home. it was so nice to share such a significant event and day with all the people who will be there for you as you grow into the incredible person i know you will become.
to complete the afternoon, daddy and i read a letter to you in front of our loved ones.
dear sweet crosley james,
the adoration and love we have for you is unimaginable and the gratitude we feel for the privilege in being your parents is humbling.
the day you were born you made our family more complete. instantly, our days became brighter, our hearts grew bigger, our thoughts became less selfish and our desire to be our best versions burned deeper.
it's amazing to us how such a tiny person can make such a huge impact in our lives, but we know that God created you to do just that in the world. you are a product of love and for that reason you make those around you feel the most purest of love.
although you are still so new to us and everyone here on earth, you have already shown your gentle spirit and sweet disposition. you smile and reach for us, express your excitement and share your happiness. you use your voice to be heard, through many coos and gurgles. you let us know what makes you happy and what upsets you.
we pray that as you grow you continue to share your smile with everyone and always reach for us and God in times you are in need. we pray that you continue to possess an excitement for life and your Faith and share the happiness it brings you with others, so that they may find happiness as well. we pray that you use that strong voice of yours to share the messages you feel passionate about, the messages God has given you to share in the world. we pray that you feel confident and courageous in everything you do, and remember to thank God for the blessings in your life that bring you happiness. and when something upsets you, we pray that you will ask God to give you understanding. we pray that you will always strive to find good in people and in times of difficulty. we pray that you live a life you are proud of and aren't afraid to be who God created you to be, but live boldly through Him. and as you grow, you will make mistakes, but remember that no one is perfect and it is through the imperfections that we learn and become better people. most importantly we pray you always remember we are here to hold your hand every step of the way, loving you, encouraging you, protecting you and teaching you through the best of our humble human capabilities.
long before God gave you to us, mommy and daddy fell in love. and it is through our love that you were created. love is a truly powerful thing and the greatest of all the gifts God has given us. you are our greatest accomplishment in the world and that will never change.
the day ended with me, you and daddy snuggled in bed. perfect.
dear sweet crosley james,
the adoration and love we have for you is unimaginable and the gratitude we feel for the privilege in being your parents is humbling.
the day you were born you made our family more complete. instantly, our days became brighter, our hearts grew bigger, our thoughts became less selfish and our desire to be our best versions burned deeper.
it's amazing to us how such a tiny person can make such a huge impact in our lives, but we know that God created you to do just that in the world. you are a product of love and for that reason you make those around you feel the most purest of love.
although you are still so new to us and everyone here on earth, you have already shown your gentle spirit and sweet disposition. you smile and reach for us, express your excitement and share your happiness. you use your voice to be heard, through many coos and gurgles. you let us know what makes you happy and what upsets you.
we pray that as you grow you continue to share your smile with everyone and always reach for us and God in times you are in need. we pray that you continue to possess an excitement for life and your Faith and share the happiness it brings you with others, so that they may find happiness as well. we pray that you use that strong voice of yours to share the messages you feel passionate about, the messages God has given you to share in the world. we pray that you feel confident and courageous in everything you do, and remember to thank God for the blessings in your life that bring you happiness. and when something upsets you, we pray that you will ask God to give you understanding. we pray that you will always strive to find good in people and in times of difficulty. we pray that you live a life you are proud of and aren't afraid to be who God created you to be, but live boldly through Him. and as you grow, you will make mistakes, but remember that no one is perfect and it is through the imperfections that we learn and become better people. most importantly we pray you always remember we are here to hold your hand every step of the way, loving you, encouraging you, protecting you and teaching you through the best of our humble human capabilities.
long before God gave you to us, mommy and daddy fell in love. and it is through our love that you were created. love is a truly powerful thing and the greatest of all the gifts God has given us. you are our greatest accomplishment in the world and that will never change.
the day ended with me, you and daddy snuggled in bed. perfect.
although mother's day/your dedication day, was a huge moment in you third month, lots of other significant moments happened as well.
you have had a lot of new developmental milestones! we notice you gaining such focus on patterns and light. and although we rarely watch tv with you around, on the short occasions that we do, you are turning your head to find the source of noise and light, making us afraid you're glued to the tube already--hence my stern belief in no tv when you are around!
speaking of turning to find the source of activity behind you, you no longer want to be held for too long facing the person holding you. we tease you all the time and call you nosey, but we know it is just your inquisitive nature kicking in, which is a good thing! when you hear a new voice talking, you are quick to turn your head in their direction.
you have become so strong! you can push up to standing when being held and at just 13 weeks old you rolled over from tummy to back! i caught it on video, and was so excited when it happened i cried, cheered and clapped for joy in your accomplishment, as if you just won the olympics! everything you do makes me so proud, it's as if you've won gold every time.
i am almost certain you will be a little soccer player like mommy and daddy, because you kick your feet and legs non stop, as if you're running. and anytime something gets in your range of motion, you kick or push it away with your feet. in the bath tub you aim for the rinse cup and knock it out of its holder every time. or if someone brings any part of their body close to your feet, you push it like you're using a leg press machine, like a little baby body builder.
your fists are still usually clenched tight, but we have noticed you have grasped things more frequently now. especially toys that have a ring on them.
i am not 100% positive, but believe you might be starting to teeth. you have an endless supply of drool and you want to suck and bite down on anything that gets near you. you also had a pretty serious growth spurt, during which you screamed for food and were pretty fussy for about a week. we attributed the fussiness to a growth spurt, because you are nearly never upset, making it the only reason we could see why you would be so unhappy!
you went to nan and pap's house for a fun day at the pool with your cousins, sophia and dylan. despite sleeping most of the time, i think you enjoyed their company and snuggling with their mommy.
mommy and daddy had their first date night at the end of this month, followed by a wedding the next weekend. the date night wasn't long, since we couldn't wait to get home to you. even though you were safe and playing with zia and nan! the wedding was the longest we were ever away from you, 9 hours! your cha cha and aunt lizzie did an awesome job taking care of you, and cha cha even spent the night over at our house!
the love your aunts and grandmas have for you is beyond measure--they are always there for you no matter what. as is the rest of your family. we are so blessed!
weight: 12.8 lbs.
height: 23.75 inches
physical appearance: your starting to lose the hair on the sides and back of your head. it's quite noticeable on the left side and back more than the right side, since you favor sleeping on your left side and rub your head from side to back while you sleep. in the mornings we find a trail of your hair rubbed on your bassinet!
i can't believe how fast your fingernails grow now too! i couldn't keep up with the speed of their growth, so i put the tiny baby nail file away and brought out the clippers. SO MUCH EASIER! you don't mind getting a mani/pedi either.
i can't believe how fast your fingernails grow now too! i couldn't keep up with the speed of their growth, so i put the tiny baby nail file away and brought out the clippers. SO MUCH EASIER! you don't mind getting a mani/pedi either.
diapers: size ones. diaper changes seem to be more pee pee diapers during the day, and usually upon wake up in the mornings we get one or two poopy ones. i'd say we change diapers at least every two-three hours.
clothing: most everything in your wardrobe these days is 0-3 months. some shorts/pants are 3-6, but are of course loser around the waist.
sleep: you started sleeping much longer spans this month throughout the night. you usually go to bed at 9 p.m. and wake up around 1 or 2 a.m. for a feeding and diaper change, then quickly go back down till 6:30 a.m. when you are then pretty much up for the day. we take nap together at around 9:30 a.m. for an hour or two, then we play it by ear throughout the day for naps. since you usually take short naps after your feedings, i'll sit holding you while you sleep and i read. the second you're in a carrier though, you are out like a light!
up until this month we swaddled you in muslin swaddles every time you were down to sleep. you were getting pretty good by this point of escaping from the swaddle so we knew we'd soon have to find a new way of swaddling or drop swaddling all together in the near future. the decision to do just that happened literally overnight: it was around 1 a.m. and a loud distressed cry coming from you woke me from my sleep. i lept over daddy to your bassinet and found the swaddled tangled around your neck. i screamed for andy to wake up and scooped you out of the swaddle as fast as i could and immediately picked you up into my arms. you threw up the minute i did and continued to cry. your arms were so tangled in the swaddle and it traveled so far up your neck, that every time you moved your arms the swaddle tightened around your neck. when we carried you to room and daddy ran after me, we saw red marks around your neck. you were okay, a little frightened, buy okay. it was so scary that we barely slept the rest of the night and the next day we were purchasing a halo swaddle sack.
up until this month we swaddled you in muslin swaddles every time you were down to sleep. you were getting pretty good by this point of escaping from the swaddle so we knew we'd soon have to find a new way of swaddling or drop swaddling all together in the near future. the decision to do just that happened literally overnight: it was around 1 a.m. and a loud distressed cry coming from you woke me from my sleep. i lept over daddy to your bassinet and found the swaddled tangled around your neck. i screamed for andy to wake up and scooped you out of the swaddle as fast as i could and immediately picked you up into my arms. you threw up the minute i did and continued to cry. your arms were so tangled in the swaddle and it traveled so far up your neck, that every time you moved your arms the swaddle tightened around your neck. when we carried you to room and daddy ran after me, we saw red marks around your neck. you were okay, a little frightened, buy okay. it was so scary that we barely slept the rest of the night and the next day we were purchasing a halo swaddle sack.
feeding: feedings are based on when you request it, but basically that's still every two-three hours. i am so thankful my supply has stayed up to speed to your demand. i love our special bonding time during feedings. my heart melts when you stop and look up at me to smile while your nursing.
