month 3

3 months old! wow! how on earth can you be 3 months old?!?!?! you've done so much in this past month that i've had to share quite a few pictures and stories here. first of all, you've really enjoyed hanging out with mom and dad and we've enjoyed hanging out with you. you are quite a lovable baby full of sweet smiles and giggles. in fact, your first real laugh was this month. you laughed at mamo twice on our way to the store. it was a wednesday, november 11th. what a beautiful sound it was! mamo has quite the bragging rights on that one.

we've decided you're the perfect mix of ellie and gray. you are still very particular about certain things. when you want something, you want it now. but then again, there are times of total chillness. :) gray is really laid back and we definitely need that side of you sometimes. you're amazing when we're out and about. sometimes you don't like to stay in your stroller but are perfectly content to continue shopping as long as you are in someone's arms where you can look around and take everything in. thanks for that, by the way, cause it's time for christmas shopping!

you experienced your first halloween this month as well. handling it like a champ, you were a green, slithery dragon. or lizard. we can't decide which it is. i first looked at your costume and thought there was no way you'd fit in it. it looked huge! i was so sad when you fit nicely. i was so proud of you when you didn't even complain that you didn't get candy like the other trick-or-treaters. great job!

jules found you to be very interesting in that thing.

we realized that you've been crying in the car lately because you don't like to listen to mama's country music channels. sorry about that but i didn't know you were so punk...

i was changing your outfit one cold day when daddy called to us from outside. i bundled you up in our blanket and walked out. you loved it so much that you just played and played in there for quite a while. see...chillness.
in your new relaxed attitude, you've managed to find your tongue. you stick it out if someone does the same to you. you slobber....all the time. everywhere.

your tongue is second in interest to nothing but your hands. you bite them, suck on your fingers and grab everything in sight. you still have a bit more coordinating to do with toys that are far away from you, but you're working on it!

one of your most favorite things to do is watch tv. uh oh. you'll even stop eating sometimes, turn around and watch the tv. there have been times i've had to turn the tv off just make you focus. pretty sad, little boy. pretty sad. :) but honestly, sometimes very helpful. you're really good with your timing and wake from a nap right in the middle of dinner preparations...and then...the tv saves dinner.

mama's camera has become part of your environment and you humor me most of the time. the flash doesn't scare you like it used to. now you just stare into the camera. it's like you're thinking, "alright lady, just take your pictures, get it over with and then back up. you're a little close with that thing."

you still hold your hands together all the time. in the mornings, you'll make the biggest stretch, then calmly bring your hands down and place them together under your chin.

still lovin' the swaddle and the swing.

this month we went to a retreat with the saf ladies that mamo organizes each year. you were WONDERFUL! you slept so well and let everyone hold you and love on you. you stole the hearts of every woman there. plus-you gave me some much needed time with Jesus. thanks for being such a good boy!

nanny discovered that you like to have your legs rubbed just like i did when i was a baby. you may look just like your daddy but i guess i get to have a little part of you. :)

we spent a few days in san angelo after the retreat and you and pa hung out in your stripes. what a striking pair the two of you are. you love your pa so much. he holds you just the way you like. you lean your back against his chest, perch on his arm and have his other big hand placed against your tummy. you get to see the world and feel safe and secure all at the same time. you love it.

you still really enjoy your bath time. you can be crying but as soon as i walk into your bathroom and turn on the light, all unhappiness vanishes. you'll even lay on the rug forever if you hear the water running. it's a nice bonding time for us! you've taken a few baths with daddy too. that's way more fun because you get to move around in the water a lot more. and your little body is just too cute! what a tiny hiney!

this month you've started doing one of my most favorite things. you look at whoever is holding you and talking to you. you used to smile and enjoy being talked to but if i was holding you, you'd look anywhere but at my face. now, you lean back just a tad and stare into my eyes, or daddy's eyes, or mamo's eyes. talk about feeling special. wow!

you are a wonderful baby boy and i'm loving every single minute of this life.