Merry Christmas from Liam

This little Santa has brought me all the presents I need this year!

What a month!

Wow, this past month has been PACKED with so much love, fun, travel, family and memories.  Here's a recap of the last couple weeks (a.k.a. the reasons for my lack of posts):

Liam started giggling :)

We took an AMAZING, and much needed, vacation with my side of the family.  It was literally our first vacation with them in over five years and Liam's first of (hopefully) many trips to Hawaii.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Liam welcomed his newest cousin--beautiful Peyton Ryan into the world.

Aren't they the cutest pair?

We started celebrating Liam's first Christmas, including decorating the tree...

visiting Santa at the mall...

opening his first Christmas present from his sweet nanny, Brooke...

....and enjoying the bow more than the present:)

Isn't he the cutest ornament in our tree?!!?

Liam tasted his first food,

loves getting tossed in the air,

and talking to us about just about everything!

This past month flew by fast, too fast.  I am the luckiest mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend in the world.  

5 months

I have been absent from the blog, but must return for the 5 month picture.

Once I get a free minute (or 10), I'll update you on the past month of our glorious life.  But for now, here is the most adorable five-month old around:

These days, Liam is doing one of two things-- either chewing on EVERYTHING:

Or rolling over:

Groundhog Day, Please

Today wasn't special. 

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. 

It was so normal; and yet, it was so beautiful.

• My baby slept all night (normal).  And woke up squealing and giggly (normal).
• My husband made me breakfast (normal on the weekend).
• I went back to sleep after Liam's first feeding (not normal, and SOOOO refreshing).
• Liam aced another nursery visit (so proud!)
• I had the priveledge to worship God and listen to a challenging message (normal, and I am so grateful that I serve such an amazing and powerful God).
• Liam fell asleep in my arms and cuddled with me for almost 3 hours (not normal, and the BEST part of my day).
• I caught up on Smallville while my boys napped. (I know, I'm a dork--but Clark just told Lois his secret!!).
• My husband made me dinner (Isn't he amazing?)
• Liam splashed me soaked in the bath (normal).
• I watched my babe fall asleep and thanked God for blessing me with so much (normal).
• I got to talk to my sissies (doesn't happen often enough).
• Following this post, I'm going to snuggle my husband and likely, fall asleep on his shoulder (normal, but not taken for granted).

And now, I want to press replay and do it all over again.

4 months

Liam,
Today, you are four months old.  I can't believe that four months have gone by so quickly.  You have truly completed our home and have brought so much happiness and joy.  You are our "Sweet William."

• You are so observant and curious.
• You love staring at Coca Cola cans (classic, not diet).
• You are shy--burrowing your face in our chest when you get embarrassed.  And only talking when it's quiet and you have a small audience.
• When you do talk though, you have A LOT to say.
• Your smile lights up the room, my life, my heart.
• Your giggle is the best sound I have ever heard.  
• You finally can roll over, from tummy to back.
• You love standing up (with our help).
• Your favorite place is still the bathtub.
• You know our faces and smile when you see me and your dad.  And this is the best feeling I have ever felt.
• You can hold your own bottle.
• You like animal sounds--particularly birds and dogs.
• You HATE driving and; unlike other babies, refuse to sleep in your car-seat.
• Your hands are in your mouth ALL.  THE.  TIME.  You have even mastered the art of sucking your thumb and eating at the same time.
• You aced your first time in the church nursery.
• Your cheeks are to die for.  I can't kiss them enough.
• You are sleeping less and less everyday.  But sleeping more and more every night.
• You are the best thing that ever happened to us.

Best four months of my life.  

Liam Cooing - 4 months

Jumparoo

Liam LOVES his jumparoo... he loves burning off calories in this contraption.  Judging by the second chin, he needs to spend just a little more time in it :)

My little animal.

Yesterday was Liam's first Halloween and it went something like this...

Hanging out with the puppy parentals in the morning:

Brunch with Grammie, celebrating her birthday:

Cousins! 

Playing at the park:

Outfit change for the Trick or Treaters! 

Cutest Little Monkey!

First Blowout

It was bound to happen...

Happy Halloween from a Semi-Happy Puppy

Already missing my baby...

I love everyday with Liam.  Everyday he gets a little bit smarter, a little bit cuter, a little more personality, a little more fun to be around.  BUT... everyday he gets a little bigger, a little bit taller and a little less "little baby."

I'm torn between wanting to watch him evolve and grow into the mini man he's becoming and wanting to keep him small enough to cradle in one arm. 

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice.  I can't stop time. 

So, for today's post--a picture of me and Liam at 1 day old, when he could still fit in the crook of my arm.  I love you burrito.

Best Invention Ever

If I HAVE to work late, this is the way to do it:

Homecoming!

Last weekend, Liam went to his first football game--my high school's homecoming.  My brother, Joel, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, so the Pelton family came together to cheer him on as he accepted his award on the 50 yard line.

Liam was a TROUPER.  He is usually in bed by 8pm.  8:30 is pushing it.  Yet, he held it together until 11:30pm.  Don't ask me how the following day was...I don't want to remember it.  But on Friday night, he was a star.

He was ready to brave the cold weather with his new outfit his Grammy Kratz bought him.  Isn't he a doll?

Coming home.

I love coming home to him.

3 months

Liam: 

You are three months.

You are, by far, the sweetest child I know.

You are sixteen pounds, twenty-four inches.

You are a drooler.

You have discovered your hands.  You reach them straight out in front of you, look at them for a while and then bring them right into your mouth.  You would prefer to get your whole fist in your mouth, but settle for the back of your hand (its nice and fatty), your thumb, or a combination of either two or four fingers.  Basically--whatever can fit in your mouth.  

Once, you tried to suck your thumb while you were eating.   You got pretty frustrated that you couldn't multitask.

Your cheeks weigh down your whole face.  And they are unbelievably kissable.

Your wrists look like they have rubber bands on them.

Your squeal is so high pitched, I'm sure you are communicating with dolphins or dogs.

You are the noisiest sleeper I know.

You sleep 11 hours straight a night (at least for the past four nights--let's keep this up!!)

You sneeze often, and always two sneezes in a row.

You burp louder and longer than a grown man.

You recognize your favorite faces and follow us with your eyes around the room.

When we aren't paying attention to you, you let us know :)

You love singing.  You prefer worship music to any other genre.

You have no interest in rolling over.

You aren't allowed to watch TV, but whenever we pass by one you are glued to it.

You can hold on to toys, but get bored with them very quickly.

Your favorite "talking spot" is on your changing pad.

You LOVE to kick and watch your feet move.

You like being read to and looking at the bright colors.

You grunt like a bear, squirm like a worm and squeal like a piggy.

You love your baths and have one every night.

You smell like heaven.

You are so happy.

You make me so happy.

You make your daddy so happy.

We love you to the moon and back.

love, love, love his smile

he's still not so sure about mr. fox

He's on the TSA "No-Fly" List

Hibernating

I go back to work in five days :(  Therefore, mama bear is going to be M.I.A. from the blog, spending every waking--and sleeping--moment with this adorable bear cub:

It doesn't get better than this! Week 10

This week's "It doesn't get better than this" post recaps our weekend in Seattle.  It was a lovely trip, with great family and fun times!

beautiful wedding, but typical seattle weather

beautiful wedding despite the rain

my baby and me

my mom and her big brother joe

katie and stephen playing in the rain

the soran clan

karaoke!  best reception EVER!

liam and my cousin sophie--she is five months older and weighs less than him!

overlooking the puget sound

liam loves his great grandmothers!

spending time with grandma pelton

seattle market (yes, in the rain)

we had a great time seattle!