penn liam - ONE

Penn you are ONE today!

Happy Birthday little red!

 

It's really been an amazing year! We've been busy for sure and you threw us some curve balls, but we wouldn't have it any other way. 

 

 Except maybe for all the crying those first few weeks ;)

I know, it's hard to imagine that you used to cry and cry when you were a bitty baby - you're mostly all smiles and laughing now! 

 

You are so ticklish and love the one on one attention! I barely need to touch you and you burst out laughing.

You don't always wake up laughing though - haha. Most days you cry and then sit up and yell for me to come and get you; that's between 6-7am, but only AFTER you've been up at 4am to nurse. Soon we'll work on weaning you from this feeding. Get ready :) 

You go to bed right at 7:30pm and do a great job! You love your routine of bath, nurse, bed. You LOVE your bath! If Keaton gets his bath first you do all you can to pull yourself into the tub with him. 

This face. It's the face of trouble. You've been getting into all kinds of mischief these days :)

 Climbing into the tub is one of many things you try to climb. You're still pretty small too, which means you sneak into all kinds of small spaces. 

Case and point : the dog door.

You've been trying more table food and recently lapped avocado up off your highchair tray. We're still giving you mostly baby food, but table food is in your near future...I can feel it! You also nurse a lot throughout the day - I have a feeling the transition to whole milk will be very interesting ;0)

  

You pull yourself up on pretty much anything around the house and continue to cruise along furniture - I imagine any day you'll be taking some steps on your own. We're in no big rush over here though :)

Penn it's unbelievable that just a year ago today we got a call letting us know you were on your way...a whole 2 weeks early!! Daddy and I will never forget that moment. You've been a joy to so many since the day you came to us. We're grateful that just a few short years ago our circumstances led us to choose adoption and now we have YOU in our family! God is good Penn! He has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined :)

You are loved.

Fun Facts - 12 Months

*Weighs-15lbs

*Length-26.25"

*Nurses 6-8x a day

*Eats 1-1.5 containers of baby food 3x a day

*Favorite foods - fruit, anything orange, yogurt

* Pulls up on everything

*7 teeth

*Sleeps from 7:30pm-4am, eats, back to sleep until between 6-7am

*Naps 2x a day at/around 9am & 2pm

*Fascinated with wheels

penn liam - 11 months

Penn, are you really 11 months old?? 

I can hardly believe it! This year is just whizzing by....seriously I feel like I blinked and you're almost a year old! I'm a little late getting this posted because we have been BUSY and are currently spending the week in NC visiting Grammy & PopPop! 

This has been another big month for you...you had a guys weekend with Daddy, play dates, a late night out at church, an Easter egg hunt, celebrated your first Easter(!), and got another tooth...just to name a few things!

You have been going down to bed very well and seem to love your bath, nursing, bed routine we started a while ago to help you go down easier. We're all happy you go down easily! You've been waking up around 4am to nurse and then go back down for another 2-3hrs. We're not complaining and are happy with this!! 

Naps are another thing and very hit or miss. Generally, you nap in the morning and afternoon for 1-1.5hrs. You're happy almost all of the time - so I'm also okay with this :) Your daddy and I have decided you're just not going to be a big sleepy head like your brother. 

Eating...we're working on it! Haha. You're a little stinker and just love momma's milk! You nurse (what feels like) a lot throughout the day still. I know it's short lived and soon you won't nurse at all, so I'm trying to just embrace this short season. I feel so lucky that you were able to ever nurse at all! You eat mostly orange and white varieties of baby food, about 1-1.5 containers per meal. Fruit is still your favorite! You can pick up bits of food and put to/in your mouth but promptly gag and throw up. We'll keep working on it :) you're pinching grasp is A+ though!

Penn, you are going to be a climber! You pull up on everything and anything! We think you might walk before the end of the month, but honestly we're not encouraging it. Haha! I know you'll be our little fearless explorer and I'm not sure I'm ready for that!! You can almost pull yourself into the bathtub! 

Speaking of bath, you love to splash! 

You also LOVE getting a bath with Keaton - you just want to be with your big brother all the time. I'm your favorite, but Keaton is a super close 2nd. 

Penn, we love you so much!! You're fun and have the most contagious laugh! You make me smile every day and give the best snuggles!! 

Fun Facts - 11 Months

*Weighs-

*Length-

*Nurses 6-8x a day (drinks 4-6oz from bottle)

*Eats 1-1.5 containers of baby food 3x a day

*Favorite foods - sweet potato, squash, all fruit

* Pulls up and cruises along furniture

*6 teeth

*Twists and turns like an alligator when getting diaper or clothes changed

*Crawls with ease

*Taps toys together and investigates wheels 

*LOVES Beat Bo robot 

*Climbs in and out of ball pit

penn liam - 10 months

Happy 10 Months Penn!

You're getting pretty darn close to being an entire year old mister....

I wish I was as relaxed as you about the whole thing.

You're still my baby in pretty much every way, but have started crawling like a wild man this month and go off on your own to explore. I find you in the strangest places and it just cracks me up! You're having the time of your life getting around and really enjoy this new found freedom. 

You've gotten pretty quick too and actually crawled out of your onesie today :-P

Sometimes you crawl to explore, but mostly you crawl with a goal in mind. You eye up a spot to pull yourself up and go for it! The metal chairs in the kitchen are your favorite right now...they make fun noises when you bang on them :) But really, anything that's remotely stable will work!

You're fearless and have many forehead bruises to prove it!! 

Sooooo you're still not a huge fan of table food. You can't say we don't try ;0) We give you bits of our food all the time, but you just poke it and make a yucky face. You actually put a puff in your mouth and attempted to eat it, but then gagged on it as it dissolved and threw up. 

Your favorite foods are still mostly orange and most definitely fruit. You gobble down fruit pretty well! We know one day you'll take to table foods so we're not stressing about it...you're just happy as a clam munching on your toys at the table in the meantime.

It was another big month for you in the teeth department - 3 more popped through! That makes the grand total 5! Now that you have top and bottom teeth you're actually destroying stuff you chew. haha! You're like a little puppy around here....I find little corners chewed off all kinds of toys and books. It's pretty cute :)

Penn, you are seriously one happy little dude! It doesn't take much at all to make you laugh! A rousing game of peek-a-boo just about knocks you over from laughing so hard. You have your sad moments too, but they are few and far between {saved mostly for teething!}. Just the other day you were laughing so hard in the bath tub you fell over :)

We're so thankful for you! You're the little bit of spunk our family needed! 

Hugs and kisses sweet cheeks!! You are loved!

xoxox

FUN FACTS - 10 Months:

*Weighs - 

*Length -

*Wears size 2 diapers

*Wears size 6&9 month onesies, 6&9 month pants, 9 month jammies

*Nurses every 2-2.5hrs throughout the day
*Still eating only baby food {fruits are favorite!!}

*Bath time starts at 7pm & in bed around 7:30pm 

*Wakes between 4am-5am to nurse then back to bed

*5 teeth total
*Chews on everything! Bites shoulders and legs :)
*Crawls everywhere and pulls up on furniture!
*Loves bath time, getting tickled under chin and thighs, crawling after Keaton and Phinley

penn liam - 9 months

Penn, you're 9 months old!

I feel like you've been 9 months old for a little while now and I'm not sure why. Maybe you seem advanced to me ;0)

Penn, you're quite the little man :)

You've really revved up your cute factor these last few weeks. Your hair is still pretty red and getting long on the top. I like to spike it into a faux-hawk most days, unless we're going to church...then I comb it over. Your eyes are probably the bluest in the house and navy blue or gray are your colors ;)

I feel like this past month you've really taken to playing with toys. You tap objects together, unload any container, and purposefully go after things. You also love wrestling with your big bear and Keaton. Chew toys are still your favorite - you chew on everything and anything!!

I can't imagine getting those top 2 teeth had anything to do with all your chomping. Those 2 teeth took a good week or more to pop through, but they're here! I know...I've felt them bite me 1 or 2x :-D

JUST TODAY you started to crawl on your knees a little! You've been scooting around quite a bit and get to where you need to go, but haven't been crawling on your knees. You really like to stand and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't long before you were pulling yourself up on everything.

You're such a tiny little guy it's funny to see you standing next to things :) 

You still exclusively breastfeed about 8x a day. I know. It seems like a lot to me too mister! You eat baby food here and there, but nothing impresses you much. You eat 1/2-1 container of food 2x a day. It's still all mostly orange, but we're trying! I gave you a puff and you gagged, then threw up. We know you'll eat eventually :) Thankfully Mommy's milk is enough and you don't need solids.

You're sleeping goes right in line with your eating; it's hit or miss. You get a bath, nurse, and go to bed very easily, but still get up a few times to snack. 1x is okay, 2-3x is something we need to talk about. Daddy and I are working on what to do to help you to sleep longer stretches at night....your brain needs time to grow and develop!

That cute little tongue isn't going to make us change our minds either - so don't even try looking all super duper cute so we think midnight snuggling is okay 0:-)

You usually ride on Mommy in the carrier when we're out and about, but love sitting next to K in the shopping cart and JUST TODAY ate lunch with us at the table :) I can't believe we're at this point already. The truth is, you've probably been ready for a while, but we're too busy doing our normal routine with you and Keaton we haven't really thought about trying it! Sorry buddy! From now on you get your own seat!

Penn, you're a joy!

We love you so much and can't believe that your birth mommy picked us to be your parents. She said that God guided her decision and we know that must be true because you fit with us like a glove. We're so thankful and honored to get to love you every day. 

We're getting pretty close to one my mister red. How is that possible?

FUN FACTS - 9 Months:

*Weighs - 14lbs 7oz {<0 .1="" p="">

*Length - 25.1" {<0 .1="" p="">

*Wears size 2 diapers

*Wears size 6 & 9 month onesies, 6 month pants, 9 month jammies...basically you can wear anything 6-9 months 

*Nurses average of 8x a day
*Eating only baby food still {mostly still colored orange}
*Bedtime routine: bath, nurse, bed

*Bath time starts at 7pm & in bed around 7:30pm 

*Sleeping between 3-4-5hrs at a time at night. 

*2 TOP teeth!!
*Loves to chew on everything! Especially pull off socks and snack on those :)
*Pops up on a knee, turns, and plops down in a new spot. JUST started crawling a little on his knees today!
*Tries to pull up on side of crib
*Sits up on own
*LOVES to splash in the bath

penn liam - 8 months

Penn you are 8 months old {plus a week or so :)}

I actually started this post a while ago, but with the holidays, switching rooms in our house, and everything else I got a little behind...

This month is especially exciting because you officially became part of our family!! All of the legal paperwork is complete and the VA court system has changed your name!

It was all just a formality {you've been a member of our family since day 1}, but it still felt good to have it done - we'll celebrate big in the spring with your 1st birthday!

Back to the update....

Penn, you've had a big month!

You now have 2 bottom teeth in the shape of a "V" and your appetite is back! You still only like orange colored food and were completely appalled when I had you try a cheerio and puff. I imagine it'll be some time before you're eating table food.....can't say I'm not trying though! You're upper gums are very swollen and I see a top tooth trying to come through too - any day! Maybe you'll be more motivated to eat regular food with more teeth.

The teeth are cute, but not for nursing. You bite Mommy and that's no fun at.all. You actually chomp down and turn your head from side to side. I mean, seriously little dude?!? You're nursing still 8+x a day, but I feel like you snack a lot. You feel a little heavier to me, but still fit into your 6-9 month clothes no problem.
We'll find out your weight at your 9 month appointment. I'm guessing you're still on the bottom of the percentage pool 0:-)

I try to nurse you as much as I can throughout the day so you sleep through the night. We hit a pretty rough spell through November and then you started sleeping great in December again. There have been nights here and there where you wake up and need a little extra love {and food}, but we're thankful with how well you go back to sleep once you wake up.

The other week I looked at the monitor and found you sitting up in your crib!! Daddy lowered it a few days later. You can sit up on your own, but haven't started crawling yet. You definitely rock up on your knees and try to climb over things, but no forward movement yet!

I know you're dying to wrestle with Keaton. He sits on you and you just laugh...you don't help my trying to discipline him for doing that at all. Soon, my little buddy, you'll be able to get your revenge...

Most of the time though you're been pretty content sitting and playing with your little basket of toys. You chew on every single thing that you can get your hands on. Your favorite toy is probably the magnetic alphabet - you tap the letters together and it's so cute :)

 We just love you to pieces, Penn!

It was so amazing getting word from our adoption lawyer that all the paperwork went through! You have always been a Harris, but now it's official! We're so thankful to God for bringing you to us. We're a better family because of you! It was the perfect way to end our year and best Christmas present!

Hugs and kisses sweet boy!
xoxox

FUN FACTS - 8 Months:

*Weighs - 

*Length -

*Wears size 2 diapers

*Wears a mix between 6 & 9 month clothes. Six month onesies fit perfectly, but I've been trying to extend the wardrobe and add in some bigger clothes. 

*Nurses average of 8x a day.
*Started eating solids again! Likes all foods that are orange {carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, mango, etc}
*Bedtime routine: bath, nurse, bed

*Bedtime at/around 7:00/7:30pm 

*Sleeping through the night again {most nights} From 7:30/8 - 4/5

*2 bottom teeth
*Loves to play peek a boo
*Working hard to crawl
*Sits up on own

penn liam paul - 7 months

Penn you are 7 months old {yesterday!}

This last month was a pretty big one for you - you got your first tooth!!

That little bottom left tooth was a stinker, but he popped through :-D I'm pretty sure the right one is close behind because your gums are all swollen and you've been chewing anything and everything! I don't know for sure, but I think the left one gave you some diarrhea, which gave you a diaper rash, which gave you a yeast infection {or something along those lines}. It was a pretty long and tough week for you, but now you're doing just fine!

Except you haven't been eating solids much. You were chowing down at the end of October, but then that diaper rash hit and something with your eating changed. You nurse a lot, but won't take a bite of solid food. I'm not sure if you're getting super duper picky or just don't feel like eating these days....

Either way - you're happy as a clam. You smile at us all the time and are starting to smile at strangers!

You enjoy sitting at your high chair during meals and chew on your monkey squeaker.  You've been playing around and chewing on a sippy cup, but still aren't sure what it's good for. Soon enough :)

Speaking of sitting...you sit around the house like a pro now. No more boppy support for you - you're entirely solo now. Sometimes you teeter back and forth, but manage to stay up...most of the time. When you do fall over, you roll to your belly and hang out there for a while. Sometimes you try to grab toys, turn yourself around, rock up onto your knees, or even scoot backwards.

Right now your favorite toy is the piano. You sit and bang on that thing for a half hour - it cracks me up! You also like to unload the basket of "chew" toys I sit next to you :) I think you've put every single toy we own in your mouth at this point! ha!

Penn you're our little peanut! You're a tiny little guy and I wouldn't have you any other way! You still snuggle like a newborn and it's pretty great :) You have the best red hair that is growing perfectly into a mohawk - the 2 cowlicks in the back swirl so the hair stands straight up in the middle. hahaha It's fun when people say you look just like Keaton...he is your brother after all!

We feel so blessed to have you in our family. Your laugh is contagious and you have the.cutest.little.face. I could just eat your cheeks! We love you more and more each day sweet boy!

xoxox

FUN FACTS - 7 Months:

*Weighs - around 14lbs {??}

*Length - ??

*Wears size 2 diapers

*Wears size 6 month clothes

*Nurses average of 9x a day + NO solids
*Bedtime routine: bath, nurse, bed

*Bedtime at/around 7:00/7:30pm 

*Sleep is still very random, but mostly gets up 2x to eat and goes back to sleep

*Rolls from back to belly once in crib
*Enjoys watching the vacuum
*Got first diaper rash and cold
*First time with babysitter this month - he was indifferent, but went to sleep for her which is amazing :) {thanks Jess!!}
*LOVES to bang on piano
*Pushes backwards when on belly during awake time
*Pushes up onto knees once in a while

penn liam paul - 5 months

Penn you are 5 months old {+5 days}!!

How is this possible??

This last month has really flown by. We've been busy traveling to NJ, NC, and GA and you have been a very good little traveler! It's not easy sleeping in a shared hotel room, but you've done your part to make it go smoothly!

You still don't love your car seat, but settle in once we get rolling. It's helped having toys for you to play with in your seat. You really like scrunching your big firefly, but the squeaky giraffe is your all time favorite. We've gotten through a lot of meals out at restaurants thanks to that giraffe ;0) It makes you stop crying and smile...it's kind of magical. We can thank Daddy for finding that toy!

Physically, you're still a small little guy. Very easy to carry around and snuggle. You're gaining weight, but not much. We're not concerned and see you happy a lot, so we know you're getting all the food you need. This next month we'll be giving you some veggies to try! I'm not sure you'll like to eat as much as Keaton, but here's hoping ;0)

Small body, loud voice. You're the loudest baby I've ever been around. HA! It's hilarious to hear you scream talk to us. You just gab and gab.

Penn, just a few days ago you rolled over from your back to belly! I was in the bathroom and totally missed it, but I left you on your back and when I came back you were chillin' on your belly. Hmmm...have to keep a close eye on you for sure! I have a feeling once you start moving, you're going to take off!! You're also getting close to sitting. I don't push you to do anything though...you are growing too fast already, no sense in encouraging it ;0)

I think your favorite person right now is Keaton. He's always been a favorite, but you just stare at him and smile when he gets super close to you. K desperately wants to wrestle with you, but practices "soft hands" and kisses your head a lot. It's adorable.

You're still very stranger shy and like when Mommy holds you the best. Daddy is the pro at putting you to sleep and once you're down at night {usually around 7:30} you're out until 5:30am. Some days it's earlier than that and other days it's longer...nothing is super consistent yet.

Penn, we love you. Every last inch of you. Most days I can't believe your birth mom picked us to be your family....she picked us. We couldn't be luckier.

FUN FACTS - 5 Months:

*Weighs - 

*Length -

*Wears size 2 diapers

*Wears size 6 month clothes

*Nurses average of 8x a day

*Bedtime at/around 7:30 & naps every 1-1.5 hours throughout the day

*Sleeps 10hrs at night

*LOVES to sit in his froggie seat
*Enjoys tummy time
*Rolled over from back to belly 

*Sucks on hands all.the.time.
*Prefers to face out when being held

*Sleeps in swaddle with both arms out

keaton mark - 15 months

Keaton you are 15 months old {+ some days}!!

You just in a diaper continues to be my favorite, especially seeing your big chunky thighs walk around. Oh.my.word you have the cutest baby thighs.

Anyways.....

Where to start?? I guess at your 15 month doctor appointment; you were a little champ! Shots are the worst, but you were a tough guy and only cried for a minute or two. I actually think all the waiting was more painful, at least for Mommy.

You're growing strong and are a healthy little boy!

Being outside is your favorite thing, followed closely by snacking. You love a snack! Those little munchkin snack cups are your absolute favorite...you'll eat anything I put in those :)

Outside + snack = best.day.ever.

You're so easy to please.

You had your first big fall this month. You're really pretty good on your feet, but on this day the bookcase won out and you ended up with a big ol' goose egg on your forehead. A few tears, some angry faces, and you were back to normal.

{Note the snack cup :) It makes everything better. ha}

The spoon is also your favorite. Some little boys carry around cars or legos...you carry around a spoon. As in, you sleep with it. Haha! You aren't quite into using it for food yet, but we're working on it ;0) 

Keaton, you've taken on the roll as big brother very seriously and give Penn kisses all day long. You're just itching for the day that you can wrestle and play with him!

I'd like to remember these days as only sweet and full of kisses {which most of them are}, but you've also been throwing fits and getting into some serious mischief. It's so hard not to laugh when you're getting into something. You're so hesitant and wait for my reaction - if you just went for it we'd really be in trouble! HA!You know what you want these days and aren't afraid to let us know if we don't deliver. It's hard to be patient when you're just over one, but we're working on it :)

Keaton Mark, you're amazing. Seriously. You make Daddy & I smile and laugh every single day. We can't imagine life without you.

Fun Facts - 15 months:

*Weighs: 24lbs 11oz {74%}

*Length: 31" {64%}

*Wears size 4 diaper

*Size 12-18 month clothes

*Nurses first thing in the morning and before bed

*Walks with ease and is starting to run

* Tries to use spoon
*Carries an object most of the day {spoon is favorite}
*Sleeps 7:30pm - 7:30am
*Naps at 9am & 1:30/2pm
*LOVES to be outside
*Brown sandals are favorite shoes
*LOVES books {favorite: Little Blue Truck's Christmas}
*Eats a large variety of foods. Favorites: avocado, cheese, goldfish, teddy grahams
*Enjoys listening to "Toddler Tunes" on pandora and singing songs
*Favorite toys: spoon, shape sorter, M&D shape stacker

penn liam paul - 3 months

*Pictures to come - haven't take any yet...just SO busy around here! ha*

Happy 3 months Penn Liam!

I swear, each month you get more happy :) 

You're a smiley little guy and laugh a lot, especially when I tickle your neck or Phinley licks your toes. It's a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

You're definitely a Momma's boy! You have been nursing a lot recently {growing??} and I think you just like having me close by in case you get hungry ;0) You count on Daddy for taking you outside; swinging on our patio swing or rocking on the chairs on the front porch is one of your favorite things to do! It always seems to calm you in the late afternoon/evening when you get tired, but refuse to take a nap. 

Speaking of rest, you've been a sleeping champ! Just over the last few weeks you've stretched your night time sleep to 9.5-10 hours...with one 11 hour night!! Most nights you go down very well. You take 3-4 naps during the day. Since Keaton has been yelling and "talking" a lot more recently, I put you in your crib to nap so you get uninterrupted sleep ;) Most of the time you like it.

Keaton is probably your favorite to watch. When he comes over to "talk" to you, you just look at him and smile :) I know you're just itching to play with him! Phinley is a close second. They're great entertainment, especially when you're in your swing.

Speaking of the swing, it's no longer your absolute favorite. I think being on your play mat or in Mommy's arms is your new favorite :)

Penn you're getting great neck strength! Tummy time generally wears you right out, but you keep your head up for a good bit and can stabilize your head {a little} when I sit you on my lap. It's good to see you hit that milestone. 

Each month we fall more and more in love with you. Hearing your laugh and seeing your smile are certainly highlights to our day!

We love you sweet boy.

xoxox 

FUN FACTS - 3 Months:

*Weighs - 10lbs 13oz 

*Length - 

*Wears size 1 diaper

*Wears size 0-3 month tops and bottoms

*Nurses 10x a day

*Sleeps 9-10 hours at night

*Does NOT take a bottle {stinker decided to stop taking a bottle & has never liked the pacifier}

*Enjoys grabbing toys on play mat and being kissed on the cheeks

*Laughs whenever neck or feet are tickled :)

*Can keep head up during tummy time and when sitting on lap

*Does NOT like the carseat

*Enjoys bath a bit more

*"Talks" a lot :)

penn liam paul - 2 months

Penn Liam Paul you are 2 months old!

Oh how I want to show off your cute little face!! On this blog, though, we've decided to keep you hidden with this little heart until the adoption is finalized in a few months :) 

This last month really seemed to fly by - it's amazing how fast these last 4 weeks have gone. 

You're starting to become one happy little guy :) I think your favorite is when we talk and sing to you, you just like to have someone near by you all the time. Even when you're in the swing you like having someone sit on the floor next to you and watch you go back and forth. You're a smart one.

You also like to be held with your back to our chest and legs crossed & folded up. This really seems to help you toot and burp :) It also lets you see what's going on, which I think you really like! You seem to want to be a part of things and with Keaton walking around these days there's lots to see!

Recently, you seem the most happy in the middle of the night when you wake up to eat. ha! You smile really big when I come in your room - you almost giggle! It's too cute! And really, it's not even the middle of the night...it's around 4:30am!! You've been sleeping 7-8 hours every night since you were 6 weeks old. We try to put you down in your crib between 8:30-9pm each night.

You've also been napping in your crib for the last week or so, which has been incredible!! I think you rest better in your room, than around the house since we're all kind of noisey....especially your brother.

Oh boy - Keaton loves being your brother! When I put you on the floor for stretching and tummy time he basically runs over and dives down to wrestle with you. You 2 are going to be something next year at this time!

Penn, you're an incredible little baby.

It has been the biggest blessing watching you grow and smile at us. There's nothing quite like having you gaze into our eyes - it's like you're telling us you love us. Our family needed you!

We love you sweet cheeks.
xoxox

FUN FACTS - 2 Months:

*Weighs {will find out Tuesday}

*Length {will find out Tuesday}

*Wears size 1 diaper

*Wears a mix between newborn and 3 month size clothes. Newborn are snug and 3 month are a tad too big.

*Nurses{on average} every 2.5 hours - this includes nighttime. 

*Takes a bottle, but prefers to nurse

*Sleeps 7-8 hour stretches at night. Bedtime between 8:30-9pm wakes around 4-4:30am 

*Naps in crib 3-4x a day with the longest nap in the morning.

*Kicks legs with purpose in bouncer seat and on the floor!

*Sucks on hands

*Watches us move around the room - will turn head to noise and follow toy from side to side

*Loves to be held in the "colic hold" - facing out, legs crossed and frogged up to chest.

penn liam paul - 1 month

*Pictures to come!!*
Penn you are 1 month old!

You've had a pretty busy first month! 

I'd like to think some of the highlights include....

Meeting your big brother

Coming home to PA

Meeting your Grandparents, Aunt Emily, cousin Asher, & cousin Hadley

Going to church for the first time

You've been all over the place...probably Target the most ;0) As long as you're in your car seat or riding on Mommy you're happy.

You and Keaton make the cutest brother pair. Most of the time people notice you in the cart or stroller when we're out and say "oh wow! look there, a really little one" You are our really little one, not even weighing 8 pounds yet. Big brother Keaton came out weighing over 8 pounds so you seem extra little! I bet you'll catch up in no time!

You definitely like to eat and nurse like a little champ. We weren't sure how that was all going to go, but so far you've shown us you were up for the challenge and are gaining weight nicely. You're still wearing your newborn clothes, but they are quickly getting too tight. It's fun to jump to the next size because you have so many cute things to wear! They are all hand-me-downs, but because Keaton always spit up a bib covered everything. You get to actually show them off!

So far you've been sleeping pretty well at night - giving us some good 3-4 hour stretches. We're keeping expectations pretty low, but we love a 3.5 hour stretch when we can get it! We know before long you'll be snoozing straight through til morning {hopefully! haha!}

The evenings are hard for you though, actually, it's different parts of the day. You're little body struggles with gas and reflux and it makes you uncomfortable. We think you have a little combination of reflux and colic, basically, you cry and seem uncomfortable a lot. We know it's only temporary and soon you'll be a happy and smiling boy, but for right now we're working hard to get you feeling good!

Penn, you're our little dream boat. You have the best newborn breath and red red hair. You have mesmerizing blue eyes and have started to look at us when we talk to you.We love that God picked us to be your family and can't imagine it without you.

Love you more than words can say.

xoxo

FUN FACTS: 1 Month

*Weighs 7lb 14oz

*Length

*Wears size newborn diapers

*Wears newborn clothes

*Eats every 1.5-2.5 hours {we really vary here}

*Sleeps steady during the day and averages 3 hour stretches at night.

*LOVES the swing

*Likes to be worn in the baby carrier

*Feels so so about bath time

*Cries whenever Keaton gets a bath

*Takes a bottle from Daddy

*Does NOT spit up - wooohooo!

*Feels so so about tummy time

*Likes to eat when Mommy starts eating :)

keaton mark - 12 months

Happy Birthday Keaton Mark!!

You are ONE today!

It literally feels like just yesterday  I was walking around our neighborhood with contractions and getting ready to go to the hospital.

Has it really been 1 year??

I'm not sure where to even begin with all this; how about, thanks?

Thanks for making me a Mom. 
Over the last few weeks you've really been showing me just how much you love me...you follow me around the house and cry when I put you down for naps. Sometimes you only want me to hold you :) You love your Daddy something fierce, but reach for me all the time.

{I also provide the milk, so that helps too. HA!}

K-man, you're our little stinker. You're getting into mischief left and right these days!! When you're moving on 2 feet I'm not sure what I'll do! I love to watch you explore, though, and discover new things. There really isn't anything quite like seeing the world through your eyes.

You got sick for the first time this month. Like the stomach bug sick - it wasn't fun for you or Mommy! It was SO SAD! You didn't eat for 5 days and lost a little weight, but now you're doing fine and eating everything in sight!! It's so good to have my happy boy back! I say going almost an entire year without any major illness is pretty darn good!

Keaton, if I could sum up this last year in one word it would be : JOYFUL

I swear you were born smiling :) You have filled this family with more happiness than I could have ever imagined. Even on days when we were all covered in spit up and poop we laughed and smiled because God gave us you and your joyful soul.

 I credit a lot of that happiness to your ability to sleep - a good rest does everyone good! You have slept through the night every.single.night. since you were 6 weeks old. Through getting teeth, growing, being sick, you name it...you are our sleeper! It's incredible and certainly has not been taken for granted. I hope it's a habit you continue for a looooong time :) :)

Keaton, I don't know what I can say now that I haven't said in the last 11 months. It's an honor to be your Mommy. I could kiss you all day long and not miss a thing. You are our little miracle baby and when I look at you I have hope for so many others who are struggling to grow their family. All things are possible with God.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, 

offspring a reward from Him.

Psalm 127:3

Fun Facts: 12 Months

*Weighs: 22lbs

*Length: 29"

*Wears size 3 diaper

*Size 12-18 month clothes - all 12 month items are getting snug

*Sleeps 7:30-7:00/30

*Naps 2x a day: 9:00 for around 1hr & 1:30/2 for around 1.5 hours {sometimes he'll take a 3rd nap before bed if he takes a shorter afternoon one}

*Nurses 4x a day

*Crawls on his knees with super speed 

*Can pull up on anything and still walks with walker

*Likes to rip up toilet paper and play in the bathroom

*Reading and bath are his favorite things to do. He gets very excited when we tell K it's bath time! 

*Knows who Mom, Dad, & Phinley are 

*New favorite food is crunchy wagon wheels 

*Size 4 shoe

*8 teeth

*Knows where his feet are and tries to put on socks and shoes

*Loves to go outside and gets excited when we start getting ready to go out

*Doesn't like being in his car seat