Dear Nolan... You're 3 months old!

My smiley, strong, happy little boy...

3 months old!  I can't believe it.  This month has been filled with lots of smiles - big, open mouth, squishy eyed smiles.  Some of my favorite smiles in the whole world.  You've started to really take in the world around you and like to be walked around so you can see everything.  You've also become more comfortable with your surroundings and your 'fussy time' at night is getting shorter.

You love being in the front pack - when facing toward us, you can't stay awake for very long, you usually always fall asleep.  If you are facing outward, which we do for short periods of time, you love to stare at everything around you.  Unfortunately, like your sister, you really dislike the car seat.  It causes mama lots of anxiety and getting into the car and going somewhere is always a carefully planned event.  You cry most of the time you are in it.  We are really hoping you start liking the iPad so maybe we can distract you for longer car rides!  We switched you into a big boy carseat, and it has seemed to help a tiny bit.

A couple weeks ago, you started discovering your hands and batting at objects.  Gramz got you a new bouncer seat with a bar with toys on it and you have really started eyeing the toys, grabbing at them, and swatting them.  You love staring at books and toys while laying on your back as well.

We took you to the doctor this month because you were having trouble with your coughing and breathing and you had to get a breathing treatment and an inhaler to take home.  It broke my heart, but you were such a good boy through it all.  Sometimes, you would stop to smile at us in the middle of your coughing spells.  You weighed 13 pounds 10 ounces at your appointment!  Big boy!

You are wearing 3-6 month, and 6 month sized clothes.  I can't believe how quickly you grew out of your 3 month sized stuff.  It made me so sad to go through your drawer already.  You are in size 2 diapers and I am guessing at least 24 inches long.

You are getting strong and starting to hold your head very well.  You like standing on your legs (with our help) and kicking your feet and swinging your arms around when you are on your back.  Before you got sick, you were doing 6-7 hour stretches at night, but since getting sick we are off our schedule and lately you've been getting up 2-3 times per night to eat.  You love sleeping on your belly and you love your sleep sheep.  You are still sleeping with us in our room, but taking longs naps in your crib.

You and your sister are starting to interact a little more, you love to look at her.  You are such a happy guy and it is so much fun to see you grow and change so much each month.  I feel so privileged to be your mommy, you make me so happy.  You are very snuggly and love being held.  You are almost starting to giggle and make funny sounds when you are trying to laugh.  We have a few nicknames for you - Toots (still), little man, lil wheezy (when you were sick), and mr. butts.

I think you are just adorable.  I look at you and can't believe you're my baby boy.  Although you and your sister look alike, I think you definitely have your own little look.  I hope you never doubt my love and admiration for you.  I am so proud of you and love you more than you could ever fathom.  As much as I hate to see the time pass, it is so much fun to see you everyday - you're growing and changing so much.

I love you, my sweet son.  Forever and ever!
Love,
Mama

Dear Nolan... You're 2 months old

My handsome, almond-shaped, blue-eyed little boy . . .

You are TWO months old (well, sort of... there isn't a 29th day in February this year).  You have changed so much in your short time here with us.  My favorite part of this last month has been your adorable big smile.  When you make eye contact with me and flash that squishy smile, I can't help but feel completely smitten.  Your eyes crinkle up and you smile with your whole face.  Your first official 'non gas' smiles were on January 31st, and you flashed them to me and your gramz and pops all in the same day.  You are also starting to get vocal and will coo and talk to us.

Unfortunately, you picked up your sisters cough at about 6 weeks old.  It was so sad to see you struggle with coughing.  You and I slept in our comfy nursery chair in your room for a couple nights so I could keep you upright and near the humidifier.  Mostly, you sleep with us in our room.  Sometimes you will sleep in the bassinet, but you like to sleep next to us.  You are waking up about once or twice a night.  You don't usually cry, just wake up to eat and go back to sleep.  You are still quite gassy, and I can tell it's painful, so sometimes you wiggle around to get it out and that will keep you up a little longer.  

You are a very snuggly baby and you love to be held and touched.  We carry you around a lot in the front pack and you are usually pretty content.  You love to look around and are really starting to take everything in around you.  You like looking at ceiling fans, lights, people and toys.  Dada loves holding you while you sleep on his chest.   You love your bath time, especially when the water is really warm.  You immediately relax when we put you in.  

You are a very happy and smiley baby, but you have definitely had your fussy days.  Just like your big sister, you are not a fan of the car.  I have to be strategic about when I take you places or you will scream the whole time.  We have had a few days where you have been pretty fussy most of the day.  It breaks my heart when you cry, so I will do everything I can to make you comfy.  We have two nick names for you so far - "Toots" and "needy Nolan".  We also call you "shiver lips" sometimes because you shiver your lips a lot.  Your sister absolutely adores you and is constantly trying to hug, kiss, and snuggle you.  She gets so excited when she gets to hold you and I am so glad you two are already developing a little relationship.

This month, we celebrated your first Super Bowl (the Patriots won against the Seahawks), your first Valentine's Day - complete with a matching shirt with your sis, and your first trip to the Folsom Zoo.  Even though right now you aren't able to comprehend all of your firsts... we are so privileged and blessed to be experiencing life with you.

We just bumped you up to size 2 diapers today because those size 1s were tight and causing lots of extra outfit changes.  You are wearing size 3 month and 3-6 month clothes.  You are big and growing so fast.  We have your doctor's appointment on Monday.  I am guessing you weigh about 12 pounds.  You are breastfeeding well and eat every 2-3 hours during the day.  I am so happy we are able to breastfeed.  It's our special time and you are so sweet when you eat.  

You are so sweet, Nolan.  You have the most adorable little stares and I feel like we have a strong connection.  You have the most darling chubby cheeks.  I love the little notch in your left ear.  I am so thankful every single day to have you as my baby.  I love holding you and watching you.  I have a favorite spot on the side of your head that I love to kiss over and over.  Your daddy and I talk about how precious and cute you are all the time.  We feel ridiculously lucky to have you.  There are no words to express how much I love you.  Unconditionally & forever.  

Happy 2 months my sweet boy.  I still stare at you and can't believe you're ours and have been for 2 months.  The time is passing at an impossible pace and I just want to soak in every little detail of you.

Love you,

Mama