Monthly Lewis 8

December 31st 2016

This jolly guy turned 8 months on the 20th!! He seriously is the happiest, unless he's tired or too hungry. But even then he barely cries, just whines a bit and flails his jazz hands (as I like to call them). He's extremely vocal at home but a little shy when we are out and about. Never holds back that smile though. Ever so slowly trying some foods. Found out about tummy sleeping and has been giving us some great stretches of sleep! Like I feel totally normal and not a sleep deprived zombie! He loves being outside, playing the piano, and moving himself around the whole downstairs in his walker. He loves loud noises and is truly enamored by his dada and Lucy. When Cory makes coffee in the morning he starts laughing and chatting to him.

LIKES include what's above, as well as being around other kids. We've been hanging out with more babies and younger kids and he seriously is so chatty with them. I think he knows they can be future friends and just wants to love on them. He'll hand other babies toys and smile and chat to them. It's so adorable and I can't wait to see him actually talking and interacting with friends. Gotta wait a few years for that though!

DISLIKES include waiting for the bottle when he's too hungry or changing his diaper in the middle of the night (I don't blame him). He doesn't like be startled by the dog's barks or when I leave him alone during tummy time. He's not crawling yet but we are working on it. I think this little guy is a tad lazy so we are needing to really encourage and gently nudge him to keep working on building those muscles. But with everything I've learned so far, he meets these milestones when he is ready and not a day early.

We seriously cannot get enough of this guy and Cory whispers to me most nights, "gosh is he cute". What a blessing he has been.

// leah

December Review

December 31 2016

~ It's the most wonderful time of the year ~

Oh boy! Is it really! This past month has been full of such fun and joy. We were able to celebrate the first holiday season as a family of 3. Christmas time with a child really is something special. We made sure to do our family traditions as well as start some new ones. First up was tree hunting! We used to go to Wheelers in Oregon City, a tree farm my family has been going to for 18 years! (more tree hunting) However, last year we learned that they would be closing and that we would have to find a new tree farm. I seriously cried. I loved going to the tree farm. I loved the idea of taking my children to the same farm that I went to growing up. However sad it was though, the one we found actually was perfect and I'm happy things worked out the way they did.

We started our day early and headed to Hagg's Christmas Tree Farm. The drive was even magical. Through the woods we went, driving up and down some hills till we arrived at the farm. We found the lay out of the land (this place is 40 acres!) and then took some pictures to start the day off right. I can't get over his little hat! I bought it just for this occasion.

We searched high and low, literally walked up hills, to find our perfect Charlie Brown tree. Cory eventually spotted it and we knew it was perfect. In years past we tried to get the fattest and tallest trees that our living room would hold. But this year we remembered that the Charlie Brown trees are our favorites and that we were going to stick with those from here on out.

This place is amazing. You cut your tree down, drag it to the nearest dirt road, and some guys will come around with a flat bed and take it to the bailing station. You then walk back to your car, go to the "drive-thru" tree station where they take your shaken and bailed tree and tie it to your car. They have a fancy number system to make sure you get your right tree. Its pretty fantastic. We decided to look around a bit and went to their barn where they were selling kettle corn and other little goodies. They had wreaths and ornaments for sale; free hot chocolate, a Santa Claus to take pictures with; they had cows and goats to feed and a little nativity scene set up. It was the perfect place and we are so excited to continue to go there!

This past month we actually got a few days of snow, that stuck! Cory was able to come home a little bit early and we spent some time outside letting Lewis experience what snow was. He was a little skeptical of it, but this kid loves to be outside so he was happy. I was able to put him in the snow suit I found 5 years ago that I have been saving for this moment!

A new traditions we started is to buy a few new Christmas books each year and read a few every night leading up to the 24th, where of course we'll read the Night Before Christmas. Books were never a huge deal in our family, we had some other traditions of game day and movie day. Reading to Lewis is starting to become more of a routine for us and since Cory loves to read, I'd love to instill that love into Lewis. And how fun will it be to have a few special favorite stories we only pull out during this time!

A few we bought this year (L to R):

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey / The Crippled Lamb 

 / The Pine Tree Parable / The Mitten

I wanted some to help tell the story of Christmas, some that were just fun winter stories, and others that would help us teach Lewis about giving and sacrifice. I'm looking forward to reading these throughout the year.

Next up was Santa! He was in town so we had to stop and visit him .

First off his little outfit! Gosh I nearly exploded with love seeing him in his bow tie and suspenders. He will be wearing bow ties and suspenders for holidays forever, and ever, amen. I was 100% sure he would cry when he saw him. He doesn't have stranger danger yet, but he definitely cries when people are a little over animated. But this Santa was so calm he definitely helped Lewis stay calm. He just looked at him, put his hand on his glove, and looked back at me and my mom. My goodness. My Lewis. 

Speaking of Christmas…

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Christmas weekend was jammed pack but a lot of fun. On Christmas Eve Eve we went to my in-laws to celebrate Christmas with my Father-in-laws side of the family. I went over there around noon to help my mother in law cook and set things up. Lewis was happy as a clam hanging out in his little walker and with his Opa. He refused a nap but then fell asleep on me a couple hours later. The evening went really well and Lewis stayed up wayyyy past his bedtime but was surprisingly really happy the whole time. He passed right out when we got home. 

Christmas Eve we spent the day finishing some gifts and just hanging around the house. We then went to my parents for dinner that evening for dinner. We've had a couple family dinners there now, a Thanksgiving dinner and now a Christmas Eve dinner, and it's nice to be making new memories and traditions at their new place. My mom had made a delicious dinner with all the fixings and we opened a few of Lewis' presents. Growing up we had all the Christmas tchotchkes everywhere throughout the house. This year, my parents are in their new (smaller) home, and with everything all over the place it really looked like Santa's house! It was so cute and funny at the same time.

We were able to wake up Christmas morning and celebrate just the three of us. We opened up our stockings and the gifts Cory and I gave each other. I technically got a couch for Christmas, so I told him all I really wanted was a love letter. Oh boy! He wrote the sweetest love letter and I cried like a baby. He also fixed our doorknob on our back door and I cried about that too. #hormones #Christmasmagic who knows but I was so incredibly happy! I got Cory some wireless headphones from sudio for when he's out in his shop.

We then ventured to Cory's parents for Christmas day. We read the Christmas story, ate traditional Christmas bread and exchanged our gifts. This year was extra special because we have had two new additions to the family this year (Lewis and Alice) and my in laws moved so having the first Christmas there was so nice. 

We came home, Lewis took a little nap and then my parents came over. We exchanged gifts, had homemade pizza for dinner, watched Grumpy Old Men, and ate home-made cinnamon rolls for dessert. It was definitely a night I will never forget.

///

Some other photos from this month I don't want to forget about it. Christmas jammies and bed head after his early morning nap in our bed. His cute little tongue filled grin - always smiling at Lucy. One more from our snow day. And I love that Christmas cards are still a thing, because it is just so wonderful seeing all those beautiful faces hanging up in our house.

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful December filled with lots of love and good food and that this new year will bring nothing but blessings!

// leah

an open letter to my son: let's be kind

November 9th 2016

Dear Son,

The year you were born we elected our new president. I won't go into too much detail regarding the two candidates, but let's just say your dad and I didn't love either of them. Emotions ran high for many in our city and our country during this time. It was unfortunately made evident that this country is still so divided. It has been sad to watch the names be called, the labels be made, and the down right hate that has come out of those whom should be setting higher standards for our country.

What do I want you to know? I want to tell you this. Yes, big things are happening in our country. But big things happen everyday. I want you to know that many people in this world may not shine the light they should. Regardless of how others treat you, I hope I can raise you to treat others with kindness. A kindness that stems from genuine concern for others around you. I pray you show grace and forgive others easily. I pray that you see your neighbors, friends, and those around you not as strangers but as your brothers and sisters. Do unto others and you would do unto yourself.

I hope you know that your actions, though they may seem small are not! They are big! What you do at school, at your friend's house, and in our home matters. What you say matters. You matter. You can do a lot with your life. Stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Be a positive light to those around you. Be humble. Do right when no one is watching.

I'll do my best to show you what this looks like. I pray your dad and I can help shine a light to those around us and show you what kindness means.

I love you my son. And even though the world you are growing up in may not be all too kind, know that there is a lot of love out there; a lot of love that can be given and a lot of love that you can receive.

I love you Lewis. Remember you are loved. And go out and extend that love to those around you.

xo / mom

Monthly Lewis 6 & 7

November 24 2016

I'm a little behind at our monthly record of mister Lewis. But such is life. These last two months have really flown by and were quite busy. He's been a busier little boy as well. So fun!




October 20 2016

Happy 1/2 Birthday to our little buddy! You are such a joy. We call you Chatty-Cathy-Lewis because you love to talk. Your laughs are contagious, and you are seriously the happiest person in the world in the mornings. We still have a lot to figure out, your dad and I, about this whole parenting gig but we are so thankful God gave us you as our first! You are so sweet and make our lives infinitely deeper with meaning and joy.

LIKES include being with and around your daddy. You seriously get so distracted when he is in the room. You are loving being outside and walks have become a necessary part of our days. You are getting chubbier and chubbier despite only wanting to drink mommas milk. We have tried several fruits and vegetables but you have yet to swallow anything. We have gotten into a nice routine when I am at work. You love it when your grandmothers are over and demand their attention when they are there.

You are learning to sit up more on your own and I think you love the added independence. We got you a highchair and I think it was one of the happiest moments of your little life! Your smile was just beaming when you could sit up and look at mommy. You are such a giggly little guy and love to talk to yourself. Sometimes I'll be watching you talk to yourself, then you see me watching you and just bust out laughing!

You experienced your first Halloween this last month and I have to say I loved dressing you up! You were a good sport. Our days have a routine to them and I'll soon be posting "a day in the life". I want to remember these days. Because despite how tiring, simple, and routine, they can be, they are oh so wonderful!

November 20th 2016



7 months! Oh my little love, you are so big! You laugh so loud when you see your Lucy dog. You still take crap naps unless in the Ergo or in mom's arms. We are doing okay at night, but are starting to sleep train you. You are still in size 3 diapers but they are getting tight. You are slightly lazy when it comes to moving but you'll figure it out. You love to roll from your back to your stomach and do it so well. But when it comes time to roll back over you just don't even try that often. You'll either lay your head down and wait for me to turn you over, or start crying. Making sleeping a bit interesting. You can't yet crawl but tend to downward dog your way around the mat. You can move pretty far like that! Your dad and I both had dreams that you just started walking. No crawling just up and walked. We'll see if that holds true!

You love being outside and literally cry when we come inside. You could sit and listen to the cars and trucks pass by for at least a half an hour. In this photo, it is your last white onesie because you pooped through all the others! You hate food still and haven't eaten any of the bazillion things I've chopped, pureed, steamed, or baked for your. So far you have only tolerated raw broccoli (sucking on it) and maybe one swallow of sweet potato.

You sat in the cart for the first time yesterday and absolutely loved it! I think we have a lot of fun adventures in our future just because of this. We gave you the pacifier again, to help soothe you during car rides or diaper changes when you are a little fussy. And now it's become your favorite toy! You don't suck on it like other babies do but rather use it as a microphone/chew toy. You chat and chat and chat so loudly when you have it in your mouth! You love to pull it in and out.  Oh Lewis-love you are so wonderful.

LIKES include much of what I mentioned above. You don't have many dislikes. You get bored a little easy so you can get fussy when you want to do something else. You don't cry, but rather make these "mmmm mm mmm" noises till we respond.

What fun these last few months have been and Cory and I are just so happy to watch him grow.



                                         

A Sweet & Simple Shower

November 11 2016

My friend Shelby and I hosted a baby shower for our good friend Lauren. She is due February 15th (a day away from Valentine's!!!) with their baby girl. We are SO excited. We took advantage of the nearing winter season and decorated as such with little hues of pink. It turned out so lovely and it was so fun watching her and baby girl be spoiled with love. 

co-hosts ! 

We can't wait to meet you Baby Z! 

// leah