five months!

Age: five months
Stats: weight-
Clothes:  I am still squeezing you into some 3 month onesies...guess I need to add those to the box of "too small clothes". Other than that, you are wearing all 6 month and 6-9 month clothes. The weather is starting to turn a little cooler so it has been fun a workout putting you in long sleeves and pants. Today I wrote on facebook that trying to dress you in long sleeves, pants, AND socks is the same as wrestling a cat. You just love to kick those little legs when we are getting you dressed. My favorite is in the evening after your bath when you are all dressed in your little footie jammies and have your hair all combed. You just melt my heart.
Favorite Activities: Oh boy...you have really started to have fun with your toys this month! We are borrowing your cousin Logan's exersaucer and you LOVE it. The first few times I put you in it you very quietly observed all the different toys and didn't move much at all. Now, when I put you in it you have figured out that you can jump and make the toys rattle and shake. You are also getting SO GOOD at tummy time. When I lay you down on the floor you immediately roll to your stomach every time. You are getting so strong and good at holding yourself up on your elbows and just yesterday you pushed yourself up onto your hands.
Least Favorite Activities: You still don't really enjoy anything that falls into the category of being "messed with" which includes (but is not limited to): getting dressed, being buckled in the car seat, getting UNbuckled from the carseat, putting a bib on, taking a bib off...just to name a few : )
Favorite Memory this Month:  A few weeks ago we came home from being out in the evening and let Bear out of his crate. He always gets excited to see us and was jumping around and grabbing a few of his toys. Daddy was holding you and started "chasing" Bear with you in his arms. Bear thought that was pretty exciting so he started hopping around and wagging his tail and you got so tickled that you actually starting laughing out loud. We thought maybe it was a fluke but Daddy kept "chasing" Bear around with you in his arms and you were full on belly laughing. It will be a memory I will treasure in my heart forever and I kind of think it was a sweet gift from your big brother Bear. We will always remember that he was the one who gave you your first real belly laugh.
Signature Moves: You  love to blow raspberries! This month we started giving you oatmeal cereal and a few times when you have been eating you will all of a sudden just blow raspberries, and consequently, cereal all over the place. And just the other day you found your toes...you are now getting really good at putting them in your mouth.
Here are a few pics from this month...

We wanted to make sure your head was shaping up ok so we went to the doctor to have them check on it...turns out your head is fine! They had to put this on your head to take some pictures. You are going to love this picture when you're about 14 : ) 

 Checking out your exersaucer

 We went to lunch after church one day and you were so exhausted, you fell asleep in Daddy's arms. 

 I snapped this pic of you before church one morning...melt my heart.

 We usually  have story time before your afternoon nap. You really like looking at the pictures and hearing Momma read to you! 

 Our visit to the pumpkin patch.

 We got a new jogging stroller that I am loving! You love it too because you fell asleep on our run the other morning.

 You are getting SO good at pushing up on your arms. 

 Couldn't leave out brother Bear...he also loves him some tummy nap time. 

 Trying out some sweet potatoes for the first time! You started off strong and then kind of changed your mind. 

Dear Cormac,
You are growing so much every single day. Sometimes I just find myself staring at you, amazed, at how much you are changing. It's so amazing to me the "things" that you can do now...like eat from a spoon and hold on to different toys with your hands. You are also getting SO much personality. I think I will probably say this every month, but this month has been my favorite. You love blowing raspberries and "talking" to me throughout the day. You are also starting to laugh at me, which I love. The other day I was blowing on your tummy and you just thought that was hilarious. I love to give you a great big smile and you will (almost) always give on right back to me. You are sleeping pretty good, which is new for  you this month. We started some "sleep training" and I am so glad we did. You now go  down for naps/bedtime like a champ. I usually just rock you and sing Jesus Loves Me two times and then just lay you down. Sometimes you will fuss for a few minutes and sometimes you will talk to yourself for a few minutes but then you go right to sleep. It is SUCH a relief for me : ) We usually put you to bed around 7:30 each night and  you have 2-3 naps each day. You have been waking around 2 or 3am but you put yourself right back to sleep. However, by the time 5am rolls around you are ready to eat so I feed you then put you back to bed until you wake up around 7:30. I am really liking our schedule/routine lately and FINALLY feel like we are getting the hang of it. You are truly a sweet, sweet blessing from the Lord and we love you more than words could ever say.
Love,
Momma & Daddy

four months!

Age: four months
Stats: weight- 16 lbs 13 oz (75 %ile)
         length 25 1/2 inches (75 %ile)
Clothes:  You are mostly out of all of your 3 month clothes now! We have switched over all of your onesies to the 6 month ones which snap much easier at the bottom! Some of your pajamas are still 3 months. I have to say that your pajamas with the footies are my favorite on you. There is just nothing more adorable than you in your cozy pajamas.
Favorite Activities: You are liking tummy time a little more and are learning to roll over onto your tummy like a pro! One thing you also like is being outside! We have started meeting Daddy at Starbucks on his day off right when we are done at Stroller Strides. You love to sit on the patio with us and watch the people and look all around you. Bear also loves this time because he gets lots of love from the people who pass by. On a side note: If we ever go anywhere with both you and Bear, it never fails that Bear gets all the compliments and you barely get noticed. This always make me and Daddy laugh because we think you are the cutest. Of course we love Bear with all our hearts too. We think we might make him a Facebook Fan Page.
Least Favorite Activities: You still aren't too keen on clothing changes, although you are getting better at it. You had to get a few more shots at your 4 month appointment and that wasn't too pleasant. You did much better than the 2 month shots afterwards though. It always breaks my heart to see those little bandaids on your fat little legs.
Favorite Memory this Month:  One day you were laying on your play mat and Bear came over to lay by you and me. It was so funny because you just started stroking his paw and really observing him and he just laid there and didn't move. I think you were trying to figure him out : ) Everyone always asks how Bear is liking you and it just makes my heart to happy that he is so gentle around you. We always knew he would be a great big brother.
Signature Moves:  You have really started blowing raspberries lately! You are finding your voice more and more and it is such a joy to watch you "communicate" with us.
A few pics from this month...

We sent this to all our friends at Leawood on their first day.

 You managed to sneak one of your arms out of your swaddle sack during your nap...

 I'll eat you up, I love you so.

 One of our Starbucks Fridays with Daddy!!

 During the night you managed to get BOTH your arms out of your swaddle sack...needless to say we stopped swaddling you shortly after this.

 This is what Bear does at our Starbucks Fridays...pretty pathetic huh?

 Brothers.

 You attended your first wedding! Uncle Ron and Aunt Lori got married. We went and sat in the very back incase we needed to make a quick escape. Daddy fed you throughout the ceremony and you did great! You looked so handsome too : ) 

 One day we went and helped Lindsi with her daycare. Your friend Reagan was there so we snapped a pic together! You and Reagan are only a few days apart. 

 This month we also started going to MOPS. You didn't do so well in the nursery during the first meeting but the second one you did great. All the ladies love rocking you and snuggling you.

 This month you have also discovered the TV. You love to look at the moving bright colors...I set you down here one day for a second and came back  and you were just watching TV! It made me laugh a lot. 

 I clipped your nails one day and this happened...it looks much worse than it was! Just cut one a little too short...luckily I don't think you even noticed. 

 Sophie the Giraffe goes almost everywhere with us...including the doctor! You are all stripped down waiting for your checkup! 

three months

Age: three months
Stats: weight- 15.8 lbs
Clothes: You are still wearing your 3 month onesies, although they are getting a little snug. For rompers you are wearing 3-6 months. Just last week, I went through your clothes and put all your newborn things in a tub. I may or may not have cried when that happened.
Favorite Activities: You love to "play"! Each day we follow a routine...Eat.Play.Sleep. During the play time we rotate from your bouncy seats, to the activity mat and just recently you have started sitting up in the Bumbo chair. You absolutely love laying on the activity mat and "talking" to the baby in the mirror. One day, I think he might have offended you because you were happy as a clam and then all of a sudden just let out this big cry. You also love to talk to anyone who will listen! You have been cooing and making all kinds of sounds these days. You will sit and talk to mommy and daddy for a long time! We always tell you to "tell us all your stories". I wonder if one day you will be a preacher like Daddy.
Least Favorite Activities: Two words...Tummy Time. This is probably your least favorite time of the day. However, you are getting much better at holding your head up! I try to leave you on your tummy for short amounts of time throughout the day and you are always quick to let me know when you have had enough.
Favorite Memory this Month:  I was rocking you to sleep for a nap one day and you let out a full on laugh. You have chuckled in your sleep a few times but this was a full on laugh with a big smile on your face. It was so funny because I started to cry when it happened! I was just so proud of you. So there we were...you laughing and me crying haha : )
Signature Moves:  You still love sticking out that bottom lip when you are sad. You have also started blowing raspberries which is pretty funny! Daddy taught you to do this and he is pretty proud of that!

The outtakes:

 Bear wanted to know what we were doing...

 Dear Cormac,
You are growing a changing so much each day. I am so thankful that I get to be here with you each day even though it has been a learning curve for both of us. School is starting and it has been a little sad for me coming to the realization that my life is very different now. I wouldn't trade any of these moments with you for anything...but I am missing that adult interaction sometimes : ) Talking to you has been fun though! We can carry on a conversation for quite a long time. You love to coo and smile when we talk to you and it is the sweetest thing. You have also just started grabbing things with your hands. You can hold on to some things for a short time. Speaking of your hands...you found them this month! You love putting your hands into your mouth. It is so funny because you will hold both of your hands and bring them to your mouth at the same time...it takes so much effort and concentration!

Here a few pictures from this month!

Sitting up in the bumbo for the first time! 

 We got out sophie for you to chew on and somebody thought it was for him...

 Apparently you didn't want your picture taken this day.

 You like to snuggle with  Daddy in the mornings after you eat. It is the sweetest thing...you will just talk and talk to him. 

 I forgot to include this last month...but you got your two month shots. It was a sad day for both of us! 

Chewing on those hands...are you going to be at thumb sucker?

Your very first pair of TOMS...can't wait until you can wear them!

Bear is really such a good big brother to you. He loves to walk by and give you a little lick on your head somewhere. He also loves to come lay by you on the floor.

Cormac Lain,
I don't know how it is possible for me to love you more each day...but I do. You make us laugh and bring such joy to our lives. The Lord has truly blessed us. We love you more than words could  ever say.
Love,
Momma and Daddy

two months

Age: two months
Stats: weight- 13lb 10oz (75%ile)
length-  24in (90th %ile)
Clothes: Well, hulk baby can definitely not fit into anymore newborn clothes. He wears all 0-3 months, 3 months, and once even a shirt that was 3-6 months (it was a little big on him). 
Favorite Activities: We got a new little bouncy seat from Grandma's house that he LOVES. When he kicks his legs it bounces and he thinks that is great. He will also stare at the toys that hang from it for quite a long time. Cormac also loves staring and talking to some of the art I hung right above his changing table. When he is in a happy mood we can lay him on the bed and he will just "talk" and smile at us which is the SWEETEST thing in the whole world. Sometimes when we are talking to him he will be moving his mouth while he watches us like he wants to figure this whole thing out and talk back.
Least Favorite Activities: Cormac still doesn't like anything that fits in the category of "why are you messing with me?" which includes: going in his torture seat car seat, changing clothes, sometimes diaper changes. He will also let us know when he is bored and wants to stop doing whatever he is doing. For example, if he plays on the play mat for awhile...he will let me know when he has had ENOUGH : )
Favorite Memory this Month:  I think it might have been right after he finished eating one night and Chris and I were just talking and smiling at him and Cormac just kept looking at us with these "sketchy" eyes and moving his eyes side to side. Almost like he was thinking "who are you and what have you done with my parents??" We both laughed pretty hard at that one!
Signature Moves:  Still loves sticking out that bottom lip when he is upset. Earlier this week he was upset and I was holding him and smiling and talking to him and it was so funny because he couldn't decide if  he wanted to smile or pout. He kept going back and forth which was just cracking us up!
Mom's Proudest Moment: I absolutely love when I smile really big at Cormac and he reciprocates with a great big smile. It is probably one of the best things in life. I also am completely  loving rocking him to sleep. It is so sweet the way he will just stare up at me as I sing to him, like it is the most beautiful song he has ever heard.


the outtakes...

Dear Cormac, 
You are changing and growing so much each and every day! I feel like we are getting a better handle on our daily routine/schedule which is such a relief for mommy! On most days we get up and go workout at Stroller Strides. You sometimes think that is pretty great and sometimes you just fuss through the whole class. Luckily, all the other mommies don't mind! When we come home you like to eat right away then play for a while. After that you usually take a long afternoon nap. It is in the evening, around dinner time, your seem to get a little fussy still. Sometimes you will take a little "cat nap" (don't tell Bear : ) After dinner we usually give you a bath and then put you to bed. You are starting to like your bath time more and more! You have had lots of babysitters this month which you have loved too! Your grandparents and aunts/uncles love watching you and that is nice because sometimes mom and dad get to go out and have a date. You are also sleeping MUCH better! Usually we put you to bed between 8 and 9pm, give you a "dream feed" between 10-11pm and then you don't usually wake up until 4 or 5am. We're getting there!
Here are a few pictures from this month...

 You fell asleep while daddy was preaching...

 Taking your "Nazarene nap" with Daddy...

 You celebrated your first 4th of July!

 I almost cried when I dressed you in this...you looked like such a big boy!

 We have started calling you the "pout pout fish" after this book...you still love sticking out that bottom lip!

 One day I was trying to soothe you like this and you fell right asleep!

 I propped you up here for a minute and when I came back to check on you, you had your arm on the pillow like this. It made me laugh so much! I think all you needed was a cold beer soda and a pizza!

Cormac Lain, you are such a joy. We count it such a blessing to be your parents and know that we love you more than words could ever say.

one month

 

Age: one month!
Stats: 11lbs 2 oz (83 percentile)
Clothes: Most of his newborn clothes don't fit anymore...so sad! We are now in all 0-3 month.
Favorite Activities: Eat, Sleep, Repeat...sometimes he will play on his activity mat. He loves to stare up at the toys. He also loves staring at bright lights and our ceiling fans haha. Chris and I will say "the liiiighhtt" (the claw) like those little aliens from Toy Story.
Least Favorite Activities: Middle of the night diaper changes, going in his torture seat car seat,
Signature Moves:  Oh that bottom lip. Cormac was LITERALLY born crying with his  bottom lip sticking out. He is a pouter  for sure.  

Mom's Proudest Moment:   Aside from his birth of course...There have been a few times when I am smiling and talking to him and he will smile back. It's pretty sweet. Also, he  is such a listener! He will just stare at me and try to move his mouth when I am talking to him. It's like he is trying so hard to understand what I am saying and talk back to me.
Dad's Proudest Moment: Chris said his proudest moment was definitely the moment he was born...such an amazing experience.

The outtakes...

apparently this one month photo shoot was pretty exhausting!

it was pretty funny with both of us trying to get Cormac to cooperate. It's a miracle we actually got  one good picture!

Dear Cormac,
I can't believe it has already been a month since you were born. In so many ways this feels like the longest and shortest month of my life. Who knew we could survive on such little sleep?! You have had a very busy first month of your life. Just two weeks after you were born we packed  up our whole  house and moved to Texas! Your grandparents and aunts/uncles are very glad about this  but it was very hard to say goodbye to our life in Kansas City. Before we moved you got to meet all my teacher friends at a luncheon at my school. When we walked in everyone clapped and cheered : ) So many people wanted to hold you and all said how cute you were. Everywhere we go people can't get over your red hair! Daddy calls you his little "ginger". You also had your  very first airplane ride at only two weeks old. We decided it would be better than the10+ hours of riding in the car from KC to  Texas. You did GREAT and slept almost the whole time while I was a nervous wreck! I was so afraid your ears would  hurt but they didn't. Now that we are all settled in our new home we are learning a little more about each other. I am trying to figure out your "routine" a little more each day. You seem to have a fussy time  in the evenings...but apparently this is normal for babies your age. We  have been walking at the park almost every morning and you really like that. Sometimes you will stay awake and look around but most of the time you just sleep in your stroller. We love you more than you will ever know. I can't wait to see how much you grow and change this month!
Love,
momma and daddy