carson taylor: three months

when i realized i was pregnant i was thrilled by the thought of spending weeks at home and had several grandiose ideas of what i wanted to accomplish during my leave.  that’s my nature – as a ‘perpetual to-do lister.’ what i hadn’t accounted for was the overwhelming desire i had to do nothing.  nothing but cuddle with you, my sweet baby.  in the past few weeks, as my leave came to an end, you spent hours upon hours in my arms.  i gave you like a-bagillion kisses and hugs, read you so many books, and stayed awake for hours watching you sleep on the monitor next to our bed.  it was time well-spent. 

this past month has been a big one for you.  you celebrated christmas and new year’s, met cousin nathan for the first time, started sleeping in your crib 100%, started daycare, and attended your first iowa state basketball game.  unfortunately you also battled your first bout of pink eye (in both eyes).  it broke mommy’s heart but you honestly didn’t seem to mind much.  you also learned to blow bubbles, coo, hold small toys, and have started smiling when we make noises and funny faces.  interacting with you is the best!  the sweetest thing ever is when you sleep in my arms occasionally you'll crack a peek, see me and smile so big.  it simply melts my heart and I wonder what you're thinking.  you continue to grow and are nearly 12 pounds but forget about sleeping through the night! food is your favorite so waking consistently at 1 or 4 to eat is no big deal....for you.  mom and dad on the other hand are exhausted!  finally, fans and lights continue to attract your attention and you've grown accustomed to tugging on my hair when ever you are held. and i don't mind at all.  

maybe it's here that i should mention how smart you are!  you now react to the stories you are read by focusing on the pictures as we turn pages and have very recently started mimicking faces that mommy makes; super cute.  additionally you have now learned which bottle contains your acid reflux medicine and make it known that it's not your favorite.  since starting on your new medicine we've had to mix it with milk to get it down.  every time with enthusiasm and vigor you gulp down your medicine bottle only to pause a mere 60 seconds later to either a) crinkle your forehead as if to say 'hey, what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks is this?!' or b) fake choke (true story!). 

allie continues to be fascinated, if not a bit jealous of you.  she'll sleep near you when we are all in the living room and if you flinch or moan she's the first to sniff you over, lick your ear, and rest her head on one of your small body parts.  but if she's tired and we are all upstairs she just lets out a loud sigh and rolls over.  

 funny moment of the month:  your seats!  good lord do babies have a lot of seats! at one point, not intentionally, all of your seats were in the living room...and not a one made you happy that day.  you just wanted held.  dad made sure to capture the chaos. (as a side note - we also find it ridiculous that one of your seats has a 5-point harness.  it just cracks us up - safety first!)

 here are your seats and other pictures from this past month.  

babyrazzi

on saturday we ventured out to take carson's three month baby pictures.  on sunday we had the proofs. yesterday we had the final edits.  

since that time i haven't quit looking at them!  libby did it again.  she so perfectly captured us in our parenting element and i continue to be impressed at how unexpectedly natural it has come.  parenting a child is probably the hardest thing we have ever done though the fact that we are parents really does not surprise me.  when i look at these pictures i not only see our beautiful baby but i'm reminded of the love that exists between cody and i in creating and caring for this little life.  i must never forget that these moments are fleeting.  someday he'll be a man. but, he'll forever be my baby.

thank you libby; you continue to amaze!