Saturday, December 31, 2011

Liam at 12 weeks

Our little Liam is 12 weeks old! Fortunately, his colic is almost a thing of the past, and we have been enjoying his laid back, cheerful personality. His smiles are infectious! He loves to talk and he usually has the most to say after he's been fed and changed. He doesn't love tummy time like Max did, but he loves "standing" and sitting up to look around. He can't do this on his own yet, of course, so it involves us holding him in these positions or letting him sit in the Bumbo seat.

So far, he's a great sleeper. He can even sleep through Max squealing and me banging dishes around. At night, he sleeps in a bouncy seat that we've placed in his crib. This could be why he sleeps better than Max did at this age. It's much cozier and it's easier for me to keep him swaddled in a blanket. I put a little vibrating attachment on the bouncy seat, which helps him get back to sleep quickly. I've had a lot of issues with my hands falling asleep since he's been born...especially at night, so this allows me to "bounce" him back to sleep, or close to it, which is much easier.

He loves his pacifiers!. If he doesn't have a pacifier, he will suck on his hand or fingers and has even given himself little hickies on his fingers. You would think that I starve the boy, but he'll do it even when he's got a belly full of milk. When he's full and tired, but still fussy, his favorite position is being held with his belly facing me, one arm under mine, with the pacifier pressing against me. He usually falls asleep within 2-3 minutes this way. He likes to nuzzle his face in between my arm and my body.

He takes 2-4  naps during the day and usually sleeps at least a 5 hour stretch, at night, but has slept as long as 8 hours straight! It's so unexpected and so nice! He weighs 15 lbs. 6 oz. and measures in at 24". He is starting to get so chubby and it is so fun to snuggle with him!

I had fun taking LOTS of pictures of him today. He was such a good sport, even though he has a cold. It doesn't seem to bother him so far, which we're thankful for.










Sunday, December 25, 2011

Gamble Christmas 2011

We celebrated Christmas with Nana and Papa on Christmas evening. The house looked wonderful and the food was delicious. We all got presents for the kids and the adults did a white elephant gift exchange. There aren't pictures of everything because it was a little chaotic at times trying to keep up with Max and keeping Liam happy, but it was a nice evening. Unfortunately, Gwen wasn't feeling well, and her eardrum ruptured later that night. We hope she is feeling better now! It was nice to spend time with everyone!

The new Christmas tree...Gorgeous!

Missy, Ellie and Kim

Max and Nana

Daddy and Liam were wearing their matching outfits

The food!

The pine cone cheese balls I made

The appetizers

The beautiful table

Ellie stirring the punch

Gwen stopping to smell the flowers with Grandpa

Mom and Gwen

Ready to eat!

Uncle Greg and Liam

Allen was great with Liam!

Opening their gifts













Our Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas, just the four of us, on Christmas morning. Here are some highlights!

Looking at the ornaments together

Looking at a book about baby Jesus
 

Listening to the book Mommy recorded for them about the nativity
Sleeping in heavenly peace

Max loved putting his money into the piggy bank Aunt Kristy, Uncle Greg, Laura and Eric gave him

Proud of himself

Where did it go?

Opening the "My Bible Friends" books we got for him and Liam

Looking at his new Bible books

Max got new Buzz Lightyear and Thomas pajamas

He loves his broom!

He loved opening his gifts this year!

A big dinousar!

King of the dinosaurs

Helping me open the gift from him

A beautiful necklace with each boys name, birth date, and the inscription, "I love you, Momma.". So thoughtful of Daddy!

Mama and her boys!

My necklaces

Opening his scout dog

 Max was curious about Liam's gifts

New bibs...he's excited about them!

A new recorder

Mommy's new hat...that Mommy found for $2.49!

Daddy is getting a new watch...this isn't it, but it's a promise of the one he wants.

Learning to play the harmonica

The best gift we got this year!

Playing with their new nativity set



Our Decorations

Our Christmas cards
It's missing a few, but it fell down and I didn't have the motivation to hang it again and take another picture