Liam is One Month Old

Liam at one month. To keep him propped-up for this picture, I actually hijacked the gripper-pad from the kitchen, which we normally use to open jar lids. For this application, I used it under Liam's derriere, so he wouldn't slip all over the chair. Look closely and you'll see it under his toosh :0)
























3 weeks old

































He's one tall drink of water, for such a little guy! :-)

It's hard to believe that a month has already gone by with the addition of Liam to our lives. It seems like we JUST came home from the hospital yesterday! We count our blessings that he has been so healthy. I've been brought to tears a few times thinking about how blessed we've been to have two healthy and thriving kids. We definitely don't take it for granted!

Today I took Liam to his one-month appointment. I officially learned that we have a "good eater" (should I say "great"?) on our hands. Since birth, he has grown from 21 1/2 inches to 22 1/2 inches. He weighed in at 11.1 lbs, almost 3 lbs up from his birth weight of 8 lbs 3 oz. The doctor was amazed at how much he eats and how well-developed he is.

He currently eats 3-5 ounces every three hours. Like clockwork. He sleeps from 12 a.m. -5:30 a.m. (ish) every night. We're trying to slowly stretch that out so we can ALL get more sleep. The doctor said she will probably want him eating cereal before the typical four month mark, due to his size. She said that he's a big boy...not overweight, but just a big little guy. (It's funny to hear her say that, when everywhere we go people say "Oh, he's so tiny!") Doc Gaspard thinks he will be sleeping through the night by two months...Let's hope sooner, aye? (Ava slept through the night at 8 weeks).

The doctor asked how long I carried him after term. (Answer = 40 weeks + 6 days.) She was amazed at how well he followed her with his eyes, how much control he had over his neck, how alert he was, how he smiled at her "socially" (per doctor) and how he "talked" to her. He's a very alert little guy, I'll say that much. The doc said that he is "acting" more like a two month old than a one month old.

He continues to wear newborn-sized clothes, although he is getting a bit long for the newborn size already. I think it's hilarious that he has to grow into a pair of 0-3 month jeans. Right now they're HUGE on him.

Within the past 3-4 days, Liam has really been smiling quite a bit. When we talk with him face to face (and he's awake), he has what I will refer to as his "smiling fits". He seems to smile for 10-15 minutes at a time. I love when his entire face smiles...He seems to smile with his eyes and cheeks and forehead, up to his ears! (I know that sounds funny, you'd have to witness it to believe me, I guess :-). It cracks me up when our entire family is busy, only to look at Liam to catch him smiling his gummiest-smile. He is a happy baby. He does like to "talk", too. He continues to be a snuggle-bunny.

His strawberry-blonde hair is really filling-in, especially on the back of his head. I'd say he definitely will have blue eyes. Given his current complexion / coloring, I have a feeling we may need to buy stock in a sunscreen company!

Peace, love and the gummiest of baby smiles,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam :)