Three months!  Three months ago, this sweet bundle of "snips and snails, and puppy dog tails" joined this world.  He entered quite the serious little guy.  We nicknamed him "Mr. Serious" actually.  So totally different from his "spirited" big sister.  It cracks us up and makes life so much more fun to see the differences between them! I love every bit of his serious face.  So much!

But lately, he's starting to really show us his sweet and happy disposition.  Although, you will not find that in these pictures.  Because Smith was determined to stare at me like a crazy lady with a camera as I jumped around, singing, hooping, hollering, and even coaxing Millie Janalee to help me tickle him.  I couldn't wait to take these sweet pictures in my brother's vintage bubble - circa 1988.

He was unamused.  Little stinker.

This was the biggest smile he would give me!

At three months, Smith is really starting to get more active.  When he's awake, his little feet are so busy, his body stays in the planking position many times...straight as a board, and he tries with all his might to sit up.  In fact, I'm not sure how much longer he can swing without a five point harness on his body.  I just know any day now, he's gonna sit straight up and flip right out!  Ha! His head and neck are strong.

He is starting to talk to us lots!  He loves to squeal and talk and gurgle while he's playing on his mat.  He makes the biggest little grin when we lean over to talk to him.  He is noticing things around him more.  He hangs on nearly every word Millie Janalee says when she sits by him on the floor.  And that's a lot of words!  Ha!  It is fun to watch them start to interact with each other.  She is very good to help him with his paci, and she gives him constant kisses and hugs!  The first thing she says every morning when I bring her downstairs is "Heeeeyyyy Smif!"

Mid yawn

Pulling himself forward to sit up straighter.

Swinging those arms around

Squirming all over!

We are still stuffing his growing body into three month clothes. Although, he's ready to move up to at least 3-6 mos in his sleepers and such.  Depending on the brand, he can wear 6 month clothes probably.  I'm not sure how much he weighs, but he has grown!  I'm using the last of my size 1 diapers, but will be in size 2's as soon as we run out!  He is taking 6 ounces of formula every four hours...with his last bottle being 7 ounces.  He takes an ounce of prune juice a day just in case.  Smith has gotten a little more predictable as he's grown.  I pretty much know that he is gonna take a bottle, stay awake and play for a while, and then fuss to lay down and nap in his swing.  Man, we are all gonna miss that swing when he outgrows it!  He sleeps much better when he is just swaddled up swinging.  When we try to hold him to sleep, he squirms and squirms until his face is stuffed between your body and elbow. Kinda like he's suffocating himself.  Once he's asleep, he is fine.  But I think he likes his space every now and then.  We were celebrating my sister's birthday a week or so ago, and he was crying and crying and crying.  Forever.  Nothing would soothe him.  Finally, out of desperation, I laid him down to change his diaper.  I laid him down and took his footies off from the chest down.  He was silent and completely happy and content.  That's what he wanted.  To just lay there naked.  Such a man!  Haha!

His newest trick, besides trying to pull himself up to a sitting position, is blowing bubbles.  You can see them in this picture below...

During his third month of life, he also had his first babysitter.  I took Millie Janalee with me to the Orange Bowl.  I knew Smith wouldn't enjoy it, and I'm not taking both kids to Miami without Russ.  Plus we drove 950 miles one way to get there.  So Smith stayed the week with Russ's brother and his family.  He had a ball!  I know they spoiled him and loved on him and treated him as their own!  I got several texts after we picked him up from Roan saying how much she missed him.  We are so blessed that they gave us such a precious gift in keeping him.  I never once worried about him.  Roan has 5 times the experience I have with babies!  Ha!

The truth of the matter is...(as Russ said) "Me and you adopt some beautiful kids!"  Oh how true!  God has blessed our little family so much more than we deserve or asked.  Ephesians 3:20 has been a verse I clung to since before we decided to adopt.  There is no promise more true in my life.  Immeasurably more!  We are in love with this sweet blessing!

My sweet Smith,

God has blessed us with you.  He shows himself daily through your life.  He has big plans for you...bigger than you could ever imagine.  And he began His work through you from before you were born.  He knew your story before any of us did, and He knows exactly what He has planned for you.  I cannot wait to watch it unfold.  My prayer for you, Smith, is that you would know God and make Him known.  What a story you have to tell!

I love you more,
Mama

Looking Back...

Well...a couple weeks later and our little family is finally getting settled back into our normal routine after the holidays.  I spent some time today looking back through our pictures preparing to blog and catch up on documenting our memories.

Looking back on the laughter, the joy, the smiles, the good times.  Looking back on Smith's first Christmas and our first as a family of four.  Looking back on the blessings and the fun.  Looking back at moments I had already forgotten in the whirlwind of Christmas.  Looking back at the sweetness.

Pure sweetness.  Thankful to be blessed with a Christmas twice as sweet this year!  And I can't wait to share it all with you.

Salt Dough Ornaments

This year has been a different kind of Christmas for us this year.  We spent most of December far away from "home," this is Millie Janalee's first real Christmas experience where she's really into everything, and we definitely cut back on gifts this year.  Smith was our best gift, and we are sharing that with our loved ones.  Everyone can be a part of our adoption fees.  Ha!  I didn't go out and shop at. all!  I did all my shopping online and on a budget.  I LOVE LOVE giving Christmas gifts!  I love shopping for others.  It is fun for me and I just enjoy it.  This Christmas has been more about making memories for us.  Millie Janalee and I decided we could make a memory and give handmade gifts for some of our favorite people.

So we attempted salt dough ornaments.  And it was a success.  Other than the part where I sent Russ to the couch to destress.  Lol!  I'm obviously the one who got the "elementary teacher genes."  Millie Janalee basically spent lots of time trying to eat the salt dough...she pretty much thought we were baking cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup warm water

Directions:

1.  Mix salt and flour together.

2.  Slowly stir in warm water.  Mix and knead until it forms a dough the consistency of pie dough.

3.  For fun, add food coloring and glitter of your choice during the kneading process.

4.  Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on a floured surface.  Press handprints, footprints, or make shapes with cookie cutters as you want.

5.  Frequently visit and talk to the bitty helpers in the kitchen too!

 6.  Use a straw or something to poke holes in the ornaments for the ribbon to hang on the tree.  Bake ornaments on 250 degrees for 4 hours - or until completely dry.

7.  Get ready to decorate!  We used Crayola washable glitter paint, but you could use acrylic paint or whatever you choose.  I read that acrylic paint holds the color best, but I didn't want acrylic paint all over everything.  Ha!

8.  String ribbon through and hang on the tree!  Or wrap as gifts.

Memories and gifts made.  All in one!

R is for...

Since Smith's arrival, Millie Janalee and I have put our BFIAR activities on hold.  But that doesn't mean I can't bring them out when it seems appropriate!  Ha!  I can't help it.  It's the teacher engrained in me.  Over Christmas, Millie Janalee and i have actually gotten several projects completed.  I am so happy I was able to make these memories with my sweet girl!

Millie Janalee loves to paint, so of course I pulled out the paint on a few different occasions.  I don't have every project pictured since she gave some as gifts, but these are enough to give you an idea.

R is for Rudolph!

R is for red bow!

Millie Janalee and Smith have been such a joy this Christmas season!  It is so fun for me to dress them in sweet Christmas pajamas and just watch them love each other.  Millie Janalee has such a kind heart, and she has yet to tire of her "baby bruvver." I love her big sister heart!

We have continued our Christmas readings, and Millie Janalee has loved every night of it!  She has also gotten quite skilled at opening gifts.  Possibly even opening a few under the tree unsupervised.  Ahem.  Ha!

R is for reading!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  This Christmas is certainly the best to date!

Merry Merry!

As Christmas Eve Eve ends, I'm getting more excited about everything Christmas.  The babies and I traveled south to visit my parents last week, and we will be here through the holidays.  Russ is coming in after work tomorrow for a few days, and we will celebrate our first Christmas as a family of FOUR!

I have had Smith's birthmother on my heart so much the last couple of weeks...and even more so today.  We are in fairly regular contact now, and I heard from her again today.  She is struggling through this first Christmas.  While we are joyful and excited, she feels anxious and sad.  Struggling through her first Christmas with empty arms while mine are overflowing.

I don't know anything about what she is going through.  I cannot even pretend to.  But I do know the feeling of Christmases with empty arms.  Arms I wanted so desperately to fill.

Christmas can be a very difficult time for birthmothers.  So, even if you do not know a birthmother personally, please take just a moment over Christmas to pray for them.  Pray for Smith's birthmother...and birthfather.  Pray for Millie Janalee's as well.

These precious eyes, tiny noses, sweet smiles.  So so many things I love about my babies came from them.  Their arms are empty, and ours are full.  I am so thankful.  And that word even seems so inadequate.

There's an article floating around Facebook, and I just love it.  I read it at the perfect time as I have prayed over Smith's birthmother today.  None of our lives are perfect...and if your life is so perfect that you have no room for Jesus, then you are missing the point.  "All I want for Christmas is to be broken enough to be the stable and not the inn."

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalms 147:3

Tonight, as many of Santa's elves are busy with last minute preparations, I am praying for all those celebrating a broken Christmas this year.

Mean Old Shots

The children and I survived our second big outing alone in St. Louis...or the surrounding area.  Monday afternoon, we loaded up for Smith's checkup.  We don't get out much, so when we do...we like to dress cute.  Ha!  That's what I told all the nurses who were obsessing over their clothes.  Let me just say that smocking is not something you find much if ever in Missouri!  Our pediatrician appreciates it, and she smocks her own clothes for her son.  She told me that I would just have to shop when I go home to Mississippi.  Ha!

Smith was nervous about his shots, and his big sister was quite the comforter.  Until she, too, joined him crying when I was trying to take a picture.  Drama!

Millie Janalee watched every move the doctor made.  She would get right up next to the doctor or nurse and just stare at whatever they were doing.  She wanted to be picked up when Smith got checked out and got his shots.  She didn't want to miss a thing.  This was the first doctor trip where she wasn't a patient.  Later that afternoon when Smith was crying, Millie Janalee asked "Shot hurt???"

Yes, baby.  Those mean old shots hurt.

Contrary to this picture I'm leaving you with, Smith handled his shots like a champ.  He never required Tylenol at all.  And when I tried to give him a dose before bed to prevent a sleepless night, he just spit it back up.  So he actually had no Tylenol at all and slept better than he had been the previous nights.

Such a sweet big boy!