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.