Liam is Twelve Weeks Old!

Dear Liam,

You are 12 weeks old today. I can hardly believe how fast these past 84 days have passed. 85 days ago we were a family of three-- Mommy and Daddy were sitting in Barnes and Noble, pouring over baby name books and anxiously awaiting your arrival, as Will played at the train table. Now we're a fabulous foursome and your mommy, daddy, and big brother couldn't be any happier.

Physically, you're growing bigger and bigger everyday. You've graduated to the 'size 2' diapers and you are quickly outgrowing your '3-month' outfits. While last month you were only drinking 4 ounces of formula every 2 hours, you're now drinking 5 - 6 ounces every 3 hours. You are, in your mommy's opinion, a perfectly pink, precious and adorable baby.

Your movements are becoming less reflexive and more and more intentional. You still throw out your arms if you feel as if you're falling or if you hear a loud noise (this is pretty often with your big brother around). Your neck is getting stronger and with each day that you lay on your tummy, you can hold your head up for longer and longer periods of time. When awake, your hands are always tightly clenched and you are always kicking your legs. You've mastered the act of bringing your hands to your mouth and you seem to love sucking on your fists.

You've become much more responsive to people's facial expressions and you can easily track objects that move in front of you. You can see people and objects at a far greater distance than last month and instead of staring into the distance, you seem to watch the television or gaze intently at pictures or toys. You smile at the sound of mommy or daddy's voice and you've begun to babble and make certain noises when you are happy or excited-- not laughter just yet, but that's just around the corner.

You love to lay on your back and gaze up at your mobile or hanging toys. You sleep soundly on daddy's chest and you like to watch Will play and dance. You finally seem to be enjoying our daily outings. When we take walks to Will's school or go shopping, you are alert and you seem to soak everything in-- the breeze, the smells, the sounds and the sights. You enjoy warm baths and being bounced around the house until mommy's back hurts. You like to take your time when you eat and you're very patient during the night when you wake up to be fed-- instead of screaming or crying, you tend to whine or whimper. You have a gorgeous smile that lights up the room and a cute dimple on your right cheek. I wish that I could capture that smile in pictures more often, but as soon as you see the camera you gaze intensely and inquisitively at it. You have an incredibly strong grip and you love to squeeze people's fingers and daddy's chest hair (...which makes me laugh and laugh).

You are a wonderful baby and mommy, daddy and Will 'love you alot'.

We can't wait to see what the next month will bring.

Love,

Mommy