Say Cheese

Happy Monday!

A couple of weeks ago, we got a free in-home portrait session for Liam (they were trying to sell us hundreds of dollars in photos-- and ENORMOUS prints! Like a 20x40 wall portrait! No thank you!). We did, however, take the free 8x10 that came with it, which just arrived in the mail. Liam was in a good mood that day, and we had a lot of fun! Here was the winning shot:

Doesn't it look like one of those school pictures we used to have taken as kids?!

2 Months Old

Liam turned 2 months old yesterday. We spent a couple of hours at 'Nova where he got to meet several of my students-- he had a good time hamming it up for them!

So it is official... Liam is a giant. We had his 2-month checkup this morning and found out that he is in the 95th percentile in height, and at 15 lbs 11 oz, off the charts in weight! Definitely not destined to be a shrimp! Because of his size, the doc thinks that he will be ready for solid food at 4 months. Here are a couple of pics of our not-so-little guy:

Liam also received 5 immunizations this morning: DTaP, Hib, Polio, PCV, and Rotavirus. So I had been warned that it was going to be a little stressful, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for that experience! He was so shocked and upset when he got stuck with those needles, and I'll admit it made me tear up a little too. He cried pretty hard for a while, then went into a daze with his pacifier, and then fell asleep. Here he is in PTSS (post-traumatic stress sleep):

Poor guy! Glad we don't have to do that again for a while; we don't go back for another checkup until late June for his 4-month. Now that that's out of the way, time to prep for our trip to Illinois next week!

Spring is here!

So after Easter, Shannon and her family came to visit us for a few days in KoP. We had so much fun, and Liam seems to really enjoy being around other kids! Dillon and Gilbey were so gentle with him and loved to hold their new little cousin. Here is Dillon with Liam (not the most flattering angle for the poor little guy, but it's a cute pic anyway!):

Liam also proved that he is an equal-opportunity snuggler-- I think he fell asleep cuddled up to everyone in the house at one time or another. Here he is with Jason:

On Thursday, we got a package in the mail from Aunt Jan with an adorable outfit, shoes, and this great hat! Liam would barely tolerate us putting the little cotton caps on him, but he seems to love his baseball cap! The weather was great, so we emerged from the house and soaked in some sun. Liam's ready for baseball season (once his eyes get adjusted to the sunshine!):



On Friday, the weather was even more gorgeous, so we went to Villanova to take a walk and see some of my co-workers. Here he is entertaining the ladies:



And I think they did a good job entertaining him back! He was all smiles for Nancy and Kate.

Liam really is getting big! He has his 2-month check-up on Thursday, so we are interested to see just how much he has grown. He is now in 3-6 month clothing (and more so on the 6-month side!), and people commonly think he is much older than he really is. Where did our little baby go?!

In addition to his big cutie smiles, Liam has been "talking" up a storm! He loves to tell us all kinds of stories (which are apparently pretty funny, because he'll crack himself up halfway through). He is also making an earnest attempt to shove not one, but both fists in his mouth at once. We know Liam is awake in the middle of the night when we can hear him slurping loudly while struggling with those fists! He also tries to suck on his fist to fall asleep, but because he is attempting to put the whole thing in his mouth, he just gets frustrated and stays awake. Thus, his pacifier has become quite the necessity around here.

And now, for the highlight of our week: Liam slept through the night last Tuesday!! No joke, he was out from 9:30 pm until 5:30 am. We kept waking up to make sure he was still alive, but wow did the otherwise consecutive hours of sleep feel amazing. Don't get me wrong-- we paid the price the day prior when he refused to sleep for any amount of time whatsoever. He must have been exhausted by the time night rolled around! It hasn't happened again since, but that was enough to give me a little glimpse at what the future may someday again hold :)

Happy Easter!

From our family to yours, Happy Easter!

Liam enjoyed his first holiday with family from near and far. He started to getting festive a couple of days early when he received an awesome Easter basket in the mail from his Grandma and Papa in Illinois. I think Liam likes the Easter bunny! Thanks Grandma and Papa!



On Friday, it was off to Nana and Grandpa's house for Liam's first overnight trip! He slept the whole way there (which we so very much appreciated) and seemed to love checking out his new surroundings. He is getting more alert every day.

On Saturday, my cousin Shannon, her husband Jason, and their two adorable boys Dillon (5) and Gilbey (2) arrived from Rhode Island. We were excited for them to meet Liam! Here is GG catching up with her little great-grandson with Shannon and Gilbey:



The boys were so good with Liam and were the perfect older cousins! They did a great job holding him:



Here is Liam on Easter morning, with his new outfit and a special basket from Nana and Grandpa:



What's Easter morning without an egg hunt? The boys and their dads scouring the backyard:



Dillon gathered quite the basket:



Gilbey was a close second-- check out those eggs!



And Liam came in a distant third :) Maybe next year, buddy!



Back inside, GG, Liam, and I had fun playing:



Nana's cool Easter Bunny cake-- just like my Nana used to make!



Back in KoP... we were living in a bit of a construction zone for a few days last week as our death-trap front steps and walkway were ripped out to make way for a new entrace and handrail. Liam was itching to play in all that dirt and put his footprints in the wet concrete, but we had to remind him that he is just too little!



They finished in just 3 days and we are really happy with the new entrance (and will be even happier once the grass grows back!). Drumroll please...

Celebrating Grandpa's Birthday

Today we had our first big outing to celebrate Grandpa's birthday (one day late). We went to Victory Brewing Co. in Downingtown where we met Nana, Grandpa, Uncle Tim, and Aunt Jackie. They couldn't believe how much he had grown! Once Liam woke up and was fed, he was full of smiles and had a great time cuddling with his family. Here are some pictures from our day.

Catching some ZZZs while waiting for everyone to arrive:


Hanging with Nana and Grandpa:


Smiles for Nana!

The birthday boy with his grandson:

Discussing wedding plans with Aunt Jackie and Uncle Tim (they're getting married in July!):

A photo of the table for GG:

Back at home, getting ready to cheer on Villanova in the Final Four. Liam says, "GO CATS!"

And yes, Liam's hair is combed. It just has a mind of it's own!