Marshall: This is Three

Three is asking for cake for your birthday, and a sign that says, "Let's eat cake!" (and having parents who take you literally).

(Our gift to M: an apron and chef's hat!)

Three is pure joy.

Three is brave. 

After the dentist!

Daycare --> Preschool!

Three is being just like Daddy. 

Three is needing Mommy.

And needing Daddy too. 

Three is making your own friends.

Three is being a big brother.

And becoming a cousin.

Also, three is meeting your baby brother but being distracted by the construction site outside.

Three is pretend.

Three is awe.

Three is wonder.

Three is focused.

Three is delicious.

Sometimes, three is hard.

Three is breakfast in pajamas.

Three is fighting dinosaurs and dragons, and then taking a rest.

Three is independent.

Three is proud.

Three is adorable.

Three is listening to Daddy reading Winnie the Pooh on Sunday mornings (and figuring out that your baby brother can't reach the top of the coffee table). 

Three is learning.

Three is a blink.

Marshall Terence, May 2014.

To our sweet little boy: You give us a new perspective of this world as you share your observations and narrate your thoughts. We love to hear how much you're learning and how innocently you see your universe. You have such a kind heart and a curious mind; we are so excited to see where those qualities will lead you. You endured so many changes this year as you advanced to preschool and became a big brother, and you showed us that change can be hard. You also made us so proud as you learned how to accept those transitions and remained ever more curious, ever more kind. Thank you for making us laugh, for keeping your innocence, for making your brother giggle, and for reminding us to slow down to enjoy your childhood with you. We love you, little boy!

Declan: Seven Months

My sweet, smiley boy: you are seven months old! I fall more in love with you every day. You are such a joy to watch, and everyone who interacts with you comments on how happy you seem!

Some fun stats: We have no idea how much you weigh or how tall you are, but you are in 12-month clothes and quickly growing out of them. You can roll to your left side from back to belly but not in any other directions, at least not consistently. You show zero interest in reading books. You LOVE smiling at other people. You're super chatty now, which is just the greatest sound, aside from your laugh!

It's nearly impossible to avoid comparing you to your brother, and at this age he was in a crawling position (but not quite crawling yet), so you aren't quite there but are pretty close. You can scoot around on your belly like nobody's business! Last week's note at daycare said that you like to make your way over to the cubbies to choose a toy for yourself. Such a big boy!

Speaking of daycare, that was the HUGE change this month, and you handled it so well. On April 11, Daddy headed back to work after twelve weeks off with you, and you started daycare. I cried a lot that day--and for a few days after--but you seemed perfectly content with the change. It breaks my heart still that I don't have the same time off with you that I did with Marshall, and I don't think I'll ever reconcile that. But I have to admit that you seem pretty comfortable being around the other babies and all the teachers. I struggle with knowing that you are probably not getting enough sleep (you wake up around 5:30 or 6 and don't get back down for a nap until you're at daycare around 8:30 or 9. That's a long time for you to be awake! And at the end of the day, sometimes you're so tired but can't sleep in the car and end up overtired by the time we get you ready for bed. I'm so sorry.

We've slowly started introducing foods, but you've had a cough for several weeks that is impeding your ability to swallow without gagging and throwing up. But in between those incidents you've eaten applesauce, sweet potato, banana, and peas. We're hoping to ramp things up this month with lots of purees! You're still eating milk like a champ, so I'm not too worried.

Sleep is up and down. In the last week or so you've been going through a rough patch with some separation anxiety, so you sleep best when I'm right there with you, but I can't say I mind too much. :-) We are bummed that you don't sleep through the night, but there are some factors working against you: being in our room (you almost always wake up when we come to bed), having an older brother who occasionally wakes up--and always on the nights you're sleeping well, not to mention the fact that we honestly haven't tried very hard to push you to sleep through. I miss you so much during the day, so if nighttime is my only chance to snuggle, I'll take it.

You absolutely love watching and smiling at your big brother. I look forward to watching your bond grow.

You genuinely seem like a blissful, easygoing baby. When you cry, my heart breaks because it takes a lot to get you truly upset. You always calm down quickly once Daddy or Mommy picks you up, though!

Declan, we are so grateful to have you in our lives. You make our family and our hearts so full. You make us laugh every day, and we are so excited to see more of who you are becoming. Thank you for giving us such joy!