Dean {3 Months}

Dear Baby Dean -- You're 3 months old now...well, technically 3 months and a few days, but who's counting?  I'd apologize for being late with this, but part of me thinks that we should both be glad that I'm getting a chance to do this at all, and the other part of me doesn't want to sound like a broken record each month.  Finding time to write this post is not an easy feat, but it's nothing compared to finding the time to take the pictures {a.k.a. a time when you are awake and not hungry and when Jackson is asleep and not destroying the house}.

I went back to work last week, and although I've done this before, it's a lot harder this time.  Thankfully, I'm only working part-time, which means that I'm only away from you two days each week, but I definitely miss you.  When Jackson was this age, he was so fussy.  His acid reflux made him difficult to feed and caused him to cry inconsolably most days, but thankfully you are nothing like that.  During my maternity leave with Jackson, I did nothing but care for a baby for 12 weeks and was ready for a break, but because you are so easy, I was able to do so much more besides just waiting on you hand and foot.  While Jackson played at Mimi's house two days a week, you and I kept each other company and ran errands, got things done around the house, and met up with friends for lunch.  It's only been a couple of weeks, and I already miss our days together!

When I was pregnant with you, I wondered if I could love another little boy as much as I love your brother, and now that you are here, there is no doubt in my mind that I do.  I love you both with every beat of my heart, and despite the fact that this is my second go-round, you boys are already night and day, and I love that.

I love you more and more everyday, and I am so glad that you're mine.

Love, 

Mommy

{3 MONTH STATS}

Measurements:

• Weight: 17 pounds

Sizes:

• Clothes: Moving out of 3-6 and into 6-9 months
• Diapers: Moving out of size 2 and into size 3

Eating:  During the day, you eat every 2 to 3 hours, but the timing still depends on what time you get up in the morning.  I primarily nurse you, and on the days that you go to Mimi's house, you take mostly bottles.  Before I went back to work, we never really knew how much you ate during the day, but on the days that I leave you with Mimi, you go through about 24 ounces of milk at her house and then nurse two more times before going down at night.  All in all, I think you drink about 35 ounces everyday, so it's no wonder that you're such a big boy!

Sleeping:  Good sleeping tends to run in our family, and we are so glad that we passed this trait down to you.  We put you in the bath with Jackson at about 7:30 pm, and then while Daddy puts Jackson to bed, I feed you.  Sometimes this is your last feeding of the day, but on the days that you still want to stay up for a little bit, we let you, and then I feed you one more time before turning on your sound machine, swaddling you, and putting you down for the night.  As much as we loved having you in our room, but about a week ago {when you were 12.5 weeks old to be exact}, we decided to move you into your room, and things have continued to be great.  Your bedtime ranges anywhere from 9 to 11 pm, and you usually wake up anywhere from 6 to 8 am {about a 9-hour stretch}.  As much as I would love to feed you and put you back down like I did when Jackson was your age, a big brother and preschool puts a kink of all of that, so at that point, we are up for the day.  You take about 3 naps during the day, but the timing and length are not very consistent.  You usually get fussy about an hour after waking up, and I do my best to get you to sleep before that happens.  You usually nap in your car seat while on the go {sorry, second born!}, but if we're home, you nap on your belly in the crib or co-sleeper or in your swing.

Likes:

• Eating, eating, eating!
• Taking baths in our big tub with Jackson -- you LOVE this!
• Getting a clean diaper and "talking" to us while on your changing table
• Laying on your activity mat and staring up at the toys
• Being held -- you suddenly have a desire to be held all the time!

Dislikes:

• Doing anything other than eating when you're hungry/starving
• Doing your neck stretches for your torticollis 
• When you have gas
• When we put you in your swing or bouncer and walk away
• Riding in the car -- you have suddenly started crying the entire time, even if you've just been fed

And what's a photo shoot without a few bloopers? 

His onesie says "Who are you calling naughty?"  

Coincidence?  I don't think so.

Why smile when you can attempt to eat the sticker 

{and make plans to take over the world} instead?