Dear Liam :: 9 Months

:: Stats ::

Weight: 17 pounds, 13.5 ounces

Height: 27.5 inches

:: Feeding ::

You are still doing great with breast feeding and it has been such a relief to feel like we can relax a little on the schedule. You are still on the small side, but because you are sticking to a growth curve, the doctor says we're ok! You have kinda spaced out feedings on your own and we're able to go 3.5 or 4 hours between feedings these days...hooray for some flexibility! My milk supply is still not that great though, so the doctor recommended that we supplement with formula whenever I feel the need to, so we will see about starting that process maybe next month. 

We are also still doing solid food 3 times a day. You are able to pick up food and feed yourself, especially Cheerios, but still want me to feed you out of a straw most of the time. You are still getting used to the texture of foods and still really love pureed foods so we are working on that transition but trying not to push it. 

:: Sleeping :: 

Nothing new to report about your sleeping habits, thank goodness! You are still really consistent with your schedule, and sleeping about 12 hours at night! We are still doing 3 naps a day - about an hour each nap- but I have a feeling we will be dropping that third nap soon. Sometimes you skip it, but I'm holding on to it for now! 

During naps you've started talking and playing in your crib before falling asleep, as long as you're happy and eventually fall asleep, I'm great with you getting some alone time...it's still hard for you if I walk out of your sight! 

:: Fun Things :: 

- You are able to stand by yourself for a few seconds! You are also FLYING all around the house with your walker...I think we will be seeing some walking action soon!

- You love to mimic words and sounds, especially "Oopsie Daisy" "Oh Boy!" "Uh Oh" "Bye Bye" and an owl saying "hoo hoo". Hilarious. 

-You definitely prefer your sippy cup with a straw over the normal one. You love drinking water out of the straw. 

-We pushed you in a swing for the first time and you LOVED it. 

- We finally got a prescription for your cradle cap that still hasn't gone away...so we are hoping the new shampoo and lotion will help! 

-You are an outdoor boy for sure. You are happiest when you are outside playing with leaves and looking for birds in the sky :) 

-No one knows why, but your favorite dog is Riley...you love to play with her and she is actually great with you. She licks your cheeks and would play with you all day long, Amos on the other hand, can't be bothered with those childish games. 

-You love playing with your friends and have started to touch and grab and interact way more now that you're mobile, which is also a little bit of an issue trying to teach you to keep your hands to yourself - you're definitely the curious/wild one of the bunch! 

- In sad news, you had your first cold this month. It was the first time you have ever been sick at all and it was rough. It seemed like it lasted forever, but you made it through and really never kept me up at night so I can't complain! I just felt so sad for you and that runny nose and cough that stuck around forever. We've started running a humidifier in your room and it seems to help your cough. 

-You are still a mama's boy and I hope it stays that way forever and ever! 

Dear Liam :: 8 Months

Liam, month 8 has been a fun one! You are wild and busy and starting to develop crazy fast! It is so fun to watch you grow and to be able to be there for every new "trick", habit, expression, and word so far! I am loving this age with you, little boy! 

:: Feeding ::

Since we are still trying to pack on the pounds, you are still nursing every 3 hours and eating 3 solid meals a day. We are continuing to try to give you different fruits and vegetables so you have a lot of variety in your diet, but it's getting a little hard to be creative these days. Probably because I'm still making all of your food, which is getting harder as you are becoming mobile and eating more! 

This month you started drinking water from a sippy cup. You love to hold it by yourself and stop eating to take a quick sip! 

:: Sleeping :: 

You are still doing awesome with your sleep schedule! We put you down at 7:30pm after a bath and you sleep through the night until 7am. We are also still doing 3 naps a day. 

I am so thankful you sleep so well! You are definitely a creature of habit and do really well on a schedule but have been pretty good about being flexible with naps too. You are just the best :)

:: Fun Things :: 

-The biggest thing that happened this month was learning to CRAWL!! 

You have been scooting for a while but started crawling while we were visiting Aunt CaCa in Virginia Beach! You are so excited to be able to move on your own and I have a feeling there will be zero down time for mama anymore! 

-You love watching videos of yourself, you smile and giggle the whole time. 

-You love when ZuZu does "Ball for Baby", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "5 Little Mice", "Patty Cake", and "Wheels on the Bus". 

-The Johnny Jump Up wasn't really a success. You liked it at first but got tired of it pretty quick, which made me reallllly sad not to be able to have you occupied for a little bit...sometimes I need both hands, Liam ;) 

-Your favorite "toys" are currently: empty water bottles, metal dog bowls, and measuring cups

-You've started waving and saying "haaay"

-You are pulling up by yourself and love to stand. Your table that plays music is your favorite right now because you can stand over it, push buttons, and my personal favorite, dance! 

-You fell in love with your Farm Animals book. We take it everywhere and your dad and I literally have the whole thing memorized. Your favorite animal is the pig! Aunt CaCa also gave you a book that recorded her voice reading it to you! You LOVE it and squeal the whole time she reads to you. 

-You love clapping to "If You're Happy And You Know It"

Laney + Graham

2 Weeks after celebrating with Caroline and Will, we wrapped up the summer of weddings with Laney and Graham getting married on September 7, 2013. 

Again, family and friends came to Raleigh to be with them on their special day. The Scalf's came to town and were able to stay at our neighbors house...(thank you, Co!!) so we took advantage of being pretend neighbors for the weekend with lots of cousin time :). 

The festivities started out with Laney and the bridesmaids being treated to mani/pedis by Jana and her mom at the Spa by Mitchell's. It was great to relax, reconnect with all of the bridesmaids, and start #lookinwright for the big day.

Had to get a mirror selfie with the groom 

After heading home and getting ready, we all met at the Little Herb House for the rehearsal. Getting a preview of the field and the barn where the ceremony and the reception would be held was so exciting. Everything was so beautiful and Laney's vision was coming to life right before our eyes!

Nobody puts on a rehearsal dinner like Robert and Ann! There were so many personal touches added to the beautiful room at Mia Francesca where family and close friends gathered to express their love and excitement for Graham and Laney. Robert and Ann wrote and read a full on fairy tale describing Graham, the risk taker, growing up to meet his princess, Laney!

It was really sweet to be able to stand up with Megan, EJ, Ben, and Austin to welcome Laney to the family and speak about Graham as a brother. Once again, I couldn't hold it together and had to quickly end my toast before even getting to the "real" part. Good thing you both know I love you :) 

The morning of the wedding came and everyone went their separate ways to shower and get ready to head out to the Little Herb House except Laney and I. 

Laney woke up trying her best not to be nervous or overwhelmed about the big day while I did my best to keep her distracted talking about other normal, everyday things as I drove us to her hair appointment. 

It was so sweet to be able to have the morning to ourselves reminiscing about Saturday's together throughout college, how she and Graham met, our various vacations together, and how crazy it is that we were about to be family! We talked about it all on the way to the bridesmaids luncheon at the Little Herb House where we were met by the bridesmaids, Susan, and Ann!  

After eating a beautiful lunch and sipping on the most amazing tea (made at the Little Herb house of course), the photographer, Robyn Van Dyke, arrived and took pictures while we got ready! All of the following photos are by her. 

After the bridal party took pictures, Laney and Graham read the letters they had written to each other. As you can see from Laney's reaction below, I exited the room as I got way emotional AGAIN watching her read Graham's words to his bride to be!

The emotional roller coaster continued as we prayed over Laney right before walking over to the ceremony!

The ceremony was beautiful, personal, and so special. Jesus was glorified and so obviously in our presence as two of my best friends vowed to love each other for the rest of their lives by His grace.

At the reception, we all ate amazing Southern food, danced the entire night, laughed a lot and celebrated with Graham and Laney as we sent them off to Mexico as husband and wife!! 

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Wright!! 

We love you so much and are so thankful to call you family!