Otis | 1st Birthday Party

I pray we never forget what a chocolate covered blur you were at your very first birthday party, Otis! You were on.the.move or else and into it all! And just as I remember feeling at Wren's first birthday - I just feel so happy and content with our little family. You belong to us through and through and we'd never go back to before there was you. You make all of our hearts swell so big; your slobbery open-mouth kisses, melt me smiles and general crazy boy mischief is best here to stay! 

We all sure do love you and hope you always feel celebrated! Wren sure did task herself with making sure your day felt special to you. My sweet boy, just keep growing big and strong and we can't wait to spend all of our days with you as you do!

Otis | 8 Months Old

Otis Perry, 8 months has flown by! You have developed so much over this past month - army crawling, crawling, pulling up, standing, sitting up on your own. I don't remember Wren getting the hang of all of that all at once like you. You are still so chill until the instant that you're not so I try to be a bit preemptive although I don't stress over it. Character building for us both, little buddy. 

You're still hit or miss with sleeping at night so we never know how many times we'll be up, but I do have you down to one feeding a night! We may just have to tackle sleep after you're weaned because I have a hunch you just like that one-on-one time with mama. That's a slim slice of pie for you and me [dearest second born] and my sappiest side has a hard time saying no to that moonlit rocking sesh too. Yep, I'm one of those.

We've had a handful of overnights away from you and a big trip planned in April, so we are already praying that your little heart will be at ease and that it'll be loads of fun for Oowa, Papa and Nana, Mimi and Pops and Shellee spending time with you and Wren. And speaking of Wren, she still makes you happier than anyone so I am thoroughly enjoying watching your sweet relationship grow! She, Daddy and I will always be your biggest fans, little brOtis (: We love you so so much!

Otis | 7 Months Old

This may be my favorite age on you so far, Otis Perry. Your hair seems to be turning more and more red and you're still looking just like Daddy (but my nose!). And you are still sporting that smile nearly all the time, but your little puckered up crying face is cute too so you really can't win for losing. Sorry, my littlest bud. 

This month you went from army crawling all over the place to real deal crawling in a matter of days. I've been looking for some baby gates that don't hurt my eyes with their lack of coolness (they don't make any!), but we're just free-styling until then. You've got yourself two new teeth - the top two middle ones to match your two bottom middles - chomp, chomp! And as if your own mobility isn't enough, you are constantly being picked up and hauled all over the house by your big sister. So far, you love the attention and don't seem to mind the brushes with death training in toughness and resilience. 

You have a thing for my ponytail (which I just cut off - oops) and funny enough, you get scared every single time you see me with a towel wrapped up on my head after I get out of the shower. Every.single.time. But I think in a crowd you'd still pick being held by me over anything, towel or no towel. My sweet little guy, you are something else. We just love you so!

P.s. If you wanted to turn a magical corner on sleep this next month that would be great. Not a condition of my love, but I think I could step up my mom game with another hour or two each night. Just sayin...

Love you more than all the sleep filled nights though, sweet boy of mine!

Otis | 3 months old

What a little source of contentment and joy you have been for us, son. In the past month you have continued to melt our hearts with your 2 million dollar grin, found your hands, ruined more outfits than I can count and have definitely put your sweet little voice to use.  We may just end up being an entire family of chatty talkers if the trend continues. 

You seem so strong, wanting to stand up anytime I've got you in my lap and you have to be near your people. You're particularly sweet on me as far as I can tell (: You love to be outside and to watch Wren do whatever it is she is up to. In turn, she pets, loves and asks to hold you a couple times each day. Most people still say you look like your daddy and Uncle Zach, but we get some that say you look like me and my dad, Papa Perry (your namesake) too!

It has been the biggest whirlwind of a few weeks with selling and packing up our house in Greenville and buying our new "blue house" as Wren calls it. Having you (and Wren) has kept us grounded during the transition. So much comfort in our little family unit together wherever we are. And you have been such a trooper, sleeping like a champ in the camper and genuinely happy to be along for the adventure as long as your needs are met...rather promptly. 

Otis Perry, we just adore you. Our littlest buddy, we are so glad to spend our days with you and watch your little personality grow!