Otis | 9 Months Old

This past month has been an absolute blur, my sweet boy. In some ways I think there will be two categories to life now - before April 2018 and after. And April 17th will go down as my scariest day of mothering to date, by far! Your anaphylactic allergic reaction. Your new peanut allergy diagnosis. Toting around an EpiPen. Having to start and stop breastfeeding. But we are on the other side of it now and still have you here to squeeze and kiss and love on...plus all the things you shamelessly do to the baby of the family. We are definitely pouring it on extra thick. 

Otis Perry, you are 9 whole months old today and in many ways I feel like we are having to start over from here on out, figure out our new normal as a family. I will forever be so sorry that I didn't know. But now I do. Obviously, it is not hard at all to give up food, but functioning under the pressure of protecting you from exposure because allergies are such a maddening guessing game is making it difficult to keep our chill. But trust me when I tell you that I will live to protect you and care for you while still giving you room to grow without limitation. Your dad and I are already in constant prayer over how to manage this without forgetting the faith in which we rely on for all things. No bubble for you buddy; we are just going to do our very best. Your life is so precious and we enjoy every ounce of the little boy that you are! 

We love you so, sweet Otis!

P.S. Please just think I'm cool when I haul off and punch an inconsiderate middle school mom 10-12 years from now. 

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 | 6 Months Old

As if the ridiculous photoshoot doesn't portray it enough - your little personality is not so little as of late. You have grown in me such graciousness that I get to have a front row seat to these sweet [albeit sometimes maddening] stages again. 

Otis - you are all boy. Our very own Anderson boy. You are still content around your people, easy going until you want something and then you want it that instant [patience was a long shot, buddy because I've got none to pass along]. And still so smiley! And I also have a sneaking suspicion you will soon be a shameless little flirt. 

You have liked every single food we have tried, but haven't let that stop you from wanting to nurse. You are snuggly, but don't want to miss anything so it seems like you're always torn between the two. Your smile still melts.freaking.hearts and sometimes when Daddy and I get you and Wren to bed we look through pictures and just melt all over again. Modern day parenthood.

And because your HALF BIRTHDAY sent me on a little sappy trip down memory lane, I wandered upon a little snippet of sentiment that I wrote back when I was 24 weeks pregnant with you; before I knew you were you and before I knew you, my sweet boy.

"In some ways I can already feel that you are going to calm us down and keep us locked in on the simple joys of the present instead of tending to hold our gaze on the "just beyond." I already appreciate that about you."

And there you have it...feeling to fruition. You make us better already, Otis. We love you so big, brother!

Snow day | 1.19.18

There's something magic about daddies and daughters. And snow days really just take it up a notch. 

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!