Otis | 4 Months Old

You are just the smiliest little dude, Otis! Daddy and I have decided that Wren wasn't quite as smiley at your age and we are soaking up all the extras. You're also still such a mess 99% of the time, but you are not bothered by it one bit. You continue to talk all the time and still want to be right with us, especially hanging outside. I can't tell if you prefer to watch Wren (we call it Wren TV and it is by far your favorite show) or have all of my attention to yourself (a rarity) but both of those go straight in your happy tank. And as you can see, she's just as into you sometimes too. Sweet sibs.

In the last month you have started rolling over from front to back, acing tummy time and grabbing toys with more focus and dexterity. And oh boy - I forgot how much fun it is to tickle a defenseless baby and all of your sweet first giggles go straight into my happy tank. 

We're still working on a little tightness in your neck when you look towards your left to avoid any more head flattening, but so far you've been cleared by all the doctors and specialists. We are just grateful that you're hitting your marks and milestones just fine. 

You are a joy. Our joy. And we love you immensely sweet boy!

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! 

Otis | 2 months old

Otis, you, mister, have been a wild ride from the very beginning. Of course there is fatigue from round one that follows us here to round two, but you really show us what we're made of some days [and nights]. But then...

Then you do this thing. This magical, mesmerizing thing where you intensely lock eyes with me and smile the most handsome, happiest, exuberant, adorably gummy, melt-my-heart-into-a-million-pieces smile. Honestly, it's seriously better than an hour of sleep. Almost. Well...from what I can remember. 

My sweet boy, you are so good for me. Keep flashing me those special smiles and I'll do my best to keep you happy. I love you so very much!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Wren!

I can hardly believe that we celebrated our sweet and spunky THREE YEAR OLD this past weekend. Wren Mikaela, you are such a delight! You are an extrovert to the max, inclusive to everyone, full of energy and imagination, a little wild, more than a little particular (like your mama) and such a special big sister and often a "little mama" to Otis and anyone else who will let you boss them around. You sure do keep us laughing and the best kind of tired at the end of each day. 

Often our favorite part of the day is listening to your response when we ask you your favorite part of the day at bedtime each night. Sometimes it is relevant to our actual happenings, sometimes it is pretend kitties, but it is always a chance to get to just enjoy who you are becoming. 

2017 has been a big year so far and you have just increased your stride to take it all in. We love your adaptability and how it helps us be more bold, adventurous and non-stop as a family. We are so blessed that you are ours and we love you much! Always play purty, little bird.

Otis | 1 month old

My son | my boy. I kinda still can't believe I get to say that. Otis Perry, what a sweet addition to our little family you are! It has been the fastest month I've ever known. Less jarring than when Wren was born for sure, but certainly double of everything else. Well...except sleep. 

You sure do prefer to be right near all of your people and though my time and attention is rather finite naturally, your big sister Wren happily dotes on you so sweetly at the ready. She's my little helper and such a genuine fan of you. She has to kiss you goodnight, invites you into her room for bedtime stories, sings and reads to you, constantly declares your cuteness, wants me to tell you all of our stories, laughs hysterically when you pee on me while changing your diaper and is always amazed when she manages to help you to quit crying. 

You are nursing like a champ. It is actually scary to think of my future grocery bill. You are a little difficult to soothe, but we are still learning each other and I promise I'll figure out just how you like things. Thankfully, you do like to be "worn" in our wrap, but it's so darn hot so hopefully we can count on that more when it cools down a bit. You are still rocking your little reddish-brown faux hawk that you were born with, nearly busting out of your newborn clothes already and you never stop wiggling it seems. 

We love you so much, sweet boy! With one now in the books, we can definitely say that our months just got twice as fun and we couldn't be more happy about it.

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Big sister, little brother

I bribed and had to nurse more than once to get these. Hello, new normal. But sure do love these two and my heart already jumps at watching their relationship grow. Siblings sure are something special!