6 weeks already!

Well, my maternity leave is halfway over, and I am already dreading the return to work. Being home with "little man" is such a joy and a privilege. I love watching him play, rocking him to sleep, and comforting him when he's unhappy. It hurts to think I will miss the little moments, like his recent developments--"talking" and smiling! I pulled out his activity mat this past week--it has an ocean theme and was a gift from a great work friend. I put him on that mat for 5-10 minutes at a time (about the extent of his attention span) so he can bat at and try to grab the hanging toys and so he can see "that baby" in the mirror. Those few minutes get the cutest sounds and best faces out of Liam! I will have to video it so you all can see and hear him to! Until then, here is a photo of him on his mat.Other updates: Liam had more visitors--Mike and Andrea stopped by to meet him and were with us on Liam's first trip to Sweetwater Tavern, the Howards' favorite restaurant. Aunt Steph and Uncle Colin also visited, and Uncle Colin will now have to be watched at all times when he is with his nephew. He was caught red-handed singing "Rocky Top" to Liam--this will not be tolerated! Cousin Rodney was in town and was able to meet our little guy, and Mrs. Valerie from KMS got to meet and hold Liam. Another KMS friend, Gretchen, and her boys, Matthew and Charlie, came by with dinners and LOTS of clothes for Liam, for which we are extremely grateful! Liam is gaining good weight (won't know exactly how much for 2 more weeks) and is getting more head control. Even Aunt Steph, the physical therapist, was impressed with his head movement! We are all excited that Liam is getting a boy cousin to play with at family gatherings (Congrats Uncle Matt and Aunt Laura!), and we are looking forward to Liam meeting his Gallagher grandparents and his Uncle Connor and Aunt Shannon in the next few weeks!

Well, that's it for now. Our love to all! Geoff, Leslie, and Liam.

Week Four Update

After this week, I think I am going to follow my friend Elin's example and update as needed. The next milestones in Liam's life probably won't happen on a week by week basis.

Nevertheless, here are the updates from week 4. Liam had his first real bath in his whale bathtub, and he liked it! He just didn't like getting out and getting dried off. (We did take some more graphic photos, but Geoff and I will save those for future embarrassment.) Liam also took his first jaunt in his Baby Bjorn infant carrier. I have to say, I liked using it for Bella's walk MUCH better than the stroller. It's so much easier to navigate curbs and road crossings, and I can now walk on the wooded trail with ease! Liam enjoyed himself too--thanks Uncle Matt and Aunt Laura! (We'll post a picture of that when Geoff is around to take one of us!) Last but not least, Liam got his first KMS visitor, Mrs. Julie Healy. He snuggled and slept on her shoulder the whole time, and she promised him math help in the future, knowing his poor parents would NOT be able to tutor him themselves!

Well, that's it. Love to all! The Howard Family

A poll...

Baby Liam at almost 4 weeks

At the very bottom of this screen, you will see a poll asking you which of his parents Baby Liam looks more like. You may base your answers on the baby pics I scanned below (or your memories of what Geoff and I look like now). Be sure to vote by October 23rd--that's when the poll will close and we'll see what our friends and family have to say about where Liam gets his good looks!

Baby Geoff

Baby Leslie

Week three

There isn't too terribly much to say in regards to updates. On Saturday, we took Liam to join Casey, Cass, and Lany at Chrysalis Vineyard for the annual Norton Wine and Bluegrass Festival. It was such a beautiful fall day out, and who can resist a good "pickin' party" when one is so near the Blue Ridge Mountains? We took a picnic and enjoyed ourselves, although I do get a bad Mom grade for forgetting to pack a pacifier. Oh well, lesson learned there! Here's a pic of little Lany pointing at Liam. One of her recent new words is "baby", and it was so darn cute to hear her say that while looking at Liam.

Other news = Geoff is back at work, so wish him luck with his Liam withdrawal! We are also planning on getting out first portraits made this week. We'll be sure to let everyone see them if they turn out well. Our love to all!