4 Months!

Hello to all of my faithful readers. I haven't forgotten about you. Since I've last blogged, a lot has happened in the Norris household! First off, let me tell some good news that's happened outside of our own home. Jason's younger brother Jared, and his wife Katie, gave birth to their beautiful son Carter Lynn. Jason and I haven't been able to travel to see them yet, but we can not wait until we do! He is so cute and the new Mommy and Daddy are doing well. We hope to have pictures to post soon. We also received the wonderful news that Jason's older brother Jeremy, and his wife Amanda, will hopefully be going to China to bring home their son Ezra Jackson by the end of the year. Jason and I are so excited about becoming Uncle and Aunt a few times over again this year. We sure do know how to grow this Norris family quick! Lynn and Patsy just can't seem to get a girl....





So on to what's been going down in our own home! So much!!! First off, my little boy is four months old today. Amazing. He has learned to do so much. He's laughing, and cooing a lot, he rolled over for the first time the day before yesterday, he's teething and trying out new toys, and tonight we have put him in his own bed in his own room for the first time. I'm a nervous wreck! I've already had to put him back to sleep twice, but we're hoping for the best. We'll see....





We've had a few visitors this month and Caleb got to celebrate his first Fourth of July. I've attached a few pictures of the latest events for everyone to see.

Our Little Firecracker! Happy 4th!

He's teething and chewing on EVERYTHING!


He's trying out his exersaucer for the first time!


Uncle James!


Aunt Jenny!

Mrs. Kathy

Miss Hillary

I just want to go on record as saying that these are the best days of my life! The most tiresome ones, true, but oh so worth it! As Caleb is starting to really interact with us and respond to Mommy and Daddy's voices, I fall more and more in love with him. I find myself imagining what my life would be like without him and it almost brings me to tears just to think about it. My little boy means the world to me. I am loving being a mom and I truly feel God created me for this role.

Speaking of God, every night when I'm holding Caleb right before I put him to bed, I thank God for him. I ask God to watch over my son, to protect him from harm, from evil, from sin, from death, and from my inability to be a perfect parent. I pray that Caleb will fulfill his biblical name and become a man of God, walking in His ways, and committing His Word to heart. I pray that Caleb will go forward, despite my wrongdoings, and do great things in His name. I pray that my short time here on this Earth would not be wasted and every day that I'm raising this little boy I know that it's not. I don't want to preach to anyone, but when's the last time you prayed? Seriously prayed and thanked God for every single blessing in your life? Why not now? Go ahead. No one's looking, but He's listening and waiting patiently.

R

14 Weeks!

I won't lie to you.....the past 14 weeks have been crazy and some of the hardest weeks of my life. However, they have also been some of the most wonderful and rewarding weeks I've ever experienced. I can't really tell you how they can be both at the same time, but they just are. Having a baby truly does change everything. For those parents out there, I just want to let you know that I get it now, I finally understand. For those that aren't parents yet, words can't describe it all.

There are some days, like today, that I'm still in my nightgown, haven't brushed my teeth, ate a breakfast bar while pumping breast milk before the sun came up, ate lunch with one hand, and watched a baby show about ABC's for the 100th time. And I have to say, it's worth it. I love my little boy with all my heart. Yes, don't get me wrong, a shower would be nice right about now, but I would rather watch him smile in his sleep and smile myself while doing so. The spit up on my nightgown and the smell of baby wipe on my hands is just fine with me. No sleep? No problem. It seems I've mastered how to operate without any.

I know he's only a few months old, but I'm already thinking about his first Christmas, giving him his first valentine, seeing what the Easter Bunny will bring him, his first birthday party, and what he'll do when he experiences the beach for the first time. I had a wonderful childhood and I get to re-live it all through my son. The big events of the year are the things that stand out, but I plan to enjoy each and every single day with my boy, not taking any of it for granted.

Until next time, please enjoy a couple of pictures of Caleb in his swimsuit for the first time. He was only in the water for a few minutes, but he was still cute! I'm off the sterilize bottles and feed little man his 2nd lunch.

R

3 Month Pics!

Please take a few minutes to check out Caleb's 3 month pictures. Sarah is awesome!

http://sarahcphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Caleb-N-3-Months/12729912_DjGqu#916621309_TA3We

R

3 Months

I can't believe my boy is three months old today! Well, at times, it does feel like it's been 3 months. For the most part however, it's flown by. Today we had Caleb's three month pictures taken with Sarah McAffry (http://www.sarahcblog.com/). We had a great time and I can't wait to see the photos she was able to capture! Until then though, here are a few pictures Mommy and Daddy were able to get. Today he tried out his bouncy seat for the first time (he's still a bit too small for it but we propped a towel behind him to help). He had a good time in it and we enjoyed watching him dance. He's getting bigger by the day, in case you can't tell. This past Thursday, I took him to the doctor just to get weighed and he came in at a whopping 11 lbs. 9 oz., which is right on track with where he should be. He's gaining about an ounce a day. Well, until next time! Enjoy the pictures because we all know that's why you stopped by!

Father's Day

I know it's way overdue, but Happy Father's Day! It's really hard for me to blog with a three month old, but I'm determined to stick with it! This year is a big year for my dad and for Jason. This is my dad's first year of being a grandpa! And it's Jason's first year of being a daddy. Let me start first with my dad.

My dad has always worked his butt off for his family. It might have gone unnoticed when I was a little girl, but looking back now I realize just how much he sacrificed for his girls and still does. I think my dad has one of the hardest jobs out there, yet he gets up and goes in every day to provide. Don't get me wrong, I consider my mom one of my best friends, but I also consider myself a daddy's girl. Daddy makes me laugh until I cry sometimes and yet he has a tender heart too. I remember telling him jokes during my dance with him at my wedding just to keep him from crying. In kinda worked. I'm truly blessed to have such a close-knit family. We really do stick together through it all. I'm so proud of you Daddy and I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything.


Now, for my husband. Sweetie, my heart beats faster every time I see you hold our son. I never thought my love for you could be any more, but I was wrong. I love you in a whole new way, like never before. Seeing you with Caleb makes my day every day. You love God, provide for your family, love your wife, and cuddle with your son. I love seeing Caleb smile and coo at you. Seeing my two boys together is one of the greatest joys in my life. Jason, I love you so much. You are a wonderful daddy and husband. I wouldn't change a thing.







I also want to wish my father-in-law a Happy Father's Day. Lynn, you are a wonderful role model for your son and grandson. You do so much for my family and I'm so thankful for you and Patsy. You raised three wonderful, handsome, hardworking boys! I'm so blessed to have one as my husband. We love you!

Happy Father's Day also to Jason's brothers, Jeremy and Jared. Both of you are awesome fathers and great brothers. I'm so happy to have you both in my life.

Last, but not least, Happy Fathers Day to our grandfathers. We love you all and remember those no longer with us.

R

Hanging Out

So, Monday thru Friday it's just me and my boy hanging out during the day. We have a good time usually and sometimes I even catch some cute pictures. The ones I'm sharing with you today are Caleb laying on his belly on his Nap Nanny. It's basically a recliner for infants. He doesn't like to nap in it, but he does enjoy watching TV in it.

I can't really describe to you how much he's changing. It's amazing. Right before our eyes he's growing up each day and trying new things, reaching for new toys, making new noises, focusing his vision on new objects. It's just.....well amazing! Sometimes I just can't quit kissing him on his sweet little cheeks and I stare in wonder as he interacts with his Daddy in the mornings and when he comes home from work. Caleb will just smile and coo at us all the time now and it tugs at my heart like nothing I've ever experienced before. He's also sleeping through the night now (usually), which is awesome. He typically sleeps from 11 pm to 7 am. This morning, however, he decided to get up at 4 am. Not his usual behavior, but it happens.

Enjoy the pictures and check back again soon! Love you all.

R

Notice the drool coming down the front?

Great Grand PaPa

On what would have been my Granny's 70th birthday, my PaPa got to visit and hold his great grandson for the first time. My dad is his only son, so Jennifer and I are his only grandchildren. I can't say Jennifer and I minded that so much. PaPa and Granny spoiled us rotten growing up!

My Granny passed away from breast cancer in 2004. It doesn't seem that long ago. I was really close with my Granny. She was a wonderful woman who loved God and her family so much. I know she would have loved to hold and see Caleb. The Word of God tells us that we will be given the desires of our hearts in heaven, so I know if that's the case, Granny has already seen Caleb. I can't help but think of my Granny when I look at Caleb. Everyone says he has my little turned up nose and everyone says I have my Granny's turned up nose. She lives on through us.

PaPa was so cute with Caleb. I'm so happy he was able to drive down and spend the night with us last night. He found out real quick that Caleb likes to constantly be moving around. He does not care to sit still while he's awake. I guess I should look forward to the toddler years, huh? Caleb did all his tricks for Pa though. He smiled and cooed, pooted and burped; everything that being 10 weeks old can bring. Enjoy the pictures of these two together! The first picture is the first moment he saw Caleb. I dressed Caleb in a little onesie that said "Grandpa's Silly Monkey."

R