In addition to basically smiling on command, Will has started cooing back at us when we talk to him! It's amazing to witness his young mind comprehending the early stages of communication. Basically anything Krissy says gets a sweet cooing response, most likely due to her naturally higher pitched voice, while for me, it takes a little more effort, because I have to change my voice a little (that's why I sound like an idiot in the video). So far, the words that we say to draw the most coos from him seem to be "hey" and "hello". He attempts to pronounce them by making coos of one or two syllables. It's pretty amazing! Will also seems to be entertaining himself with his new found talent. When we set him down and step away, he starts talking to himself. Sometimes, he'll even make louder coos to draw our attention, which of course always works.
The video below captures Will cooing in Krissy's arms after a bath. Though the video is only 60 seconds long, Will's conversation with us lasted a good 5 minutes!
It's amazing that it took us so long to post a picture of our little boy in the Purple and Gold. As you can see in the picture, he was more than happy to sport his purple Lil' LSU Tiger in Training onesie. He actually has several LSU outfits, including a gray and white version of the Tiger in Training onesie, a couple additional shirts, and a football jersey. When the football season starts, Will is sure to be living in his jersey on Saturdays!
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Will got a chance to meet his Aunt Carrie (Ben's sister) who came down from Dallas with her boyfriend Howie. Will really took to Carrie, most in part, because she was so great with him. He's really beginning to respond to people's facial expressions and new noises. So with a new Aunt around, there were plenty of goofy faces and new baby noises for Will to get excited about. It was a great weekend, and we can't wait for the next time we get to hang out with Carrie... and (future Uncle?) Howie!
Will with Aunt Carrie and Howie
"I like the funny sounds and faces you make Aunt Carrie."
Well, it's about time I had a little girl to follow in the great footsteps of her Nanny...
You all know that I am a huge fan of dancing around the house to whatever music comes on, or to my own songs that I'm singing to myself, and nobody really embraced the idea of me teaching these wonderful songs and dance moves to the little boys of the family, Eli and Ezra. They were more apt to go outside and play sports anyway. And of course, my beautiful baby boy will probably skip out on the dance moves as well. So, since my sister finally decided to pop out a baby girl, Elena (my Godchild), I was so excited because I finally got my little Miss Priss to follow in my footsteps. Don't get me wrong, later on down the road I will teach her all kinds of things, like how to throw a football better than a boy and teach her my mad tennis skills, but for now I think she should play the girly girl. So, without further ado I introduce you to Elena, my little protege'.
"What kind of family have I been born into?"
"Okay, I'm a little more comfortable with this now."
This past weekend, my mom, Eli, and Ezra came up on Friday afternoon to hang out with Will the Pill. While they were here, the boys swam and Will had his first pool side experience. It will still be a while until he actually gets into the pool. After a long afternoon of swimming, the boys (including the biggest kid of the bunch, Ben) decided to watch "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2." It was a nice little slumber party.
Will relaxing by the pool.
Eli swimming like a fish, and Ez playing it safe on the edge of the pool with his Uncle Benny.
Worn out after a long afternoon of swimming.
Will obviously thought his Nonna was more interesting than the movie.
Nothing really needs to be explained, as the picture makes it perfectly clear why we titled this post "SpongeBob Squarepants." For some reason, Will's legs made him look like a perfect replica of the one who lives in a pineapple under the sea. If only his pajamas would have been yellow.
We thought it would be funny to document all of the various names people call him. This list will continue to grow, I'm sure. 1. Little Bean 2. Bean 3. Willy 4. Billy Joe 5. Willy Pilly 6. Little Man 7. Booger Brains or Booger 8. Stinker 9. Good Lookin' 10. Bubba or Bubbie 11. My Man 12. Beanie Weenie 13. Shrimp 14. Handsome Pants 15. Buddy 16. Cutie Pie 17. Mom's Beautiful Baby Boy (lengthy I know, but I call him this all of the time!) 18. Bug-a-boo 19. Tinkerdoodle 20. Little Spider Monkey 21. One-Eyed Willy 22. Popeye 23. Benjamin Button 24. Bean Burrito 25. Wilbur 26. Smurdge 27. Charlie Brown 28. Williams 29. Smarty Pants 30. Buster 31. Bubs McGubs 32. Willy Schemmel 33. Freddie the Freeloader
There's something special about taking photos of your child. In Will's case, it's how the camera captures his innocence, as I focus on his eyes, and he stares deeply back at me. On top of the connection we have as photographer and model, it's amazing to think that I'm in a sense capturing photos of myself.
To the people who said that my baby would be photographed tirelessly, you were right! He is my favorite photography subject, I can never take enough pictures of him, and it doesn't hurt that his Momma loves having his picture taken. He's growing up so fast, I don't want to miss one moment!
The whole set up of our photo shoots is an event! I check the sun to make sure we're getting enough ambient light in the room while Krissy preps the model. Then I go around the condo to grab addition lamps to make sure everyone is ridiculously good looking. The tripod is positioned next to the window, and the room is cleaned to make sure nothing extra finds its way into the pictures. Will is then brought up to the window or onto the bed. I think he knows whens he's having his picture taken, because he turns his cuteness knob up to 11. This well behaved modeling lasts for a good 5 minutes before the flood gates open, and he calls it quits. Usually we get a handful of really good pictures and a pile of blurry ones, with Will spastically moving his arms or head around.
Attention must be paid to the newest cute thing that Ben and Will do together. Ben usually takes the reigns in the evenings after work with Will, especially for feedings. After each feeding, Will always has a very satisfied, drunk look on his face and is as stubborn as ever because he NEVER burps when we want him to. In between burping attempts, Ben will lay a very full Will back in his arms and they will look into each others eyes. Ben will ask Will in a soft (yet still manly) voice, "Can you smile for daddy?" Sure enough, Will contemplates it for a while, then gives Ben the sweetest open mouthed smile on the planet. It is their new little routine, and I love watching them together. Of course, when I try to do it, Will looks at me with those serious eyes and I can tell he is thinking, "Come on mom, that's something special between my dad and me. I'm with you all day. Give the poor man something." I just think it is so precious and I am in awe every single day of how comfortable Ben has become playing the "dad" role. Ben is so amazing in that he always finds time to get on here and talk about me as a mom, and I realized I don't gloat enough about what a wonderful father he is to our son. We are so blessed!
Ben looking very manly with the boppy pillow. Own it darlin!
Last night, Krissy and I were trying to calm a crying Will down with a paci. It was funny to see the way he responded to the paci by opening his mouth as it moved towards his face, and then chomping down on it as it touched his lips, very similar to how baby birds act in the nest. This little occurrence got me thinking about a happening around our condo.
This spring, a momma bird built her nest in the porch light box right next to the front door of our condo. For the past couple weeks I've watched her carrying twigs, string, and other various materials into the box to build her home. She has worked hard to create a new space that will be perfect for her future arrivals, and the most amazing part of her whole experience is that she is doing it all by instinct. There aren't books, videos, daytime talk shows, or other birds to ask for advice, and with her chicks arrival, she tends to them and keeps them well feed, even if it's to the detriment of her own health. She's a pretty amazing mom in this way.
The reason I mention this bird, is that the journey she is going through mirrors the same experiences and attention to her young that Krissy gives to our little birdie, minus the regurgitation of worms of course. It's true that Moms are what makes the world a great place, whether in the animal kingdom or in suburban America.
Just as the momma bird cares for her newly hatched chicks above everything else in the world, Krissy has been focused solely on Will's needs since we first received news that we were pregnant, and she has grown to become an incredible Mom since his arrival! I knew she would be, but it still amazes me everyday to see how she tends to him. When he cries (or chirps), Krissy races into action as if she's a seasoned pro, and when he's hungry, she's the one wiping away the sleep from her eyes in the middle of the night to feed him. But, it's the little things that make her a great Mom, and make me proud to have her as the mother of my son. It's when he's sleeping and she goes to check on him, or it's the way she covers his eyes from the blinding sun when we go on walks, or when she holds him close to her body when he's having trouble sleeping, and yes, it's even when he's filled his diaper with the foulest of odors, but she manages a smile and a soothing word. These are just a sampling of what impresses me about the way she has taken on motherhood.
Lastly, our home may not be filled with twigs or yarn, but one thing remains common in both... there's an amazingly loving Mom to take care of us.
Here are our beautiful newborn pics we took with Will. Of course they are to music, so true to form...I cried like a baby. I love being a mom! It's such a blessing. Just follow the steps below to see them.
Let us know what you think and which ones are your favorites. It will help us narrow them down.
Step 1: Copy and paste the following link: http://www.gregmayo.com/mayophoto/ Step 2: Click on "Your Pics" Step 3: Click on red continue button Step 4: Enter Password, which is: Ben Step 5: Enter your name and email address. Our photographer won't send you any advertisements, etc. Step 6: Enjoy! Love to you all! Krissy and Ben
Today is Will's one month birthday! It's amazing how fast the time has gone by.
Will had his one month wellness checkup today, and we're happy to report that he is a healthy little boy. He has gained a pound and a half and 1.5" in length, bringing his weight up to 8lbs 3oz and length to 21 inches. Our Little Bean is growing up too fast!
To celebrate his one month birthday, Krissy read him one of my favorite children's book, Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch. Will really enjoyed the story. We've noticed recently that he is focusing more on the colors and sounds around him. He followed right along with the pictures on the pages. Our Little Bean is so advanced!
Enjoying story time with Mommy
Will getting excited by the story
We're looking forward to all of the fun, challenges, and memories of the months to come!
