Because we still clean up nicely...

The kiddos and us before heading out....

Trav got invited to the big, fancy dinner that SMACNA hosts each year. Which meant we got the chance to get all dressed up and have some adult time! The party is always at a fancy, waterfront hotel in Seattle. The decorations, food, and dancing is a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas with some of Travis's co-workers.

My mom came up and watched little Liam. He did great taking the bottle of breast milk. My mom reported that he hardly slept and was wide-eyed most of the time. This is normal for him. I am pretty sure he just skipped the whole newborn stage.

Aunt Rachel let Lexie hang out with her, Maggie, and Cris. She was so excited when she left she kept saying, "Lexie go in Rachel's car?" She just loves being with The Gatlins.

It is an honor for Travis to be invited to this dinner each year and we are so thankful to attend. Thanks to our tireless babysitters for giving us the chance to go and not worry about the kiddos.

Splish, Splash!

Chubby little Liam is taking his bath...

5 weeks old and almost outgrown this baby bath.

He loves the bath part but HATES being cold waiting to get clothes and diaper on afterwards. He literally acts like he is going to die and completely freaks out until he dressed. I tried to tell him, thats no way to end a good day, little buddy.

Lights, Fireworks, and Celebration!

Trav and I used to be big Black Friday shoppers (before kids.) Trav even more so then me. That man loves the rush of a good deal! You can tell he was raised with 2 older sisters right : ) But with a non-stop nursing baby and energetic toddler, we made the call to avoid the rush this year. It was hard for us, but we know we will be back at it soon : )
Since we spent the day relaxing at home, I thought it would be fun to drop down to Sumner for their annual bridge-lighting ceremony. It actually got us in the Christmas spirit more then long lines and crowded parking lots. After the bridge was lighted, their were fireworks and other festivities going on. We only stayed for a bit because of the hungry "butterball."





It was also our 5 year anniversary. While we were walking to the bridge lighting Trav asked me, "Did you ever think 5 years ago you would be married to a Safety Man with a 2 year old girl and brand new baby boy?" And I replied, "I could only hope." It's been a great 5 years.

Thankful

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Each year we rotate between The Brock's and The Garwood's. This year, it was The Brock's and we had a fabulous dinner at Trav's Aunt Laura's house. She recently remodeled her kitchen and it is amazing. The kids had a fabulous time.
We are so thankful for all that God has given us. We are so blessed.
I got home and realized I didn't take any pics so I had to snap one of "butterball" on his first Thanksgiving...here you go.....

1 month stats

Weight- 13lbs 12oz = off the charts
Height- 22.50 inches = 80th %
Head- I can't remember but it was big too.

Liam had already gained 4 whole pounds in a month. He actually dropped down to a petite 9lbs a few days after birth, so I guess it is over 4lbs in a month. He is tightly fitting in to 3-6 months clothes and size 2 diapers.
Doctor said he looked great. He thought he might have a clogged tear duct and just encouraged us to rub the inner eye (with clean fingers) a couple times a day and it should do the trick eventually, just like we did with his big sister.

1 month

4 weeks-So long!

The first month has flown by without any major issues. He has his 1 month check up on 11/25 so I will post his stats then. I am awful at guessing weight and height, but he seems to have grown a ton in length over the last month. We are hardly able to squeeze him into his 3 month clothes. I am going to ask the doctor about his eye, I am pretty sure he has a clogged tear duck which is causing it to run and be a little goopey. Lexie had this as well and it went away around 5 months, with the help of lots of warm washcloths and rubbing at the inner eye.

Loving the swing.

* Liam loves to be held upright (no cradle hold for him) and prefers to be snuggled on your chest or shoulder.

* He does well (sleeps!) in the car/stroller.

* Still doesn't sleep all that much during the day and seems way too alert to be a newborn, but he is happy so we won't complain.

* Not a big fan of the crib. We have been co-sleeping or in the play-n-pack. Going to work on this one before he is 2 months old.

* Wish I could find a pacifier he would suck on for more then 5 minutes.

* Likes the swing, but I discovered this week that he really only likes to swing front to back. Lexie only liked side-to-side. Good thing we got a swing that goes both ways (which I got practically new on craigslist for a bargain.)

* He grunts a lot, this must just be a male thing : )

On his 1 month birthday, I think he is sick of all the pictures.

That sibling love..

"Lexie kiss brudder?"

'Lexie tell brudder a story."

"Lexie sing to brudder."

"Whoa! Brudder is almost as big as me!" (It was his 2 week bday in this pic- he is HUGE)

Lexie is a fabulous BIG sister. She is always concerned about him and wants to help out. He seems to have the same adoration for her, always scanning the room when he hears her voice.

Contrary to what these pictures suggest, I do get the kids out of their PJ's a few times a week. Although we have been staying home much more then our pre-Liam days. He just eats so often that is has made it hard to do much with both of them by myself. Thankfully, I have some amazing friends who have been inviting us over for Lexie to play with their tots and I can relax and nurse him in the comfort of their home. We have continued to make it to story time at our library (helps that it is only 2 miles up the road.) Lexie has also recently became much more interested in crafts like Play-do, painting, color books, and sticker books. This has also helped me keep her busy while little bro eats and eats.

Overall, I would say we are all adjusting well, besides the fact that my house isn't as tidy and organized as it once was. The whole baby thing is easier the second time around. I realize what a short period of time it is, they grow way too fast.