One Month Old

Walker, you are one month old!  We are so thrilled that you have joined this little family or ours and we can't believe we've already been with you for over a month now.  To say that you are a delight is a massive understatement.  We just adore you and are so thankful that God brought you into our world.  You were a welcomed surprise and having you with us feels just right.  

 I don't have tons of stats on you yet as we've only had 2 doctor visits, but we can tell that you are growing and filling in much like your big brother did! 

When you were born you were 7lbs and 15oz, but when we brought you in for your one week well check, you had already gained back most of your birthweight. Yay!!

 At your two week appt you were 8lbs and 6oz already, which confirmed what we already knew, you are a great eater!  You eat every 3 hours unless you are taking a long nap, but typically you don't go more than 5 hours at the very most.  Concerning your height and weight at two weeks, you fell into the 38th percentile for weight and the 90th for height, which makes you one long and lean little guy! 

 When we left the hospital you were so tiny to us, and you seemed to be a little angel most of the day. Thankfully you never got your days or nights confused, so you really slept well and on a schedule right out of the gate.  That was a big blessing!!   

 At the beginning you were only awake for little stretches at time but whenever we caught glimpses of your big eyes, Mommy ran for the camera!  At this point you looked so much like Carter did at the same age, although we could occasionally see some of Ava in you too.  

Just like your siblings before you, you love your swing and your vibrating seat and would sleep for hours in both.  I am so thankful for the many, many naps the three of you have now taken in this same swing!!  It was a lifesaver for Ava and Carter for the first few months and you seem to love it too.  

 Before your sister and brother came home from Grammy and Grampy's house, we took you to Church for the first time at just 6 days old.  

 You were so cute and stuck close to Mommy the whole morning.  

We took you for a little visit to see Daddy and the junior high kids who had been waiting to see you, but then you spent the rest of the morning in the nursing room with me watching the service on the telecast.  It was a great, low key, first Sunday! We even took you with us for a little marriage counseling appointment Daddy was leading and then out for lunch.  We knew it would be the last time a Sunday morning wouldn't be crazy so we enjoyed our quiet morning with you! 

 Your siblings came home when you were just a week old and they were in love the minute they held you and realized you were home with us for good!  Walker you are so lucky because they both adore you like crazy.  Every time you make a sound or need something, they are right by your side to smile at you, talk to you, sing to you or help you take your paci.  

You are already the highlight of our new season of life! 

We are thankful that you are healthy and all systems are a go at this point!  You poop like a champ and are very predictable throughout the day.  We are glad you've had no problems in that department and that nursing seems to be agreeing with you.  That makes Mommy's life so much easier!

 And speaking of Mommy, I am basically your BFF at this point.  We spend so much our days just like this and I love every minute of it.  You are a snuggler and you love to be held, which we are happy to do.  

For the first month you have enjoyed being swaddled at night and at naptime and you sleep very soundly when you are wrapped up like a burrito! You are sleeping in the pack n' play bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room still.  Once we get you sleeping through the night we will make the switch to your own room!

 For now we just visit your crib every now and then and sometimes you are a fan and other times, not so much! Although you can't really tell with all that stuff temporarily making a home in your crib, you are tiny in there!  I can't imagine you sleeping alone in there yet, but I know you'll be ready someday soon.  

 For the first two weeks or so, the four of us basically lived in Mommy's bed while Daddy was at work!  We did a lot of snuggling, reading, and watching movies together and actually it was one of the sweetest times of my life.  All my babies together, no where to go and nothing required of us other than just surviving and getting to know one another.  We giggled a lot watching you and all of us took turns snuggling you.  I know you won't remember anything of these days, but should you read this one day, I do want you to know how loved you already are sweet boy!

 At two weeks old, Daddy gave you your first bottle and you took it like a champ! I am still nursing most of the day but it's been great to know that we have the flexibility of giving you a bottle and that you happily take it when offered.  I love you for this!!

 With every day this first month, your sister and brother have been extremely close to your side.  They are always wondering where you are and what you're doing or are asking if they can help me with you.  

 We all love dressing you up every day and seeing and hearing all the noises you make!  Ava and Carter love to sing to you, "Jesus Loves You" is their go-to although Carter also throws down "Away in a Manger" every now and then, for a little variety I suppose  :) 

 Texie came to see you around your 3rd week and got to know you as her newest grandbaby.  

She thought you looked so much like Carter as well.  

More and more you are "waking up" and staying alert and when you do we just can't take our eyes off of your baby blues.  And since it's front and center in this photo, I am also thankful that you have become a pacifier baby! You have decided you like your paci and you take one often.  

We are all thankful for that!

 One of the sweetest surprises of the month has been how darling the bond between you and Carter is.  You guys will hopefully share lots of fun and adventure over the years and we are so happy that you seem to be starting that journey now.  Carter just loves you and he loves being a big brother! 

He talks to you constantly and is always rubbing your head and calling you "buddy."

And speaking of that, we call you a few different nicknames.  

"Walkie"

"Walkie-talkie"

"Sky-Walker"

and of course, "Walker, Texas Ranger" are our favorites! 

 I think Walkie is definitely what we call you the most though.  It comes out of all of us pretty effortlessly.  

We've all enjoyed so many "firsts" with you.

 You have an audience for everything Walker!  

You will grow up being watched and cheered on by your adoring fans I think  :) 

Bath-time is pretty easy with you.  You may let out a squeal or two every now and then, but mostly you seem to like the warm water and enjoy it running down your head and back.  

We always love your hair after a bath.  

It's pretty rockin in this picture and like your shirt says, you are totally handsome! 

You had to say your first "good-bye" this month while Daddy went to Peru on a mission's trip.  He told you to be good to Mommy while he was gone and asked you if you could sleep through the night by the time he returned.  You agreed to one of those conditions but not so much the other! 

 Because Daddy was gone, you took your first road trip to Iowa and got to meet lots of family, including your cousin Sawyer, Aunt Jennie and Uncle Dave.  

You also got to meet Aunt Stacie, who flew in for the occasion!

While in Iowa we discovered how much you love being in the Baby Bjorn and how it soothes you instantly.  We spent a lot of time bonding together in that carrier!

You also started cracking your first real smiles this month!  You gave me a good one before we left for Iowa, but you started doing them a little more while we were there.  I LOVED it and was always scrambling to get a picture of you.  This was the first good one I got! 

Ava has taken her role as the Big Sister very seriously and she is SO good with you Walker.  She is my go-to helper right now and is the one who patiently tries to calm you down or is eager to "babysit" you while I go to the next room or take a shower.  

You love to look right at her and I can tell you already know the voices of both your siblings.  

 You spent a lot of time in the arms of people who love you this month!  Grammy was your bedtime snuggler while we were in Iowa.  

 And Grampy often got you in the morning while we sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air.  

 You are pretty predictable when you get wrapped up in a blankie and held.

First your eyes get heavy...

 ...and then there is an eye-roll or two...

 ...and then you're out!  So sweet.  You are darling always, but especially when you are sleeping!

 What fun we've had with you this month! 

If you ever wonder what it was like when you were born and we brought you home, now you know.  It has been wonderful and exhausting and amazing.  You are a sweet, easy-going baby and the perfect fit for our family.  We love you like crazy Walkie!  

Happy 1st month of life!  We have been waiting for you and anticipating your arrival for 9 months and we are so happy to say that you were worth the wait and then some! 

We are so taken with you sweet boy and we can't wait for life with you in the mix. 

We all love you so much, 

Mommy