Cannon's Favorite Uncle

There has been a recent debate as to which of his uncles that Cannon prefers.  I'll let you decide...

Cannon with Uncle Nick

Cannon with Uncle Brandon

Cannon with Uncle Jon

Happy Happy Cannon Clip

Three Months

Cannon, three months

My Sweet Little Can Man,

Congratulations on being a quarter of a year old!  You know what they say?!  One quarter of a year older and wiser too!  You are still growing wonderfully while still staying particularly tall and skinny; though your legs are showing some good chunky potential.  Your 0-3 month clothes started getting a little tight about two weeks ago so we got up early together this morning to switch them all out for your 3-6 month clothes.  Being able to switch your entire wardrobe out every 3 months is Mommy's dream come true.  I shout for joy every time you spit up because I know it justifies changing your clothes once again... something I couldn't convince myself was ok otherwise since you like to scream through every swap.

You have gone through several interesting emotional phases this past month, mostly teaching Mommy and Daddy that your 8/8:30 bedtime cannot be compromised.  Other than your sleepy and hungry moments you are ONE HAPPY BABY!  You have started to show an interest in grabbing objects and exploring new textures with your little fingers.  To make your car seat more exciting we attached a little ball with holes in it so that you can grab and play with it.  Your favorite thing to do is to pull it to your face and stick your tongue through each one of the holes.  You love to stroke different fabrics and people's skin with your little hands.  My favorite thing to do is hold you close and let you scratch my neck with your soft little hands.

You are also now responding to visual stimulants like trees and fans more than ever.  You love to be outside so that you can stare up at all of these New England trees.  Unfortunately we had to give Ruby away this month and are all missing her every day.  As a result, though, we are spending a lot of outdoor time with Tank at dog parks and on long walks.  You love any time I will give you in the sun, which also makes our poolside play dates a fun event.  Sometimes the cold water is a little shocking but for the most part you love the water.

Spring and summer months in the Murdock house are always laced with dreams of home runs and double plays and you have jumped right into the swing of things as you became our co-ed softball team's mascot.  You watch Mommy and Daddy intently as you are passed from teammate to teammate throughout the game, only crying when you can't see what's going on.  This past week I set you down on the couch for a minute and when I came back you were watching the Portugal v. Denmark soccer game on ESPN all by yourself.  I think you are your daddy's son after all.

I am more impressed with you every day as I watch you learn and grow.  You seem like such a big boy sitting in your Bumbo, squawking away.  To prevent the awkward 'baby mullet and top of the head curl', you got your first haircut this month, though you did not enjoy it in the slightest.  Your hair was slightly reddish at first but it now seems to be growing in as blonde as can be.  You also spent your first full day in New York City when Auntie Savanna came to visit you for 4 days.  Your favorite thing was the Guggenheim Museum... or seeing your friend Max Boothe in Central Park.  You also saw your first in-theater movie, What to Expect When You're Expecting (Mom's choice), and loved the whole experience.  You have started laughing a bit, though it sounds more like an incredibly happy gasp than a laugh most of the time and I love it!  You make everyone around you happy as you jump, smile, squeak, and drool like crazy.  Thank you for your happy spirit... and for sleeping through the night.  You started sleeping through the night at 2.5 months and have been great ever since.  You go to bed by 8:30pm and we don't see your darling little face again until about 6:15am the next morning.  You also hit a huge landmark by rolling over this month!  You rolled over for the first time when you were about 2.5 months then again today!  You bring joy everywhere you go and I can't imagine loving any little person more than I love you.

Forever,

Mommy

Looking for Thank You's

Baby Cannon at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC

I remember talking to my mom on the phone after Michael and I had been married for about a year and asking a question similar to, 'I know being a mom is a thankless job.  Is it worth it?'  In my memory of her response she totally skipped the 'worth it' part because she figured the answer was so obvious and focused more on the 'thankless' part.  She told me that things may go unnoticed, but that a mother is given a million other types of thank-you's as she rears and interacts with her children.

Yesterday my baby was a demon.  We had put him to bed late the night before so when he woke up screaming I wasn't surprised.  But then he continued to scream... and scream... and scream all the way until Michael got home from work at 6:45.  I think I probably kissed Michael and gave him a side smile as I passed my little Cannon Ball into his arms, but I was mostly focused on reaching the front door.  As I drove with my music up loud, I smiled at how lucky I was to be able to have a wonderfully supportive husband that was willing to let me go out for a much needed dinner run.  I can probably count the times I have left the house to go get dinner on one hand but leaving this time was completely shameless.  I needed the car ride as much as I needed an anything-but-homecooked meal.  I drooled over the Papa John's pizza sitting on my passenger seat (does EVERYONE on the east coast like NY style pizza?!  Gross!!), then I drooled over whatever country song was pouring out of my windows, then I thought of my sweet son and husband at home and couldn't help but feel my happy heart jump around in my chest.  When I got back Cannon was still screaming but somehow Michael had found a second to do the dishes I had left piled in the sink.  It's those imperfect days that I think Heavenly Father waits for you to look for your 'thank you'.  Yesterday it was in clean dishes.  Sometimes it's His giving you an awesome last bite of dinner, making your toothpaste last one more night, or a huge gummy smile.  I'm not always the best at taking a step back and acknowledging the beauty of my life but being a mom makes that a whole lot easier.  This boy's got whatever it is.

One Happy Boy!

Cannon holds his own bottle

Happy boy!!