Everett has been smiling and cooing a lot lately. In this video we get a little bit of everything: smiling, cooing, sneezing, yawning and a little surprise at the end.

Eisley has been into impersonating Cookie Monster lately. In this video, she gives her best impression.

This marks our first letter to you. Where do we begin? Maybe we should start with the fact that we are head over heels in love with you and are eternally grateful for the good fortune that brought you to our family. Mommy and Daddy can’t seem to soak in enough of your gentle demeanor and those round cheeks and tummy. Your sister, Eisley, seems to think you need at least 50 kisses (“thisses”) daily and she loves to know where you are in the house at all times.

You arrived on April 24th in what could be record time. Mommy labored with you for a few hours, but it only took about four pushes and you were in our arms. We couldn’t believe how fast it all went and loved hearing your cries upon arrival. You slept a great deal at first and Daddy was quite concerned about it, but we figure that in the not too distant future we will get a good laugh out of that same concern when you decide sleep is old news.

Now that you have been on this earth for a month we get to see your beautiful eyes more and more-they are the most amazing blue color and almost violet in appearance. Your hair is definitely light and has a red tint to it which most closely resembles your cousin Finley’s strawberry hair. We aren’t exactly sure where the redness comes from, but we are anxious to see if it sticks around as you grow. You are quite the eater and seem to be absolutely starving on a regular basis. Your little arms and legs are starting to fill out and we think that you could be every bit the roly poly that your sister was not.

You are absolutely NOT a fan of diaper changes and prefer to be dressed and cuddled as opposed to bare and independent. Every day we watch as your eyes begin watching and observing your surroundings. You passed your hearing test in the hospital with flying colors, but we can also use your startled reactions to your sister’s day-to-day noisy activities as reassurance that those ears of yours are top notch.

Everett, we are so thankful for you and for your presence in our family. Mommy and Daddy can’t help but feel like we have been bestowed two beautiful and amazing children. We are absolutely the luckiest people on the planet. We love you son and cannot wait to see what life holds with you in it.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Also, here’s a collection of Everett pictures from this month.

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After a week of getting to know this little guy, we finally had a chance to pull together some pictures and a video of his first few days in this world.

Pictures

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Video

At the end of January you crossed another milestone and turned 18-months-old. It has been quite awhile since we have had time to sit down and log all of the wonderful memories, mainly because we are continually busy making those memories and watching with astonishment as you grow.

You are talking all the time now and you love to run around and play. You definitely have shown a love of the outdoors, complete with digging in the dirt and sand. Mommy finds it funny when you and Daddy decide to play hide-and-seek around the house and I get the pleasure of listening  to you look for him by calling out, “Daddddeeeeee…Daddddeeee” until you figure out where he is hiding.

You have recently discovered Elmo and your parents were awfully surprised to hear you say his name when we hadn’t really exposed you to anything Elmo-related. Now that he seems to be a part of your daily vocabulary we have incorporated a little bit of Sesame Street watching and even an Elmo doll which travels around the house with you quite a bit.  Usually along with Elmo is your ‘wuvee’.  You have had your lovey blanket since you were born, but you have a newfound attachment to it and it usually goes with you everywhere. Sometimes it is hard to convince you that you don’t need it while eating or taking a bath!

The past few months have been very busy with the holidays and other life events. We found out a few months ago that Mommy is having a baby in May, and we also found out that the baby will be your brother. We are so excited with anticipation to see you and your brother together for the first time, and then growing up side by side every day after. You seem to have a great love and fascination with babies, so we suspect that you will be a very attentive and doting big sister.

Due to the fact that your brother will be here before we know it, Mommy and Daddy decided to sell our current house (it was a very difficult decision) and buy a new one that we will move into in the next month or two once it’s finished. We did a lot of searching for just the right place for you to grow up, and we feel good about the choice that was made.

You had a great deal of fun during the holidays getting more than spoiled by all of your grandparents and family, and maybe Mommy and Daddy did just a little bit of spoiling too. You have lots of fun new ‘big girl’ toys to play with and they keep you busy on a regular basis. It was fun to see your excitement and interest this year in all of the Christmas lights and our tree. You got the concept of opening presents to some degree and while you would participate, you seemed to burn out after a bit.

At eighteen months of life, Mommy and Daddy are continually amazed at all of the things that you are able to do and say. You are learning more and more about your independence, and while sometimes that creates a few speed bumps in parenting, it is enjoyable to watch nonetheless. You seem to grasp concepts so quickly and through those beautiful eyes of yours we can see that brain working away. Thank you for being so lovable and enjoyable. Thank you for providing us with daily smiles and laughs. Thank you for being you, Eisley.

We love you,

Mommy and Daddy