ONE

Dear Leo,

How did a year pass us by so quickly? We have had probably 24 hours of sleep all year, so I will do my best to recall all of your sweetness and stats to date.. as I slack on printing pictures for your grandparents, filling your baby book and keeping up with all of the things I am supposed to do. You are by and large a jolly fellow.. always smiling for the ladies and getting free samples and balloons at the groceries.. the John Hamm of babies, some might say. You are a busy guy, and if the front or back door are left open, you are sure to escape. A fast crawler and almost-walker, you love the outdoors and following your brother and sister. You're a little chihuahua.. thinking you're a big dog, ready to ride a bike or play basketball. And speaking of dogs, you love them..not afraid at all.. night and day from your brother (and me).

You yell for Campbell and Jadyn calling them both "Bra-brah" at the top of your lungs... and only say "Ma-ma" meaning MORE... food.... I will make it what I wish, I guess..

Your laugh makes us all crack up. Tickling your chin or your bowl-full-of-jelly belly is hillarious.. but Campbell can make you laugh just by being himself and doing little shows for you or whatever boy thing he is doing.

You weigh 23 lbs, have barely two teeth, and, as mentioned, you have had constant ear infections this fall and winter, which, I suppose can be the scapegoat for your middle of the night wake-ups... I just think you were born wanting to party all night. I'm blaming the Chris Farley manner in which I ate when pregnant. rad... I know, I know, it's fleeting.. and having you fall asleep on me won't happen for very much longer.... and I appreciate your warmth and soft little dimpled baby fingers.. and those cankles... kill. me.

When I look at you today, I remember the day you were born being scared... looking at Campbell thinking he was such a little baby, how could I love another little person so much? So crazy how love multiplies... no one, no feeling is replaced, it just grows and adds and we literally never knew life without you.

When you look at these less-than-stellar photos, please do not think it had anything to do with your awesome outfit.. you loved rocking the vintage sweater suit, even transitioned to the short sleeve polo sweater mid-day when the temps warmed up. You're growing up so fast.. gotta squeeze you in some more outfits before you're a picky man like your brother. Happy big birthday, son.

xxoo

Eleven months old... same outfit, don't be fooled

there he was!



finger in the constant ear infection ear... cannot quite capture the standing alone situation on film...

and he was 10 months...

That face. Just like his big brother, Leo grew tired of eating baby food even with no teeth and only wants real food... he really misses the buttery, creamy Nana B food that he got to eat while on her lap instead of his (babysitter) high chair at home.

Leo closes down the year, 9 months old

Hard not to laugh, right?? I think Campbell just grew out of this shirt last week. Leo is huge.. and messy.. and boyish. Growls, thinks it's super funny when he belches and farts, and is into everything. He's a wild man. Pulls up and show-boats one-handed as he stands up.. ready to run any minute. grrreeat. ha! He is a total flirt and will lower his eyes and lean in for a smooch from mom (dad doesn't understand why he's not into his facial hair) or big sis. His laughter is one of the best sounds on earth.

November 28, 8 months old

crawling quickly and eating everything in his path... Leo James was so jolly getting ready for his first Christmas... all the while fighting ear infections and any cold that can be found on the floor. 20lb of baby. oy!

Seven months old

Army-crawling all over the place, happy as a clam.

and someone turned 1/2 year old..

almost a month late with posting the ol' 6 month shot.. Leo weighing in at 18lb 3oz and tons of fun. A jolly guy, usually flirting with old ladies and smiling... until he's hungry. Totally channeling my Chris Farley moments I guess. He loves palm trees, the beach, any food we've given him, dad wearing him in the hippy front pack, and most of all, his siblings... he cracks up at anything Campbell does... and my little Isaac Mizrahi (?) loves dressing up his brother and teaching him to play all the boy stuff, too. He sits up by himself, already and is crawling more everyday... watch out.

LJH, Five months

large and in charge... squawking, eating, rolling, army scooting, almost sitting alone... already.

Leo was 4 months old..

now that school is starting and the summer seems to be quieting down.. I will catch up! July 28, Leo James weighing in at a husky 15lb 8oz and got the go-ahead for solid foods, even though Nana has been sneaking him bananas (and filet mignon, no doubt) for who knows how long ;) Obviously, the thighs don't lie... this guy is tons of fun.

3 months old

The thunder thighs keep a' rolling and our "little" brother is really starting to smile and laugh at us. As we cross the quarter-year mark, we are realizing just what an easy baby he is. Goes with the flow and loves everything (from tv to the beach) that J and C do.

Leo's 2 months, already!?

r

I don't know where mid-April to the end of May went. My memories are fuzzy and I feel like I'm still in a fog... someone slow down time, please. I love the leg-rolls, by the way... official weigh-in at 2 month check up was 12lb 3 oz. Little chub.

LJH, One month old

And his very own fur rug for the monthly pix. No official weight, (8lb at two weeks) but Leo is eager to run around with the big guys, and is chunking right up. Everyone is settling into life with Leo, and he's growing right before our eyes. We all think he looks like a combo of Jbird and Campbell, and little brother's eyes definitely light up when he hears either of their voices.


awe, old man.