Baby's 1st Christmas...

Pierce, Halsey and I spent Christmas with the Morrises and had a wonderful day. Pierce was a champion church goer on Christmas Eve, and entertained the masses with his sudden onset of chattiness on Christmas day. Here are some photos and a video clip of Pierce's talkiness.

Penguin Pants

Here's another Pierce Christmas outfit....embroidered penguin pants. Too cute! Merry Christmas Eve--we've got a white Christmas here!

Giggles Part 2

More laughs caught on camera...

Santa's Favorite...

Coming....






And going....

I have been remiss about reporting on Pierce's 4 month appointment from last week. He got 2 more shots, which knocked him out for the afternoon. His health report was glowing. He weighed in at 13 lbs. 5 oz. (nearly a 2 pound gain from 3 months) and has crept up to the 17% for weight. Dr. Joyce is no longer concerned about his weight. Not surprisingly, his height was in the 78% at 25.5 in. Our long and lean boy is in perfect health! Just in time to start day care...

I am in my last 2 weeks of leave, and will start back at school on Jan. 4th. I am heartbroken to leave Pierce, but feel extremely lucky that our day care center is on campus with me. I can rush over whenever I need a PJM fix. I am also looking forward to returning to the classroom, as my little K boys are a joy, too!

Christmas Finest....

Pierce received many wonderful Christmas outfits from his grandparents, and we began parading them out this weekend. Here is the first in a series, followed by one of the aforementioned photos from the Pierce/Foster photo shoot.

Santa's 9th reindeer

Thanks for the nutcracker, Nana and Pops!

Looking good in some festive sweaters.

Pierce's First Girlfriend

We were lucky to spend time with Pierce's godparents (and great friends), the Bourques, last weekend. They brought over their 6 month old daughter, Erin, who tired Pierce out with some time on the activity mat and playing soccer. Erin didn't waste any time getting to know Pierce, and rolled on top of him as soon as they were both on the floor! Here are some cute pics from the date:


Later that night Halsey and I got to go out on our 3rd date night since Pierce's arrival. We got all gussied up for a black tie dinner-dance. Ooh-la-la!

Giggles Part 1

I finally caught Pierce's laugh on camera (just wait until about the 20 second mark)...Please forgive all the attempts made by mom to get the laughs going....

Comparison

Pierce is due for his 4 month check up next week. It's hard to believe how quickly the time flies by. He will be crawling before we know it! Here is some photographic evidence of how much he has grown in the last 2 months.

Before:
After:

We miss you Daddy!

Halsey was in LA last week for meetings and is in NY this week. Pierce and I miss him a ton! Pierce always sleeps better when his Dad is home. Luckily, last week Nana was here to lend a hand. We had a great time playing with her and laughing, laughing, laughing. I will get his laugh on video soon!

Pierce got a cold over the weekend, though it hasn't affected his attitude. He is still happy and smiley, even with sneezes and coughs. We got our first winter snowfall, and Pierce loved his walk yesterday looking up at the snow covered trees! He he is bundled up for the cruise around the neighborhood.

Two Little Turkeys

Our little "Cream of the Crop"

Happy Belated Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful week staying with cousin Foster and Chris and Liz outside of Philadelphia where we were joined by Nana and Pops, Aunt Wendy, Katie, Don and....Uncle Drew. Drew met both of his nephews for the first time and was a pro with them. Pierce loved all of his time with his cousin and family, though slept terribly while we were there. Must have been the new environment, sleeping back in the same room with Mom and Dad, and the lack of swaddling. He's back to normal now that we are back home.

Uncle Drew with Foster

Uncle Drew with Pierce
Nana and Pops love their grandsons!

We had a wonderful holiday and even managed to do a Christmas photo shoot with Pierce and Foster (but you'll have to stay tuned for December posts to see those). Pierce came home with the new skill of squeaking and squealing (thanks, Foster!).

Nana came back to Boston with us to help out while Halsey heads to LA for a conference this week. Hard to believe it will be her last trip out during my leave. I return to work in just over 4 weeks. Yikes!

..And the little one said, "roll over, roll over"...

Pierce had his 3 month birthday yesterday and with that milestone a new trick arrived--rolling over! Unfortunately, Pierce discovered this new trick last night in his crib, and in his swaddle couldn't roll himself back over. So after a big fright at midnight, we put a sleep positioner in the crib and he slept soundly for the rest of the night. Here is a little video of his daytime demonstration (nicely choreographed to the music):



We had a visit from Aunt Dana this weekend, too, and Pierce loved meeting her. She's a natural at getting him to laugh! Thanks for the visit, Dana. We also got a chance to see Aunt Liz finish her half marathon in Newton. She's a champ! Congrats, Aunt Liz. We have our 3 month appointment tomorrow so hope to have an update.

California Dreamin'

This past weekend we took Pierce to San Francisco to visit Nana and Pops and get his first taste of the west coast. He was a perfect travel companion and slept the entire flight out there and most of the flight back. We had an excellent time being pampered by Nana and Pops and read lots of stories, went for a walk in China Camp, had an early Thanksgiving dinner with Darcy and went on our first date night since Pierce's birth! Thank you, Nana and Pops.
Pierce has become very chatty in the last week and very social. It is very fun to watch (and play with him). Here's a video clip of his conversation with mom--been having difficulty posting the one I want, so here's the 2nd place talking clip:



He is also gaining in core and neck strength and loves sitting in his Bumbo chair and facing out when being held. It is too cute! We've also been using the big kid seat in his stroller this week since he can hold his head up most of the time.
I can't believe Pierce will be 3 months old on the 15th, and that I will be in my last 6 weeks of leave. I have been spoiled having time at home with him, it is sad to think of not spending every waking minute with him. We are going in for a 3 month weight check next week just to make sure he is on track. Can't wait to see how he's grown.

Dinosaur fun!

Halloween capped off Pierce's 10th week of life. He's become very chatty (with mom) and loves to play a call and response game with coos and giggles. Too much fun! He also is liking tummy time more (especially when he's looking in a mirror) and we tested out the Bumbo this week. Still working on that core strength, but he's having a blast. This week we are busily getting ready for our first plane flight to San Francisco to visit Nana and Pops. Babies sure do come with a lot of gear! Wish us luck on the long flight out, and that Pierce's excellent sleeping habits (he's sleeping 8pm-2:30 am and 3-7 am) continue through the trip.

Here are some great pics of Fierce Pierce the Dinosaur. He had a blast at our town parade on Saturday morning showing off his awesome costume. Unfortunately, it was 70 degrees and his fleece costume grew increasingly uncomfortable--so he answered the door in just a t-shirt. Aunt Darcy was out visiting for her birthday weekend, so we had a lovely dinner together with Fred and Liz before she headed back to the left coast.

Twice the treats and no tricks!

Foster and Pierce had a photo shoot in matching Halloween outfits (thanks, Nana!) during their visit last weekend. Here are some prize winning shots from the shoot:

Cousin Foster puts his arm around Pierce (with only a little parental prodding):


Pierce loves Foster, but we're not sure the feeling is reciprocated:

It was a great visit with the cousins and Chris and Liz, and we can't wait to see them over Thanksgiving.

During the week, Pierce practiced his daily tummy time, and according to Dad, he rolled over twice. We have yet to capture it on film, but once we do, we'll be sure to post it. Pierce also has started chatting up a storm, and is quite the charmer. We went to visit Fessenden and my class from last year, and he was entranced by the big boys and gave them lots of smiles and coos. He can't wait to be a Kindergartner too.

Aunt Darcy is coming to visit this weekend, so we'll have fun with her. Plus, it's Halloween, and Pierce will look mighty cute in his dinosaur costume.

Future Olympian?

Pierce has discovered his hands and feet this week--and they are the most fascinating things ever. He is gaining coordination and can reach and grab toys with tons of focus.

Now featuring Pierce Morris on the rings:
Chris, Liz and Foster will be coming to town to stay with us on Friday, so we should have some excellent blog pictures from their visit. Stay tuned.

2 months already?

Where have the last eight weeks gone? The early days with Pierce are going much too quickly, and it's hard to believe I am almost halfway through my maternity leave. I am savoring each day with our little man!

We just got back from the doctor's office where Pierce passed his 2 month checkup with flying colors. He grew an inch and a half since last month and is now 24 in. long. He is tall for his age, and is still putting all of his growth into his height and head size. His weight is still low (9 lbs 12.5 oz.), though he is gaining at about 4 oz. a week. The pediatrician feels like he has some catch up to do, but is not worried as he is hitting all of his developmental check points. (she says he is really smart!) He got his first immunizations today (4!) and is drowsily sleeping away the afternoon.

Here is a video of Pierce using his strong legs to play on his activity mat:

So Much to Say!

Pierce has grown so much in the last two weeks! He is now a smiling and chatting machine, and has become endlessly fascinated by toys, faces, and his vibrating chair. He is a ton of fun and I find myself doing anything to get a smile out of him.

We had a good week this week. We finished our last mom and baby class and said goodbye to the 9 new baby friends we made (though we saw them again on Thursday for a walk). Hopefully our group stays in touch so that Pierce has some baby friends who have known him since he was 2 weeks old!

We had a wonderful long weekend, highlighted by Pierce's baptism. Nana and Pops flew out for the occasion, and Scott and Alisa Harrison made the drive from NY to join in the ceremony. Zach and Megan Bourque are the godparents of little Pierce and did an excellent job at the ceremony.

Pierce was an angel for the mass (probably because I fed him a big bottle right before hand), and even managed a smile for Father John. Erin Bourque (Pierce's god-sister) provided entertainment with raspberry blowing and head pats during the service. Here are some pictures from the celebration.

Proud parents and godparents with a sleepy Pierce:

Looking good in the 150 year old christening gown:

Scotty and Alisa with Pierce:

Nana and Pops with the star of the show:


Three generations of Morrises:
After the christening, Nana, Pops and the Morris crew enjoyed a lovely fall hike in the Middlesex Fells. Pierce looked so cute ready to face the crisp New England air!

We are family

Pierce had the chance to meet lots of friends and family this week. On Monday, Shara (and her dog Max) stopped by to visit with us. She was a natural at making Pierce settle and coo. She'll be making him laugh in no time! Later in the week, Megan Bourque had us over for a playdate with Erin and our other friend Shanna Deng and her son Spenser. Pierce was exhausted from the socializing and ate and slept during the visit. Erin did manage to show us her cool new toys, and make Pierce long for the day he can play in an Exersaucer!

Shara with P-man and Max:

Nana arrived on Friday to help out while Halsey traveled to Chicago for a wedding (congrats Frank and Erin!), and she was immediately wrapped around little Pierce's finger. And vice versa. Nana talked, sang, and bounced Pierce all weekend long and allowed mom to take some naps, cook some meals, and relax a little bit. Pierce really started chatting and smiling once Nana got to him!


On Saturday, Uncle Chris and Aunt Liz stopped by with cousin Foster for a meet and greet. Foster was born at the end of May--it's hard to believe that he was under 5 lbs at birth. We had a great time on their short visit, and can't wait to see them again in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the boys will be interested in each other someday soon.
On Sunday we picked Halsey up at the airport and headed to Mahoney's to pick out our pumpkins and get some mums for our front doorstep. It was a great end to a great weekend!