Dear Livia,

Yesterday you turned two months old. When you’ve only lived eight and a half weeks, each month is a big deal! We brought you home to Lincoln on July 2nd and you arrived at the Prairie Box to a host of family and friends. They were all terribly excited to finally meet you and hold you and cuddle you and kiss you! You took all the attention in stride and managed to look quite adorable in the process.

Mama and Daddy were especially happy to be home for the 4th of July. Your Grand aunties hosted a barbecue in your honor and we had lots of fun on the back deck. There were several backyard parties on our block—lots of fireworks, too—and the noise didn’t bother you one bit. That night we walked over to Miss Dena’s apartment to capture a fantastic view of the Lincoln skyline. The night breeze gently cooled us as we watched the brilliant colorful explosions in the sky. We marveled at God’s blessings on our family and our country as we took turns gazing at you and the fireworks. It was a great evening. (Thanks again, Dena, for the party and the photograph!)

In the past few weeks you’ve learned how to suck on your fingers and how to smile great big happy smiles at friendly faces. The finger-sucking is quite important… You haven’t perfected it yet—your hand still tends to move away from your desperate mouth—but your technique has improved greatly in a matter of days. We simply LIVE for your smiles. I’ve seen five grown-ups standing around your small body, making all sorts of crazy expressions just to catch a glimpse of this grin. You have the power to make us act really silly! Uncle Adam believes you are one of the most interactive two months old ever and, of course, your daddy and I think you’re just fabulous.

We love you. We are amazed by you. We praise God for bringing you into our lives.

Much love,
Mama

PS. I forgot to mention that your first 4th of July weekend was all about FAMILY! You met lots of family members within a few short days. First, the Tredways… Great Uncle Bob and Great Aunt Laurie and their children and grandchildren, Great Uncle Kurt and Great Aunt Diane and their boys as well. Then Great Uncle Steve and Great Aunt Cathy Lawton stopped by after Ben Shannon’s wedding in North Dakota. We have Uncle Steve to thank for the beautiful flag photo! He takes amazing pictures. Finally, your dad’s cousins came by… Keri and her little boy Brian, and Michael. You are so blessed to be a part of such a huge, loving group of people!