Lennon, Month 1

Dear Lennon,

I really think this could have been the fastest month of my life. You have changed our family in so many ways, and you are SO loved. So far you have been a good girl, and I'm hoping (more like begging/wishing on every star/dreaming every night) that it will continue. It would be hard to have another colicky/gassy baby, but at least I would know more of what to do since I've had two before! You have been sleeping really good at night most nights and going 4 or 5 hours in between eating. We still have you in our room and I'm loving it because daddy kicked your brother and sister our at 3 weeks old. I'm sure we will be moving you soon but we are trying to figure out our monitor situation because Ali still needs one. (She's a trouble maker, your sister!) You are STRONG and already roll to your sides and lift your head up during tummy time. And you are a PRO eater. Keep it up because nursing is my favorite time I get to spend with just the two of us! You had a rough start with jaundice and still have a little yellow-ish tint to your skin and eyes! The doc said it will probably just take a bit longer to leave your system since it got so high. I HATED that you had to get your heal pricked every other day for almost two weeks! But really that was the only time we heard you cry! You do grunt A LOT. It's the cutest thing, and I love all your silly sounds you make.

Your brother and sister absolutely ADORE you. Luke asks if he can look at you multiple times a day and kisses your head 1,000 times. They have been sick this week so I have been keeping you isolated in our bedroom and away from them. They are hating it and really miss ooo-ing and awe-ing over you all day. Ali is still trying to figure out exactly what you do and what's so great about you. She thinks you're cute and says "Awe, Lennon" over and over, but I think she's confused at your lack of activities and playing. ;) I know in a few months she will love rolling and crawling around with you. You will have so much fun together throughout your lives.

From the day we brought you home I have had a hard time wondering if you are our last. It was making it hard to just enjoy your new-ness and live in the moment. So I finally told daddy that we aren't deciding right now. That way, I can just enjoy YOU and not think, "This is the last time..." every time you do anything.

I feel such a special bond with you and never knew my heart could make so much more room for another little girl. I love your scrunchy forehead and the way you turn your head towards my voice. I love your baby breath and your hairy shoulders. I love your dark hair and dark eyes, (and REALLY hope they stay dark like your dad, but you'll be beautiful no matter what). I love your dramatic random screams because they only last 3 seconds and make me laugh. I love watching you explore the world, and listen to all the chaos going on around you. I LOVE your snuggles and hope you continue to snuggle with me forever! I love your little tiny features and your sweet face. You have made me so happy in your short time on earth, and I know my love will only get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for coming to our family little sis! We couldn't love you more and are so excited to watch you continue to learn and grow.

Love, Mom

Lennon Elizabeth Burton

A lot of people have asked about Lennon's name and how we decided on/came up with it for our daughter. Here is the story!

A few months back I was making a list of baby names and was trying to think of authors, characters or musicians that mean a lot to Drew or I. I came up with a few, but as I thought about the musicians I TRULY love I couldn't really find a connection with any cute names. I was trying to think about older musicians that I loved and names we could use, but most of them were men that didn't sound good. I DID think about John Lennon and the name Lennon but didn't write it down. (Crazy, because I LOVE John Lennon, and I loved the name when I thought about it the first time...I just forgot to write it down so I forgot about it completely.)

Fast forward a few months. Drew and I were on our way to Hollywood with his students and we were discussing names with his co workers on the bus. I told them that there weren't any names that just felt like they were hers, and I was waiting for the right one to come along! (Haha...) That night we went to Hard Rock Cafe at City Walk. We sat down, and our waitress walked up to introduce herself. She immediately made a funny joke and introduced herself as "Lennon." I instantly LOVED her and the name and as soon as she left with our drink order I turned to Drew and told him how much I loved it and how I felt like it could be our baby's name. He loved it too. When Lennon (the waitress) came back we asked her about her name, where it came from, and if she liked it. She told us how her grandparent's loved John Lennon and it was after him. She was sooo sweet and fun and as she told us about her life there were a lot of things I related too.

When we left the restaurant we decided to move it to our top three, but I think deep down we knew it would be our daughter's name.

I absolutely love it and think it fits her so well! :)

Lennon's middle name is after her grandma Lori, who called herself Elizabeth most of her life! :)

Here are Lennon's newborn pics as well as our family lifestyle pics. We absolutely LOVE them all. Valerie is amazing and we can't say enough good things about her photography! Enjoy!