No longer a newborn

Dorian is now 12 weeks old and a newborn no more. It has gone by so quickly I could cry. But I'm too happy so I won't. He is the cutest baby ever. His personality is really starting to shine. He "talks" all the time, smiles wide open grins, is on the verge of laughing, kicks his legs, is beginning to grab things (accidentally right now), makes eye contact with whoever speaks with him and so much more. He sleeps 4-8 hours at the beginning of the night (the 8 hour stretches are bliss for Mama) but still wakes up every hour after that. Still, it's definitely progress.

He had his 3 month check-up on Monday. He weighed 14 pounds, 14 ounces - almost 15 pounds!!! Almost double his birth weight! He was 25 inches long. He is in perfect health. He had 3 shots and screamed but James was able to calm him down really fast. Poor little guy. The doctor said he does think Dori may be teething! It is a bit early but he said it does happen in some babies and he could feel something on his bottom gums and he does have the common symptoms (drooling, gnawing on his and our hands, fussiness).

James and I have just about (but not quite) gotten over that damn English cold. Our house is a mess at the moment because the builders are working on our bathroom/laundry room. Dorian's nursery is done - we just need to have it carpeted now. James has been working hard teaching, editing videos and working on recording projects. He will resume regular gigging in a week. I have been busy preparing for an exam to qualify for nursing school. I will take it on Monday and am dreading leaving Dorian for 4-6 hours. I have never been apart from him and he still isn't taking the bottle. I have visions of him screaming his head off the whole time I'm gone (as he does when we try to give him the bottle). Hopefully he'll prove me wrong. The doctor said it will be fine to leave him for that amount of time, even if he isn't taking the bottle. Apparently, the worst that will happen is that he will cry so hard he'll eventually fall asleep. I was so worried this would traumatize him and he'd end up hating me, but everyone has been quick to remind me he does not have those kinds of feelings or thoughts yet. Thank goodness. I could use some more reassurance though, so if other parents can relate, please share your thoughts. I am really worried about Monday (and not about the exam). I love Dori so much and hate to think of him upset.

A few pics, of course...

How grown-up does Dori look? He doesn't even look like a baby - he looks like a little boy!
Okay, he's still a baby...Dori loves to eat his hand
Playing with Daddy - Dori LOVES being held up high
Visiting Grandma at the hospital so she can show Dori off to all her nurses
Watching Daddy play - Dori's eyes intently follow Daddy's fingers!
Letting Dad know he's not happy with the way hats are placed on his head
Thanking Grandpa for removing the hat
Talking to no one in particular
Insert guitar here
Still loving the sling
Mama's boy
Cute
Cuter
Cutest