Weekend in Review

We had such a fun weekend this past weekend.  B had to work at a beer festival in Wilmington, NC.  We love this festival because the organizers always put the reps up at a beach front condo in Wrightsville Beach.  So, this year we asked our BFF's to join us.  While the men worked, the ladies and the kiddos (they have the sweetest little 5 month old girl.  She and H are already betrothed) hung out and explored Wilmington.

At one point, my BFF and I were sitting in the front seat of the car eating fruit snacks and talking.  In the back I could hear H saying "pweeeees" asking for me to share the fruit snacks.  Well, it didn't really register to me what he was asking for.  Then, all of a sudden, he yells "HEY!!! Pwees!!!!" so I would finally listen to him and share the fruit snacks.  We about died.  The things that come out of that kid's mouth lately are hilarious.  Earlier in the day, he took a drink of water from his sippy cup and said "mmmm.  Good!" clear as a bell.

The gorgeous sunrise view from our room

My loves playing in the surf

My new favorite pic of H ever.  That face!

When we got back to town, we headed straight for the State Fair.  Thank goodness H (and I) napped in the car on the way home. H was in major stimulation overload.  But he loved every second of it.  We saw all the animals and he told us what they all say.  He rode the merry go round with his grumpa.  He ate a nasty looking red hot dog (Brighleaf hot dogs are big in this area but the redness of them gross me out).  He tried some cotton candy (that I didn't authorize and was, in fact, a little pissed that my FIL didn't ask my permission before giving it to him).  Thankfully the texture freaked him out and he didn't like it.  We had so much fun and he had the best time ever.

My boys

I'm destined to a lifetime of weird faces in photos

H and his grumpa

 All in all, it was a perfect fall weekend!

Remembering

I spent this past weekend in New York City with my sister and my parents.  I went years ago and I've longed to go back.  When I was finally able to, it was with a heavy heart.  My dear Aunt Kathy passed away last week with a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Kathy was my step dad's sister.  She came into our lives when I was 16.  She has always been so great to my siblings and I.  Never treating us like the step kids.  

In the words of my (step) dad, Kathy was Kathy.  That's really the best way to describe her.  She was funny weather she meant to be or not.  She was larger than life.  She was over the top.  She was deeply devout in her faith. She loved her family above all else. I will miss her dearly.

Holt - 18 months

Since my return to blogging happens to coincide with H's 18 month birthday - I thought I'd catch you all up on what my little boo has been up to.

As evidenced above - this dude loves him some bananas.  Every morning he stands in front of where we keep them and points up saying "nana, nana, nana!!"  Followed by "pweeeee" because we make him say please before we give him anything.

Other favorite things:
Animal crackers
Climbing on anything and everything
Being outside
Our dog Hippo
Frozen - he sings along and makes the clock noise from "Do You Want to Build a Snowman"

He's no longer walks - just runs everywhere.  It's quite possibly one of the cutest things I've seen, but impossible to describe.  Take my word for it - adorable.

We are enjoying the fall so much.  We went to our first college football game of the season last weekend.  H loved it.  He clapped and cheered and climbed all over the place.  All was well until the ass in front of us suggested we "put a seat belt on that kid".  He's lucky I didn't punch him in the throat.  Lucky for him, it was getting to be bed time and it was half time, so we left.

Fun stuff he does/says:
Everything is "hot" - he says "that's hot" then holds his little hand out like don't touch it.
He can tell us the noises that a cow, cat, dog, pig, duck, firetruck, dinosaur, and sheep all make.  And, according to him - a llama says "llama".
He's obsessed with firetrucks.  He's been to 2 firestations and is in total awe at them.

We had his 18 month check up today.  All is well.  His head hasn't gotten any bigger since his 15 month check up.  So, that finally puts us back on the growth chart!  He's in the 70's percentile wise for height and weight.  Such a big dude!  Our NP we see loves him.  She said he's the most cooperative 18 month old she's seen.  That makes this momma feel good.  He does have an ear infection.  But, he's such a little trooper that it doesn't even bother him and he doesn't act like anything is wrong.

I feel like this was kind of all over the place so I'll wrap up.  That's what my little boo has been up to lately.

Is this thing on?

Oh, hello there!  Remember me?  I'm the blogger who sucks at blogging.  I have an adorable son.  Remember me?

So, yeah, I've taken a 7 month hiatus from blogging.  I'd like to say that I needed a cleans or whatever. But, the fact is, life got crazy.  The past 7 months have been bananas (I may or may not have sang the Gwen Stefani song while spelling that...).  And, I'm not really sure anyone reads my little piece of the internet.  So, I quit blogging.  But, things have both slowed down and ramped back up, so I thought "what the hell" let's give this thing another go.  Who cares if anyone even reads it.  Sometimes it's nice to just put it all out there and get it off your chest.

Here's a quick recap of what's happened since we last spoke:

* We decided to list our house and buy a bigger one
* Holt turned ONE!!!!!
* Our house sold in 4 days for the asking price
* I got a new job
*We were almost homeless b/c we go screwed over on a new construction house and then we had a mortgage snafu
* We found, fell in love with, and bought a new house
* Another daycare shuffle - still with our favorite just a different set up
* We moved
* B got a new job
* We decided we want to have another baby

Whew.  Bananas.

As for that last little bit.  Yeah.  About that.  No, I'm not pregnant.  Nor do I expect to be for a while.  But, we decided to just see what will happen.  I'm taking a suppliment called Pregnitude that my RE put me on the cycle I got pregnant with H.  I've been on it for about a month and a half.  Then, during my annual gyno visit, I discussed with Dr. T that we were sort of seeing what could happen but by no means were we ready to go back to the RE.  So, she prescribed me some Clomid and gave me instructions to call her if I didn't get my period a week after a normal person would.  I didn't.  So, today I called in to get some Provera to see if we can kick start a period and then we will see what happens.

My thoughts about doing this again - I sort of feel no pressure.  Would I like another child?  Absolutely.  But, I don't feel this major race against the clock.  I've had several friends get pregnant and I'm nothing but happy for them.  I have my perfect little kiddo.  He's the best thing ever.  Seriously, sometimes I look at him and think my heart may burst from loving him so damn much.  So I really feel like another pregnancy and child is really just icing on the cake.

Remind me of this when I'm 6 months in and clomid isn't working and I'm devastated....

11 Months

Holy cow, we officially have less than a month until my sweet baby is ONE.  I want to cry just thinking about it! 

Month 10 was a busy one for our little dude.  Lots and lots of new things for him!

He took his first steps!  It was every working mom's nightmare though - they were at daycare.  I could tell the sitter didn't want to tell me.  But, she did.  I got in my car and burst into tears.  He's been steadily taking steps here and there, but still has zero interest in walking full time.  He's decided that crawling is faster and more efficient.
He's also saying several new words.  He says HI clear as a bell.  And says it all the time.  It's so cute.  He now will even wave while he does it.  He also says dog.  Well, he says "dah!" but is always near the dogs or looking at them when he says it.  It's adorable.

And, we are paci free!!!!  I've been tossing the idea around for a long time.  Several months ago, I noticed that he mostly just played with it and only used it for sleeping.  However, the old (awful) sitter insisted that we keep using it.  Plus, it helps prevent SIDS, so I just kept it.  My goal was to start weaning him from it at a year.  Well the new sitter said she preferred not to use pacis (music to my ears!) and she said he was going down for naps just fine without it.  So, I decided to try it at night without it.  After a few rocky cry it out nights, we had success!  He's now been without it for about 3 weeks.

 

He's still eating 3 meals a day and taking only 4 5 oz bottles.  Only one more month of formula!!  Woo Hoo!!!!  I can't tell you how excited this makes me!  We've been really working with the straw sippy cups, so I don't think the transition from a bottle to a cup should be too hard.  He's usually a pretty adaptable kiddo.

He still loves tubby (bath) time, and playing, and dancing.  He loves the sound of his own voice and talks and yells all the time.  He cracks us up so much.  He's really just the cutest little guy on the planet.

His only dislikes are being pinned down for diaper changes and getting dressed.  He's far too busy for such trivial things.

The weather was amazing here this weekend, so we were very busy out and about enjoying it.  Here are a few pics of my sweet little boo enjoying it!

I love dressing him like a little man.  This outfit made me happy

We spent the afternoon at the park with his baby bestie Landon yesterday

Well, clearly it wasn't all sunshine and happiness.  He was a very sad panda for most of yesterday

My sweet little boo,

Your daddy and I love you so much we can't even stand it!  You are so funny and smart and curious.  You always keep us on our toes.  We love just watching you play and learn and explore.

We love you so much!

10 Months!

We are quickly approaching H's first birthday and I swear time is in a vortex and is flying by.  I wish it would stop!

 

 

This month has been so fun with my little dude.  He's full of energy and so so happy all the time.  He giggles and laughs when we tickle him.  And since he's discovered he can yell, that's basically his only volume.  He thinks it's hilarious.  Us?  Less so.  He's starting to stand unsupported more and more. He loves music. He's always dancing. Or, singing to himself and dancing to his own song. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Exhibit A

He's eating 3 big boy meals a day.  And is down to 4 5 oz bottles.  My plan is to switch to whole milk when he turns one.  He got his his third and fourth top teeth (bringing the grand total to 6!) this month, so eating real food is more and more possible.  I also introduced him to goldfish crackers and he loves them!  His favorite foods are: steamed cauliflower (he LOVES it!), any fruit, and mum mums.  We have also been working on converting him to the straw sippy cup.

There are very few dislikes this month.  Mostly not giving him his food quick enough.  And diaper changes.  You can't pin this free range baby down!

Toys! Also, I die over these big boy jammies!

More toys!

Major news this month though.  We fired our sitter.  I swear, it's been a week and a half and I'm still livid over this!  The Friday before MLK day, I got off work an hour early.  I headed to pick H up from the sitter.  I swear, as I was ringing the bell I thought to myself "I should have let her know I'm coming early.  Well, actually, it's probably good to stop by unannounced".  Not a second later, her teenage son opens the door. (this is the same teenage son who left H napping on a changing table unattended back in August and she SWORE that he was never allowed with the kids again)  I asked where his mom was.  She was gone to pick his sister up from college - an HOUR AND A HALF away!!!! Meaning, she was gone at a MINIMUM 3 hours.  And that's just travel time.  Leaving my son and the other little kid she keeps alone with an incompetent teenager and a few of his buddies for most of the day!!!!!!!!  I couldn't get H out of there fast enough.  I mean, I didn't even think to get his stuff.  I did manage to get the brand new, unopened pack of diapers that we brought that day.  Then, as I was pulling out, she pulled up.  Meaning, had I not gotten off early, I never would have known she was gone.  She all but jumped out of a moving car.  "oh is everything ok?!"  Um, no you psycho, it's not.  But, for fear of killing her in her driveway, I just shortly answered that I got off work early and picked him up.  I honestly didn't trust myself to say anymore.  She got a strongly worded firing email when I got home.  Had it not been for B making me be civil, the email would have included several "eff you's" and been explitave ladden.  I'm really upset that I don't have the phone number of the other mother who keeps her kid there.  I feel like I'm doing her a disservice by not letting her know what went on.

Thankfully, we have found a wonderful place for him.  It's two girls running it out of their house.  They're basically running it like a daycare center.  So, I get all of the benefits with none of the downfalls.  Yesterday was his first day.  He was so happy and chatty all evening.  Usually he's fussy leaving and will nap on the way home.  It did my heart good to see him so happy.  Today is day 2 and it's show and tell.  He's bringing his stuffed Mickey doll.

I mean can you even stand it?!

Meanwhile, here are some amazing pictures from the past month...

This is his "I'm mad that mommy wouldn't let me eat the remote" face.  I spy 2 top teeth!

It was rainy and humid this day.  Clearly his hair didn't agree with the weather!

THE HAIR

2013 - The Year in Review

I did this post last year, so I thought I'd make it a yearly tradition.  2013 was pretty great.  My biggest dream was fulfilled.  I became a momma.  2014 is really going to have to bring it if it wants to even sort of compare.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? Gave birth.  It was single handedly the most amazing experience of my life.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make New Year's resolutions.  Why set yourself up for failure at the beginning of a new year?  Not exactly the best way to start...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Me!  I don't thing it gets any closer than that...

4. Did anyone close to you die? No. 

 

5. What countries did you visit? None.  Just some travel within the southeast.  Kind of hard to travel internationally either super preggo or with a teeny baby.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?  More money would be nice...

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 23, 2013 - welcome to the world Holt Fairfield Watts II!!!!! April 20, 2013 - my big brother got married.  September 11, 2013 - I turned the big 3-0
 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Becoming a momma.  It's the biggest achievement of my life.
 

9. What was your biggest failure? Not being able to breast feed.  I tried.  I really did.  But, at the same time, I feel like maybe I could have tried harder.  It was suuuuuch a struggle from the get go.  Then, with B being gone for 2 weeks on top of all the issues, it was just too much.  H is growing and thriving, so I know he's ok.  But, if I could go back, I would and try harder.
 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Preeclampsia, I suppose.  That had me bed ridden for 3 weeks pre-baby!

11. What was the best thing you bought?  Since we paid hospital bills, I'll say the baby!  LOL.  I know it's kind of a stretch, but since 2013 was the year of Holt, I'm going with it.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?  I'll give this one to my sweet husband again.  I thought I was in love with him before.  But, man, seeing him be a dad just made me fall even harder.  He's such a good dad to our little kiddo.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? I honestly don't think anyone's did this year.  At least not to me personally.

14. Where did most of your money go? The kiddo.  Of course
 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Having my sweet boy and becoming a momma

16. What song will always remind you of 2013? You are my Sunshine.  It's the lullaby I always sing to Holt and almost always calms him down.
 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(a) Happier or Sadder? Happier!

(b) Thinner or Fatter? This is a trick question.  I was 25 weeks preggo this time last year.  So, I'll compare it to the year before and say fatter.

(c) Richer or Poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Enjoying every minute of my maternity leave and soaking up every ounce of newborn squishiness

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stress!

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2013?   In Tennessee with my family.  Holt got to spend his first Christmas with his cousins and his aunts and uncles and my parents.  It was chaotic and awesome and so filled with love

 

21. Did you fall in love in 2013? Yep, with my sweet sweet little love bug

22. How many one-night stands?  Negative

23. What was your favorite TV program? I discovered the gloriousness that is Scandal.  It's the one show that I'll actually stay up for to watch live.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No.  I try to not hate anyone.  I don't have the time for that kind of negativity in my life.

25. What was the best book you read? Oh gosh!  I read a lot of good books this year!  Ummmm...The Fault in Our Stars.  That book was amazing

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Twinkle Twinkle Little Rockstar Pandora.  Anything that has Hey Ya as a lullaby is amazing in my book!

27. What did you want and get? A happy, healthy, thriving baby
 

28. What did you want and not get?  Nothing that I can think of

29. What was your favourite film of this year? The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
 

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I worked then went to a low key Mexican dinner wit the hubs.  I turned 30.  I did go out the following weekend with some girlfriends and partied it up like I was 21 though! 

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Can't think of anything.  That's the funny thing about getting what you've always wanted.  It's kind of hard to top it.

 

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Stretchy and comfortable!
 

33. What kept you sane? My hubby and my mom. 

 

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Aaron Paul.  Love him!
 

35. What political issue stirred you the most?  Not much.  I'm not a super political person, so I try to ignore it as much as possible.
  

36. Who did you miss? My family in TN.  Always
 

37. Who was the best new person you met? Definitely Holt.  He's the best person I've ever met.
 

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.  Sometimes life doesn't turn out how you plan it.  Things don't go according to plan.  All you can do is hold on and enjoy the ride.
 

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

40. What are your resolutions for 2014?  I usually don't do resolutions.  But this year, I will try to stress less.  Things always have a way of working out in the end.  And, if they don't, I'm learning I'm strong enough to deal with whatever life throws at me.  I'll also work on remembering that!

9 Months!

My sweet little 9 month old got me sick, so my apologies if this post doesn't make the most sense ever.  My head is a little cloudy from all the medicine.  And snot.  Lots of snot.  Yum.

Anyway, H turned 9 months old while we were in Tennessee visiting my family for Christmas.  So, the pictures weren't taken until yesterday.  And we didn't have his well baby visit until today.

8 months vs. 9 months

Developmentally, he's exactly where he needs to be.  He's growing and learning new things every single day.

For weight, he's right at the 50th percentile at 20 lbs 11 oz
For weight, he appears to be leveling out.  He's 28.5 inches long in the 55%
His head, thank goodness!, is also leveling out.  It's still big - 18.5 cm (inches? I have no idea!) and in the 89%.  But, as the doctor said, it just means bigger hats.

He's a great eater, and will eat everything we give him.  He's at about 3-5 bottles a day and 3 meals.  He's on level 3 baby foods.  The doctor said to start giving him more finger foods.  He's got 5 (almost 6) teeth! So, he can handle more foods.

He's pretty much always in a great mood.  He's so smiley and happy.  He giggles more and more and babbles all the time.  I swear, I could just listen to him talk and giggle all day long and do nothing else.

Such a goof

He is soooo close to walking.  He can stand, unassisted and unsupported, for a few seconds on his own.  He cruises around on everything.  WHen he's not doing that, he's crawling all over creating.  He's so curious and I love it.

He doesn't really dislike much right now.  Although, during his cold last week, you'd think someone was murdering him anytime they tried to clean the snot situation going on in his nose.  But, aside from that, he's good.

He's loving his B Zany Zoo Cube he got for Christmas.  As well as his doll that we've been referring to as the "murder dog".  It's this stuffed V-Tech dog that lights up and talks.  However, when it says "it's learning time!" it really sounds like "it's murder time!" and it'll go off at weird times.   He loves to read books every night before bed.  He's also graduated to the big boy tub and no longer uses his infant tub.  It took some getting used to, but now he loves it as much as the other.

He's in size 3 diapers, still.  For clothes and jammies, he's in 9 months, or 6-12 months.  I can't believe he's already getting so big!  He's got a long torso, so a lot of the one piece things and overalls don't fit as well any more.  This morning, I had him in a fleece vest that was quickly veering into belly shirt territory.  Maybe he just has a milk gut?  LOL

This face!

He can wave bye bye and occasionally say it too.  He says mama and dada.  He gives kisses and I live for that.  I also love when he's cuddly and just burries his face into my neck.  That's my happy place.  He's starting to clap when we say "YAY!" and he could play peek a boo all day long.  He even holds a blanket over his head and will lower it when you say "where's Holt?".  Then he just cracks up.  He loves to have his chubby thighs tickled and  will laugh and laugh.  So, naturally, we do it all the time.

Sweet little Boo,

I love you so much I can't even stand it.  You are so much fun and we just can't get enough of you.  Can you please stay like this forever?

We love you!
Momma and Daddy

These are my confessions*

*You must sing the title from the Usher song "Confessions" - cause that's what I'm doing.

Ok, technically, it should be titled "this is my confession".  Guys, I miss being pregnant.  Like woah.  Sometimes I ache for it.  I loved being pregnant.  I loved every single second of it.  Even when I was big and sore and swollen, I loved it.

I don't know if it's because I had a relatively easy pregnancy, or if it's because I tried soooo hard and wanted it sooo bad, but I soaked up every single second.  I even find myself still resting my hand on my belly, like I did all the time when I was preggo.

I loved having B lay on my belly to feel the baby move.  I loved feeling him move myself.  I loved actually seeing him move the bigger and bigger he got.  I loved how pretty my hair was.  It was so thick and lovely.  LOL  I loved the pregnancy glow.  I loved the cute preggo clothes.

Seriously, how great does my hair look?  LOL

And, now I miss it.  Basically, I have pregnancy fever.  Do NOT confuse that with baby fever.  I definitely do not want another baby now, if ever.  I am so madly in love with sweet little H that I'm not sure I ever want another baby.  But, boy could I be pregnant again.  It was the best 37 weeks. 

I miss it so much I've actually given serious consideration to being a surrogate.  However, since I didn't have a normal healthy pregnancy, I'm out of the running.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll give in and decide I'm ready for #2.  But, right now, I'm content loving my sweet boy and missing being knocked up.

Merry Christmas!!!

I just love this time of year.  Although, admittedly, the past few years, my house and the holidays seem to have a love/hate relationship.  Prior to this year I had only decorated once in the past 3 Christmases.  Oddly enough, the one I did decorate for, we weren't even home for it.  I'm a strange bird.

However, since it's sweet H's first Christmas, this momma had to get it together and really make things festive!  We decorated last weekend.  There was a brief moment where we thought we lost our decorations.  But, B found them and saved Christmas!  (actually, I found them.  He just crawled into the attic where they were.  Not a chore I wanted, so he gets credit.  Sort of).  H did a great job hanging out in his pack n play watching us decorate.  And, so far he's not really interested in the tree.  The presents, on the other hand, are very fascinating to him.  Sadly, only two little board books are for him. I figured, his grandparents will get him more than enough and he has so few needs.  So, we will wait till later years to really go all out.  He won't really notice this year anyway. 

This weekend, we took him to see Santa.  He was all decked out in his holiday finest.  And, by finest, I mean an adorable outfit that I bought for this specific outing that he won't be able to wear again.  He and Santa had matching bellies and the pants were more like capris.  He did so good with the big guy though.  He sat there and smiled like a good boy.  He even cried when I picked him up off Santa's lap.  Such a little ham.  The girl doing the pictures took a ton because he was doing so good.

This coming weekend, we will celebrate Christmas with B's family.  Then we head off to celebrate with my family in TN.  I.  can't. wait.  We will be there the whole week.  I absolutely adore my mom's house at Christmas.  That coupled with my family for a whole week makes my heart smile.  I can't wait to see H with his cousins now that he's mobile and interactive.  It's going to be the best.

Love this.  Aside from the fact that he looks like a ginger.  He's not.

 

My handsome med waiting to meet Santa
 

This face

 

It's Santa!  I know him!!

I hope you all have a very wonderful and Merry Christmas!!!

8 Months

Ok, time you can slow down now.  I do not appreciate you speeding faster and faster toward the one year mark.  I just can't handle it!

My little guy is getting more and more fun by the day.  He's got so much energy and personality.  I am totally loving this stage.  He cracks us up constantly and has the most infectious smile.  He's pretty much happy all the time.  He rarely cries unless he's hungry or sleepy.  He's on the go all the time.  Much like his daddy, he's not content in one place for too long.  He's crawling all over the house exploring everything.  If we catch him, he just looks at us with a huge grin that basically says "do you see what I'm doing! This is awesome!"

If he doens't like what's going on - he will let you know!  We've taken to sticking him in baby jail (his pack n play) and if it's just too confined for this free range baby, he will yell at us until we let him out.  At dinner last night, I was dropping water in his mouth with my straw and when I quit, he yelled at me again.  He's definitely opinionated and wants things his way.  Not sure where he got that from...Yeah, it's me.  Definitely me.

 

 

Loves
Food. This little piggy eats whatever we put in front of him
Being free and mobile
Standing up
Musical toys
Being tickled (his thighs and his neck get the biggest and best giggles)
Playing Peek A Boo - this guarantees a laugh every single time

Hates
His carseat.  This does not bode well for our 9 hour road trip we have next month!
Getting changed.  He's forced to be too still for too long

Milestones:
Waving hi and bye bye
Saying Mama and Dada and we're convinced Bye Bye
Playing Peek a Boo - he will cover his face and move whatever he's covering it with
Quickly (like a millisecond) standing without holding on to anything
Using a sippy cup with no handles

My sweet boy:

I can't even believe how much you're growing and changing every single day.  Your daddy and I love watching  you learn and experience new things.  You are so curious and love to be out and about to see everything that's going on.  You are such a happy little guy. You smile so much and we're getting some great giggles these days.

Love you so much boo,
Momma

And, since we were at a football game all day the day he actually turned 8 months (the pictures above were from the day after) - here's a picture from the actual day of.

How awesome are his hat and shoes!

Catch up - in Instagram pictures

I am the world's worst blogger and for that I apologize. But, basically my life is boring.  I go to work, come home, play with the nugget, go to sleep.  Rinse and repeat.  Nothing too crazy or exciting.  So, in the effort to post more than just the monthly recaps of H, here is a run down of everything that's been going on the past few weeks.  Presented in Instagram pictures.  Full disclosure - it's only in IG pics because when I hold my phone upright to take a picture, it sends it sideways and it won't turn in blogger.  At least I can't figure out how to make it do so.

Holt has been crawling everywhere.  And when he reaches his final destination, he pulls up on the nearest whatever.  It's both adorable and exhausting. 




Exhibit A.  He's also realized that this is where we keep his toys...

 

 

The box is much more fun than the toys.  And keeps him contained!

 

Is this not the sweetest thing!

 

B was out of town all weekend and this momma was exhausted from chasing H down all over the house.  So, it donned on me.  Baby jail.  Our Pack N Play was in the living room (collapsed and in it's bag).  I figured why not set it up and put his toys in it and see what happens.  He loved it!  He can still pull up in there, play with his toys, and see us.  It's a win win all around.

I have too many toys and they must all go in my mouth!

B's mom bought him the most ridiculously adorable winter hat a few weeks ago.  One morning it was actually cold enough for him to wear it.  B was out of town so he needed a picture of the cuteness.

And the adults have even had some fun!  Sometimes it's hard to have our own fun and be grown ups.  But, it does happen from time to time.

B's parents are moving and in the process have cleaned out all their stuff and given away what they can.  We managed to nab a side table.  And 3 bottles of champagne.  Win!  So, last Tuesday, I decided it was Champagne Tuesday!  I'm trying to make it a thing.  Feel free to participate.

B decided to hijack Champagne Tuesday and add Whiskey

And then...best thing ever.... this happened on Wednesday

 It was freaking amazing.  B got me tickets for my 30th bday back in September.  Best gift ever.  I've loved JT for a long time.  Not ramen hair phase long, but a long time.  So, when he announced he was coming to Raleigh I knew I needed to go.  And, since I have the best husband ever, he surprised me.  I took a girlfriend and we met up with 2 other friends.  It was the best girls night ever.  He played for 3 solid hours.  Well, minus his 10 minute set break.  But he's 32 and needs the break so F you.  Those were his words, not mine.  As a fellow potty mouth, I found it endearing.  He was so so so amazing. It was well worth the exhaustion and bad hair the next day.  In the words of my friend A who went with me: there was no amount of coffee or dry shampoo that made Thursday ok. 

So, that's what's been going on with me.  What's going on with you?


7 Months

My sweet little dude is 7 months old already.  7 whole months.  He's now closer to a year than to a newborn.  It's just nuts to me.  I know I say that every month.  But, I still just can't believe how fast it's all passing by.  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was at home on bed rest?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was holding my sweet teeny little peanut in my arms wondering how my heart wasn't going to burst from loving him so much. Although, for the record, the only thing that's really changed in that scenario is that he's not longer a teeny peanut.  My heart is constantly about to burst from loving him so damn much.  I just can't believe it all is flying by.

We call this his gentleman pose.  Or his ladies man pose.

 

He is growing and changing every day.  It's like all of his milestones are coming fast and furious.  He's mommy's little over acheiver!  He's got such a sweet little personality.  He's happy all the time.  The only time he cries is when he's hungry or tired.  I am so happy about this development since he was so fussy in the early days.  Even our babysitter mentions how different he is and how much fun she has with him now.  We have play time every evening after he eats dinner.  We tickle and talk in funny voices and he giggles and smiles so huge.  Heart. Bursting.

Such a difference. Look how chubby he's gotten!!

 

Loves:
Being mobile (see milestones.  There are a LOT)
His bouncy
Food (little piggy!) - especially fruits and things that are mixed (vs. single flavor items)
Going on walks
Snuggles
Baths.  Always baths.

Monster Jams.  Love them!

He's started crinkling his nose when he smiles

Hates:
You know, not much these days.  Even getting lotioned after his baths don't piss him off anymore.  KNOCK ON WOOD!!!

Milestones:
2 teeth!  If you look super close to the bath picture you can kind of see them.
Crawling
Pulling up - first to knees now to standing.  The crib coudln't be lowered soon enough
He knows what "give me a kiss" means and will lean in and "kiss" you. 
Mastering his pincer grip.  Although getting food to his mouth is another story....
Leaning into or away from a person when he's being held.  It's usually into me and away from someone else and I kind of love it.

Now that he's crawling and pulling up on everything, he's constantly on the go.  He will not sit still for anything.  I keep joking that with my overacheiving-ness and B's penchant for recklessness/adventure we are so screwed witht his kid.  He's hardly even whimpering when he falls over now.  He has even learned to stand on stuff to reach the top of the coffee table at daycare.  He's a little daredevil already!  Also, I feel like 7 months is really young to be able to figure that out.  Apparently not.  I'm not ready for him to be so grown.  But, I absolutely LOVE watching him grow and learn and be curious.  It's like you can actually see him learning and discovering and it's the coolest thing ever.

He did this all by himself.  And hung out for a while just standing there

Sweet little Boo,

I can't tell you how much fun we're having with you.  You are such a curious and adventerous little dude and we're loving every minute of it.  You are so happy all the time and give us the biggest smiles.  One of my favorite things is when you are crawling or have pulled up on something - you look back at me with this big accomplished grin on your face.  It's almost like you're saying "Hey mom, did you see me?!"  You talk all the time and it's the cutest thing to hear.  Sometimes you like to start yelling and it sounds like you're yelling at us for something.  It's hilarious.  You've started to notice the dogs and they could kind of care less.  One day you and Hippo will be BFF though.  I just know it! 

I love you so so so much!
Momma