Thanks Easter Bunny!

Holden got a basket of puffs, juice, a sippy cup, sunblock, and a ball from the Easter Bunny. He also got a basket from Grammy & Ernie with some PJ's, a bunny that sings and dances, a play phone, 2 outfits, and some Baby Mum-Mums (rice crackers) which he loves. It was Easter, Rob's bday, and Masters Sunday all rolled into one fun day.The Easter/Bday goods

Easter morning

Thanks to Ernie for putting the swing up!!

Mission accomplished

Play time with Daddy

Playdate - notice the host is sleeping

Catching some ZZZs on Grammy
Our cute little man

Lots of Laughs

Finally a video to post! 6 months is definitely agreeing with Holden. The fussing has calmed down and he's laughing all the time now. One of the belly laugh triggers is the dogs. Sometimes all they have to do is walk by and he'll crack up. He especially loves when they play with Rob and he's fascinated when they eat. We are being proactive and installing a gate to keep them separated just to be on the safe side - I've heard too many scary stories. And as much as I wouldn't mind if our dogs decided to move in with another family, I must say it's pretty cute to watch Holden discover them...from a safe distance.
He's got a golf outfit. Now he just needs clubs and a few years of age.

We went to Philadelphia last weekend for cousin Jack's baptism and a visit with Great Grandma Cerra.

Like Father, Like Son

First juice

Some smiles with a side of peas

Playing outside with some of his favorite toys

Happy Half Birthday!!!

Holden turned 6 months on Tuesday! He celebrated by being in a great party mood all day - it was heaven. No fussing, no crying - just a happy Holden and very happy parents. He had his check up today and he was 16lbs, 8oz (I think he's over 17 based on our scale but I'm not going to argue with the professional) and 27.5 inches. He got his last round of shots until he's 1 year old and will have another check up at 9 months. Solid food has been interesting...he warmed up very slowly with cereal then dove right in with fruits & veggies for about a week, then went on a hunger strike refusing to eat all solids until tonight. The adventure continues!
Sitting on his own

Happy in the high chair

Thanks for the bath toys, Molly & Lindsey!

Multi-tasking with avocado - dinner and a hair/face mask.

In Like A Lion

Can't believe it's March already. This past week we got around 6 inches of snow on Monday followed by temps in the '70s by the end of the week. We are completely over the cold so we skipped playing in the snow and waited to enjoy some warm outdoor fun instead. Holden loved the warm weather - we sat outside and played with bubbles, went on a few walks, checked out the flowers popping up, and hung the bird feeder on the tree. We hope to have the swing up soon - it's his favorite thing at the gym so I can't wait for him to have his own.

Holden's second tooth is now in...whew, that was rough. We're now enjoying a much needed break from teething until we start again with the top ones. He's doing really well sitting with little support but still gets scared out of his mind when he topples over. He's become very vocal and has a new funny sound (or yelp) every day. We're still going slow with food. So far he's had rice cereal, bananas and applesauce. Some days he's into it, others he's not. We'll try sweet potato, squash, and avocado next. He's also laughing alot which is the greatest sound ever. I'll try to get it on video and post but for now, enjoy the pictures...

Getting up to speed on current events

Tah-Dah...all clean

Playing on the zebra in matching stripes

Rings...the toy of choice

A quick cat nap with a toy in each hand

Morning nap with his seahorse
A little late posting this one

Our new big boy stroller...the city mini

My project - So long old blue...

Hello new door. Next step is to paint the front door red.

Food & Family

A busy week...first we had a visit from Aunt Karen, Kevin, Emily and Erica over the weekend. Holden was still in major fuss mode due to teething so unfortunately they didn't get to see the best of him, but we appreciated all their efforts in trying to make him happy while they were here. Good practice for their little one due in June, just hope we didn't scare them too much!

Secondly, Grammy is back! Ironically that's when Holden snapped out of his crankiness for the most part. Grammy told him she didn't believe me when I said he's been miserable. She's gotten more smiles and happy playtime in 2 days than I got in a month. Guess she has the magic touch. She is now officially banned from traveling for more than a weekend at a time.

Next to report...The boys had a day (actually about 2 hours) out on their own and I was home alone for the first time in almost 5 months. Rob took Holden to gym class without me on Saturday - their first solo outing. I was left running down the driveway snapping pictures like a crazy first time mom and calmly reminding Rob to be extra, extra careful with my baby. I realize their solo trip was a long overdue and I need to let go a little...of course this realization came only after they returned home safely :)

Lastly, Holden sat in his highchair and had solid food for the first time tonight. The jury is still out on whether he is a huge fan of rice cereal, but I would call the first try a success at the very least. We'll do it again tomorrow and expand to fruits & veggies soon. He's also needing less and less of our help sitting up and his tooth is visible with his newly rediscovered big smiles. Can't believe how big he's getting already...5 months on Tuesday!

Hanging out with Aunt Karen and Erica

Showing Emily and Erica his jumperoo

Kylie sporting Erica's headband

The boys driving off on their solo trip and me giving Rob driving advice and detailed instructions from behind the camera. I'm sure that wasn't the least bit annoying.

Riding horsey on Grammy

Open Wide!

His expression says it all

All done!

Chomp!

Well, my guess of entering the joys of teething was correct...we have a tooth!! Holden woke up from his morning nap on Thursday grabbed my fingers and put them in his mouth. I didn't think much of it because everything goes into his mouth these days. I wasn't expecting him to get a tooth so soon so I just about fell over when I felt this unmistakable razor sharp item protruding from his lower gum. It was almost like he knew it cut through and was so proud to show me. I've spent every waking moment since then trying to get a good picture of it but he keeps sticking his tongue out instead. I've been able to sneak a glimpse of it a few times during a quick smile but nothing on camera yet.

This is what I get when I try to sneak a peak

Or this...

First attempt at a sippy cup - starting early since I never got him on a bottle

This is Sophie the Giraffe - technically an expensive French teething toy but could easily pass as a cheap dog toy. I read that babies LOVE this thing and I was desperate for some teething relief so I ordered online and waited patiently for her to arrive. What does Holden think? It's ok at best, his fingers are still top choice (and were free). What do I think? You WILL love Sophie...Sophie is your friend...you WILL love Sophie.

Back at the gym


Hanging out with Riley in the hammock swing

Let It Snow

The Snow Fairy finally paid us a visit this week. Being the good employee that he is, Rob went to work...something I admire him for but clearly don't understand. When I was working I would call the office hotline every morning before even looking out the window if there was even a slight chance of a delay or closing. I was disappointed 99.9% of the time and would have to drag myself out of bed. Not Rob, I told him his office was closed based on the school closings and he laughed and pressed on (must be his upstate NY roots). Plus it really was only an inch or two. So I introduced Holden to the snow myself and realized it was impossible to take pictures other than a self portrait of the 2 of us while I was holding him, and a picture of him in his stroller parked on the snowy driveway.

In other news, I think we have officially entered the joy of teething. He's been pretty fussy, drooly, wants to nurse constantly (with biting - lucky me), waking up in the middle of the night...lots of fun stuff. As my cousin said, why can't they be born with a full mouth of teeth? I don't feel anything yet but I can see the white under his gums. Here's hoping it passes quickly for all of our sakes!

A few gym classes and a playdate with Riley and new friend Jack finished off the week. And of course he watched Bruce rock the halftime show tonight with a little football thrown in.

Trying to contain his excitement before heading out in his 1st snow

A whole lot of effort on my part to get us both bundled up and out and was it worth it? His expression says it all (he's bawling if you can't tell). I should have put a big snowball directly on his teething gums.

Hanging out under my feet in the kitchen

Riding the board swing at the gym with the coach

"Leg lifts" - I need to be participating as well!