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!

4 Months Old!

Hard to believe it's been 4 months already. He had his check up on Friday and the Dr asked me if it seems like 4 months. In some regards I can't remember life pre-Holden and on the other hand it has flown by. His appt went well. He's 15 lbs, 2 oz (57%-tile) and 25.5 inches (74%-tile). The Dr said he's doing great and that I can start him on solid food whenever I want. What an adventure that will be, especially since I plan on making my own. I think we'll wait a few more weeks for a variety of reasons. He got 3 shots and was his usual little trooper self. I still felt weak just seeing the needles but I'm getting better. Good practice for all the stitches and broken bones which are probably in our future.
Loving the bunny

Eating the bunny

And the paper

Waiting for the Doctor

Watching Bruce Springsteen on YouTube with Daddy

A little concerned about his dinosaur feet

Hittin' the Gym/Bon Voyage to Grammy & Ernie

The ridiculously cold weather continues so we were very happy to get out to the Tiny Tykes class at My Gym this week with Riley and Marlene. We loved it, or I should say I loved it. Holden is probably still trying to figure out where in the world he was and why he was bombarded with songs, movements, and swings neatly packed into 45 minutes of craziness. I was very impressed with the "coaches" and was amazed how they can easily transform the room into so many activities, including a car wash where the babies ride on toy cars through pom-poms and punching bags with bubbles while the hit song "At the Car Wash" played in the background. It was quite a workout for me too which is a good (and much needed) thing. Rob joined us for the Saturday class and was equally impressed so we signed up for a 10 week session of 2 classes per week starting Jan 26. I'll take him during the week and the 3 of us can go on the weekends (or Rob can take him and I'll use the massage membership Rob got me for Christmas!) In addition to having fun at the class, I'm glad to learn some different things I can do with Holden when we're home too. I think he's a little bored with the current circuit of activity mat, bouncy seat, swing, jumperoo, tummy time and repeat.

Today we were treated to a visit and de-lish dinner courtesy of Grammy & Ernie before they head south on Wednesday for a month. They'll be in SC, FL, and on a week long cruise to the Carribean. I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out how the 3 of us can sneak ourselves into their luggage. We are excited for them but sad for us - we will miss them!! Since Grammy will be gone on Valentine's day Holden got to open his V-day gift a month early. Thanks Grammy & Ernie for the (9month!) sleeper, slippers, and Elmo Loves You video!

Finally, we'd like to congratulate Matt & Emily on the arrival of Jack Mason today!!! We are very excited and can't wait to meet our new little cousin. A link to their blog (baby staffaroni) is on our Friends & Family list. We look forward to seeing pictures and watching him grow.

In the ball pit with Riley and fellow gymster Jack
Taking a break for some thumb time

Working out on the teeter-totter with the Coach

Enjoying a ride in the jumper/swing contraption

And on the real swing

Coach Mike's puppet show

Stylin' earlier in the week

Trying to stay warm

Still trying to stay warm

Celebrating Valentine's day a month early

Loving Elmo Loves You

Modeling Ernie's hat

Um, a little help here.

Blah Winter Days

Lots of time has been spent indoors and we're all going a little stir crazy with these blah, gray days of winter. The only snow we've had is some flurries. If it has to be so cold and gloomy we wish we could at least get a few flakes out of it to make things interesting (especially since I don't have to worry about commuting to work anymore). But there are signs that spring will soon come...the PGA kicked off this weekend (which is a big deal in our house), we saw bathing suits for sale at the mall, and we are contemplating which branch of the tree in our front yard will support a baby swing for Holden. If we can't have nice weather at least we can dream about it.

To fill up some of our time while we wait for spring, we are going to My Gym (no, not my gym - I haven't been to one of those in years), but My Gym for kids tomorrow with friend Riley to check out the Tiny Tykes class. We're also going to a baby program at the library next week and maybe Baby Pictures, which is a baby friendly movie theater. This is all right up my alley...not too much but something to get us out of the house and around other moms/babies. Oh, and a good reason for me to skip wearing sweats for a day or two.

Holden is chugging right along. He's really using his hands alot and has discovered my hair and earrings, both of which are fascinating to him but not so fun for me. He is drooling like crazy and is starting to put things in his mouth. He's sleeping 10 hours straight at night and has a pretty good morning nap routine. The afternoon is still a crap shoot but I am sooooo happy with the night schedule that I don't even care how the rest of the day goes at this point. Less than 2 weeks until he turns 4 months old...how did that happen?

Enjoying what little sun we've had

Yummy bird toy thing

Mall date with Riley

Making a funny face at DaddyPlay time with Grammy

Supporting the Eagles in honor of the Staffaroni's

But letting us all know he still likes the Redskins better