Already?!?!?!?

He's 7 months already?  How did this happen so quickly?  

I haven't taken his 7 month pictures yet.... bad mommy.

So in the meantime, here is the bath one again ... but this time in black and white!

-Carmen

Sitting up …. CHECK!

Holden has had a lot of firsts lately, so let’s get caught up.

Jordan and I thought he would never hold that big ‘ole head up on his own while balancing on his bottom. We have watched several babies in the same age range poised and sitting pretty for weeks. Surprise! He is officially sitting up completely and freely. One day he couldn’t do it…. and the next, bobble headed baby was imitating a tightrope walker with arms spread wide, and viola!

The surprises don’t stop there. Holden has kicked the swaddle blanket! I put him down on the flannel tortilla to make a baby burrito and he grunted loudly at me, tucked his arms to his chest and rolled off of it. Just like that …. he was done with it.

Let’s see what else…… He is definitely saying momma, but it sounds more like muh-muh, and he saves it for when he is horribly distressed and only muh-muh can make it right. How sick is it that I get a kick out it? He has also added “hi,” and “hello” (heh-woe) to his vocabulary and tries to throw in a wave. He only greets you when promoted and even then, only when the mood strikes.

We have added “eat” and “more” to the sign language vocab. They are working well.

Since Holden does not like water, and we keep offering it to him, he has figured out how to fake like he is drinking it. The little bit that actually makes it into his mouth is collected behind his bottom lip, which he releases in a gush when he thinks you aren’t looking. Sneaky, sneaky.

As I have mentioned before, Holden fake coughs on occasion. We figured out this weekend how that got started. He hasn’t done it in a while so I thought he may have become bored with the dramatics and moved on. WRONG! Mimi and Pawpaw visited and after Holden got reacquainted, he started fake coughing in front of Mimi. Mimi of course gushes, and he smiles ear to ear. So all weekend when he wanted Mimi’s attention he would start “coughing.” Mimi was more than happy to oblige. Sneaky, sneaky.

In the next picture, Mimi is showing Holden pictures of ..... Holden, of course.

One last goodie. Holden sat up in his bathtub all by himself for the first time tonight without any assistance from the infant seat. He was concentrating so hard. So cute!

I’m off to hang out with my hubby for a little while before we call it a night and start another work week.

Goodnight!

In Conclusion….

Friday night, we visited with Nana, Rowdy, Aunt S, and Uncle B. Holden stayed the night so Jordan and I slept in Saturday morning. As usual when Holden stays with someone else, I wake up a dozen times wondering why the baby monitor isn’t working properly.

We met Rowdy to make the “Holden exchange” Saturday afternoon and dropped him off at his Auntie H and Auntie J’s new house. This was his first time being sat on by someone other than a relative or Mrs. B. He had a lot of fun. Thanks, ladies!

Jordan and I proceeded to party #1 for Aunt S’s birthday. The whole tribe met up at Bucca’s for a FEAST. So much food … so little time. We sat at the table with the lazy Susan in the middle. Between Rowdy and Uncle B, you had to be quick to snatch whatever you wanted as it whirled by. It reminded me of those old carousels where you grab the ring as you pass from your fiberglass steed. If you missed, you had to wait for the next pass and you hoped that there were rings left and the ride woudn't stop before you got there.

I could have devoured an entire pan of the garlic bread and been quite content.

We visited with Cousin A, who makes me laugh so hard food often flies out of my nose. She and her hubby had another engagement as well and had to leave early. A, I hope you had a good time at your “wedding” wink, wink, nudge, nudge …….

After leaving party #1, Jordan and I dashed over to his parent’s house to change into our party #2 attire. I have never been both so repulsed and so fascinated by my husband’s appearance. He was wearing a bowling shirt two sizes too small, cut off “come and get me” denim shorts, and hiking boots. Oh, but there is more. He has been purposely skipping shaving the last several weeks for this occasion, and as you can see, he nearly grew a moustache! I tried to shave a “3” in the side of his hair and some zig zag racing stripes around the back. Me – mumu, slippers, rollers, the reddest lip color I could find, blue eye makeup, and moldy mole.

We arrived at BB’s party with Lone Star Beer and Boone’s Strawberry Hill for the hostess. We were pretty late so by the time we arrived, most everyone had shed their costumes … not everyone, but most.

You know that feeling before you leave the house for a costume party …. What if I’m the only one dressed up? Uh … yeah.

Mrs. BB always throws the best parties. She obviously put a lot of thought into all the subtle details, from the laundry drying on the front lawn to the toilet full of artificial flowers. She is so creative! Thank you for including us!

Here are some pics, but I didn’t include any of people that were not us … not sure they want them “broadcast.”

Have a fantabulous Monday!!!!

-Carmen

Favorite Attitude Adjuster

Everyone needs some cheering up sometimes.

Here’s what you do….

1. Go to the nearest bakery.

2. Pick out smallish birthday style cake.

3. Take cake to baker and ask them to write “Happy Birthday to me” on top of the cake. They will ask you, “to who?” Repeat, “Happy Birthday to me.” The baker will ask, “M-E-I?” Write it down if necessary. Be patient, afterall, she could probably use her own birthday cake. (Do you eat birthday cake when you make them? Seems like you would rather eat rocks if you were making them all the time.)

4. If she can scribe your request in icing immediately, move on to step #5. If you have to wait your turn, make your way to the dairy section and pick up a gallon of milk. I recommend skim in this scenario. That makes it “diet cake.”

5. Retrieve cake, proceed to checkout, head home.

6. Put on whatever song makes you happy. May I recommend Vampire Weekend’s Cape Cod Kwassa Kwasssa (opens in itunes.)

7. Do a little dance back to the kitchen. Don’t skip this step it is a mood setter.

8. Pour a ginormous glass of cold skim milk.

9. Cut a reasonable size portion of cake, enough for one person.

10. Set reasonable size portion to the side for your spouse.

11. Place birthday candle in the middle of remaining cake and light it.

12. Make a wish. Say it like you mean it.

13. Blow out candle so your wish comes true.

14. Smile. This cake is your cake and nobody else’s.

15. Cut away a forkful of the fluffy birthday goodness. Let it melt in your mouth. Chase with skim milk.

16. Repeat.

-Carmen

And Another Thing!

I thought I was done for the day, too!


Two posts in one day?

Jordan is working and called to check in on junior and me. I revisited feeding time at the zoo for him, and then realized that it was in fact more comical than upsetting. Oh yes, feeding Holden this evening was tense for mom.

Remember the picturesque symphony of baby, daddy, and mommy melodically enjoying baby's first taste of squash a few days ago? Smiles, ooooos and ahhhhs by the spoonful.


Now picture the opposite of that!

____________________

I don't know if Holden is just too tired or what, but he is NOT digging the squash this evening.

Tears. He has actual tears running down his cheeks as I lift bite after bite of orange sludge to his mouth. Food goes in. Food comes out.

In a particularly physical bit of rage, Holden submerges his hand into the container of squash, grabs hold, and yanks it out of my hand ... in slow motion, but I can't stop it.

(I'm still wearing what landed on my pants. It now resembles mud ... orange mud.)

I try to distract him. I exchange the spoon for a bottle of water. He gulps and gulps until he realizes it isn't milk and then the screaming starts.

Back to the squash. He still isn't into it, he's huffing and pouting, but it's better than water.

Not satisfied. He makes a move for the spoon.

A-HA! I'm on to you this time. You are not getting this spoon.

Fine! You win.

I break out the bottle of milk I had ready for back up.

Baby 1

Mommy .5

Let's remember the sweet cooperative moments from a few days ago. Ahhhh ... Isn't that nice?



Nighty night.

-Carmen

Business in the Front

Meet BB.

BB has a BDay coming up.

BB's very special BDay party has a very special theme.  Can you guess what it is?

Hubby and I are searching for just the right attire for said soiree - that's fancy talk for "get your drink on with a bunch of rowdy boys that grew up together."

Oh so many wonderful options.  I'm considering taking a "wardrobe change" for halfway through the party .... I just can't decide what to wear!  And boy, do I have some lovely ideas for Jordan.  Do we go w!f# b#@t#r tank top or head to toe camo?

Whatever we go with, I PROMISE you will not be disappointed in the pictures.  Expect deliciousness one week from now!

In the meantime, click here for Mullet Madness at mulletmadness.com.

Peace.

-Carmen

Squish Squash

As mentioned, Holden has been partaking of the cereal for a while and now seems to really dig it.

We got the green light from the pediatrician to start him on real food (the mushed up bland textural funny colored smelly stuff considered “real” in baby land.)

Jordan and I decided a long time ago that we want to make Holden’s baby food ourselves. The biggest reason for us is practicality. We lack what they call “the storage” in our kitchen.

Jordan and I also want to leave less of an imprint on Mother Earth and we are TRYING to balance the disposable diapers by choosing to omit the baby food containers … yes, there is a baby food container in the photo … we are reusing all FOUR of the little guys we bought today for the homemade stuff, they are the perfect size.

Honestly, if I was a work from home mom I’d use cloth diapers. I’m not scared!

Back to the food – Jordan fed Holden squash for dinner (shown in picture) and he loved it. I videoed the momentous occasion, but I need to edit the snot out of it. I taped the whole feeding so it is a bit much to post. (Yes, I just said snot … my mom is cringing right now.)

We also bought and pureed our first ever acorn squash for his next meal. We are using the Fresh Baby So Easy kit as our guide. I love the book. It is very honest and I highly recommend it if you or someone you know is interested in making baby food.

____________________

We had a very busy day. Jordan and I worked on a very tedious project in the yard. Covering earth with weed prevention fabric in the wind … in July … at noon … is a wee bit frustrating. I really thought we would be out there for thirty minutes so I skipped the sunscreen. Several hours later I was burnt to a crisp and we didn’t finish. Jordan leaned in for a kiss this afternoon and his pokey whiskers set my scorched skin on FIRE! I still haven’t showered … I’m dreading it. It is going to hurt so bad.

____________________

Other news …. Holden is deliberately saying the syllable “ma.” I’m not going to go so far as to claim that he is associating this sound with me, but it makes me smile just the same to see the effort he devotes to it. He concentrates really hard as he draws his lips in together, hums, and then pushes the air back out.

And a final note, he seems to recognize his own name this week.

-Carmen

Chunky Monkey

Lately, my triceps have been “spazzing” out, I find myself frequently winded, and I have purple “pinch” marks inside my right elbow.


Well, I found the culprit.


Little Man had his six month checkup. His daddy took him, and the pediatrician confirmed what I had started to suspect … this kid is heavy!


In the eighty-some-odd percentile, Holden weighs eighteen pounds and five ounces. And boy is he thick!


I have started pivoting him over my shoulder like a cantilever, at his hips when I have to travel long distances with him … like from the changing table to the crib.


So, Chunky Monkey plus baby carrier equals sore muscles, purple pinch marks, and one winded momma.


The checkup went well. He shows no sign of teeth, but from the size of the dents he leaves in the sofa, I think he’ll live.


He is a stout little fella.


Happy, happy, joy, joy – Holden has started planting open mouth kisses on our cheeks when we kiss his cheek first … between you and me, they are kind of gross with all the drippity drip slobber.


-Carmen

Happy 6 Months!

My favorite thing about life with Holden this month is very selfish, but I can't help it.

Holden shows a very clear preference for his mommy to anyone else in the room.

It makes my heart sing.

Unconditional infatuation.

I love being a mom.

–Carmen

Fireworks & Farewells

We hope everyone had a great July 4th!

Mimi, Pawpaw, my sister and her family, hubby, junior, and I met up to see fireworks.

Holden was really into it! He watched the entire show wide-eyed and never got upset.

Everyone stayed the night at our place.

We had a blast. Sawyer is hilarious! He says “I sorry” to almost everything. Too cute. “I sorry daddy.” “I sorry Pawpaw.” “I sorry kiki (kitty.)”

______________________

Jordan and I started worrying several weeks ago that Holden may be allergic to the cats. He has sneezing fits when Onion gets close (Olive never gets close) and he coughs … not the cold in your chest kind, but the back of your throat allergy kind … and not to be confused with his “fake” cough that he executes with a smile to get attention.

So it is with bittersweet emotion that Onion and Olive have moved out. My incredible sister jumped at the chance to invite them into her home.

It was really sad packing up their food, bed, and toys. They are such good girls. I keep “hearing” the bells on their necklaces (that’s what Jordan calls their collars because they are so prissy) and I “see” their slinky shadows moving past …. sigh…..

I sorry kikis.

-Carmen

Tweety & Baby

On Mrs. B's suggestion, we took pictures of Holden this morning with one very patriotic Tweety Bird.

Holden was very interested in the blanket. Alas, he did not look at the camera.

-Carmen

Flying Pigs in Blankets

Holden is almost sitting up all by himself!  We were concerned that he would forever push his forehead across the floor, so this is welcome news!  And yes, Holden just may be the palest human on the planet ... I wonder who he gets that from.

Now it's storytime......

Jordan is a mellow man.  Not especially talkative or forthcoming with emotion.  He is in his space ... and you can be there, too ... just over there .... So twice a year my dearest hubby surprises me.  (He also opens my car door once a year, on my birthday.)  Jordan is very calculating and he needs time to work out the details, weigh the pros and cons, and research.

We are nearing the end of June so I knew a surprise had to be coming my way.

I woke up early Saturday morning a few times to soothe junior (me thinks he is preparing for teething.)  By 7am or so, I was so tired I really couldn't hear him anymore.  Jordan got up to take over.  (Saturday is usually my sleep until 8am day.)

I glanced at the clock repeatedly and chanted ... you know the one ... get up, get up, GET UP!  Five more minutes mom.

A little after 8am the door to our bedroom blows open and pigs began flying about the room ... ok so I may have been somewhere between awake and asleep.  I bolted up from beneath my blanket and started to yell, "I'm up!  I'll get the baby!"  Jordan interjected with, "Good morning ... breakfast in bed?"  and he placed a warm plate of doctored scrambled eggs and biscuits on my lap.  I was confused.  Where am I?  Am I dead?  

I muttered, "I've never had breakfast in bed before," as I rubbed my eyes to see if it was really Jordan standing before me.

Jordan leaned in to kiss my cheek.  "Enjoy!  The baby is screaming, so I've got to go."

I mumbled with a mouth full of eggs, "no don't .... well ok ... " as I took a mighty bite of biscuit.

So I sat peacefully in my most favorite place in the whole world, turned off the baby monitor, and savored every morsel of food and quiet.

This was truly a wonderful surprise.

I have the best husband.

-Carmen

22 Days

I was watching one of those real estate shows where this guy lives more than a 2 hour drive from his work ... that is ONE way .... for a JOB!  He had to get a place in the city where he stays during the week and then drives home to spend time with his wife and kids on the weekends.  They were looking for a new house closer to where he works. 

So I did a little math ......

I spend an average of 22, twenty-four hour days, each year in my car going to and from work.  

I'm not whining or complaining ... I just find it fascinating.  

Add it up, you might be surprised how much time (and gas) you devote to your daily commute.

Seems like we could do a lot of "important" things in 22 days.  

If I chose to spend that time differently, I'd do something selfish like workout!  

I think I'm causing global warming......

So how many days do you spend going to and from work each year?  If you could trade it in, what would you do with the time?  I'd like to hear from you.  Post a comment!

Happy driving!

-Carmen

The Swaddle Monster

I think we have created a monster!

On average a baby prefers to be swaddled for the first 3 months before left to their own devices.  Many like to be swaddled for 4 months.  A few enjoy the comfy cocoon until they are 5 months.  And then there is Holden.

I have tried periodically during the last few months to go swaddle-free at night.  Alas, he has a terrible time falling asleep and staying asleep.

Tonight was no exception.

He grunted, punched, rolled, and squealed in disapproval for a good fifteen minutes before mommy swooped in to rescue him from his arms.  "HELP ME!  My arms are attacking me!"

As I begrudgingly straightened the only blanket still big enough to barely contain him, I had flashes of a thirty-year old son of mine tossing in bed .... wearing footy PJs of course.  

Then his dear wife says, "Hold still.  If you don't put your arms down I can't wrap the blanket tight enough."  Holden, the spitting image of his father, is sticking out his bottom lip and pouting as she tugs the flannel covered in teddy bears around his inherited barrel of a chest.

I can hear her thoughts .... "I'm going to strangle your mother."

Oh, did I mention he has to have his pacifier too?

-Carmen

Holden in a Red Hat

I promise we haven't dropped off the planet ... just oh so busy!

Here is baby boy in his kicky new red hat.

-Carmen

Poo Happens…

… and sometimes it happens in the bathtub.

So much of daily life now revolves around …. hmmm… well … you know. Have I packed enough diapers? Will there be a changing table? Is Holden going to be fussy if we don’t wait for an “event?” Everyone is staring … it was the baby!

I’m the girl with the sensitive gag reflex. The item in question doesn’t even have to be particularly disgusting …. to most people. Refried beans … buh-lah!

I am fascinated that what is considered rude and inappropriate in polite ADULT society is perfectly reasonable in baby world. And now for the first time in my life I just shrug my shoulders and deal with it … no hand over my mouth, no turning of my head, no running and screeching in horror.

I did not have a contingency plan for such an incident in the bathtub, though … I do NOW!

All I could think was, “I am so glad this happened on mommy’s watch!” I’m quite certain if daddy was faced with this unexpected scenario, someone would owe me some new fancy guest towels.

To all the mommies and daddies out there that have been wrangling nature with style and grace much, much longer than I have … I take my hat off to you, bravo, good show, splendid work!

PS
Bless the individual who created the DVR. I didn't miss my favorite show, SYTYCD in spite of Holden's valiant attempts.  Four of the finalists are from Texas!

-Carmen

Rain Rain Come My Way

I was looking for some photos at work and came across this one, and I wanted to share.  I was shooting the cover for our seasonal catalog way back in 2005 and these precious cutey pies were splashing around in the mud at the end of our session.  This picture always makes a bad day better for me.  

I miss playing in the mud.

-Carmen

Happy 5 Months!

My favorite thing about life with Holden this month is how interactive he is. When he is laying near me on the couch, he will scoot himself over so we can cuddle. He reaches out for your hand (or hair), "talks" and laughs almost constantly, and has started playing with small toys like rattles.

You see some of his new blonde hair in this photo.

-Carmen

Look What I Can Do

This just in!

Holden flipped himself over without assistance from his tummy to his back ...  then he rolled to his side ... back to his back .... and back to his side!  It all appeared very deliberate ... no flailing!

Such a busy day for such a little guy.

-Carmen

First Swim

Thank you B&H for inviting us over for grub and a swim, today.  The food was super yummy and thank you for letting my tired little merman nap on the couch.

Holden had his first swim! I can't really tell if he liked it. He didn't really react at all so I guess he didn't HATE it.  

The froth on junior's mouth ... spit bubbles.  He was making "motor boat" sounds. 


-Carmen

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Holden was super talkative this morning at 6:30 am and mommy was not ready to get up. After Holden polished off a bottle, I put him in bed with me. He continued to talk for a while then finally we both fell back to sleep. Jordan arrived home from his shift and crawled in bed with us so we could all snuggle. Holden thought it was time to play, though.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

-Carmen

ethel MERMAN

Some happy thoughts to follow yesterday's post....

I have many nicknames for Holden.  

Stinky McStinksalot

Jabberwocky

Sir Smelly Pants

Poopy McPoopsalot

Munchkin

Punkin

Tooty McTootsalot

Sometimes I get him confused with the cat and call him Onion

I have a new one...

Merman.  

This week he has started linking his ankles together and pushing his legs out straight.  It looks like the mister version of a mermaid.  Then he points and flexes his feet.  The kicker is when he does it in the bathtub.

Silly Monkey

-Carmen

The Tippetts 3

We plan and march like ants driven by our missions and tasks.

Urging on with blinders.

Breathing in. Breathing out.

Lists in one hand. A list of our lists in the other.

Dodging bump and pothole. Ducking beneath the low branches.

Sun comes up. Sun goes down.

Control.

I mentioned “surprises” in a recent post. Jordan and I found out last week that our family was going to be blessed with another niece or nephew.

Sawyer had on a “Big Bro” t-shirt on during our Mother’s Day trip to my mom’s house to announce the happy surprise.

Funny how things can change in one week, as we press forward in our single file lines…. heads straight and facing front.

I don’t even know what to say and I don’t want to speak for my dear sister, but this week’s news is much more somber.

We plan and march like ants … driven ….

Click here for her story……

I was listening to a DJ this morning talking about a band, Death Cab for Cutie and how they don’t polish out all the kinks and flubs from their recordings.

In a saccharin world, I found this somehow refreshing. What a novel concept. Humans being human …. What? What’s that? Imperfect? Imperfect in PUBLIC? GASP!

The DJ ended his comments with, "can you tell where they messed up?" I concentrated looking for what was "wrong" instead of loving everything that made it right. And no. No, I couldn't tell.

I admire my Sara and her strength.

“These things happen.”

Yes, but it still hurts, and hurting …. hurts.

And sometimes being real and vulnerable when EVERYONE is looking is just what we need.

Repeat after me, “I am human. The bumps will get in my way and I will stumble. I will nosedive into a multitude of potholes. I am going to be ok.”


Now, go hug your momma. Go hug your kids.


-Carmen

Look Ma, BOTH Hands!

We have started quasi-spoon feeding.  Once or twice a day, we attempt to give junior a bit of cereal.  Calling this stuff cereal is actually very misleading.  It should be called mush, or gruel, or ... nasty.  

Step 1 - shove a little nasty into Holden's mouth.  Step 2 - Holden smacks his gums, wrinkles his nose, giggles, and shoves it back out with his tongue.  Step 3 - Repeat Step 1.  Continue until you are so grossed out you need to step out for a little fresh air. 

This kid talks and laughs a LOT!  If this is any indication of his future personality, we either have another Rowdy or Mi Mi on our hands.

Our dear son held his bottle through an entire feeding by himself, today.  I think it was a fluke, but we will test it again later.

I have been under the weather this week... way under the weather.  I can't talk today, a touch of laryngitis (I didn't even have to look that word up!)  My mom was forced to discover the wonderful world of text messaging.  I had to miss cousin H's grad party, today.  Sorry, H.  I really wanted to be there.

Well, we've got another busy week ahead of us and the laundry STILL isn't doing itself.  

Funny story - My husband was disappointed that I took away his "magic" laundry basket when we got married ... when he lived at his parent's house, he put dirty clothes into the magic basket and they reappeared washed and folded.  

We all have our dreams.  I now have a magic toilet seat that seems to open up on its own when no one is looking.  I could do without THAT magic.

Have a great week!

-Carmen   

So Many Firsts, So Little Time

We have been very busy bees!

I’ll start with Holden’s new tricks.

Holden has become so fascinated with the tools we call “hands” as mentioned in the Happy 4 Months post.

He has been making attempts to hold his bottle for a while, but now it is much more deliberate. Last week, he was holding his bottle (mommy balanced the end of it on the tip of her finger, like training wheels) as he watched his hands intently. Holden pulled the bottle away to take a deep breath. When he was rested and decided to continue his meal, he tried to replace the bottle, but instead missed his giant mouth and squished it into his nose, then his cheek, then his other cheek. Mommy laughed momentarily before assisting. A few days after that …. same scenario … this time he was chasing the bottle. Holden’s face was leaning forward with mouth wide open, but his hands were also moving forward as he grunted. Mommy laughed some more.

This one might be my favorite. Also mentioned in previous posts – Holden loves his bath and “bath” is one of the two bits of sign language we use with him. He has been showing great excitement when we sign “bath” to him and then hold his hands to make the sign again on his chest. Now when we make the sign for “bath” he pulls his fists to his chest all on his own in anticipation!

Holden has been placing his arm over his mouth to hold his pacifier in place, and when it falls out, sometimes he picks it up with his chubby fingers and puts it back in his mouth.

When Holden is super sleepy, he takes his giraffe blankie (or burp rag, whichever is within reach) and covers his eyes to shield them from the light.

This is a not so good first … Holden received round 3 of vaccines which resulted in a very high fever. He has also developed his first cold complete with snot and coughing. It is so sad to watch him like this. He has been sleeping almost all day and isn’t eating much. Poor little guy is wiped out.

Over the Mother’s Day weekend (or first Mother’s Day,) we visited with my parents. Holden finally met my Pawpaw (another first.) My sister, brother-in-law, and Sawyer were all there. Sawyer has also been very ill lately, but I think they have it under control now (cross your fingers.) He took a nose dive off of a bench and broke his fall with his face the day before they arrived … you can see the marks in the pictures.

Holden gave me a rain shower head for Mother’s Day. Ironically, Jordan has been regrouting the tile in the shower this week, so I won’t get to use it for a while … but it sure is shiny!

I feel like I am rambling, trying to get caught up….

I’m leaving out some other goodies, but they are surprises (no I am not pregnant.) More later…..

Here are the Mother’s Day pictures … none of me and Holden … I forgot about that.

Happy 4 Months!

My favorite thing about Holden this month is that he seems so interested in his hands.  Before, a hand may make it's way to his mouth, or it may not.  Now his hand is intentionally placed in his mouth ... his whole hand ... to the point of gagging.

-Carmen

Saturdaze

A friend from work was married this evening.  I joined the usual suspects for the show.  Perhaps one of you lovely ladies can contribute a picture?

We had a blast.  It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen.  

This afternoon I tried to put on my standard wedding attire only to find my halter dress fits my "mommy" figure much differently than it once did.  So I reluctantly found slacks that fit and a brassiere and top that didn't.  

Holden and I made a mad dash through Dillards looking for replacements for the latter.  I found a top, but my ill-fitting bra was a little too ill.  Bolted over to intimates.  All the while Holden is laughing at me as I am panting and rushing from one shiny black strapless to the next.  Eureka found one!  Please let this fit, please let this fit.  In the dressing room I start explaining to Holden the finer points and burdens of being a female.  He laughs some more.  I said, "be glad you are a boy," and he tooted so loud and triumphantly I was afraid every lady in the dressing room would think it was me.  He is definitely a boy ... and completely unburdened.

-Carmen