4 months old- September 8

4 months old- 15lbs and 11.5 ounces

Holden was 4 months old on September 8. He has the best little personality and is starting to discover a lot of things around him. He is so strong and wants to sit up so badly! His new things are blowing bubbles, playing with his monkey and cookie monster, playing with his newly found feet, and talking nonstop in the cutest little voice. He seems to learn something new every day. We think the prevacid is beginning to help him with the reflux. When he feels good, he just plays and giggles!! Can't believe it has already been 4 months, but they have been wonderful!!! Happy 4 months lil man!!! You are loved sooooooooo much!!

Cutie pie!! OUR greatest blessing!!

Loving his cereal!!

Chillin' with his new friend cookie! He LOVES him!!

Watching football--he LOVES it!!

Yum!! Yum!! Cereal is good!

Holden had his first cereal feeding Sunday night. Due to his reflux, he now takes prevacid, and we give it to him in his cereal. At first, he was a little hesitant, but quickly decided he liked it. He did so good and was so precious! We kept with the theme of the weekend by wearing a MSU bib(thanks Bootsie!) when he ate.

At the beginning of his feeding.....

At the end of his feeding...he loved it!! How cute is that face???

We love this little boy so much!!

Big Weekend

We had been looking forward to our first MSU game for so long because it would be Holden's first MSU experience. Poor baby and I ended up at the doctor's office Friday morning because he hadn't been able to eat or sleep well for most of the week. One thing I know about baby boy is that he LOVES to eat! So, when he couldn't and cried because he wanted to, we knew something was up. He has been on medicine for a while for reflux and it had helped most of the time. Well, the reflux has gotten worse and we have stepped it up on the meds(Prevacid). Hopefully, once it gets in his little system soon, he will be better. While we were there, she went ahead and gave him the first round of his second shots. So, now the reflux and shots made him not feel well. But, sweet little man still charmed the ladies at Walgreens when we went to get his medicine! Needless to say he was worn out by the time we headed to Starkville. All mommy wanted was for him to feel better! Well, bless his little heart...we gave him malox and tylenol and he went to sleep at about 8:45 and slept until 4 am!!!!!!! I checked to make sure he was breathing a few times because he was so sound asleep. He and I both needed that!! :)
We got up and while I got ready to go tailgate, Jack and Holden watched college game day together on ESPN. I got the cutest pics of them!! Meme and Bossy also played with Holden while we were getting ready. I must say, Holden looked extremely cute in his MSU outfit. We walked around and introduced him to lots of friends and by game time, he was exhausted. He wouldn't nap all day because he was watching everything that was going on. He was so good although the only pics we got of him make it look like he was not interested. Hopefully we will get some better pictures of him this weekend. Meme took him back to their house and we stayed and watched the Dawgs win.(THANK GOD!) Here are some pictures from our trip.

My boys watching college gameday.

Mommy and her Little Bulldog!

Family Pictures

Uncle Brad and Holden-

(Brad is Jack's good friend, and he has been so sweet to Holden!)

Uncle Brad, Holden, and Maren

Sunday with Meme on the swing- Poor baby was worn out!!!

15 weeks-August 28

15 weeks old
Little man weighed 14 pounds 10 ounces on his 15 week birthday. He is so precious!! Here are some pictures of what he has been up to. Enjoy!!

Bear skin rug fun- Holden really likes playing on this furry bear. If you look back at an earlier post titled Naked Baby Alert you can really tell how much he has grown. He really likes playing in his diaper only!

"Hey mommy. Take this outfit off so I can really have fun!!"

"Thanks!! I'm having fun now!!"

"Hey daddy! Check out my six pack abs!! Jealous, aren't you??"

Olympic Practice

He is so cute after he wakes up or when you change his diaper because he puts his hands over his head and stretches like he is about to do a filp or dive into the water like Michael Phelps.

He is sooooo long! Looks like we may have a tall boy!!

The Jumparoo- His feet barely touch the ground, but he can make it move. I know once he can touch the floor, he'll be jumping all the time! He likes to play in it for a little while at a time now.

"Hey mommy! This is pretty neat. "

So precious!!!

His stuffed monkey- Because we are already teething, he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. Here are some pics of Holden showing the monkey who is boss.

Shout outs to the family

WOW! A lot of celebrationg has been going on around our house. MeMe and Bossy(Jack's parents) celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 24 and MeMe's birthday was on August 27. She came down and spent the day with us. I made her lunch and Jack, Holden, me, and her had lunch together. We ate on our pretty china and used our silver. It was fun to get to celebrate with her and use our nice things. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!! We love y'all!!!

Grammy and Gram(my mom and fireman) came down for the weekend to visit and celebrate their anniversary on August 31. We had a great weekend with them and they babysat for us each night. Jack and I got to go to dinner Friday night with George Robert and Deidre to celebrate Deidre's birthday, and we went to watch the MSU football game with friends Saturday night. Thanks Grammy and Gram! Happy Anniversary! We love y'all!!

14 weeks- August 21

(He isn't as big as this picture makes him look. The outfit is a little too big but we it is so cute!! )

Holden weighs 14 pounds 5 ounces. He is a HEALTHY boy!!!

Holden is now 14 weeks old. Time flies when you are having fun and boy are we!! It seems as though he learns a new trick each day. His smile is unbelievable and melts all our hearts(especially mommy's!!). He loves to babble and coo A LOT!! He is so smart though because whenever I try to catch it on video or let the grandparents hear him on the phone, he stops. The minute I turn off the camera or hang up the phone, he starts again! He talks to the tv too! He doesn't watch that much, but he is fascinated by the colors. He loves other kids--guess its because they are on his level. I LOVE the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 on TLC about a family of twins and a set of sextuplets. I get some good ideas from Kate. Back to my point--Holden talks to the little kids on that show. SOOOO cute!! He is in constant motion when in his bouncy seat or car seat or on his back. He kicks and wiggles and kicks and wiggles. He can follow me across the room with his eyes and hold a rattle. I think he is doing well developmentally. You know the teacher in me comes out each day--we have times each day where we work on our motor skills and hand eye coordination. Its really playing, but productive too! He still isn't a big fan of tummy time. I saw a thing at good ole Wal-Mart that lifts them up off the floor(just a little) that we may have to get. He likes strolling and watching his mobile(that he talks to). He has GREAT head/neck control, which is really good. He will sit in his highchair(which looks like it is swallowing him) when I cook dinner or clean the kitchen, and he got in his jumparoo for the first time today! He likes it but is still a little unsure about moving in it. We will start rice cereal in our night bottle tonight which I am happy/sad about. Happy because he will get full and it will help with his reflux---Sad because it means he is getting bigger! I am sooooo glad that he is healthy and growing so well, but he is my baby and time is flying by! As I have said before, Holden is such a joy, and we are so blessed!!!

In his highchair-

"Is this supposed to entertain me?"

"O.K.--I like this but that toucan is a little scary mommy!"

Holden's new friends- A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Sue Rives' daughter Jenni and her two beautiful girls came over to help me with some decorating(I shouldn't say help...Jenni did all the work while I played with the kids!) They were such a joy and I really enjoyed visiting with Jenni. She is a super mom to her girls and is a sweet friend. I only wish I had gotten a picture of her to post. Holden loved the visit and said to come back soon. THANKS JENNI!!! I really appreciated it!

Trevor with Holden

Tatum, Holden, and Trevor

Welcome Anna Claire!!!

Our good friends, Jeremy and Sarah Smitherman, welcomed their first child, Anna Claire, on Monday. Holden is so excited about his new friend! Jack and Jeremy became great friends in med school (so did Sarah and I) and they both are doing their Anethesia residency together at UMC. I have a feeling our families will be doing a lot together over the next few years!! Congrats guys!!! She is a doll!!

Christening- August 10

Being a mom is such a wonderful gift. Holden is such a joy, and Jack and I are truly blessed. Standing in front of the altar, minister, and church congregation as we watched Holden being christened and pledging to raise him in a Godly home was such an amazing and emotional experience! What an honor to make our committment as parents to the Heavenly Father from whom our little miracle came. Thank you God for loving us and for our little man!

Holden's Godfather, Will Estess, and his sweet wife Maggie were unable to attend. They are expecting twin boys ANY day! We missed y'all, but we look forward to meeting Ethan and Chase very soon!!

I created a slideshow of christening pictures. It was such a special day! We had the Christening and Holden wore Jack's christening gown(so precious). Then Jack's parents hosted a beautiful luncheon at the Country Club, which we appreciated so much!! I wish I had taken more pictures. I didn't get any great pictures of the tables at the luncheon or of every guest who shared this day with us. Jack and I apprecited everyone taking time to be there with us. Hope you enjoy watching it.

Disclaimer: I am aware that I mispelled altar in the slideshow. I will fix it once I have time to do so. Sorry!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sip and See- Saturday, August 9

Holden is dressed and ready for the party!!

Sweet Mrs. Beverly Grant and Mrs. Pam Wilson hosted a Sip and See for us. It was so lovely and we had so many visitors. I only wish I had gotten more pictures! Thank y'all for hosting this for us, and thanks to everyone who came!!

Below is my first slideshow!! It was so easy and took no time at all!!! Hope you enjoy!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

3 months old(August 8)

(3 months and happy!! We gave the monkey a break this week!)


WOW!! Three months already! I keep saying it, but time is flying by!! Holden is growing and changing so much! He weighed 13 pounds and 10 ounces on August 8. That weekend was very eventful! We had a sip and see in our honor on Saturday and Holden's Christening and luncheon on Sunday. Thank you Lord for our precious baby!!

12 weeks-Thursday, July 31(a week late ofcourse)

Happy Baby!! Things have been really busy for us! Jack has been working a lot(more nights recently)so Holden and I have been playing a lot and hanging out. That's why it has taken me a while. We have also been visiting with my friends who have been getting ready for school to start. Holden has already spent a lot of time in a classroom. He even took a nap on top of one of sweet Sue Rives' tables. Don't worry. I was right there and he was in a secure snuggle buns that my friend Stephanie's mom makes. They are great for traveling. Holden is so much fun! He is cooing and talking a lot more, has lots of strength in his little legs, great control of his neck and back, and is growing too fast!! It is hard to put into words the joy he has brought into our lives. God has truly blessed us! We have a sip and see and his Christening this weekend in Clarksdale so check back for those pictures and for his 13 week picture(which today is 13 weeks). Hope you enjoy.

12 week photo shoot--

"Oh, it's you again."

"I'm trying to sit like the monkey mommy!"

"You're silly mommy!!

"O.K. I have had enough!"Pre-photo shoot:
Chillin' in the bouncy seat

"Please don't make me do another photo shoot!"

Other pictures from the week:

Look at that physique!!

Hanging out with my buddies Susan Puckett(Bootsie) and Sue Rives(GG)

Napping on his first visit to school in GG's room :)

Too tired after his day at school

Chatting with Mary Martin

Taking his bath in the next position! No longer a newborn !(he loves it!!)

Prayer Request

I will be posting Holden's 12 week pictures and some updates on him in the next day or so. I wanted to ask for your prayers for my friend Cindy and her unborn baby girl, Emily Ann. Cindy is about 19 weeks along and has had some complications. She is at home now, but she is on STRICT bed rest. The situation is scary, but God has really had his hand on her , her husband(Mitch), and two year old daughter(Emma). I pray that the Lord will give them faith, strength, courage, hope, and patience throughout this time. Thank you for your prayers! I will keep you posted!