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!

THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

Deidre and Mary Martin are back after their long summer trip. (George Robert will be back in a few days) . We went over and hung out with Deidre's mom and them the other day. Holden was fascinated by Mary Martin. He would smile at her and talk to her. They will be good friends, I know. We had a great visit and are happy to have you back in town! It was great to see you too, DD!!

Mary Martin helped buckle Holden in! HOW CUTE!!! She is so precious and growing so fast!

BELATED BDAYS

HAPPY BELATED BDAY GRAMMY AND GRAM! WE LOVE YOU!!

11 weeks.....

Holden's 11 week stats-

13 lbs. and 24.5 inches long
I felt so guilty this morning. Holden woke up in the BEST mood. He was giggling and smiling. He had a good night without a lot of reflux and was a happy boy. I fed him and got him dressed because he had to go to the dr. for round 2 of his first set of shots. He was smiling in the waiting room and didn't mind when they weighed him. He even smiled at the nurse as she was giving him his oral rhotovirus vaccine. BUT that changed once she got him with the shot. It broke his heart and mine, too. He calmed down and gave me the "why did you let her do that to me mommy" look as I put him in his car seat to go. He fell asleep on the way home and has been napping off and on ever since. I did get some pics before we went.

Before the doctor.......

After the doctor (and 11 week monkey photo shoot)

"Enough already mama! Feed me and hold me!"--Poor baby!!

what's been going on lately!......Long post!!

I have waited until I have a lot to post again! Sorry! Here are some pics of Holden. He is so much fun!

Cooling off after being out in the heat at out first play date.

Thanks Jenny for letting us come!

Blue-eyed boy

Swinging and smiling!

Watching the mobile & trying to figure out how to get those things down.

Talking to mommy.

Chillin' in my bouncy seat!

Mama making me have tummy time. (he isn't a fan)

"I'M BORED MOMMY!!"

Chillin' in my bouncy again watching the Franklin cartoon.

"Hey mama...check out my muscles!"

What a smile!!!

He already had me wrapped, but now he makes my heart melt when he smiles at me!! Just wanted to share with ya!

Another collage!

Holden is growing too fast!! We love this little boy so much! Isn't he precious??!!??

9 weeks old and shots! (July 10)

O.k. so I haven't had a chance to post because my lil man is keeping me busy, but I am loving it!! So, please forgive the multiple posts! I have a few things to share!!

Last Thursday, July 10, Holden turned 9 weeks old and we celebrated with our first round of shots!! Poor baby! (or should I say poor mama?) He had a great check up. He is growing well and is above average in the weight category- 12.2 lbs! He cooed and talked to Dr. Brooks and put on a show. But then the shots came. We only received half then and go back for the other two next Thursday. Yay- more fun! It broke my heart when he started crying! (yes, i had tears too but managed to hold it together!) I was able to calm him down and he fell asleep. Thank you Lord!! Here he is showing off his big ole band aids!

Lots of firsts!!

The past two weeks have been filled with some firsts for Holden.

1. On his six week b-day, he and I had our first outing together without any help. He went with me to my 6 week check-up. Dr. Meck loved getting to see him and I LOVED showing him off!! I am so blessed to have such an awesome doctor!! SHE IS THE BEST!

On this day we all went out for dinner for the first time together...we went to Newks and sat outside b/c Holden loves being outside. When we got home, we went for our first stroller walk around the nieghborhood. Bless his heart. He was out like a light when bedtime came!!!

2. Holden got to grill out with his daddy. Well, not exactly but we were able to sit outside with Jack as he grilled. The next night we had our first dinner guests since Holden arrived. Our great friends, Jeremy & Sarah, came over and ate with us. Won't be long before their little one, Anna Claire, will be here to join us!!

The grill master and his mini me!!

3. Holden has started talking!!! Well, not actual talking, but he is babbling and cooing and it is precious! We noticed it one night when he was sitting in the bouncy seat. He started "talking'' to the birds attached to it. It was precious! He also realized during this time that if he kicked his legs he could make the seat move. He was kickin' it like Bruce Lee after that.

Talking to the birds

"Hey mommy. What are these things??"

Worn out from the kicking and talking!

4. Smiles and expressions!! He has started smiling a lot and he makes the cuteset expressions. It is almost as if he knows what you are saying. We love watching him and talking to him! He loves to be sung to and I act silly for him all the time. We are having soooo much fun!!

5. Acid reflux!!!! So we aren't too happy about this one. Bless his heart! It is so hard to see your child hurt and you can't do anything to help. He is on medicine now and we go to the doctor this Thursday for shots-:( and to see about the reflux.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am a mommy who may share a little too much detail about her child's life but our families read this and want to know the details. AND I love being a mom!!!