Did you give up on me yet??

It has been waaayyy too long since I last updated. We have been insanely busy here. Lots going on over here!

A quick run down...
Wyatt is 18 1/2 lbs. He's 8 1/2 months old now (wow! how did that happen??). He is sitting up on his own and can low crawl at a pretty good speed. He can usually get to something he's not supposed to faster than I can catch him! He's so close to crawling that I expect it any moment now. He has spoken his first word, "Up." Meaning, pick me up, I want to jump, I don't want to do this any more... UP UP UP works for all of those things. He has also learned "uh-oh" and enjoys saying that over and over since it gets reactions from everyone!

Right now, the poor kid has an ear infection and bronchitis. We have already completed one round of antibiotics for the ear infection. Nine days later and the ear is still infected and now he has bronchitis. We have changed antibiotics and hopefully this will kick it. Please pray for him to feel better soon. We are flying to Colorado to see BamBam and Grandpa H this weekend and it will be a much better trip if he isn't feeling sick.

Wyatt still is a pleasant little boy who smiles at every pretty girl he sees. Makes it hard to get things done quickly when he's flirting with every girl in Target! We get stopped a LOT. Of course he turns on the charm for all of them. He's such a big flirt--I'm already dreading adolescence!

Today we woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow!! Wyatt doesn't feel good, so he wasn't very interested. However, I took about 150 pictures (I'm not exaggerating) and enjoyed the views while they lasted--until about noon! haha!

I am going to try to get better at updating this thing. Here is a picture to tide you over until next time. :)

Pumpkin Patch, growin boy, and more!

There has been a lot going on over here! We've stayed VERY busy. It's nice because it makes the time go by much faster.

Wyatt had his well-baby check this week. He's doing fantastic! He's 16 lbs. 5 oz. He's slowed down a bit on his weight gain, but he's getting quite long. He's 27" long (I think--I cannot remember clearly). The doc is happy with how Wyatt is doing.

Wyatt can sit up with support now. Not quite on his own yet, but he's getting close. We've finally put up the crib and he seems to like it for the most part. He sleeps a bit longer and he seems to be more comfortable.

Unfortunately, we have entered a new phase with lots of crying & screaming. It's wearing me out. For over a week, he's waken up in the middle of the night (between 1-4am) to just scream and cry at me for an hour. I'm exhausted. He's also become very clingy lately. If I leave the room, it's just devastating to him--at least that's how he carries on. Driving me slightly crazy. I'm guessing that this is teething and we just have to get through it. I just need some super human strength.

He's started eating more and more real food. I have some jarred food, but mostly we just mash up whatever we are eating and give him rice cereal. He LOVES to eat with us. He gets quite adamant that he needs more and more. Very rarely does he indicate fullness. He loves to eat and is always up for more big people food.

We went to the Pumpkin patch last weekend (well, the Pumpkin tent really). He had a great time! Poor kid was subjected to mommy with a new lens to play with. He took it well and I think I got some fun images. Enjoy!!

6 months old!!

Where does the time go? Our little man is 6 months old already! It's hard to believe. On one hand, it feels like he's always been a part of our lives, on the other hand it feels like he just barely got here! We have had a very big 6 months since Wyatt joined us. It's kind of hard to believe. Quick run down of what Wyatt can do these days:
He rolls to travel (even getting himself stuck under the couch, cornered by the door, stuck under gpa's saw horses)
He's eating cereal every day
He can almost hold the bottle by himself (for his daily apple juice--we are still nursing)
He laughs easily
He's very ticklish
He is a drool factory
No teeth yet, but they are working on it (hence, the drool)
He loves his bouncer (both the johny jump up and the stationary bouncer)
His favorite part of the day is when I take him outside
His favorite songs are: Jesus Loves Me, You are My Sunshine, Animal Crackers, Teddy Bear Picnic
He's almost out-grown his cradle (and that makes mommy sad)
He's a very happy boy 90% of the time. The other 10% he's royally TICKED OFF!! (it's kind of funny... as long as you're not stuck in the car with the angry screaming).
He is starting to respond to his name

I think that's it. :) Here are some pictures I took today to mark his 1/2 birthday... It was interesting. He was not at all interested in posing. Poor kid! haha!!

Enjoy!!




Ok mom... this is enough, right? Are we done yet?


I give up. Can we do something else?


Ooohhhh, DIRT!! That's different!

Yummmm, cereal!

A few weeks ago, I finally gave in and let Wyatt try cereal. He so desperately wants to be a big boy and join us at dinner. We started with oatmeal, but it's a bit heavy for him. We are doing rice cereal now and he's a very very happy camper! He loves eating off of a spoon! I think I could give him mud on a spoon and he'd happily eat it just because it's eating like a big boy. He seems to think he's ready for steak.

Here a few pictures of his first bites of cereal. He was very happy until I took too long to re-fill the spoon. Then he got a bit grouchy. haha!

Growing, growing, growing!

My baby is growing up!! I hate it! I love watching him learn and grow, but I want him to stop!! This week, we started solid foods. He LOVES it!! He's been very interested in eating and watching us put food into our mouths. He gets rather grumpy at the table when we are eating and he isn't. He kept trying to grab at my food, and that helped me decide he was ready for cereal. I didn't want to start it until 6 or more months old, but he was so ready. I'm unsure as to if I like it or not. He spits up all the time now. He had quit doing that. Now it seems like he's spitting up all day long. And it's slimy. Not loving that. Plus.. the diapers are stinky now! I really enjoyed the non-stinky nursing-only diapers!

He's not sitting up yet, but he sure wants to. He's been rolling to travel. The other day he had a blow out all over the blanket on the floor. I got him changed and set him back down on the floor. I wrapped up the blanket and the pj's he had soiled to put them in the washer. When I came back to the room, he was gone!! I had to catch my breath for just a second. He had rolled himself under the desk! He was quite proud of himself too. So far, he's gotten under the desk, under the couch, out of the living room & into the hall, wedged in the saw horses (still remodeling over here). The problem is that he gets stuck because he can only roll in one direction. He gets rolled into a corner and then hollers for me because he can't get out.

Cory & Wyatt are best buds. Cory just has to walk by and Wyatt will break into a big smile. Wyatt always reaches for Cory and Cory tolerates kisses, slobbers, pulled hair, and more. Cory will just snuggle up to Wyatt on the floor. It's adorable! Cory is very protective of Wyatt too. If there is any thing/person/dog that Cory feels is a threat, he gets between the threat & Wyatt and squares himself up. He's growled a few times. It's kind of cool to see!

Everything is going really well. Time seems to be flying over here. Before I know it, another week is gone. It's nice that the deployment is going so fast. However, it just goes to show that once you have kids, time becomes jet-fueled.

The zoo...

We went to the zoo quite a while ago. However, I just got the pictures off the camera tonight. I know, I'm a big slacker! We've been staying super busy. It's all good things for the most part.





Wyatt did great at the zoo! He just looked around and took in all of his surroundings. He was very curious and very alert! It was quite warm in Tucson that day and he got frustrated with the heat. We would soak the muslin blanket and give him a bit of evaporative cooling. That helped a bit. He hung out in the stroller and enjoyed seeing everything. He didn't make it through the whole day--he was asleep by the time we got to the bird display!

Wyatt's stats...

We saw the doctor yesterday to do his 4 month shots. We are a month behind, but that's fine. The new doc is WONDERFUL and he did a complete check up of Wyatt. Right now, He is 15 lbs, 8 oz. He is 26.5" long. His head is 44.5 cm around (this kid has a big noggin!). He is in the 33%ile for weight, but in the 76%ile for height. He's gonna be a tall, skinny kid with a big round head! He has the perfect shaped head to be bald... which is good since he IS bald!!

He did really well with the doctor yesterday. He smiled and talked to the doc the entire time. He had a new nurse practitioner with him and she observed and then checked him over too. Wyatt really liked her and smiled pretty big once she got there. He's already a big flirt! He sees a pretty girl and lights up. Of course they come over to smile back at him and just encourage this behavior! I'm dreading jr. high & high school already. :)

Growing some gills....

Wyatt loves the water! Every time we start a bath, get in a pool, or get near water he is excited! He kicks his feet and starts talking and is nothing but smiles. Here are a few pictures from our adventures in the water.








We are doing well! We are settling in Arizona. Wyatt is finally starting to feel more comfortable and I'm hoping that means he will start sleeping at night again. Yesterday he hit 5 months old. Where does the time go? He's getting really big. His eyes are starting to get darker--I'm a little sad about that. I really loved those baby blues! He's always smiling and has started to really find his voice. Today he just has been making noises to see what they sound like! I think he's going to be a lefty. He always reaches for things with his left hand, he jumps in his jumpers on his left foot, he always manages to get the left shoe off... Maybe he's taking after his Gpa Holt (a lefty).

Wyatt LOVES the johnny jumper and his little play center. He's not quite sitting up on his own yet, but he sure wants to! He's been very interested in things I drink, so I've let him start drinking from a cup. It's mostly messy, but he keeps wanting to try! For now, we are still nursing and that's it. I'm not quite ready to introduce foods yet, though he's ready and very intrigued by eating. It's just me that's not quite ready for my little boy to be big enough for that yet. Wyatt also loves playing with and talking to the dogs. Cory is always catching Wyatt's attention! He gets to play with his cousins most days and it's fun for all!

I'm doing pretty good. I have been staying incredibly busy. I've been very tired, so my list of accomplishments is pretty small. I think we've finally got my rooms settled down the hall. Now it's just a matter of getting everything put in a place and getting some pictures on the walls. I've seen a few friends, but have many more I want to connect with.
Eating at daddy's favorite restaurant... enjoying his favorite sandwich!

We're still here!!!

I haven't blogged in forever!! Things have been so so so busy! It's been one big thing after another. All in all, we are doing great! We are getting settled in at mom's house. I'm still unpacking. Wyatt is growing like a weed and seems to be changing every day. Here are a few pictures to whet your whistle. I will try to update with some fun stories or a real update soon (heavy on the TRY).



Enjoying his new play station! He jumps & plays the whole time!

first drink out of a big glass! He was trying his hardest to grab it from me, so I let him have a try!
Hanging out with Hannah at a rest stop.
Having his apple juice--and trying to be independent! (He can't hold his bottle yet, this was a quick moment without my hand... but he's trying!)

Wyatt is a growing boy!

We just came back from Wyatt's 4 month check up. He did fantastically!! He was a bit grumpy since he didn't sleep hardly at all last night and was refusing to nap. So instead of being his happy, smiley self, he looked at the doc with his lower lip out on the verge of crying the whole time.


He came in at 15 lbs, 2 oz. and 24 3/4" long. He is in the 60th percentile all around. He's very healthy and gaining well. The pediatrician said we could start rice cereal, but I think we are going to hold off. There is absolutely no reason to right now. He's healthy, he's gaining weight well, he's happy. I don't think we need to introduce solid foods. She said that it was just for "practice" to learn how to eat with a spoon and when he's 6 months, I need to introduce veggies. She mentioned that many breastfed babies have a hard time transitioning to spoons so that's why she suggests the rice cereal so that he can take to solids a bit better in 2 months. I asked if there was any real hurry or deadline and if he had trouble and didn't really get it down until 9+ months then is that a problem? She said no. Since he's doing so well, I think we are just going to stick with what we are doing for now.

In the last 2 days, Wyatt has starting rolling a LOT. He has started using rolling as a mode of transportation. It's wierd to set him down and when I look back, he's not where I left him! He's starting to scoot a bit too, but its not realy intentional. We are staying with Adriana right now and Wyatt is getting some quality time in with his girlfriend in. She is still stealing his pacifier and smashing him with love. It's adorable!! He is much happier when she is around. The only sad part is that when one of them cries, the other one gets very sad too. So, we get crying in stereo. It's still adorable. Right now as I type, she is trying to shove his pacifier up his nose and he's grinning from ear to ear. She loves to rub his head and tries to grab the peach fuzz that is posing as his hair. He likes to hold her hands (though, it may just be to keep her hands from stealing the pacifier... we're not sure).

The next few days will be very busy. I will be out of the area by Friday afternoon. I am looking forward to it, but sad to be leaving so many new and old friends.

Let's get this party started

Well, we have started Iraq Chapter 3 for our family. David got going with no major hiccups or issues. It was a crazy busy day (heavy on the crazy), and time is never enough in these situations. I don't know if I should say "fortunately" or "unfortunately"... but I'm getting used to this and it is getting easier. It's nice to have the confidence in myself to know that I will be ok. I have a plan. I know that it is going to be a good year. David's crew is a fantastic team and I know they are going to accomplish great things and also become a cohesive team. There are several spouses who I have met and we have a great time together!! Today two other girls spent today with me to help us distract ourselves! (We did a little damage at IKEA---yaayyy for retail therapy!)

The day started with a bang. We got up and loaded up the truck with David's ruck sack (I think that was heavier than me!), his duffel bag, and Cory. We all headed to David's office intending to just drop him off. However, a little man named Wyatt decided he was hungry RIGHT NOW. So all of us piled out of the truck and into David's office (including Cory) to give Wyatt more breakfast. From there Wyatt, Cory, and I got BACK into the truck and we headed to the boarding kennel. I got Cory dropped off (and it only took 3 trips to the truck & back--I just don't have a lot of arms--one holds the baby and that means very little room left for cargo). He is spending a few days at the kennel to stay out from under foot with all the packing & moving. After all that, we headed BACK to David's office just in time for lunch. We were able to escape back to the apartment to pick up a few more things to throw into a tough box for David (instead of me having to mail it) and then went to lunch. David wanted Cracker Barrel and some chicken fried steak & eggs. I got a little choked up there as the reality of the day started to settle in. We didn't have a lot of time to be sappy though--it was back to work for David. We got back on post and the flurry of activity began. He dropped off his bags at the gym, ran to the office for the tough box, ran to the TMC to drop off records, back to the gym to put his pocket knives in his bags, back to the office to clean up some emails, then into the van to go check weapons. This is where we went separate ways. David had to go get his weapon, I went to get something to drink and start waiting for him at the gym.

It was more than an hour before David was able to join us at the gym. Once he got there, there was more busyness. We did a casing ceremony of the colors, then had just a few more minutes together. We said our good-byes and then they all filed out to the bus. And he was gone. It was sad, but it was manageable. I tear ed up, but I didn't sob or get too upset. I joked with some of the girls, and then we headed out (after all the buses were out of sight). One of the girls came over last night and we just had a really good visit.

Today I moved us out of the apartment and came to Adriana's house. I don't know what I would do without Adriana. She continually saves the day. I might have to make her a superhero cape!! She came to help get us out of the apartment, and then gave me her giant king size bed to camp out on for the next few days. We decided to get out of town, so we went to IKEA. It's quite an experience!! I did a little bit of damage and had a lot of fun!! It was great hanging out with the girls and it was a fantastic way to divert my brain.

I can tell that there are a lot of people praying for us. It's very evident. I've been doing so well and while it's not been super easy, it's definitely easier than the deployment departures in the past. Wyatt is doing amazing and we are more than ok! I'm sure reality will set in one of these days, but for now we are doing fantastically and just focused on everything coming up. THANK YOU all for your prayers. Please know that God has made Himself known every day and I appreciate all of your prayers so very much.

Wyatt's first birthday party!

Wyatt has a girlfriend. Her name is Elizabeth. She hugs him (well, grabs his head and squeezes it, or she grabs him and lays her head on him--SO ADORABLE!!). She kisses him (well, slobbers him really). She hits him on the face & head in excitement. She steals his pacifiers. It's love. :)

We celebrated Elizabeth's first birthday party last night. Wyatt had a great time being passed around and spend a good amount of time getting "loved on" by the birthday girl. I have a lot of pictures from the party, but our internet at the apartment is lousy. I thought I'd show you a picture of the 3 of us and as soon as I have decent internet I will share more pictures from the birthday party.

David's departure is rapidly approaching and he will be gone very soon. Please keep us in your prayers as we are trying to accomplish all of the errands, spend some quality time together, and enjoy the time instead of stress about how short it is. Pray for David. He's having a hard time leaving his little boy behind. Pray for me to have the strength to accomplish everything next week after David leaves.

A rough day today...

Something I wrote for the book my mom is making:
Grandpa was always a pushover for little kids. No matter how gruff or grumpy he wanted to be, a little kid would always have the upper hand. This was evident in the way he'd always let me (or any of us grandkids) climb into that big brown chair with the brass rivets to sit on his lap for hours on end. He was always inviting us on to his lap, no matter how many of us there were. Grandpa could fit 3-4 kids on that lap!! I remember him taking us on trips to see grandma at her cafe and he'd always get us a donut even when he had protested the entire drive over there that we weren't getting anything to eat, just going to say hi to grandma. The biggest evidence of little kids getting what they want was the candy drawer! It was never empty and if it was lacking in a specific candy, the next time we came over it was magically there. Grandpa would override moms & dads to let us have "just a mug full" of m&m's, or "just one more" snickers bar. Grandpa remained a pushover even with his great-grandson. Even though his memory had started to fade and he was growing very tired in his old age, he lit up brighter than the Central Park Christmas tree when he held my son, Wyatt. That big old tough guy melted and smiled the biggest smile I'd seen since his wedding to Fran. He coo'd and talked and made faces at Wyatt for hours. He reminisced about the times he used to hold me and play with me just like that. He didn't want to share with anyone and it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. That was the last time I saw my grandpa--the grandpa I remember from my growing up years who loved openly and was absolutely enchanted by the little babies that made up his family.

Wyatt loves his daddy!

so much to catch up on...

It has been VERY VERY busy around here lately. There is a lot to update you on and it's not all good news. It's not all bad news, either. Just a lot of news in general.

First, Big Grandpa passed away this week. Thankfully he & Fran made it to their 8th anniversary and she spent his last night with him before he passed. He was in a lot of pain and had quit eating and talking. It's good to know he is finally out of pain. The funeral will be next week and we will not be able to attend. It is very very close to David's departure and it's impossible to be everywhere. I will just have to experience it through pictures. I am just so thankful that I said my "good byes" to him in April when he met Wyatt.

Secondly, things are gearing up for David's departure. We are down to single-digit of days before he has to do some globe trotting for his 3rd combat tour. Our to-do list seems endless, the nights are short, the sleep isn't good, and next thing you know he'll be gone. I had purchased a ticket for my friend, Elizabeth, to come help me drive. This is the first time the Army has changed a departure to give me MORE time. Now I have to figure out her ticket and hopefully it will work out without costing too much money. I haven't had the brain space to think about it.

Our little apartment has had no internet for over a week now. It's driving me a bit crazy since I'm up to my ears in rosters, deployment plans, and more. This weekend we are staying at Adriana & Eric's house to stay with their dogs. It's a nice break from the apartment and it's nice to be able to help them out while they take a weekend away together.

Wyatt is doing amazing! I put him in our johnny jumper this week and he had a great time! He's slowly figuring it out and he likes being upright and seeing all around. The first few times he made himself bounce, he scared himself. After that, he realized how much fun it was! He can stay in it for about 15 minutes before he gets tired. He's starting to giggle and he's laughed once. David wasn't around for when he was laughing, but I'm hoping he'll do it again.










We were in Dallas last week (was that just a week ago??) for some flight training for David. We stopped by to see Aunt June. She's in the hospital for now, but it was a good visit. She was absolutely enchanted with Wyatt and he did great. Aunt June is Wyatt's Great-Great-Aunt. So we told the nurses that she was his "Greatest Aunt June."






Wyatt is getting stronger every day. He's getting better about car rides and starting to state his own opinions. He does not work himself into being angry. He goes from zero-to-angry in about 1.2 seconds. This kid does not mess around. Fortunately, if I solve it quick enough (for example, if it takes me too long to get him latched on to nurse, he's mad... but once he's getting fed...), then he's quickly happy again. HOWEVER, if he has to stay mad for a while, he holds a grudge. The other night we were at a meeting and we left a bit late. He decided shortly after he was buckled in that he was hungry. We had to get home, so I figured we'd make it. He was MAD MAD MAD!! He sobbed like I've never heard before and screamed and got so angry! Even after I had him latched on, he was still mad. He'd take a few bites, break off, look at me and then scream in anger. If he could have figured out how to eat without actually having to touch me, he would have been happy. It took him 30 minutes before he wasn't mad at me anymore. I am thinking that we have a lot of lessons in forgiveness in our future.

I can't believe my time in TX is almost over. On one hand, it seems like we've been here forever. On the other, it seems like we just got here. It's been a big 3 months and I'm exhausted. I'm looking forward to getting to AZ, riding my horse, getting this deployment going so we can get it behind us. I have a lot of goals for this year and I'm ready to get to AZ so I can tackle them. I haven't been able to visit with everyone I wanted. I haven't been able to do some of the touristy things I wanted (the broken ankle didn't really help with that...). I'm ready to get out of here, but I'm sad that what I wanted to happen didn't happen.

There is so much going on here. I have no way to keep you all up. Plus, it's just not that interesting. Just keep us in your prayers as we prepare for David to leave. It will be hard on both of us this time.