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.