Happy 11 Monthday, Holden!

Nicknames: mover'n'groover
Temperament: You are ALWAYS on the go. We have joined the elite group of "hall people" at church. If we are somewhere where you have to sit with us, you will go back and forth between your dad & I just so you can MOVE. 
Things I Could Do Without: If I would have written this a week ago on your actual "monthday" I would have said absolutely nothing! This week you have been ultra whiney either because you got messed up when we stayed at GiGi's for a few days [AC out] or because you are getting another tooth in [FYI as of yesterday, his top tooth popped through a bit. I knew there had to be something!] Besides that, you are perfect! 
Item/Toy We Love The Most: I love your sensory blanket...now only if you did!
Item/Toy You Love The Most: your ladybug
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: everything! you are happy, independent, playful, funny, smiley, sleep well [for the most part], etc etc. I love tickling you in the morning and hearing your baby laugh. It's the best sound. I love hearing your hands clap against the floor when you're crawling to me, it's the best when you reach super speed *clapclapclapclap!* I love that when you hear music you stop whatever you are doing and dance. 
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: Practicing walking with your chair, cords hanging from the computer desk, CDs, standing up on everything, still anything with water, playing with your tongue, and of course--anything you should not be playing with. 
Milestones: You pull up on everything! 


Oh my goodness, Holden, I love you more and more each day. Your dad & I are a little obsessed with you. We have people willing to watch you but we just love to take you with us! You make everything--ok most things--more fun and joyful. You are a ladies man! Everywhere we go, ladies are around my cart oohing and aahing over your eyelashes, hair, and toothy smile. I so enjoy motherhood and you make it easy. Every month is my new favorite age and this month is no different. We love you so much, our little guy.


-Mom

getting ready to celebrate all things holden

[invite by papermints]

My baby boy is turning one next month. My baby boy is turning one next month. I really cannot believe it! Everything is coming together for his party and I can't wait to celebrate with our family & friends! 

The food item I'm most excited about? Milk 'n' Cookie Shooters!

[image from pinterest. let's be friends.]

More party details to come...

-Little Wife Power House

Happy Birthday to GiGi!

My mom's birthday was last week and we got together as a family to celebrate the birth of the most wonderful woman ever. I saw this idea from a friend on facebook and had to copy it. I had to give Holden two baths afterwards but it was definitely worth it. If I were to do it again, I would put the paint directly on the canvas and have him smear it around. I did it on plates and he was more interested in the plates than the canvas so it was difficult to get him to paint on them. 

Happy late birthday to one of my favorite people ever! We love you so much!


-Little Wife Power House

Happy [late] 10 Monthday, Holden!

Nicknames: the conductor [you wave your hands like you're conducting music when you are happy or really excited]
Temperament: You are kind hearted, outgoing, not afraid to "say" what's on your mind, a little short tempered, and HAPPY
Things I Could Do Without: You have started your destruction phase, anything in your path is doomed. You also get mad at me when I take things from you. I could do without those things :)
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Your new toys from Smiling Tree Toys that GiGi just got you! They are adorable! [will post about later]
Item/Toy You Love The Most: The crawling tunnel that we just got you from Ikea. You can crawl all the way through it, you roll around in it, laugh, and just love it. 
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You are just the best baby ever when it comes to running errands. You can run errands for hours and still be happy - no tears. You have been great in the few movies I have taken you to. I love watching you interact with your cousins.
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: The tunnel, bath time, Dad time, your "first words" book, anything that you're not supposed to be playing with, the saucer area on your activity center. 
Milestones: You are officially a crawling machine! You are all over the place. You started pulling up yesterday [did it twice!] and can easily get from laying down/crawling/whatever to the sitting position.


Friday the 13th...dundundun! That was your 10 Monthday and I have to say, it went off without a hitch. Granted, I'm not superstitious [when Aunt Lori found out I was getting induced on the 13th, she immediately asked me if I was going to re-schedule! hope I didn't doom you to a lifetime of bad birthdays.] 


We spent all day doing your favorite thing. Running errands! We ran all over the place in the morning, saw a movie with your Aunt Blair, and hung out in the afternoon. When Daddy came home we went to Ikea and picked you up a chair for your playroom and THE tunnel. We were going to give you the tunnel for your 1-year birthday but when we saw how much you loved it, we knew it couldn't wait. 

See? We just couldn't take it away from you! So it's a "Happy 10 Monthday" present! All I can say is that you are the bomb.com and we love you more than anything. We look at you every night and say to each other that we love you with every part of us and are so happy you joined our little family! Maybe by your next birthday post you'll be walking...SCARY THOUGHT! 


-Little Wife Power House [aka Mom]

Happy 9 Monthday, Holden!

Nicknames: my little guy
Temperament: I would generally categorize you as a very happy baby. You get very excited and flap your arms up and down - it's pretty cute. You still love me most [hehe] but you don't freak out when I hand you over anymore. We are still working on leaving you with Aunt Lori, though. You get mad when 100% of her attention is not on you. I can tell already that you are kind hearted.
Things I Could Do Without: Some extra crankiness due to teething. Still waking up once a night sometimes [when will this end?!] I got up at 3AM to nurse you on Monday & Tuesday and could not go back to sleep. I actually do not mind getting up with you to nurse you as long as I can go back to sleep.
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Your new I Spy Bag...I may play with it more than you do at the moment ;)
Item/Toy You Love The Most: The hand-me-down construction toys that the Guerrero's gave you. You are such a boy!
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You are a much better napper now-a-days! Sometimes I wonder who you are when you take two 1-1/2 hour naps. It helps me get more done and also have some downtime to relax. I love you calling for "mama" and "dada."
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: Walks. It has been especially windy lately so you have been having a ball outside. We go on a walk every day to our "park" and either have a picnic or just sit together on a blanket. It's probably the best part of my day and I'm guessing yours too.
Milestones: You make all kinds of noises now! You can say "mama" and "dada" very well. You said "Hi!" once and as of Monday you started with "lalalala." I love your baby babble. You get up on your hands and knees but haven't started crawling yet. You can pull yourself up to sitting position. You also got your first sunburn this week! Lots of milestones this month :)


Stats:
Height: 28 inches [42nd percentile]
Weight: 17 lbs 2 oz [6th percentile...LITTLE guy!] Your pediatrician recommended avocados...coconut milk...things high in fat content [the good fat] so we tried out avocados tonight...they triggered your gag reflex..gross..TMI? Love you! 
So you're a tall gangly thing...just like your dad :)


Gah-lee. I cannot believe you are 9 months old today. Where did the time go? You will be a year old soon, crawling, walking, running, talking...that's crazy to think about. Of course, there are things that I don't like about each month but I swear you just get more fun. You are more interactive, you love people repeating what you do, you give the best hugs & slobbery kisses. There are [a lot] of days that I wish I could just sleep in...just 30 more minutes...but then your Dad brings you in and I see your face light up, get a hug, and kiss your chubby cheeks.


We could hardly hold you back from the cocoa crispie treat. Even without the fun flame. Every time we let you go for even a second you jetted for the treat. 

We finally got ONE picture but we were close on stand by...

Since you obviously can't eat a cocoa crispie treat, we gave yours to JR. Here you are wondering why this guy stole your birthday treat...

We love you and look forward to your 1st birthday party in July! Plans are already in the works...:)


I have big plans for our guest bath this weekend! I'm really excited. Come Monday we will *hopefully* have a new yard and a new bathroom! Yahoo!


-Little Wife Power House

Happy 8 Monthday, Holden!

 Nicknames: Booger, mr. holden, stinker [that one is thanks to teething], my little guy
Temperament: You will go to other people easier now unless you just woke up or are hungry...then you want momma. You are so talkative! You are great at the "a" sound! You sooth yourself by making noises with your mouth [learned that thanks to a 16 hour roadtrip!]
Things I Could Do Without: Well, I have a lot to complain about this week but that is unusual and none of my complaints are actually your fault. You are teething and we are out of town so the little schedule we had is completely thrown off. You have been up so much during the night this last week and have been crankier than usual thanks to those bottom two teeth coming in. You also broke my necklace this week! I knew it was coming...you love it so much :)
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Your new Montessori Baby Toys.  
Item/Toy You Love The Most: The iPad. You have been especially fond of it since we are out of town and a lot of your toys aren't here. You love to play the piano on it, look at fish in the iPad "aquarium" and play with the rattle game [it's kind of weird but you seem to love it!]
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You are pointing at everything! You figured out how to use that pointer finger this month. You use it to try and get things, to point at parts of my face, to point at people. You also have kind of started to wave. Not really waving, but definitely the starts of it! You are so good with your hands now! 
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: The wind. You put your arms out like you're flying, get a huge smile on your face, and your hair sticks up like a cockatoo. It's just the best. See!

Milestones: You're sitting up so well by yourself. You can sit up forever it seems! You have gotten up on all fours a few times but not crawling yet [stay my baby for a little longer, please!!]


Sorry I'm a little late on posting about his birthday. Vacation has been calling my name. I have tons to write about so I'm trying to get caught up. We celebrated Holden's 8 monthday at my Dad's up in Utah. Had a roast dinner and [more importantly] cake! Holden, we love you so much and you make our lives so much happier with every little thing you do. Hard to believe your 1 year birthday is coming up so soon! 


-Little Wife Power House

Happy 7 Monthday, Holden!

HAPPY 7 MONTHDAY TO THE H MAN. 

Okay, so your 7 month birthday celebrato/dinner was a little more stressful than it could have been. We had Gigi & the Guerrero's over [as usual]. I've been wanting to try this Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich recipe and thought this would be the perfect occasion. I went grocery shopping on Tuesday, purchased all the deli bread, meat, peppers & onions, provolone cheese, etc. Then the morning of your "party" I realize I bought ground beef, not cube steak. Don't ask how I got the two mixed up. I'm serious about this - I've lost my mind since having you. Then right before I'm about to start cooking...I realize ALL of the deli bread I've bought has gone moldy! UGH! This was one day when I was too prepared. It bit me right in the butt. Luckily, I had a few heros of the day who got me the right meat & bread. Phew. I'm lucky to have people like that! 


The recipe says to set the oven to broil and stick the assembled sandwiches in to melt the cheese. Okay, let me tell you. Only put them in for like 30 seconds. I burned the first batch [luckily not too badly...still edible] but I'm like REALLY?! Could anything else go wrong with this recipe? Haha...it's really a pretty easy recipe - I was just having one of those days. We all have those days where nothing goes right. Please say I'm not the only one! The recipe was yummy and I will definitely be making it again. Hopefully with less hiccups next time...


Gigi brought a cookie cake AND homemade creme puffs [which were DELICIOUS!]. What a perfect way to celebrate your 7 month birthday. I can't believe you're 7 months already. I loved you as a little tiny baby...holding you...but you are so fun now. I love interacting with you and watching you learn. You are so smart already and I know you are going to do great things. I can't wait to see what those great things are! We love you to the moon & back. 

Nicknames: Booger, Bubba
Temperament: You have become an even more of a momma's boy in the past month. You are a lot more playful. You are not as serious [although you are still serious] and you like to play. You give people smiles every once in a while now and it's like gold to them!
Things I Could Do Without: Skipping naps. There was one week in the past month that was amazing...you were taking two naps and sleeping through the night too. Unfortunately, that was short lived. Now you sleep for about 40-60 minutes during the day TOTAL and wake up once in the middle of the night. You're often times cranky when we're out and about trying to be social. It's tough to have a fun time when you've got a cranky baby.  
Item/Toy We Love The Most: The Ball Bopper [these balls get shot out, go back in, and get shot out again]. Dad chose this one!  
Item/Toy You Love The Most: The activity center. You play with every single toy on it now and can turn yourself around and around. You've even figured out the toys that have little quirks. 
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: We love how you watch yourself open & close your hand. You love to see how things work and figure things out for yourself. Dad loves how you bite his nose and hold on tight. We love how you lay in bed with us [Saturday & Sunday morning snuggles are the best!]
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: Backyardigans. Squash. Rolling. Your stuffed monkey. Going on walks. My necklace with yours & daddy's names on it. 
Milestones: You've learned how to turn off the light switch. You went swinging for the first time and [as always] you were just trying to figure out what was going on...how were you flying?

Go HERE for The Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich recipe. I recommend it! If you're not a space cadet like me it will be a breeze!


-Little Wife Power House

The Dating Days: Putt Putt & Arcade Games

For Chris' 18th birthday, we took John Robert putt putting for his first time. Putt putting is one of those things that I'm not very good at but really enjoy [much like bowling]. 


Little tidbit about my little bro, Chris. He finds little joy in activities unless he is giving 100% and kicking everyone's butts. I say competitive, Chris says "That's normal, not competitive! Who would want to do something and not be good at it?" This was when we were bowling and I barely broke 50 :) Love that brother. He really is good at everything he wants to be good at. Basketball, bowling, WOW, the list goes on!  He's such a great brother and I can't wait to see what he does in life. 


Back to the putt putt/arcading. JR had a BLAST hitting the ball with the club! He whacked it, he missed it, and whacked away again. Here he is beating us all:

He got distracted by an elephant somewhere along the way...

We played a little DDR...

JR & Robert drove a Mack Truck, terrorizing highways everywhere...

Allan & Chris, of course, were drawn to the shooting games...

We really need to go back. We haven't been putt putting since then! Maybe for my 24th birthday we can go. Hard to believe I'll be 24 this year. When did I get so old? ;) JK!


-Little Wife Power House

Happy Half Birthday, Holden!

Nicknames: The Captain Cappy, Professor Holden
Temperament: You are becoming a mama's boy. I have to admit, though, that I kind of love it. You'll be crying with someone else and come to me and be fine. You watch me walk up the stairs, walk out of a room, etc. You got your feelings very hurt the other night when I passed you to daddy [silly holden. but it was really funny.] You love to laugh and smile still. You are a tough cookie to crack. People will sit in front of you doing really weird/silly/funny things to make you laugh and you basically sit there and stare them down. My little, stoic baby. You are very inquisitive. You don't just like to [for example] touch the cup I'm holding, you want to see what's inside. 
Things I Could Do Without: You're teething so you have been extra fussy lately. Biting...'nuff said.   
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Baby's First iPod aka Baby Einstein's music on-the-go.  
Item/Toy You Love The Most: Your crib piano. You will stay in your crib for 30+ minutes in the morning just kicking it and listening to the music. Thanks for giving Mom and extra 30 minutes rest some mornings! It helps! 
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You are wonderful in your car seat and stroller!! HALLELUJAH! I took you on a walk in the Joovy yesterday and you loved it. Finally I can use our amazing stroller [thanks RTR]! I'm loving you reaching for me. You really do know I'm your momma now.  You have the adorable gummy smile now. 
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: You know, I'm reading from last month and you love the same things but times a million now. You loved the bath before but now you are a wild man in there! You splash, kick, squeal, get water all over mommy's glasses. I loved bath time before but seeing you in there now is way funner! Dad calms you down by singing "Pancho and Lefty". Since when do you love old country? You can also stand for a really long time!
Milestones: You can now roll both ways [front to back, back to front]. You have started to do "push ups" more and more. Prepping for crawling! You can sit up [and by sit up I mostly mean hunched over bent in half. but still!] You've also started solids. So far we've tried green beans & peas. Peas aren't your fav but you still do pretty good with them! This past week you've slept through the night for 5 nights straight! Lovvve it.

Allan's Birthday

Well, today I stayed home sick from church. I started getting sick on NYE at casey&joe's [left before midnight. i'm lame, i know]. I thought it was just a cold, and maybe today was just a fluke, who knows. All I'm going to say is my breakfast came back up this morning and it was gross and I felt gross. My new calling is 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency and today was just an awful day to be sick! The Pres was the only one at church today since everyone else was out of town and I was sick. Did I mention it's the first week of classes changing AND our ward split? Ah, I'm sorry Pres [even though she doesn't read my blog, I feel that terrible about it]. 


Luckily, Holden has been sleeping for about two hours so I've had plenty of time to recover. Hallelujah. I figured I'll blog about Allan's birthday since blogging takes almost zero energy. 


I have to start by saying that Allan is the best husband ever. I was up late [until 2am] the night before working [like I was every night last week] and up multiple times during the night so I was dead tired. He woke up, went to Sonic to get me a huge coke, went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few essential groceries, and picked ME up a present [new tripod for my new, awesome camera Al got me for xmas]. Who gets their wife a present on their birthday?! Allan does. I better hang onto him...


He had some friends over to play Castle Crashers [would you believe I love this game and am actually kind of good at it?]. We played it A LOT when H was overdue. They played it for like 6 hours straight. I don't have that kind of longevity but hey, it was Allan's birthday :)


Then we went bowling with my family. Neither of us are very good, but we have tons of fun. Allan always does these awesome bowling moves. This time he did a 360 spin and got a STRIKE! Can you believe it? I was impressed. Everyone had a great time.

[isn't that the coolest sweater you've ever seen? new nickname: The Captain.]

[lori had to bowl while holding asher]

[playing on the couch]

[my brothers were in town from Utah!]

[had to get a picture with the birthday boy!]

[the whole group. Holden was my "bowling ball"]

Well, Allan, I love you. You're the best husband & father. Thank goodness I decided to date one of those crazy Mormon boys! ;) 

-Little Wife Power House

Happy 5 Monthday, Holden!

Nicknames: TW, TroubleYou, BooBoo, santaholden
Temperament: You are so loving and affectionate! You kind of give "kisses" now [in your own way]. You snuggle into me and reach for me [makes me so happy]. You are funny too...you crack Dad & I up every day [for example, you were making fart noises into my elbow over and over again last week and I was crying laughing so hard]. 
Things I Could Do Without: This past week you've had 3 MAJOR blowouts. In store parking lots. Ew. You've been pretty amazing these last few weeks so I'm having a hard time thinking of things I don't like right now! You are such a good baby. 
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Any stuffed animal. You've started to hug them, chew on them, smile at them. It's adorable. [see previous post for picture]
Item/Toy You Love The Most: Your crib piano. You will stay in your crib for 30+ minutes in the morning just kicking it and listening to the music. Thanks for giving Mom and extra 30 minutes rest some mornings! It helps! 
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You are wonderful in your car seat and stroller!! HALLELUJAH! I took you on a walk in the Joovy yesterday and you loved it. Finally I can use our amazing stroller [thanks RTR]! I'm loving you reaching for me. You really do know I'm your momma now.  You have the adorable gummy smile now. 
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: You know, I'm reading from last month and you love the same things but times a million now. You loved the bath before but now you are a wild man in there! You splash, kick, squeal, get water all over mommy's glasses. I loved bath time before but seeing you in there now is way funner! "Rockabye Baby" is the song that calms you down most when you're upset still. You can stand for a really long time!
Milestones: You can sit up on your own for a bit if you're on my lap. You tried rice cereal for the first time this month. We bought your first pair of Chucks yesterday! And your first bow tie. You're basically a stud.


We didn't end up going to Rosa's for your birthday because we lost a great man yesterday, your Great Grandpa. I'm glad you got to meet him. He was such a loving man. He loved babies and I know you brought a lot of joy into his life when you visited him. He was always there for people - always serving someone. He was such a hard worker and dedicated to his family. I hope you inherit those traits from him. It's times like these that the Gospel brings us the comfort that we need: that he's in a better place, that he's free from pain, that he's with Heavenly Father, and that we'll see him again because we are all sealed together as a family. He's probably up in heaven watching WWF on a recliner :) We love you, Grandpa. 

-Little Wife Power House 

lovefest.

Finally got some proof! They love each other. 

PS Happy 5 Monthday to Holden! We will be celebrating low key at Rosa's tonight. Mom is tired from the party on Saturday and the house isn't clean to have people over anyways. It will be so fun! I love Rosa's Monday. 

[i love this picture because it looks like he's pulling a silly face]

PPS I decided what I'm doing for the giveaway. Keep your eyes peeled for my 100th post!


PPPS I finally bought all of the frames for our "frame wall" at the end of our stairs. I got to order holden's newborn pictures this morning! I can't wait to put everything together...have I mentioned lately how lucky I am to have an interior designer for a sister? She is amazing. My house would not look like it does without her! 


-Little Wife Power House

Happy 4 Monthday, Holden!

Nicknames: Bubbles, Bubba, Holdenbear 
Temperament: You are really interactive now. You laugh and smile a lot when I kiss you and make fart noises [very mature of me] on your tummy. You laughed for the first time this month! You're still a little particular but I think you're getting better. You put a smile on everyone's faces when they see you. 
Things I Could Do Without: Lately you've been getting up 3+ times in the middle of the night (I think you're hitting a growth spurt). You started to clamp down during nursing! OUCHHHHH! I tell you "NO!" and you just smile at me. Urg. You started peeing in between diaper changes again...twice today. Your skin is still having issues and I worry every day about it. 
Item/Toy We Love The Most: Your alligator. I love to see you take it apart. You figured it out right away [ahem, baby genius]. 
Item/Toy You Love The Most: The newly discovered Pooh Bear book. It crinkles...it has teether parts...it has a handle...what's not to love? Oh, and your hands still. You actually prefer your hands over nursing now-a-days! 
Things I'm Loving Most Right Now: You hug me now when I'm holding you. You smile when I say "momma." Your laugh. Doing mini-Superman with you, tummy time [still], cuddles. I love how you follow me with your eyes when I walk out of a room. 
Things You're Loving Most Right Now: Standing. Sitting up. "Rockabye Baby." Rolling from your stomach to your back [multiple times a night]. Kicking in the bath. Talking [Dad had to leave a meeting we were having with the other Primary teachers because you just had so many opinions you wanted to share!] 


We started Holden's 4 Monthday Celebrato with a cranky H. I passed him off to Uncle Robert [who apparently moonlights as a baby whisperer] and his usual birthday pattern followed...

falling asleep before the party begins!

Allan took a break from his 5 day homework binge for a little family time:

H loves Daddy time!

We had burgers, fries, and pumpkin cheesecake muffins [click on that link for the recipe...it is soooo tasty! PeRfeCt for the holiday season.] 

[Happy Birthday to Holden...]

Look how good he has gotten at sitting up! I'm so proud of him! We ended the night with some Mario Cart and H played with the Tesla app on my iPad...addicted already! :)

We always love having the Guerrero's over to our house. We're lucky to have such great family! I got to see my good friend, Sallie, today. I love her. She's so much fun, so sweet, and one of my good friend's future wife. He is lucky to have found a girl like her...and that he somehow got her ;) JK GARRETT! We also took some family pictures this morning with Allan's side. 18 people total! It went a lot smoother than I imagined. Everyone did exactly what the photographer asked of them so it was over very quickly! I'm excited to see them. Our little family took some pictures alone with some goofy props...hello Christmas card picture! 

[sweet picture of H and grandpa]

All in all it was another successful birthday celebration. I know some of you might think it silly to celebrate monthly but I love it. It's an excuse to get together with family, cook a yummy meal, and play games. What's better than that?! 

-Little Wife Power House

Holden's 3 Monthday, Cont.

{Holden and I had a photoshoot on his bedroom floor. I'm in most of the pictures so I'll just post this one of his cute face!}

GiGi and Robert joined us on Thursday for dinner and cake for Holden's 3 month + 1 day birthday :P. We had to do it a little late because Allan couldn't get home in time on Wednesday. Just wanted to post a few quick pictures!

{Holden passed out before we even had dinner so we just took a few quick pictures and put him down for the night. This boy loves his sleep!}

-Little Wife Power House