a new haircut

I gave Holden what I think is his third "trim" last night. He has kind of crazy hair. It grows longer in some areas and turns into somewhat of a mullet in the back. Don't get me wrong, I love baby mullets. Just felt like time for a trim :) 


Put him in the bath, got his hair wet, and went to work. Doing the front and sides was actually much easier--I think because he could tell what I was doing. The back? aye. It was tricky to get it straight. Needless to say I had to go back and do "touch ups." 


I wanted to show everyone--holden had other ideas. here we are trying to get a picture...

Finally got one--of the back! Only because I snuck up and he didn't know I was there. I couldn't get rid of those little hairs though. I don't have all the tools :) 


A note to holden--I love you and I cannot wait for this tooth to come through. your fiery red-head personality is sure coming out!


-Little Wife Power House

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

how to beat the heat

...if you're a little one

I don't know how the weather is where you live, but here in Texas it is H-O-T. Close to or above 100 degree weather every single day. We've been looking for ways to cool off and I saw a metal tub used as a photo prop somewhere in the blogosphere and thought Holden would LOVE it.

I had the tub left over from our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party 2010 [purchased at Target for $15] and I bought the rubber duckies at Wal-Mart [8 for $2]. 

He started off a little weary due to a little slip but quickly went crazy. I knew he would love this because we call him our "Water Baby." He would not stop standing up though!

Sorry about all of the pictures but I promise, this amount was way widdled down!

Hope you guys are finding ways to stay cool this summer. If you need some more summertime ideas...go HERE. 


-Little Wife Power House

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

starting him early

We were at Toys 'R' Us a week or so ago picking up some birthday gifts for Holden [I love that I can shop for him WHILE he's in the cart! Won't last for long but it's nice.] While I was there I saw this $5 broom and thought I'd get it for our playroom/schoolroom. I knew he wouldn't be able to use it for a while but I picked it up anyways. Turns out, it's the best purchase I've made in a while! 

Holden loves to play with it. And the funny thing is that we caught him "sweeping" the floor downstairs with our adult sized broom! He was actually moving it back and forth across the floor! Gotta develop a love for cleaning early so he can be my big helper later ;)


Cheap toys seem to be the ones that Holden is drawn to most. Or toys that aren't even toys. I took time putting together a box filled with things to play with and what did he actually play with?

That's right, THE CONTAINER! He loved to put it over his head, yell into it, and listen to his voice. 


Hope everyone is having a great Friday and easing into the weekend. We have plans to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and will be looking forward to our date night on Tuesday :)


-Little Wife Power House

what a cute distraction

Seriously...how am I supposed to get any work done with this face looking up at me pleading me to play with him?! 

I will never regret getting up from the computer to play with holden. Whether it be peek a boo or waiting at the other end of the tunnel holden is crawling through. Work will always be there at the end of the day after he goes to sleep. Babies are only small for such a short period of time and I'm not going to miss any of it! 


In other news, I can now be out in the sunlight and not be blinded! After developing an allergy to contacts about two years ago, not being able to wear sunglasses has been a pain. I finally bit the bullet and got my Ray Ban frames filled with prescription lenses. I'm lovin' it!

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Hopefully recovering from the holiday hasn't been too terrible for you!


-Little Wife Power House

kids are so funny, aren't they?

Holden is so funny right now. He refuses to eat anything unless you put it on his tray so he can see. He wants to know exactly what I'm feeding him so I don't try any of that crazy spinach stuff I once did. He loves Gilmore Girls and dancing to the theme song and closing song. He gets delirious after a certain point in the evening and just laughs at everything. He tried very hard to get some food [you know] while our home teacher was here the other evening. Don't worry, he definitely did NOT succeed! Phew. Best of all, he does this:

Resourceful, eh? His hands were busy with the bottle so of course he just played the piano with his toes! Oh man, parenthood is the best.

-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]

my very own little mess maker

Holden is going to be 10 months old on Friday and boy has he changed a lot in the last few weeks! His personality shows more every day and he is so mobile. He is even doing some baby Yoga [downward facing dog]! He's trying to stand up more and more. It's so stinkin' cute. 

Something else that's new? Destructo Holden. He is into everything and tears up everything and then yells at me if I take something away that he shouldn't be playing with. Terrible twos? Talk about terrible 10 months! I know, I know...it will only get worse. If you can believe it, that is no comfort to me! None the less, he is still the fun loving, temperamental, smiley, talkative, huggable boy I've come to know and love. 

Yesterday I mashed up a banana and gave it to him in his highchair so I could do some dishes. I was surprised to turn around and find him doing art on his tray! He was rubbing it around with such purpose. Then he would shove it in his mouth. He's following in his cousin, Asher's, footsteps. They sure are messy footsteps! Check out The Breakfast Artist [aka Asher] in action here and you'll see what I'm talking about!

I love learning more about his personality. Can you believe that it's already time to work on his 1st birthday party details? It has snuck up on me too quickly. Put it on your calendars - July 16th! :)

Quick sidenote...Has this week been great for anyone else? I'm loving it so far. The best thing is that Allan and I get to go on a date to the temple tomorrow evening while Aunt Jaimie watching baby H! 

Happy Wednesday! 

-Little Wife Power House

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

"You got that hair slicked back and those wayfarers on, baby" -The Ataris

I just posted about Ray Ban Wayfarers that I wanted for H. Weeeeeell I'm happy to report that I did not have to spend $70! Happy day! Nordstrom had these for a mere $10! And they seem to be practically baby proof. He only kept them on for the picture but maybe he'll get used to them? I have my own Ray Ban Wayfarers that my wonderful hubby got me for our first Christmas together but sadly...I can't wear them anymore thanks to the allergy I developed to my contacts. One of these days I will fill them with prescription lenses...one day. 

Thanks, Sommer, for the tip off to these! Her cute boy has them too! 

Today Holden & his cousins head to take pictures with some real live bunnies...H might even have a little cotton tail himself ;)

Before I forget - Sherwin Williams is having a sale this weekend....40% off of everything! They only do this like twice a year so take advantage! I will be repainting our guest bath in the near future thanks to the sale :)


One last thing, thank you to everyone who has supported me & Lori so far in the giveaway! You guys are awesome. 

-Little Wife Power House

summer time and the livin's easy

Holden & I are living it up right now. We spend all the time we can outside. Walks, walks, walks, lounging on blankets in the grass, sitting on the porch, and did I mention walks?

On one of our longer walks, I found a whole other side of the neighborhood that we had never been to. At the end of the street was a "park." I use the quotes because it's just a fairly large grass field and then a covered picnic table area. But it's perfect for taking your little ones to play soccer, have a picnic, whatever floats your cookie. It might be one of my favorite "parks" in the neighborhood because the possibilities are endless and there is hardly ever anyone there!

I took what might be one of the sweetest pictures I've gotten in a while...I love moments like this...

The only thing that could have possibly made this better would be the hubby being there. Can't have everything all the time though, right?

Holden loves to pick at the grass...and try to eat it. I'm pretty quick, thankfully. But really? He could eat worse things :)

Get out and enjoy this great weather while it lasts! If you need us...you know where to find us.

HEY WAIT! Don't forget to enter my Easter Giveaway! xoxo

-Little Wife Power House

like father, like son

  

-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

Montessori Baby Toys

I mentioned in this post that I had recently purchased some Montessori items for H from Pinkhouse. I wish I would have found them earlier! Janice was inspired to make these Montessori toys for her own daughter and now is sharing them with all of us! I love them because I don't have to worry about what my son is chewing on. I don't have to worry about him swallowing small parts. I love that they are natural and that each toy has a specific purpose in my little guy's development. 

[direct link]

I couldn't choose just one so I decided to get the package deal. You get the two nesting toys, the interlocking disks, the grasping beads, and the rattle [Janice's own design]. You can follow the link above if you would like to read more about each individual toy. 

[direct link]

The interlocking disks have been Holden's favorite so far. He loves to hold half in between his fingers and put the other half in his mouth. It's the perfect width for him to chomp on when his gums are sore. He transfers it from hand to hand and usually chooses it over others if given the option. 

[direct link]

I'm excited to watch him figure out the nesting toys. The package I bought includes an egg nesting toy [right] and a peg nesting toy [left]. So far Holden takes the egg/peg and it goes straight to his mouth. Anything you give him goes straight to his mouth.  That's just the stage he is in right now.


I completely recommend these toys. I also bought some Montessori toys here but he won't be able to use them for about 6+ months. They seem to be a hit for my 2yo nephew, though! 


Holden approves. I wasn't lying when I said he loves them! He even toppled over his basket because he was so eager to get to the toys :)

[Thank you, Janice, for letting me use your pictures and creating these wonderful products! Pictures taken by Katherine O'brien. Janice did not ask me to write about her products and these are solely my opinions...and of course holden's!] 

-Little Wife Power House