Holt Turns One!

November 27, 2013

  We had a birthday party for Holt a couple of weeks ago with a few friends and mostly family here at the Ft. Worth Zoo.  It was such a crazy day and we had a few beers to celebrate the craziness being over, but it couldn't have been better.  Holt loved his smash cake and thankfully he didn't throw a fit when we snuck it away from him and was even interested in opening presents.  We had asked people to do donations to Cook's Children's Hospital instead of gifts but I guess people can't refrain from buying a one year a birthday gift. :) We did raise some money for Cook's and Holt loves all his new toys so everybody won. Cook's is an amazing hospital that serves so many surrounding cities and towns, I'm thankful we could give back and for those that donated.  We've never had to use their facility and I pray that we never do, but I'm glad to know it's there for us if that day were to ever come.  I'll be taking a tour of the one year old wing next week, it's part of the Peter Pan Birthday Club, and I have so many mixed feelings about it.  I'm excited to see what great things they have to offer, yet I know it's going to be hard seeing children sick.  I've always said I'd love to volunteer there so hopefully once Holt gets a little older and I have some free time I can do that.  If you are ever looking to donate to something, check out their website.  They are always needing things for their patients and have compiled a wish list.  http://www.cookchildrens.org/Giving/WishLists/Pages/default.aspx

  I don't think it's quiet set in that we have a one year old!  He's no longer a little baby, that in all honesty, is like a little blob.  Haha!  He's this energetic little toddler that knows what he wants, what he doesn't, what he likes, what he hates, he laughs, he smiles, he runs, he walks, he kicks, he plays, and he loves airplanes.  I can already tell I'm going to love/hate this next year.  We've begun the tantrum stage yet the loving stage.  He gives kisses, although he's more likely to give them to the dogs than to us, but he still gives them.  He loves to play chase, whether it's him chasing us or us chasing him, he loves it and giggles the whole time.  He is definitely getting more opinionated about his food and it just depends on the day.  He might love something one day and throw it on the floor the next.  Ruthie and Riley love him during meal time!   He hates diaper changes and getting dressed.  He'd just assume run around in his diaper all day, and he's even learning how to take that off.  Yes, I'm in trouble.  He loves to bring me things he's found on the ground, this is great considering it usually goes in his mouth otherwise.  He loves his daddy and is becoming more attached and clingy by the day.  Dan and I have always talked about how one day Holt won't want to hang out with me, that he's going to want to go do everything with dad and I fear that day will be here before I know it.  I'll miss my little sidekick.  He gets so excited when Dan comes home, I guess I'm old news and I'm not as fun.  He is officially a little person with a great big personality.  He lights up our world and warms our hearts by a little grin or tug on our finger.  He can makes us crazy and make us melt all in a few moments by one simple gesture.  He is our little Holty.


Here's a few pics of his big day.

This was my second attempt at his smash cake and even though it didn't turn out exactly how I'd hoped, I don't think he cared.  Just for future reference, whipped icing is hard to smooth out.  

Holt with all his grandparents. I love this picture.  

Yes, I spent Friday night and Saturday morning baking. 

Holt doesn't go anywhere without one of his airplanes. 

Holt loved being the center of attention when everyone sang Happy Birthday to him.  

I love our little family. 

Little stinker!  I think he loved his cake. 

Uncle Matt and Aunt Cooper

Surviving the first year….

November 12, 2013

  I really can't believe I'm planning Holt's first birthday and that he will be a year old on Sunday.  It seems like yesterday we were struggling to make it through those early newborn days.  I couldn't quit crying, (yes, you have to love those hormones) we weren't getting any sleep and what we did get was interrupted, and if we weren't changing a diaper, I was feeding Holt. It was just constantly doing something.  Everyone tells you so many things when you have a baby, "enjoy the time, it goes fast" and "it does get better."  These two words of advice are so true, but when you're in the "fog"  it seems like time stands still and the world just continues to go on around you.  Seriously, I remember our first trip to Target, it was a BIG moment!
  My favorite memory that I can honestly laugh at now is when my father n law told me, "just give it 6 weeks, it will get better."  I burst into more tears and really didn't know if I could make it 6 weeks, that sounded like forever! Holt cried every night for the first week from 7pm until 2 am.  It really was a lot to handle, something every new parent can identify and sympathize with. I really struggled those first few weeks, being a new mom and not having a clue what I was doing, trying to breastfeed while Holt continued to lose weight, losing the "just the two of us" part of mine and Dan's relationship that we had cherished for 6 1/2 years, and not getting any sleep after a very long delivery, not to mention just the simple task of taking a shower was a 30 min ordeal after having a baby.  These are the things that people can tell you about being a new parent but you don't get it until you go through it.  I don't know what I would have done if I wouldn't have had such an amazing husband to lean on during that time, he truly was my saving grace.

 Now, Holt is about to be a year old and it gets better every day. I think the 2 month mark was a turning point for us.  Holt started sleeping majority of the night.  We would put him to bed about 8 and he would sleep until 5 the next morning.  His feedings had spread out a little and he was eating every 3-4 hours instead of every 2.  We had finally adjusted to the new normal, not to say we still didn't miss the days of just jumping in the car to go somewhere, but we got used to planning more and our family seemed complete.  We laugh about how our shoulders haven't relaxed since day 1 and we both have to mentally tell our shoulders to relax still, especially when we're out and Holt starts getting fussy, this is the new normal.  Haha!
  I didn't really think I would be emotional about Holt's first birthday but I have been.  I guess I just think about how far we've come as parents and how I never knew you could love someone so much it just brings tears to your eyes and I would give my life for him.  Holt hasn't felt good the past few days so he has been extra snuggly and has sat in my lap to read and sleep, something that I didn't take enough advantage of when he was small.  I didn't take enough time to sit and hold him and just cherish him being that small and so dependent on me. I was just so overwhelmed that he was so dependent on me.  Dan and I both were always saying, " I can't wait until he……".  Now I know, I really should have enjoyed those days a little more, but it's so hard when everything is so new and different.  Holt has got easier and he's much more independent now but I do miss my little "baby."
  We are finally starting to see his little personality come through more every day and I can already tell, he will have me wrapped around his finger.  He has that "look" that just makes me laugh and it's usually when he's doing something he isn't suppose to and I'm telling him no.  We said for so long that we would probably never have children and I'm so thankful and glad that we changed our mind and that God blessed us with this precious little boy, our lives wouldn't have been complete without him.  God is good.

 
 

Austin weekend getaway

November 4, 2013
 
  This past weekend we went to Austin to see Dan's parents and to have a date night.  We haven't been down there since June so it was good to go, get away, see Dan's family and relax some.  It was strange leaving from Ft. Worth and not Wichita Falls, although I-35 on Sunday evening was ridiculous and it took us almost the same amount of time to get from Austin to Ft. Worth as it did from Austin to Wichita Falls.  We got there on Friday evening, hung out with Dan's parents and then Saturday morning took Holt to the airport so I could take some pictures for his birthday invitations.  It's so great to watch Dan with Holt at an airport, they both share the love of aviation.  I can already tell Holt is going to have the same passion as his daddy.
  Later on Saturday afternoon Dan and I left to go have some adult time for the evening.  We went to the Iron Cactus for an early dinner.  We sat out on the patio, had some drinks and enjoyed the conversation with just the two of us instead of having to juggle the little munchkin and try to keep him entertained.  We followed up dinner by going to North by Northwest, it's a brewery in Austin and sampled some of their home brewed beers.  The next morning we got up, had some breakfast and walked around the Arboretum to some of my favorite stores.  It was so great to have a weekend away with my hubby and get to relax since the past few months have been so crazy for us.

Mike captured this picture.  I think its my favorite picture ever taken. 

Flying his plane and making his engine noises. 

  Holt got to check out his and Joshua's new ride at Grandpa and Nana's too.  Judging by the smile on his face and all the giggles, I think he loved it!

This is just a few of the endless amount of toys he had to choose from. 

Our Second Zoo Adventure.

November 4, 2013

  Last Friday was Boo at the Zoo and my friend Melissa came down with her little boy, Hagen.  We thought it would be fun to take them together since Holt is finally old enough to interact more with Hagen, whose 3.  The boys had a great time and it was so great to see Melissa.  We've been friends since birth, yes, we even share a birthday and I miss seeing her just for a quick lunch.  I'm so proud of her as she isn't a fan of "city driving" and she made it all the way here with no problems!  I can't wait for our next outing.  

A little late…..

November 4, 2013

  Holt is 11 months old now!  Ok, so a little over 11 months but I refuse to let a post go until he's a year and then I've missed out on documenting the 11th month.  He is getting to be so much fun these days, maybe a few temper tantrums, but nothing too bad yet.  He is walking all over the place and is loving exploring his new found freedom. He started a Mother's Day Out program here, where he goes one day a week from 9-2 and seems to love it! He really does love other children and just people in general.   My favorite thing about him right now is how he waves to everyone when we are out and about.  He never meets a stranger and truly brings a smile and joy to those he comes into contact with.

His loves this month…..
He LOVES food!  I have yet to find anything the kid doesn't like.  Thank God he has his dad's metabolism.

He LOVES bath time.

He LOVES being outside, whether it's Stroller Strides or just walking around, he's all boy!

He LOVES the dogs, they are his friends that put up with him crawling all over them, and he hasn't quiet mastered the gentle pat.

He LOVES when daddy comes home from work.  He gets so excited!

He LOVES airplanes.  If he hears an airplane, he searches the sky for it.  He also holds his airplane in his hands, fly's it around while making airplane noises.  Yes, daddy loves this!

His not so favorite things this month….
DIAPER CHANGES!  He fights us so bad when we have to change his diaper and does anything he can to get off the changing table.

He strongly dislikes getting dressed, he'd just assume to hang out in a diaper all day.

Haircuts.  He used to sit still and let me cut his hair, now it takes about three tries during bath time to get a full haircut.

He is getting to where he won't look at me when I have the camera out, much less sit still enough for me to take his picture.

Being a Mom

October 27, 2013

  I am sitting here at 6 in the morning typing this post, while letting my fingernails dry from the wet polish.  Why am I painting my nails at 6 in the morning?  O' yeah, because it's the only time I have to sit and let them dry and I know I won't be interrupted by a diaper change or some other motherly calling.  This is just one of the many ways being a mom has changed me.  Before I had Holt I definitely was the person that had a massage every 4 weeks, a microderm every two months, got my hair done usually every other month, and got a pedicure once a month.  Hey, it was one of the perks of being in the beauty industry and I loved every minute of my pampering.  Now, I can't tell you the last time I had a massage,  or got a pedicure and I actually had to pay a ridiculous amount to have my hair done a few weeks ago.  Seriously, I need to do hair here! The bad thing, I used the same products so I know how much they cost!  I will say though, it was great to sit in a chair and let someone do whatever to my hair! It was total hairapy!  Holt is now at the age where I can no longer go to the bathroom alone, much less take a shower without little eyes peeking around the curtain.  Simple tasks like carrying groceries are so much more difficult, because not only are you carrying groceries, and a diaper bag, you have a squirming 11 month old on your hip.  O' and if I'm out and need to go to the bathroom? Yep, Holt is sitting right on my lap! 

  I knew I would change when we had Holt but I guess I never knew just how much.  I used to be such an introvert, yes I was introverted even though I was around people every day, who loved my quiet evenings at home with my husband and our 4 legged children. I mean sometimes we were in bed watching Dateline by 8pm on a Friday night. Now we're in bed by 8pm on a Friday night because we're both exhausted.  I look back and realize that you really had to force us to leave the house once we got home from work in the evening.  Now, I feel as though I'm completely different and have become much more extroverted.  I guess having a little one forces you to step out of the box and meet new moms or you'll go crazy. Being at home with a baby that can't communicate can get lonely and you crave adult interaction.  I recently went on a Mom's Night Out with 40 other moms and had such a great time. When I was getting ready that evening I really contemplated on not going, and if I hadn't have already payed for my ticket, I might have backed out, but I'm so glad I took the risk and went.  I would have never gone somewhere that I wasn't sure if I was going to know anyone and just completely put myself out there.  Thankfully, it was a great experience and it makes me much more open minded to do that more in the future. 

  Why are we, as women, afraid of putting ourselves out there and making new friends?  Can't we all use a few more friends to share in life's experiences?  It's because most women are so judgmental and we are all afraid of being judged.  If there is anything I've learned in my days of mommy hood, it's you do whatever works for you and don't worry what other moms think or what the books say, every baby is different.  Sometimes this kind of thing really gets on my nerves.  "They say" meaning the books say, you're not suppose to do this and you're not suppose to do that.  I am here and millions of other people are too and it was long before those books came out, so somehow we all survived.  God did bless us with a motherly instinct for a reason, didn't he? Sorry to go on a little rampage, but sometimes we all need reminders that motherhood is hard enough without someone looking over your shoulder questioning everything you do, which makes you question it too. 

  These days I can't watch a baby commercial without thinking of Holt and get teary eyed.  Have you seen those Johnson and Johnson commercials?  I know I'm not the only one that does this. I watch the news about parents who have lost their children and it's almost more than I can handle.  How does a parent ever recover from losing a child?  I just don't get it and pray that I never have to.  If you don't have children you always think about how horrible this would be, but once you have them you totally get it and it takes it to a whole new level.   I always tell Dan how lucky we are to have Holt and how lucky we are that he is healthy.  I know so many couples that would give anything for that or friends that have so much trouble getting pregnant and just long for a baby. I count my blessings every day and thank God even when those days are long and tough. 

  I follow this one little boy's story on Facebook that a tree branch fell on him while he was at daycare one day and he has severe brain damage.  It's a miracle that he is still here.  I read his mom's post about how his days and nights go and I just can't help but think what would I do if that were us?  It makes me want to put Holt in a bubble and never be without him.  Being a mom just puts you into mother bear mode that I would never have understand without Holt. 

  Some days being a mom makes me feel a little crazy and then Holt does something that is so sweet or just makes me laugh and I try to remember not to look at the things that I miss or days that seem to go on forever because they are hard, but to slow down and just enjoy the small things and cherish those moments.  I recently read another mom's blog about her 6 month old little boy. She posted about how he's smiling and laughing out loud now, those are the small things that sometimes I forget to cherish.  I love to see Holt smile and I love to tickle him and hear his little laugh.  I love to hear him chuckle at the dogs when they lick him or when he sees another baby on the television.  He really is such a joy and it's so obvious when I see other people look at him and smile.  He never meets a stranger, waves to everyone we see and always brings a smile to those around.  I am so thankful that God made me a mom, and Holt's mom on top of that.

Busy Weekend

October 21, 2013

  This past weekend was really busy for us as our friends, Scott and Jenny,  came down from Wichita Falls.  It was so good to see them and I know Holt and Brynnlee had a great time playing.  Holt didn't even whine or cry when Brynnlee took the iPhone away from him and he shared all his toys with her. Yes, you can say he's an only child and isn't used to sharing.  I think he's missed having a little friend to play with and was just so happy to see her.  They played so great together, stayed up way past their bedtimes and were ready to go to the Ft. Worth Zoo the next day. We enjoyed just hanging out and walking around the popular West 7th area Saturday afternoon, the weather was absolutely beautiful!! It was great to get out and explore the area a little and it actually felt like we live here.  Sunday morning we started the day as a breakfast place we've been wanting to try called Lucille's.  It was wonderful!  We finally made our way to the zoo about 10:15 and we're done by 12:30, you can only hold the attention of two babies for so long. Speaking of babies, now is the time to check out the zoo.  They had so many babies, baby monkeys, a baby elephant, a baby kangaroo, and a baby giraffe.  I think they both loved all the animals and I can't wait to go back Friday when my friend Melissa comes down with her little boy.

 

Later that afternoon after Scott and Jenny left, we drove out to Alliance airport to watch the Alliance Air Show. Since the government isn't doing air shows anymore, there were only private pilots that did stunts in their aircraft.  We parked outside the airport, on the side of the road, along with tons of other people and watched from there so we didn't have to pay the $20 for parking.  This is something that Dan has dreamed about since we found out we were having a boy and I honestly don't know who enjoyed it more, Dan or Holt.