Papa Gene

Tori stayed at the beach house over Memorial Day weekend. She had us all over for dinner at the house on Saturday, May 27th. Papa Gene came into town (from Puerto Vallarta) to see Devin, Holden's cousin, and visit with Tori's family. Holden hung in there for about a half hour and then he had a full freak out! It was really hard to calm him down. There were lots of kids and tons of stimulation. After we got him settled, we were relieved. The family finally got to experience the passionate side of Holden we often talk about.

Just Cute!

Well, our boy is 3 months old and he's pretty darn cute. I kept hearing that at the 3 month mark everything miraculously falls into place and life becomes easy breezy. I do have to say that life is easier now than it was a month ago, but no fireworks have shot off and no miracles have happened. He's smiling like crazy, his personality is starting to shine, he's eating better, but he's still not sleeping through the night. Here are some cutie pictures taken over the last couple of days (Yes, we take pictures daily!).

Holden's Favorite Things

Bath Time

Bath time has become one of Holden's favorite things. He can be fussing and screaming, but as soon as he gets in the bath, he's as happy as can be! Every night after his bath, he gets a little baby massage then we swaddle him up for beddie-by.

Gymboree

We go to Gymboree Play & Music Monday through Wednesday. Holden absolutely loves it! His favorite is tummy time around the mirror. He loves looking at all the other babies. Miss Trish, our teacher, is fabulous; Holden always has a smile for her!

Modifying

The big joke around our house is that anything (and I mean anything) we buy, Trey says he has to modify it to make it work just a little better for us. Things can always be taken apart and improved according to him. Well, yesterday while Holden was swinging and I was unloading the groceries, I saw that Holden has the need to take things apart just like his dad. The yellow spinning bear stands up just like the blue seal on his swing table. When I came in and looked at him, he had it off (I have NO idea how he got it off of there!) and was looking and playing with it on his table top. He was quite happy with himself. He's really enjoying his swing lately (thank goodness); this is where most of his naps are taken.

Grandmother and Cousins

Tori and her family are in town from Utah. We decided to take our kids to see Grandmother. Trevor and Griffin played in the pool while Tori, Grandmother and I played with the babies. Holden and Devin loved looking at each other. You can't see it, but in the picture of the two of them Holden has a HUGE smile on his face. It's so fun that they are only 17 days apart - they're right at the same stage.

Boating around San Diego Bay

On Saturday (5/20) we went with the Cronin Family out on their new boat, Argonauta around San Diego Bay. (This is the boat Trey is working on.) We stopped in Coronado and barbecued hot dogs, and the kids played in the water. Holden was pretty good and I was so happy that there were so many people that wanted to hold and play with Holden. I felt like I got a little vacation. The best part of all was Holden got a good night's sleep afterward; he slept from 8:00 pm to 4:30 am!

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a great first Mother's Day! Trey made a yummy breakfast for us. We hung out for a while and then he went to do the grocery shopping for the week. It ended with a delicious filet mignon dinner. I got roses and a card from Holden and Trey.

Fill 'Em Up

Trey gave Holden a bottle last night. It took some time to get Holden used it, but once he did, boy did he gulp it down!

A Seat for One, Please

We just got Holden a new Bumbo seat. It helps strengthen his back muscles for sitting and it gives him a whole new view of the world. (And it's another place that mommy can put him down for a bit to get a little break!) He likes it, but as with all our new toys, he only tolerates it for about 5-10 minutes at a time.

A View From the Top

Calvin has found a new place to escape from Houston.

Some Things to Celebrate

We have some things to celebrate here at the Fletcher house:

1. Holden is rolling over! He does it about once or twice a day, but still has to work at it each time. I've tried numerous times to capture it on film but every time I get the camera, it seems his rolling over session has ended.
   
2. Holden slept in his crib in his own room all night last night with only two night wakings at 1:15 and 4:00. This is a huge improvement from EIGHT night wakings....I hope it lasts. He went down easily at 7:00 pm and woke up for the day at 7:20 am. I know every night can be different but I'm praying that we've turned a corner! THE NEXT DAY UPDATE: Holden slept in his crib all night again, but woke up SIX times. He went to bed at 6:55 and woke up at 7:25, 11:10, 1:25, 2:55, 4:55, and 6:55. I was awake with him anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes each time. Holden logged a total of 9.5 hours of sleep, while I only got a measly 6.5 hours.
   
3. Holden took a pacifier last night! Yes, you heard it right.....he took a pacifier before going to bed and even slept with it in for about an hour sucking away all the while. I wanted to take a picture because I was so thrilled, but I was afraid I'd wake him. I hope this will continue as well. THE NEXT DAY UPDATE: It was a fluke! He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the pacifier last night! It actually made him more upset when I tried to offer it to him.
   
4. This is Trey's last week up in Newport! The boat just needs some minor things fixed and then they'll be bringing down to San Diego this week. THE NEXT DAY UPDATE: Trey said there is a good possibility that they'll be bringing the boat down on Wednesday! Yay!

The Next Jeremy McGrath

As you can see Holden was proud to be sporting motorcross gear. Thanks Clay, Steph and Carter for this great outfit. He'll be riding before we know it!

ROY

Holden got to meet his his Great-Grandfather Roy and his Aunt Debby while we were in Vegas. Roy loved meeting his tenth great grandchild. Trey and I enjoyed visiting with Roy and Debby.

In Loving Memory

On April 30th Trey, Tori, Mark, Trevor, Griffin, Devin, Holden and I took out the Conley's houseboat on Lake Mead and tossed roses in memory of Ann (Trey and Tori's mom). April 30th marked the fourth year of her passing. Trey and Tori remembered the many family trips they took out to the lake when they were young. We talked about having some sort of vodka drink in her honor, but none of us were truly up for it since it was only about 11:00 in the morning. Trevor, Tori and Mark's oldest, loved throwing the flowers for "Tutu".

One Day

The term one day means many things in relation to Waylon and Holden. Anna, my best friend since we were 3, and I had our boys one day apart: Waylon was born on February 23rd, Holden on the 24th. On Friday, April 28th Anna and I spend one day at her house in San Clemente playing, nursing, changing, and soothing our boys together. And one day when Waylon and Holden are grown we will be able to tease them with these pictures of them in matching onesies!

Friends: Charlie & Holden

Lori and Charlie Grace came down to San Diego to visit Holden and I on Thursday, April 27th. We had so much fun. Charlie was so cute with Holden; she wanted to touch and hug him. Although Holden slept in the swing most of their stay, Lori and I had fun catching up and entertaining Lil' Miss Charlie!