What's this 8 month old up to?!?!

At almost 8 months to the day, this little one decided to start crawling and 

 boy did we have our work cut out for us!  Walking away for just a second can leave us with disaster!   (I'll spare the details!) ;) 

Here she is in action! 

on her way to daddy!

 And THEN, not shortly thereafter, she just wanted to stand! So, here she is not sitting to read her FAVORITE dog book (thanks Audra!), but standing! Cracks me up!

And of course more standing!

 Actually, semi-sitting to read her dog book....again!

 These baby books are also favorites of hers! Shocking that she's laying down....guess those little legs got too tired!

She also LOVES these blocks and rings!  

If I could figure out how to attach a video, it would be of one in her "jumper" and so you could also appreciate how high she jumps!  HA-larious!!

Another one of Holly's favorites...thanks Margaret!  It became a whole new toy when we put the legs on it and she got to play with it and stand at the same time!

What an amazing 8 months baby girl!  Thank you for all the light you shine on our lives!  Every day is SUCH a blessing that we get to share with you and we are so thankful for that.  It brings tears to my eyes that this was us 8 months ago....

And here is us now....love that you are so happy and healthy!  

 If you could only hear what was coming out of this little (BIG) mouth of hers!  She's definitely found her vocals!

We love you bunches and bunches! 

Mommy & Daddy

Holly's First Easter!

I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I've posted!  Let me just say....it's not for a lack of trying!  This little one, along with work, cleaning, cooking, running errands, play dates, being out of town and just being too tired has kept me from completing a post!!  

So bear with me....I've got lots of catching up to do!  

Here we go!

HAPPY EASTER!   

Holly was 7 1/2 months for her 1st Easter!   This picture was quite the challenge!  It required two "sittings" to get this smile!  She was too busy playing with the eggs and bunny to look at the camera!  Thanks Mimi for the darling dress!  :)


We also took some Easter pictures at the Arboretum with Thomas's sister Audra and Jon and their sweet boy, Jack.  It was the perfect day!

We had the perfect 1st Easter with our sweet little girl and look forward to her first Easter egg hunt at the farm next year!

Five Months, Six Months and going on Seven!

We have had SO much fun watching our sweet Holly grow!  

I can't believe she is almost 7 months!!! 

 Here are some pictures from our trip to Georgetown last month and then some of her in action! ;)  She's not crawling around yet, but is sitting up by herself and is discovering what those hands can do!

We love going to Mimi and Poppi's in Georegetown....We wish we could go more often!  It is so gorgeous there, and since Holly loves to be outside, it's the perfect place for us!  Here's a couple pictures of Holly outside on a beautiful day and I couldn't resist putting her in a flower pot....she didn't seem to mind!  ;) 

5 1/2 months old 

Sitting in the back at my moms

Looking at Mimi

This isn't so bad.... :) 

Watching the sun set! ;) 

Holly turned half a year on March 11th!  

She had a great report from her doctor at her 6 month appointment!
 She is in the 95th percentile for height....definitely those Halka genes!  

Some of Holly's latest developments are sitting up by herself and playing......

The Boppi is the perfect save for those potential falls!

Just a sweet face! 

Eyeing the cone....

Almost there.....

I love this expression!  The tongue out always helps! ;) 

Holly started eating foods after her 6 month appointment and loves it....atleast oatmeal and squash so far!  

Sitting in a high chair for the first time!    

She loved it! She's getting so big, so fast!  

I wish I could pause time! 

(you can tell it's on my iphone....not the best pic!)

We love you so much, sweet Holly!  Thank you for the most amazing, almost 7 months of our lives, for the joy you bring to us and for this sweet smile!  

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Our Growing Girl!

I can't believe our Holly is almost 5 months old! Time has flown, as we hear from so many it does! We try to enjoy every second with her, knowing our LITTLE girl is going to be our BIG girl before we know it! 
Here's a glimpse of our growing girl.....

Day One Stats:

Weight: 7lbs 3 oz

Height: 19 3/4 inches


Such a sweetheart!

Being a first time mom, I had no idea what to expect but Holly made the transition so relatively smooth!  I LOVE being her mom and have enjoyed figuring this new life out and making her as happy as she makes us!  

Holly's first favorites....

Her bouncer, her sling if she was cranky or tired, running water, car rides (minus red lights...must have got that from daddy), looking at toys on her playyard, watching football in daddy's arms....(it was actually pretty funny how content she would get), hanging out in my arms (my favorite) and eating and sleeping of course!   

2 Month Stats:

Weight: 11lbs 3oz (70th percentile)

Height: 23 inches (75th percentile)

Our little Longhorn!...Thomas' Fave!

Holly has been growing well which we were thankful for because she is our happy spitter-upper and makes you wonder how much she's actually keeping in!  We hear over and over, "it's not a medical problem, just a laundry problem" and that is FOR SURE!  

What she got into between 2 months and 4 months....

Holly enjoyed batting at her toys and kicking on her bouncer and playyard, talking, smiling, laughing, watching the dogs, hanging out in mommy and daddy's arms, and being spoiled by her nanny, family and friends and...
sitting in her Bumbo and looking out the window

4 Month Stats:

Weight: 13 lbs 9 oz (50th percentile)

Height: 25 3/4 inches (90th percentile)


Our friends Beth and Sanjay gave her this onesie.
Is that what those screams are for??? ;)

So, we finally moved into our home and are loving it! Holly has moved to her crib and is sleeping great for the most part, she still wakes up 1-2 times to eat at night and eats every 3 hours during the day and takes about 2-3 naps during the day.

What makes Holly happy?....

Playing cards (with her cousin, Stephanie)... 

I love how intense she looks! ;)

Cracks me up!

Seriously....is my BABY really that focused on 

Phase 10!?!? 

Playing in her exercauser!

her Nanny, Miros and bath time (more to come on Miros...she's AMAZING...we are SO blessed!!)

"playing with Abby"
See the yellow duck by her left leg that Abby is anxiously waiting for her to throw? 

I think Abby gave up. :) 

dancing and "flying" with daddy

talking, laughing, her music, eating (she's looking forward to rice cereal soon!),

spending time with family and friends....

with her cousin, Stephanie who she LOVES! 

with her Great Grandma Gwen

hanging out with the girls...
Me & Holly, Kara & Ellie, Erin, Jenifer & Sophia and Tara

Holly is so happy....it's contagious!

Thank you, Holly, for being our bundle of joy!  

We love you bunches and bunches!