Eating Cereal!

Holden got his first taste of cereal last week... and he loved it. We've been "eating" (or at least practicing getting in the routine - not too sure how much he actually swallows yet. haha.) all week and he seems to really like being big and using his spoon. I think we will try some bananas soon, I just don't want him to always expect yummy 'nanas and decide he's no longer interested in just the plain rice cereal :) Mmmm.....

first bite...

yummy!

trying to grab the bowl from Mommy

he loved it

my sticky little cutie

"More grows in the garden than the gardener sows." - Old Spanish Proverb

Playing on his blanket while Mommy plays in her garden

so big....

Someone started out in the middle of the blanket and scooted his way all the way to the edge...

... and found the grass!

I feel like I blink and he grows... six months old already...

"Play is the beginning of knowledge ." --George Dorsey

Holden's new stacking toy

Such a big guy

Got the little elephant Mommy stuck on top :)

Some Tummy Time - Holden is a super scooter!

The Buddies :)

Oh, how we love the bicycle trail...

The weather has been so beautiful lately - and we have definitely been taking advantage of it. Holden loves taking stroller rides and we always enjoy going for walks. And, of course, Indiana always really likes it, too. But Jared has always liked biking and we thought it would be fun to bike together as a family. So last week, I found a great used bike and a little bike seat for Holden. We have been biking a couple times so far, and Holden really has a good time watching all the green leaves whiz past :) It is such a fun, pretty ride and we will definitely be making it a regular event.

Our family on a walk

Mommy and Holden

Holden's first bike ride!

Daddy and Holden

He loved it! Such a happy guy.

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. - Henry David Thoreau

Holden has been "helping" me with our little veggie garden lately. He really loves to feel the plant leaves and sit in and tug at the grass. He has so much fun whenever we're outside - so much to look at! We're all so glad warm weather is finally here so we can enjoy being outside more in the sunshine.

The tomatoes are growing wonderfully

All the crunchy, green lettuce. We even made a salad the other night.

The green beans - planted from seed!

Holden feeling the green bean leaves.

The beautiful poppies in Mimi's garden.

"We must remain as close to the flowers, the grass, and the butterflies as the child is who is not yet so much taller than they are." - F. Nietzsche

Mother's Day

Being a stinker

Holden and Mommy's first Mother's Day

Our family

Happy with Grandma Himes

Rocking with Mimi and Cousin Josslyn

Mother's Day was a little bit more special this year since this was our very first Mother's Day in our new family. And it was such a nice day. We went to church in the morning, and Holden was very good. He even took a long nap right afterward so Daddy and I got to have a nice quiet lunch just the two of us. After lunch, we went over to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Himes for a little bit and to take Grandma some flowers for her garden. Then we went to Mimi's house for dinner and just hung out over there with family for the rest of the day. It was beautiful outside and Holden was a very hapy boy all day. It was a wonderful first Mother's Day.

A New Jumperoo!

Holden has been getting increasingly bored with just lying under his play gym or sitting in his swing. But he's not quite big enough to sit on his own yet for very long without toppling over. He very much likes to be held and helped to "stand up" - like a big guy. So we decided it was time for a big guy toy. He got a new jumperoo last week and he absolutely loves it. He gets so excited and wiggles/jumps all around. The first night we brought it home, we just sat around and watched him play in it all evening. The jumperoo entertained Holden, and Holden entertained Mommy and Daddy :)