Bruce's First Christmas

Wow. That last update was a while ago! We don't have any pictures of us in the Christmas parade with our MOPs group because we didn't go. Something (illness? teeth?) kept Bruce up all night the night before. All of us were exhausted the day of the parade and decided that we wouldn't be that much fun so we stayed home and took lots of naps instead. Below are plenty of Christmas pictures though.

We had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas season this year. It was Bruce's first and he had a good time. We thought he would be obsessed with tearing the wrapping paper, but he wasn't into it as much as we thought. He seemed to have fun otherwise, though. Next year when he knows more what's going on, his excitement will probably make up for the lack this year. He is feeding himself now and can eat a whole meal by himself if he has the right foods. He does best with cracker-type things and stick shapes of sweet potato or cheese. He isn't yet mobile, but can stand well with support and can rock on his hands and knees. It won't be long now... His verbalizing isn't quite English yet, but is becoming more direct. He says "dad-dy", but not usually to Daddy and says "kit-dy" a lot, but only once to the kitty. If he sees or hears something he's interested in, he says "dat". He dances when music is turned on and clicks his tongue at us to get us to respond. He giggles when he's tickled or held up in the air or even sometimes for no reason. Now that he's sitting, he loves to ride in shopping carts and sit in high chairs. He sees these as extra opportunities to be the center of attention in public!

8 months old!

Although Jerret has to stay home because of work, Bruce and I will be spending some time in Colorado to visit family and friends. We will miss our valuable Daddy time, but will get a chance to celebrate belated Christmas and New Year's Eve with family and see some friends as well. We leave Wednesday this week and are praying that Bruce's first airplane flight will be a positive experience for all involved!

Riding on Daddy's shoulders


A few days before Christmas


Bruce and Chloe taking a (cat)nap


Playing on his new jungle mat


Playing with his Little People Nativity


Bruce loves his new toothbrush! He cries when we take it away.


Hey, wait - there are a bunch of toys hanging from this tree...


His new jumper


Mommy's new toy


Dad opening his presents


Don't worry - it's not in our yard



Daddy demonstrating the new toys


"Wow - I love these!"


Bruce and Grandma


Bruce's Christmas Eve dinner (avocados, brown rice, and yogurt)


The first Christmas I have worn a tank top!


Dessert on Christmas Eve (rice cracker)


Playing with Grandma


Playing with cousin John

Bruce playing with (mostly biting) tissue paper

Bruce eating a rice cracker

Getting Ready for Christmas

Bruce showing off his 2 new teeth

Bruce is 7 months now and does a lot of talking. He says mama and dada, but indiscriminately so far. He is as happy as ever and has learned that clicking his tounge or razzing makes mom and dad do it back. He has numerous solid foods in his diet now and has even grown out of gagging on chunky food (although I have to admit, that was amusing sometimes). He grows in and out of clothes in no time, just like he should. He still loves being outside, kitties, being read to, his glow worm, and many other things throughout his day.

Another shot of the new teeth

I made a sandwich for myself for lunch the other day and I couldn't help but add a side of pickled peppers to my plate. Joyce got them for me at a craft fair and they are pickled and spicy and addictive. I try to practice moderation with them, but this day I meant to have one and 3 appeared on my plate somehow. I brought my lunch over to the coffee table so I could eat next to Bruce, who was playing on the floor, and see what genius he was up to now. As soon as I sat down, he was eyeing the peppers. He tried to grab them and I pulled my plate away from him. He expressed instant disapproval. I explained that he didn't actually want them. If he even touched them, he would put his fingers in his mouth or eyes and scream and cry. If he put one in his mouth, the pain wouldn't go away for a long time. He wouldn't understand and he would regret it. I further explained that when he was older he could have some and he may like them then, but that I knew this was best for him now. Then God turned it into a learning moment. I realized that this is why I need to be close to God. There are so many things in my life that go this way. I try to grab for them and He pulls the plate away and says "You don't actually want that, Holly. It will make you scream and cry. The pain won't go away for a long time. You don't understand, but you would regret it. You may be better equipped to handle this when you are more mature, but I know what's best for you now." Even stranger than how much my son has learned from me in the past 7 months is how much I have learned from him. Parenthood continues to humble me as I stop for moments like this.





I put Bruce in the backpack carrier for the first time (he loved it, by the way) and we walked downtown to the Christmas parade. It only cost 2 baby socks for admission. Almost everywhere costs us 2 baby socks. Some quick trips only cost us 1, though. Anyway, apparently the only requirements to be in the parade are having a big truck (which everyone does) and having a trailer (which everyone does). Then they just dress up the truck and put a bunch of kids in santa hats and drive down main street. Here are some pictures just in case you missed it. Bruce and I plan to make an appearance in the Weatherford Christmas Parade next week with our MOPS group. Hopefully we will have pictures to prove it!

Growing up!

Since Bruce has made some developmental leaps recently, I wanted to put out a little update. He is now 7 months old and can now (sometimes) hold the sippy cup for himself. He babbles on and off throughout the day and he has a tooth poking through as of this morning! Here are some pictures for you all (notice I left out the "y'all") to enjoy!

Drinking from his cup all by himself!



I found Grandma's kitty, Chester, sleeping with Bruce during a nap



Here are his 6 (and a half) month pictures

As you can see from the above picture, we are learning to blend in down here. Jerret is working very hard and learning so much about his job. I am unpacking (still) and attempting to make our house look like, well, our house. When not at home, Bruce and I spend our time hanging out at the library, exploring the area, and making new friends in our MOPS group. We are still getting all the wrinkles ironed out from our big move, but it seems to be slowly coming together.

Bruce had his 6 month wellness exam/immunization appointment (a bit late) yesterday. He is 16 to 17 pounds (he was having too much fun on the scale to be sure which) and is about 26 inches tall. He was so brave for his vaccinations! He only cries for a few seconds, then starts the smiles again - so forgiving. His doctor said he is healthy and normal for his age. Praise God! It looks like he will skip crawling (which the doctor said not to worry about), since he wants to stand all the time. When you try to sit or lay him down, he just locks his legs straight. He can now sit and stand with little support. He is getting more vocal, but he only sometimes makes words (not on purpose, though). If you use your imagination, you can come up with many interesting interpretations for his dialogue.

Bruce in his natural habitat

He loves his baths!

Bruce Splashing (CENSORED)

Kitty stuck in our tree (not our kitty)

Still stuck...


Rescued by Jerret!