Our Busy Summer, Continued

Bruce at 3 months old

Although the summer is nearing a close, it's the best we've ever had. We didn't take any extravagant vacations or get anything exceptional done, but we had a lot of family time. Bruce got to meet cousins, aunts, uncles, another grandma, and friends. He was passed around a lot, as you can see from the pictures below. Despite Jerret's traveling for work, the time we have had with him has been full of memorable experiences.

Bruce with Great Grandma

Grammie and Bruce

Uncle Don and Jerret



Jeff and Bruce



Cindy and Bruce



Christina and Bruce



Michael and Bruce



After dinner near Evergreen Lake



Us



Bruce with Daddy



Bruce with Uncle Grant



Bruce and Mommy

Bruce is now over 3 months. He has been rolling over from front to back and clasping his hands together. He was 11 pounds, 9 ounces at 3 months, so he should be somewhere around 12 pounds now. His new passtime is sitting in the Boppy or the neglect-o-matic (swing) and watching Baby Einstein videos. I was skeptical about a 3 month old having interest in TV, but he loves them! I got him his own library card this week to put his books and DVDs on - mostly because they were filling my card up, but he needs his own anyway. He is a very calm and happy baby most of the time. He smiles a lot and is a joy to be around. His intelligence is getting the better of him lately as he has learned how to undo the velcro tabs on his cloth diaper covers and grasps the pacifier leash, but can't figure out why it keeps falling out!

Bruce getting his first library card

Big eyes!



Hugging his tag blankie



Us in the yard



Willow loves her little brother



Bruce's flirty smile



Watching Baby Mozart



After his bath



Smiley boy!

4th of July and Beyond

Bruce and some of his cousins: Micah, Faith, Dominic, and Katie

The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind of wonderful for our family. We had a chance to spend time with family from out of town, show Bruce off, and spend precious time together. On July 4th, we went to Libby's (across from Grant and Pat's) annual party. We had so much fun and great food. I was wondering how Bruce would react to the fireworks. I wasn't sure if they would startle him or if he would even notice them. It turned out that he loved them! He is facinated by bright lights, so that makes sense. He even stayed awake for the whole show!

On Saturday, we spent the day with Bruce's Aunt Sara, Uncle Nathan, and cousin John. John is 5 weeks older than Bruce so they're very close in age and activity. It was a wonderful time with delicious home-cooked food and hospitality provided by Nathan's mother, Esther. The two boys would notice each other from time to time (John more than Bruce). The day of travel made Bruce a bit fussy, but it was an overall good day for everyone.

Bruce with Aunt Sara and John with Uncle Jerret



Bruce and cousin John

Sunday was a party day at Grandma Green's. Bruce's Aunt Kimberly, Aunt Christa, and Uncle James were in town along with cousins Faith, Dominic, Katie, and Micah. We celebrated the official adoption of Faith and Dominic and my ( :0 30th) birthday.

Us



Jerret and Uncle Don fixing woodpecker holes

The Aunts and cousins filled Grammie's house for the rest of the week. My sisters and mom helped with sleep training and other issues with Bruce and he got lots of love and cuddles all around. It was such a nice time and so rare for us to be all together!

The cousins, from oldest to youngest

Kimberly helping Faith on the stilts



Playing in boxes in Grammie's yard



Grammie making Bruce smile



Bruce and I in Grammie's backyard



Katie and Bruce



Faith and Bruce



Bruce sitting up (sort of)



Micah, Christa, and Zeke



Bruce asleep in the carrier



Dominic with his squirt gun



Big smiles during Bruce's activity time

My mom and sisters took everyone to Senor Manuel for dinner on Thursday for my birthday.

Me with my sundae and sombrero

Micah trying out the sombrero

Yesterday, we celebrated my birthday as a family with lunch at the Table Mountain Inn for lunch, a long nap in the afternoon, dinner at the Chinese Restaurant at the lake, and hang out time at the lake until sunset. Unfortunately we forgot the camera and can't show you the most beautiful sunset over the lake, but what a wonderful day it was!

A Day at the Lake

Jerret, Holly, and Bruce at Evergreen Lake


Just thought I would share some pictures of our fun time at the lake on Saturday! Hope everyone is doing well!

Bruce and Mommy



Mama and baby ducks (click on picture to see larger)

Bruce at home

2 Month Checkup

2 Months Old Already!

At his 2 month checkup, Bruce was 10 pounds and 22 1/2 inches long! He is healthy and growing fast! He is smiley and communicative and can hold his head up very well. He is sleeping (slightly) longer stretches, too!

In the next couple weeks, we will get to enjoy time with 6 of Bruce's cousins! Hopefully we will have a lot of pictures to share of that special time!

Smiley in the morning


More smiles

Sleeping in his crib like a big boy

Napping

Father's Day

Bruce with Daddy on Father's Day #1

Since Jerret had to be out of town on Sunday, we had a wonderful first Father's Day celebration on Saturday instead. The weather cooperated nicely! We barbecued at home and had a picnic, then went to a housewarming party at Kirsten's new home.

Bruce is now 2 months old! The time has flown by. He seems to have grown so much and is so alert, changing every day.

These are some of his 8 week portraits




One of his silly smiles



Just cute



Crashed out in the car seat after a day on the town with Erin and Mommy

Eastburg Update

Bruce showing off his new trick - holding his head up!

Sorry for the long stretch between posts. We have been so busy lately! Bruce and I spent some time in Colorado Springs while Jerret was there for work. We spent time with Grammie Green and other friends and family, leaving the evenings, nights, and mornings for time with Daddy.

Bruce is almost 2 months now! At his weight check on June 6th, we discovered that he is now 9 pounds, 5.5 ounces (maybe more by now, though) and 22 inches long. His weight is right on track with the 25th percentile (where he has been all along) and his height (length) puts him in the 50th. His newest milestones are smiling and lifting his head! We are thankful for his continued strength and good health.

Bruce enjoys abusing the toy animals on his activity mat



Extreme close-up of one of Bruce's smiles



He finds the strangest sleeping positions comfortable


Happy and alert



Content and not so alert :)



Still enamored with daddy