Are You Ready for some Football?

I am a big football fan. My dad instilled on us at a young age to love football, breathe football and play football - - I could only take that so far being a girl and all. Anyway, Nathan also enjoys watching, is a true Bears fan {hat - check, jersey - check, slippers - check}, and for the past few years he has also played Fantasy Football.


Even though I love football and all things associated with it, I've never tried Fantasy. Honestly, I was too scared to lose {I am a sore loser - there I said it!}.


This year Nathan convinced me to play a friendly league consisting of him, myself, Holden and my mom {my mom doesn't know she is a part of the league...shhhhh}.


I drafted Drew Brees as my quarterback, Adrian Peterson as my main running back and the rest I just picked who ESPN said were the top scorers.


This week, I am up against Holden. I have never wanted to lose so badly. Funny how children change you.

Our current "scoreboard"

Sleepy Time

This week, Nathan and I noticed Holden getting super fussy after his fourth, and last, nap of the day. After remembering my good friend Crystal's advice about her daughter Ava's sleep schedule, last night we tried putting Holden to bed for his "fourth nap" and then I dream-fed him for his last meal. 


It worked LIKE A CHARM! We went through Holden's bedtime routine and he was asleep by 8:46PM - a big change from his usual 10:30PM bedtime. He also woke up after 7:00AM. All in all, a very successful night!

The verse above reads, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139." Thank you to Carin for giving us God's word to be with Holden.

This Little Piggy

Holden has discovered his toes and he LOVES them. Every chance he gets he grabs them and tries his hardest not to let go. He is not flexible enough to get them to his mouth yet, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen (although his father was a gymnast...).
Nathan and I do prohibit him from touching his toes at times - when Holden is in his cloth diapers, he is not as flexible. So, last night, we let him go naked for a while and have some fun with his toes.

Little Reader

Nathan and I still continue to read to Holden every night. Lately, Holden has been reaching out to grab the books - most likely so he can put them in his mouth (everything goes in his mouth these days!). So, we caved and let him have the book. Here is what our future reader did:

I'm pretty sure he went on to lick the book: Goodnight Moon - educational AND tasty!

Rolling

As I mentioned, Nathan was away on a business trip last Tuesday and Wednesday. Well it figures that the one day Nathan is away, Holden achieves his biggest milestone to date. That's right - Holden is officially a roller. 

Holden had been thinking of rolling for a few days - swaying back and forth on his tummy. On Wednesday August 18, though, he took the plunge and thrust his body all the way over. 

I was able to capture him mid-roll! 

Look at that face of accomplishment! 

When Daddy is Away, Mommy will Play...Dress Up

Nathan had a two-day business meeting in Maryland last Tuesday and Wednesday. He stayed overnight, so I was alone with Holden for about 30 wonderful hours. 
I LOVE bonding with my son - and I also enjoy playing dress up with him.
Nathan does not like to have Hoden in pants, but I think he looks stinkin' cute in them. So, here he is - and, yes I probably did go a little overboard on this first one...

Four Generations

Nathan and I decided to take a trip out to Itasca and Fontana to visit the Bagni and Sandell side of the family the third week of July. Holden breezed through his first plane ride - bearing a 4AM wake-up, security lines and a slightly delayed take-off. We landed safely, without any tears from any of us, and Holden was quickly engulfed by hugs, kisses and smiles from his grandparents and aunts. Later that evening, Nana came over and met Holden. I think she was pretty excited, and Holden was happy to meet his Great Grandmother too!

On Wednesday, Grandpa Stu came over after his dentist appointment and met Holden, and then the four of us drove to Fontana for a visit to the lake. After seven years, this was the first time I have even been to the famed lake. I tried to go on the boat with Nathan and GS, but I have to admit that water still scares me after the 2008 oar incident!

Nathan's uncle Gregg and aunt Robbie were also at the lake. Stu, Gregg, Nathan and Holden all share the middle name Read. One day, if Holden has a son, we hope his middle name will also carry the tradition of Read.

Stuart Read, Gregg Read, Nathaniel Read, Holden Read

Grandma Ginny was a wonderful hostess to us all. She made delicious meals and had Holden in smiles.

On Thursday, Connie, Rose and Hilary drove up to join us at the lake. We walked around the lake a little, saw some huge houses and boats, and made Holden laugh for the first time! Grandpa Stu and Grandma Ginny have a monkey puppet at their house and apparently Holden thought he was hilarious. We do not have the audio proof, but we'll capture it soon and post it.

We left the lake late Thursday night. Before we left, we got another four generation shot!

Stu, Connie, Nathan and Holden

We had a wonderful visit in Chicago and Fontana with our wonderful family. We love you all very much and we can't wait for Holden to see his family again soon!


Thanks for everything Grandma and Grandpa!

Buddies

Holden is very lucky to have some really great friends - and I am lucky to have their mommies as friends! 

Over the past month, we've had some fun visits with Kristen and Simone, Crystal and Ava J, and Anne and Grace and Lily. We've also been invited to a few parties and Holden has been able to meet lots of other little boys and girls.

It is really sweet to see how children respond to other children, and I must admit that it does give me a slight twinge to want to give Holden the gift of being a big brother. We'll see though!

Here is Holden with Simone and her wonderful mommy Kristen:

Here is Nathan and Holden (2 months) and Crystal and Ava (6 months): 

Ava is trying to "eat" Holden's fingers:

Little Miss Ava!

Me, Holden (in the swing, 2 months), Grace (almost 3), Lily (almost 1) and Anne:

Beautiful Grace. She was so sweet to her little sister Lily and to Holden.

Bedtime Stories

Every night, after Holden's bath, Nathan and I read Holden two Bible stories and two regular stories. I know Holden does not understand the words we read or anything about plot and characters. Honestly, the bedtime stories are more for us to get in the habit of reading to him on a nightly basis. 

Holden really does enjoy the pictures, though. He stares intently at the different colors he sees on the pages and now he is even trying to grab the books. 

Hopefully, we will instill the importance of reading on Holden and he will be a happy, avid reader when he is older. 

Here are pictures of Nathan and Holden reading together:

 

Jungle Boogie

Thanks to his wonderful aunts Rose and Hilary, Holden has a very fun Jungle Playmat that he LOVES to have activity time on. There is a little mirror that he looks up at, and he talks to the "other" baby. He also is learning to grip and hold on to the animals. What is interesting is that he likes to use his left hand more than his right. Could we be looking at a south paw?