Last day of paternity leave, and he’s crushing this parenting thing:)

Hummus party! We brought hummus, veggies, and pita bread to Meryl’s class for the next edition of dippable snacks. And they ate it all!

 Lounging about, stretching his neck muscles.

Frank was able to feed Holmes 3 oz. from a bottle in one big gulp! (Thus far, bottle feeding has been touch and go, with me having the most success. Not the point! Independence, please!) 

Turns out, Holmes has torticollis - he stuffed himself in my belly with his head turned right, shortening his left neck muscles as a result. It’s affected the muscles on the left side of his mouth too and made sucking from a bottle...work. No one likes to exercise, let alone when it’s required in order to eat, so he’s been very successful at avoiding the bottle. Well, we wised up in the last couple of weeks and found him a pediatric speech therapist and physical therapist, who in turn gave us ‘exercises.’ And, they’re working!

QT (quality time) with this cutie!

Our version of the ‘end of the road’ just behind our house!  Pretty darn pretty.

Meryl loves spotting buses when we’re out and about. Today, we took an adventure walk around the block and discovered the bus stop!

 We headed back to the Pacific Science Center for their model train show this weekend - chugga, chugga, choo, choo - which happened to be located next to the insects exhibit, where I tried my hardest to not reveal any fears and remain ‘excited’ to see and learn about cockroaches and beetles.

 Coneviently stationed outside the exit was a popcorn booth, with the best most salty fake butter. There was also cotton candy, but Meryl hasn’t made it to the big leagues yet to recognize it:)

Yet another bike riding accessory, clear glasses to shield the wind. Cute dimple included!

 Another page in the book of, “Meryl’s Got a Good Life.” Frank and I flexed our maternity/paternity leaves to host a cookie decorating party at Meryl’s school with her friends. Frank made sugar cookies that the kids dipped into melted chocolate and decorated with sprinkles. Educational too, in that the kids learned a step-by-step process and practiced patience, waiting to eat the cookies until after they were decorated. Sprinkles and chocolate went everywhere, and then we left just in time for the sugar high to set in! Next up, we’re contemplating a party with vegetables to be kind to Meryl’s teachers:)

Bad habit? Nope. I call this mother daughter bonding. Eating chips before dinner is always a good idea! Some might even call them an amuse bouche:)

 What a month it’s been! We met with his pediatrician today, for his check-up, and learned that Holmes has gained a little over a pound and a half this past month, despite getting sick and losing weight along the way! We’re asking EVERYONE about bottle feeding as this kiddo is trying all the delay tactics that he can:) Good thing he’s cute, as the journey continues with this little hedgehog.