Welcome to Hollewood

March 10, 2016March 10, 2016

Visiting CLE–Just me and Mr. T

In January I had a long weekend, so Tyler and I flew to Cleveland to see Nana & Grandpa. When asked if he would like to go, Eric replied, “Cleveland in January? No thanks, I’m good.” So off we went, Baboo and I.

CLE from the air…stadium and downtown. Love this view and this city.

Tyler LOVED seeing Nana & Grandpa. He played constantly with them and relished the attention. He played pool and watched golf on TV with Grandpa and colored and investigated battery-operated candles with Nana. He read books with all of us. And he went to bed like a champ after all that activity.

Coloring in the highchair that was my cousin Mark's...it's over 40 years old! — Coloring in the highchair that was my cousin Mark’s…it’s over 40 years old!

We got to meet Annie & Andy’s baby boy, Oscar. They’re almost exactly a year apart, but Tyler only weighs 3 more pounds than Oscar! Seriously–what a cutie he is!

We checked out a burger bar in Tremont. Tyler patiently colored at the bar while we waited for a table and had fun feeding Grandpa his burger.

On Sunday, we took Tyler to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. I knew he would like it because he’s into animals and a pretty mellow kid. And he’d been saying/signing “fish” for months. But WOW I had no idea he’d enjoy it as much as he did. At 17 months old he was entertained for TWO HOURS and we probably could have stayed even longer.

aquarium seeing fish — Already excited at the first tank. “Fish!”

He wasn't shy at all about putting his hands in the water to touch the rays as they swam by. — He wasn’t shy at all about putting his hands in the water to touch the rays as they swam by.

It took us forever to get this shot...priceless! — It took us forever to get this shot…priceless!

On the way back to Westlake we stopped in Lakewood to visit our “old house”–the house I was born in. My parents planted that big tree out front on the treelawn thirtysomething years ago. And yes it’s snowing in Cleveland in January…no surprise there.

One last thing I wanted to do was take Tyler to Malley’s for ice cream. We grew up going there for good report cards and birthdays, in all its pink and green splendor. Nana had fun sharing her ice cream cone with Tyler!

All in all, a quick trip but an amazing trip. Tyler sure is loved.

One more thing–Nana & Grandpa when do I get to see you again?!

February 27, 2016February 27, 2016

Parenting Fail

So I remembered to slather the sunscreen on Tyler’s face today when we went out for a run in the 70 degree sunshine.

But I didn’t anticipate his little pants riding up in the stroller. Hence, this.

Nothing like a little mid-calf sunburn on February 27. Oops!

February 25, 2016

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Tyler is at that stage where he will copy most anything you do, and wants you to copy what’s he’s doing, too. Here are some selfies from the other night when we were snuggling and reading books on the couch too close to bedtime.

Now he’s just being a monkey.

He gets funnier every day!

February 21, 2016February 25, 2016

Happy Holledays 2015, Arizona

This year was a Holle year for Christmas, so the 11 of us set up camp at Grandma and Grandpa Holle’s in Tucson. We were fortunate to have mostly decent weather (contrary to popular belief, Tucson is NOT hot and sweaty in December…we were lucky to be outside without a jacket on any given day). We had an amazing time being all together: us from Colorado, the Stumpfs from Nebraska, and Paul & Colleen from Idaho. We cooked delicious meals, visited the Desert Museum and the Children’s Museum, stopped at In and Out (sadly, only once), and drank an entire keg. The kids wore matching Christmas Jammies (thanks, Aunt Laura!) and loved playing with toys from the Holle stash, new toys, each other, and especially Aunt Colleen.

Waiting to catch our redeye out of Denver... — Waiting to catch our redeye out of Denver…

Playing peekaboo with Emma on the plane!

Tyler, always interested in what the big kids are up to. — Tyler, trying to figure out how Ethan is playing with the same manger scene we have at home.

In and Out!! — In and Out. In my mouth. (Animal style fries…although it looks like barf.)

2015-12-25_042021575_4C137_iOS — Christmas Jammies!

Special time with Grandma examining the tree.

Uncle Andy brought an old-school video game gadget. Here, Emma and Tyler are playing Super Mario Bros.

Paul & Colleen being silly at the Desert Museum.

Emma and Tyler were enthralled with Aunt Colleen.

Tucson Children's Museum! — Tucson Children’s Museum!

Maybe he'll be a scientist someday. — Maybe he’ll be a scientist someday.

We had a fabulous trip and made lots of fun memories. We even got to stay an extra day–thanks, Southwest Airlines, for canceling so many flights. Also, thanks to Southwest Airlines for losing our BOB and then returning it 5 days later at 11:30 pm…a trip to remember!

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016

Happy Holledays 2015

As with every family, the holidays were a blur for us this year. Here are a few photos of Tyler enjoying his second Christmas, at home in Colorado.

2015-12-15_022810999_1CB31_iOS — I think I’ve mentioned before how many hand-me-downs I have …including amazing holiday wear.

2015-12-17_002636233_42544_iOS — Mommy, I don’t really like this embroidery.

Ok seriously can this vest and turtleneck be my last Ugly Christmas Outfit?

Tyler was being so stinkin’ cute this day. Our church celebrates Christmas Eve on the Sunday before, so we attended, saw Santa (around the corner from our house on a firetruck!), and opened presents from my side of the family.

2015-12-20_175042604_6DF76_iOS — Not yet impressed by the big guy.

The basketball hoop from Nana & Grandpa was an instant hit.

Tyler was an angel around the Christmas tree–we didn’t have any broken ornaments or swimming-in-the-reservoir episodes. He had fun opening gifts, playing of course with the paper and ribbons. Thanks for the new toys, books, and clothes Aunt Heidi & Uncle David and Nana & Grandpa! The Wedgits and Richard Scarry books are some of my faves!

February 2, 2016

Thanksgiving in Chicagoland

Eric and I are fortunate to have very flexible schedules with our jobs. My school district gives us the whole week at Thanksgiving and Eric can take days off/work from home as needed. So, we flew to Chicago on the redeye Monday night.

2015-11-27_021459813_686E4_iOS — Redeye bedhead

We enjoyed time with my brother and Heidi and our nephews, Everett and Judd. The adults imbibed, the children frolicked, and Nana & Grandpa were exhausted.

On Tuesday, we visited a local indoor play area. The boys LOVED it and it was so fun to see Tyler seem all grown up running around with older kids and showing no fear on slides and ladders.

2015-11-24_202744052_69F6E_iOS — Judd and Tyler gettin’ crazy in the toddler area.

2015-11-24_194019739_A8E64_iOS — Judd practicing face-smashing.

2015-11-24_191817505_51809_iOS — Uncle Dave with Tyler.

2015-11-25_000107216_EA27D_iOS — Family dinner out in Barrington.

Nighttime is a hoot with 3 wound-up boys.

2015-11-25_012817575_EACB3_iOS — Rub a dub dub how many more years can we fit in this tub?!

2015-11-25_014028526_33EF7_iOS — Nana reads bedtime stories.

2015-11-25_020428893_DB3B6_iOS — Grandpa wrestles and makes babies laugh (and stay up late).

2015-11-24_212726025_29917_iOS — These bottles ain’t for no baby.

Wednesday we celebrated an unorthodox Thanksgiving! Our flight was leaving Thursday afternoon (literally no cheaper time to fly–$59). So, we cooked our dinner on Wednesday! Heidi and I spent most of our time ~~drinking wine~~ in the kitchen slaving over side dishes while Nana & Grandpa and the daddies played with the boys.

2015-11-25_231024480_61AD1_iOS — Old school art project: Indian headbands!

2015-11-26_000531662_00C9D_iOS — Two little Indian boys.

2015-11-25_215509906_D2666_iOS — Before-dinner family walk on the shores of frigid Lake Zurich.

2015-11-26_205252000_1EBB0_iOS — After-dinner family nap.

We had so much fun chasing after Everett, Judd, and Tyler. Fortunately we didn’t get too tired, because we had a Turkey Trot to do on Thanksgiving morning!

2015-11-26_182834000_25B40_iOS — Thanks, Long Grove, for the fun race and for letting us finish seconds before the rain started.

So glad we were able to all be together for the holiday. Tyler is a mere 5 1/2 weeks older than Judd and we all look forward to them growing up together!

February 1, 2016

Autumn in Vermont

“How do I exchange my dollars for Vermont Money?”–Joey Tribbiani

Way back last year sometime, Eric decided he needed to take a class for work. A 3-day workshop kind of class, offered by a private vendor at a variety of locations around the country. When he told me that Vermont was on the list–in OCTOBER!–I knew all 3 of us would be going. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to the Northeast in the fall. I wanted to experience the whole deal: leaf-peeping, cider donuts, and maple syrup tapping. Ok, I was bummed to learn that the syrup thing doesn’t happen in the fall…but I still wanted Tyler and I to tag along on this trip. So, we went for four days of family vacation before Eric stayed to take his class.

In true Hollewood vacation style, we didn’t waste a minute. From the moment we landed in Burlington, we were on the go. Tyler was a superb traveler and slept all night long in our airbnb–the house had a nursery with a crib, a diaper genie, bath toys, and even a stroller for us to use. Amazing.

We headed straight for the ferry to Essex, NY--Eric can now add it to his list! It was windy but beautiful out on Lake Champlain. — We headed straight for the ferry to Essex, NY–Eric can now add it to his list! It was windy but beautiful out on Lake Champlain.

It rained all day on Friday, but that didnt stop us from visiting Shelburne Farms. — It rained all day on Friday, but that didn’t stop us from visiting Shelburne Farms.

Tyler loved chasing still — Tyler loved chasing (still holding our hands) the chickens roaming around the property.

Obviously, we visited breweries. #57-63 for Tyler. He did his usual thing and conked out.

Did you know Burlington is home to the world's tallest tower made of filing cabinets? — Did you know Burlington is home to the world’s tallest tower made of filing cabinets?

Saturday was beautiful and we set out for a long day in the mountains. We planned to hike the Long Trail from the top of the toll road to the summit of Mt Mansfield.

But it was windy. Oh, so windy. And SO much colder than in town. This was the most upset we have ever seen Tyler.

So Tyler and I headed back to the car while Eric made the quick summit!

It's always neat to see other ski areas. We'd love to ski Stowe in the winter! — It’s always neat to see other ski areas. We’d love to ski Stowe in the winter!

Leaf-peeping--check! — Leaf-peeping–check!

Tyler really was such a trooper with all the getting in-and-out of the car. — Tyler really was such a trooper with all the getting in-and-out of the car and picture-taking.

We enjoyed both Heady Topper and Focal Banger by The Alchemist. WOW.

We visited Ben & Jerry's! — We visited Ben & Jerry’s!

Sunday we visited Shelburne Orchards. Tyler had his first hayride and picked his first apple!

Enjoying an afternoon in the sunshine on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Many thanks to our friends who gave us recommendations and suggestions of all the things to see, do, eat, and drink in and around Burlington. We ate at Penny Cluse, American Flatbread, and Vergennes Laundry. We drank at Magic Hat, Fiddlehead, Switchback, Queen City, Zero Gravity, Crop, and Prohibition Pig. We saw Stowe, Ben & Jerry’s, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Orchards, and rode the ferry to Essex, NY. We ate maple ice cream and bought Tyler a little dinosaur we call his Vermontasaurus.

It was so fun to have Tyler there and see him experience things for the first time. Thinking back now, although it was only 4 months ago, I can hardly believe how much he has changed since then. He was barely starting to walk–wobbly and holding our hands. At 14 months old, he was swimming in size 12 months clothes. And he was still nursing. I miss that baby!

January 28, 2016

Happy Birthday, Tyler (6 months later)

Our little guy turned 1 on August 7, 2014. Mr. T, Mr. Man, Professor Goobenstein, Baboo Monkey. Tyler celebrated in style with a house full of family and friends and a visit from the Sweet Cow MooMobile.

On Tyler's actual birthday, Daddy was out of town. So he got to eat a birthday donut with Mommy. — On Tyler’s actual birthday, Daddy was out of town. So he got to eat a birthday donut with Mommy.

Chillin' with Grandpa. — Chillin’ with Grandpa.

17 lbs
not yet walking
not yet talking
loving Lilly, Mommy, & Daddy

November 22, 2015November 23, 2015

The Evolution of Walking

Tyler crawled at 10 1/2 months, which depending on who you ask, is on the later side. So it was no surprise that he wasn’t yet on two feet on his 1st birthday. I didn’t realize what a long process it was until I looked back at videos of him learning to walk and noticed they spanned over three months.

Congratulations, Tyler! I particularly love the “WOW” in the 3rd video. He’s even more exhausted now at the end of the day than he was when he was a crawler. And he’s obsessed with shoes. He loves wearing them and pointing at them and saying “sh”…it’s adorable. Playing at the park is so much more fun for him now, too. He has no fear–running up slides and sliding down, crossing bridges, and scooting through tunnels.

Parting shot:

November 19, 2015

Our Little Pumpkin

So it’s been awhile. I’m welcoming myself back to Hollewood. I have lots of excuses. I could say I don’t have time but that’s not true–I don’t HAVE to go to bed at 8:30. My old buddy, the 2007 MacBook, bit the dust. But we got a new one. Mostly, we never got our photo organization under control. Photos on phones, the nice camera, and the GoPro. Photos on hard drives, the Cloud, Dropbox, Amazon Photo, and Shutterfly. So. Many. Photos. But I’m starting my New Year’s Resolution early and getting this situation buckled down. Get ready for more blog posts. Might as well start with this one…

Nana & Grandpa came in from Cleveland in late October. They were amazing and watched Tyler for THREE whole days while we worked. My parents make a great tag team in caring for and entertaining Tyler. Grandpa likes to rock him to sleep singing Beatles songs, and Nana likes to see how much she can get him to eat. He wasn’t walking yet during their visit, but he exhausted them nonetheless. In fact, I think they’re still sleeping back in Ohio.

On a super sunny Sunday, we headed to a pumpkin patch after church. I wanted some cute photos of Tyler in a festive outfit I found in a hand-me-down box. Enjoy.