Fast Forward.....

So it's January 2nd - our 2nd wedding anniversary, my 1-year anniversary for blogging, and the first blog I've done in almost 2 months. I realize that my last blog entry only brought my updates up to the beginning of September. Since it's the beginning of a brand new year, here's what's going to happen - this is going to be a lengthy blog covering the past few months to bring you up to speed on our lives. That way I can start fresh for the new year bringing you current updates - hopefully broadcasting events not long after they happen!!

And away we go....back to September...

We truly enjoyed the 3+ weeks that we got to spend visiting friends and family. However, when the time came, we were definitely ready to head down to Louisiana and get settled in our new house. We made it to Fort Polk on September 8th after a 16 hour road trip - once again Hank was quite the trooper. I immediately began the process of starting my new job as the physical therapist for the Warrior Transition Unit here at Fort Polk and getting Hank set up with daycare on post. Bill began work immediately and took over as the First Sargeant for the bridge company in early October. Three months later we are still getting our new home organized.

Hank has changed so much over the past few months. Here's a list of some of his big achievements:
- rolling front to back and back to front at 3 months
- his 2 bottom teeth came in at 4 months
- 4-month well-baby stats - 17 lb 5 oz and 26.5 inches long
- he started scooting around on his belly around 5-6 months
- 6-month well baby stats - 19 lb 15 oz and in the 86th percentile, 28.5 inches tall and in the 97th percentile
- crawling on hands and knees at 6-7 months
- pulling up right at 7 1/2 months

Enough chit chat - enjoy the pics!!

Trying cereal for the first time around 4 1/2 months old.

Hanging out at Fort Polk.

Going for a walk in the big boy stroller.

The bumbo chair didn't get much use from Mr. Hank. He never wanted to sit up straight - he always wanted to reach over the side!

Family picture at Bill's change of responsibility ceremony and his "frocking"

Happy Halloween!!

6 month pictures - I thought I had planned Hank's six month pictures pretty well. I scheduled a photographer about 6 weeks ahead of time and picked out our coordinating outfits. Long story short - poor communication on the photographer's part caused us to miss each other at the selected outdoor location - yes, we were there and the photographer was there but I was never able to find her. Luckily, I had my camera, and we were able to capture our own shots.

The next group of pictures were taken around Thanksgiving when my parents came down to visit.

Hank had a great time hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa :)

December 2011

Hank's first parade in Leesville, LA

Hank's first Christmas Eve

 Not so sure about these presents...

Making his "raspberry" noises

 Merry Christmas!!



Michigan

During the last week of August, we headed up to Michigan to visit Bill's family. Once again, I did an awful job of taking pictures but did manage to snap a few.

Hank, Daddy, and cousin Jaxsen on a Model T at Greenfield Village.

Hank's first merry-go-round ride at Greenfield Village

Family and Friends

I'm embarrassed to say that I did a horrible job of taking pictures while we visited our family and friends back in August. Yes, that's right, I'm still blogging about August. I promise I will eventually catch up :) So what I have is a bunch of random pictures taken during our vist to Indiana. (I even had to borrow some from my mom and Aunt Becky)



Hank with his cousins, Eli and Luke.

Hank chillin with Aunt Becky

Bill with a few of his Army buddies.

Grandma, Mommy, and Hank

Me, Hank, and my best friend Liz

Hank and cousin Ellie

Passed out...

Cousins!!

Hank and Grandma

Hank with me and my cousin Meredith (and a soon-to-be new cousin due in March, yay!!!)

Hank and Garmie (great-grandma)





Deep-fried Twinkies!

After taking a few days to rest after our long trip, we joined my cousin Libby and her two boys, Eli and Luke at the Indiana State Fair. We enjoyed some good 'ol fair food (including a deep fried twinkie!), shopping at some of the booths (I just couldn't stay away from the Tupperware booth), and going on a few safe rides.

Hank's first ride. We sat in a giant bear that went very slowly in a big circle.

Libby, Luke, and Eli on the ferris wheel.

It looks like Mommy and Daddy were way more excited about the ferris wheel.

Bill and Eli on the Scrambler.

Looks like someone is having fun at the fair!

2,185 miles!

It seems like I agonized about this road trip for months. I've heard a lot of parents say that their children absolutely loved being in the carseat. Hank has never really enjoyed the carseat that much. I always blamed it on the fact that we had to drive so far to get anywhere out in California. I spent many car trips riding in the back seat with him. So I felt incredibly guilty every time I thought about him having to be in the carseat for over 2,000 miles. Thankfully, my mom was able to take time off from work and make the trip with us. Turns out, I worry too much. Hank was such a trooper. Of course, he got very tired of the carseat (What baby wouldn't?!), but he napped a lot, and we were able to make it to Indiana in 3 days including a stop at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri to visit some friends.

Hanging out in the hotel after a long day of driving.

One of many naps taken on the trip.

Aunt Becky met us for a pit-stop in Terre Haute - I think she wanted bragging rights as one of the first to meet Hank :)