Bruce Update-Week of 4/20/09

Here's the scoop on Bruce from last week!

Bruce turned 7 weeks old :)

It's amazing how quickly he is growing. Now weighing in at about 11 lbs and he's filled out quite a bit from his wrinkly newborn skin. Sleep (or lack thereof) is still an issue, with Bruce going anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours in between feedings (usually 2 or 3). We're going to work on this a bit more next week.

Last week we saw the departure of Grandma and Grandpa Heier :( We were sad to see them go and look forward to seeing them in Nebraska in September if not sooner (you're always welcome back)!! Byron has now left for a trip to Argentina. If you have internet access there and are checking in, Hi from Bruce!

The rest of the week was spent with Grandpop Green. Bruce found Pop Pop really funny and would giggle and coo at his silly faces. Bruce also got some good play time on his Rainforest gym that Pop Pop got him.

On Friday we celebrated Pop Pop's Burthday at a Chinese restaurant called Peking Gourmet with Uncle Rich and Aunt Lisa. It was super yummy and Bruce kept his strong record of sleeping through dinner (with the help of Dad's soothing techniques).

And just a few more random pictures around the house to share.

Thanks Pop Pop for all your help. We are looking forward to seeing you again in a couple weeks!

Bruce's Baptism

We celebrated Bruce's baptism on Sunday, April 19th at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Bruce did great, watching the Pastor as they poured water over his head and made the sign of the cross on his forward with holy oil. He let out just a little cry which was his way of saying, Amen! They gave Bruce a beautiful baptismal candle and certificate. Bruce's Godparents are Robb's brother Kevin and his wife Rhonda and Deanna's brother Richard and his wife Lisa. Many family members and friends attended the ceremony and then joined us at our home afterward for lunch, cake, and further celebration. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it! It truly was a very blessed day.

Bruce in his baptismal outfit

Bruce with Pastor Bob and his Godparents

(Kevin and Rhonda, Deanna and Robb, Pastor Bob, Lisa and Richard)

Bruce with his Grandparents

Bruce at his Baptism Reception

The Guest Signing Photo

The beautiful cake from Rich and Lisa

Bruce with his cousin Lena

Bruce with Grandpop Green

Bruce with Grandpa Heier

Bruce Update-Week of 4/13/09

Sorry for the delayed update on last week's ongoings! It was a hectic one as we went back to Mom and Bruce alone at the beginning of the week and Bruce went through some erratic feeding/sleeping patterns. We muddled through Monday, but had to call in for reinforcements (aka Dad) on Tuesday. Brucie was extra fussy that morning and Duke decided to get into the garbage and spread food all around the kitchen and living room (along with a not so pleasant surprise on the rug). After a frantic call, Robb hurried home early from work and then of course all was right with the world (I think this photo below should be on the cover of Modern Dad magazine).

Robb working from home with Baby, Laptop and Coffee.
(Bruce is in the sling in the photo on the left :)

Tuesday night Grandma and Grandpa Heier returned to DC offering some much needed support. The extra hands also allowed Mom to start making preparations for Bruce's baptism celebration this weekend where we were expecting to welcome about 30 family and friends. On Friday we welcomed Grandpop Green (Deanna's Dad), in from Orlando for the baptism, and on Saturday we welcomed back Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Kevin and cousins Lena and Brett.

On Saturday Deanna, Rhonda, Barb, and Lena took Bruce to Babies 'R Us for a portrait sitting for his Baptismal photo. It was quite an adventure! After a couple hours of posing and fussing (and a few extra grey hairs on my head), we were able to get the perfect shot. We used one of the prints as a signing sheet for guests at the baptism.

After the portrait, the Heier ladies decompressed with a much needed trip to the Nail spa for pedicures and manicures...as well as a stop at Krispy Kreme (how could we not ;) And with that renewed energy I was ready to be Mom again!

Sunday was Bruce's Baptism (a separate blog post to come) and Monday we were able to relax and spend time with our guests before the Heier's had to head out of town. It was a very nice weekend for Bruce to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Grandma Heier reading to Brett and Lena

Grandma playing Cars with Brett

Bruce hanging out with Grandma Heier

Grandpa reading to Brett

Grandma Heier and Uncle Kevin with Bruce

Easter Egg Fun!

Bruce Meets His First Cousins

This past weekend Bruce met his Uncle Kevin (Robb's brother) and his cousins Lena and Brett Heier and got to see his Aunt Rhonda again. Lots of fun photos below. He could not stop staring at Lena. One of Bruce's highlights was when Lena read him Green Hat, Blue Hat (He particularly liked the "Oops!" parts) and he let out his first laugh!

Thursday was our 4-year wedding anniversary and also marked Bruce's first babysitting night. Aunt Rhonda was kind enough to babysit Bruce while we went out to dinner. It was tough to be away from Bruce (seemed like we were gone for hours) but we did enjoy the night out and Deanna enjoyed her first full glass of wine in about a year.

Thanks for visiting guys! Bruce is looking forward to seeing you again soon and to meeting more of his cousins when we visit Nebraska in September.

Lena reading to Bruce

Lena, Brett and Bruce

Lena feeding Bruce

Lena holding Bruce

Uncle Kevin and Bruce

Aunt Rhonda and Bruce

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Bruce spent Easter Sunday this year with his cousins Lena and Brett Heier and his Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rhonda. He woke up to a nice surprise. The Easter Bunny had come to our house (thanks to Lena and Brett leaving him some yummy potatoes) and he left some neat little gifts for us.

Shorthly after, Bruce suited up for Easter Sunday Services wearing his green guayabera (a traditional Cuban dress shirt), a "Christ is Risen" pin from his Grandma Green (Deanna's mom), and scented with Las Violetas cologne. He looked so handsome, stole mommy's heart. Thanks Uncle Rich and and Aunt Lisa for the outfit!

Bruce Update-4/10/09

Bruce is 5 weeks old!

Bruce continues to get bigger with each passing day. His neck and head control have gotten very good (despite his hatred of tummy time) and he is now moving his head all around to look at everything in his range of sight. He is able to focus on objects and make real eye contact (Mommy loves staring into his beautiful slate blue eyes). Bruce has also progressed in terms of his feeding/sleeping schedule lasting about 4 hrs in between feedings at night, allowing Mom and Dad to get a little extra shut eye.


With Grandma and Grandpa Heier's departure last Saturday and Robb back at work, this was Bruce and Mommy's first week home together alone. We made it through pretty well, definitely testing my patience at times, but when he falls asleep in my arms all else is forgotten. We are looking forward to Easter Weekend with Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Kevin, and cousins Lena and Brett. Stay Tuned for Easter photos!

Photos with Grandma and Grandpa Heier

Bruce was not happy to see Grandma and Grandpa Heier go :(

1 Month Birthday!

Bruce is 1 Month old today!

We celebrated Bruce's birthday with Palm Sunday Church service at Redeemer, a trip to the mall for a photo-op with Senor Bunny (to be released next Sunday), and a Happy Birthday Song serenade by Mom, Dad, Uncle Rich and Aunt Lisa (Duke and Channing also in attendance) over a Happy Birthday bottle. Couldn't have asked for more!

Some photos and video to share:

Bruce's First DC Adventure-Cherry Blossom Festival!

Bruce went on his first big DC adventure this week to the National Cherry Blossom Festival (http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/). Bruce, Mom, and Grandma and Grandpa Heier drove downtown and parked on East Potomac Park. We then took a shuttle to the Jefferson Memorial and walked around the Tidal Basin. It was a cloudy day, but the temperature was nice enough that we could stay out a bit. Almost every tree was in bloom, it was really pretty. Bruce did great, and really loved strolling around the Basin area in his stroller (the rockier the sidewalk the happier he was). As you can see from the photos, he was very excited by the whole affair ;0)