A Cerney Periodical

Matt and Brock and I embarked on our first ever all-inclusive to the absolutely beautiful VelasVallarta resort in Puerto Vallarta.  Our weather was perfect, and so welcomed after the pounding of the Midwestern winter this year.  Already on his third air passage trip, Brock did awesome on the plane.  He strategically smiled and charmed his way into the other passengers hearts as they boarded.  We thought these alliances would be helpful later if he got cra cra, but he did not need to cash in on them as he was a perfect gentleman throughout the flight.  Minus the most insane blowout he's ever had on a plane.  Or maybe ever.  We sat in the first row in coach, so the first class restroom was closer.  After my first trip there with Brock, the stewardess "kindly" reminded me that there was another bathroom in the back (34 rows back to be exact). This is the first dinner with the whole group that we braved to take Brock away from his bedtime for.  A traditional Mexican feas

Brock loves his jumper. (Thanks Melinda and Mark!) He usually gets a good jump in each morning while i make some breakfast and check my statement. This is one of Brock's first jumping vids. He was still a little too camera-spooked to flip out, but he won't let it stop him from jumping. This one is more recent. Brock is getting a bit better with the camera, but i also had it hidden on my hip for most of the shot.  In this last one i caught Brock working on his "M" sounds. He's turned into quite the little babbler. (And he nailed "mama" first! When do i get my "dada"s?) He'd been going for over a minute straight by the time i got the camera out. Who knows how long he'd have continued if i didn't break his focus. 

We had decided before going to Mexico that Brock would start solid foods when we got home. Here's his very first solid food experience with carrots. He HATED them! We kept trying every day, and by now Brock has developed a healthy love of sweet potatoes. Sometimes he's still reluctant initially. But cram that first spoonful in and he'll demand you continue shoveling. 

Holly went back to work at DePaul a few weeks ago. We are lucky enough with our schedules that I can work until the close and make it home to Brock just before Holly goes to work the afternoon shift. Not only do we get out of finding daycare for a bit, but I'm also getting my first tastes of what 5 hours alone with a baby are like. (awesome, of course!) Brock and I have tons of fun, but one of my (and certainly his) favorite parts of the day is when mommy comes home. As soon as he realizes who it is, his whole face lights up with joy, and all his arms and legs go into full squig mode. I tried capturing it on video one evening. Like most Brock videos, his excitement level is tempered by the presence of a camera, but you can still clearly see that magical moment when he realizes his favorite person in the world is back. 

We just back from the beautiful Puerto Vallarta.  More there to follow.  But first, a lead up.   Behold!  Brock's thug life passport photo.  Sooooo, we learned late that babies also need a passport, but luckily, since we live in Chicago, we can get one on the fly.  But that means a visit to the passport office, which in Chicago, like visiting any city establishment, is AWESOME (if you like that line-waiting-NEXT-sorry-$$$-sort-of-thing).  So, we took a passport photo at home and brought it in.  Turns out the very light blue towel I used for background was not white enough for the US.  So, after braving the passport office at 8:30 am in negative weather with Brock and Matt before the board opened, we were informed that we needed another less white photo.  Enter the photo above courtesy of UPS store.  We return to the office, only to have them tell us this photo is "too white".  After I'm sure were looks of death from Matt and I, the lady said, "all right,