One

Holden developed a peculiar ability while in California that was not fun to deal with on the way home. He can now squeal at a pitch so uncomfortable that ones face will naturally cringe when he does. As previously mentioned in the last blog he is in a definite sharing phase. Choosing at random when to give you his ball, food and pebbles from the playground. Maybe he enjoys the exaggerated "THANK YOU" he gets or he's a giver like his Mommy.

Despite Mommy and Daddy's effort to curb the use of the word "NO" ad naseum we still find ourselves using it more than we would like. Invariably Holden has learned the word and will shake his head "NO" whenever he thinks he is doing something wrong or we are!
He is doing okay with no night feeding. The first night was brutal, in his defense it was fresh on the heels of return from Pacific time. As seen below Holden started using a big boy cup and took to it nicely.

I will leave you with one final chuckle, Mommy found three rocks in his diaper the other day. We have to assume they were cached as part of a grander scheme, the purpose of which is still unclear to me.


Happy Birthday big guy. I don't know where this blessing of a baby went but we like the one year old crawling around just fine.

California II

                         Please read "California Pt. 1" blog post for more info. Here are some more pictures.

Holden brought a "Flat Stanley" for his cousin Ben's Kindergarten school project.

THIS. KID. EATS.

Claps all the time.

THANKSGIVING

French Oak.

California I

6,000 miles later and the Key West Griffins are back in Key West. That was Holden's fifth plane trip in his first year of life, which happens to be wrapping up this weekend! Please send cash gifts addressed to "Daddy". The California vacation was great and sometimes chilly. We experienced great weather in Carmel and during the Half Marathon along the Monterey Peninsula. Holden ate at Grampa Harry's restaraunt Cafe Stravaganza about a dozen times.

The kid loves to point

Veggies at Cafe Stravaganza, Carmel.

Holden's Great Uncles and Aunts

The amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium

Holden may have fallen on the sand after this picture leaving Daddy with a valuable lesson. Never sacrifice good footing for a photo.

Note Holden's head on Mommy, he was glad to see her.

Big Sur Half Marathon Finish

 Holden was constantly surrounded by relatives and friends all trying to teach, watch, hold, feed and play with him. Our trip also brought us to the Sacramento Valley to the town of Davis. Davis is the second most educated city in the US and has made much contributions to that state's agriculture. There, Holden had his first trampoline experience. He also ate many new Thanksgiving foods like Pumpkin bars, a recipe from Gran Gran Griffin but made by Mommy. Holden let Mommy and Daddy sample some of Napa's wines and spent a lot of time hanging out with Grampa Perry and Grandma Charlotte.

The next evolution prior to walking.

Holden was a big help for Thanksgiving. Keeping the floor clean of fallen food.

Holden enjoys sharing his food with almost anyone. Its ridiculously funny.

Holden's Aunts and Uncles

Fried Turkey!

Grandpa Harry

These ladies caught a winery's eye and they had them pose for their website. The wine was comped

Grgich Winery. The founder destroyed the French competition in the 1970's and put California wine on the map.

Mountains of SLC, Utah.

Flying with Holden may have set back some of our more firm rules. For instance, why not give him as many goldfish and cheerios as possible in order to maintain the peace at 30,000 ft? So, we did but now that we are back in Key West Mommy has put her foot down and decided no more "meh-meh" (breastfeeding) during the night. I know what you guys are thinking, "That means Daddy will have to get up for all night crying?". If any of you can talk to her I would appreciate it. Just so we all know the AAP suggests one year minimum, the WHO suggests 3 years and Holden suggests forever.


Well, its back to the grind and we are looking forward to holiday functions and travel as I am sure all of you are. Take care and Happy Holidays.