Prince Harry

I am not sure there is a way to cover all that has happened or if anyone would actually read all of it. In the last three months Holden has traveled with Mommy to New Orleans, Sacramento and Nashville with plenty happening during that time. We will jump start to today.
A second life was brought forth by Mommy after 39 weeks of gestation and we will call him Harrison Randolph Griffin. Harrison is a tribute to Holden's 3rd great uncle (thanks to ancestry.com and Papa John's research) and to the French L'Herisson's of south Louisiana that eventually married a Griffin. Also, Holden's Papa Harry was a big influence and maybe it doesn't hurt that our favorite actor and prince of England also share the name.
Harrison was born in much the same way Holden was; augmented with the intense hormone Pitocin. This time mommy was very efficient at the push stage and Harrison was brought out nicely. Daddy cut the cord and with it the ties to the easy life of one child. Sleep levels have dropped off to the bare minimum and every now and then I get up to see what's going on.

Last date night for a while....

Holden showing solidarity with Mommy as she preps for labor

Brownies for Holden for Harrison's birthday

"Hayson"

These kids love watermelon

Holden reading to his brother

HRG

Holden is adjusting and we will leave it at that! But seriously Holden is sweet on his little brother and doesn't mind the crying. Of course like all of us he could use a little extra attention. This attention part bears repeating; this is really all our child wants at this stage so if there is poor behavior being exhibited, then, perhaps more attention?
Speaking of the eldest he is sharp as a tack. He will ask what things are. He will tell you where things need to go or what needs to be shut. He will request food, diaper change (potty training happening now-ish), water, music (either acapella by parent or MP3). He will tell you when a truck, jeep, motorcycle or airplane goes by. Also, you cannot read Holden enough books.
Mommy is tired but is doing outstanding and Grandma Charlotte is returning to Key West to help with the upcoming move. Mommy found a great cottage in Tennessee that was built in 1938, something Mommy never wanted when she played the board game Life (the cottage). We will move in by November 1st.

Maplemere Cottage aka Casa de Griffin

Summer Vacation 2013

 Holy global warming it is hot down here. So, we are all leaving. The blog and bloggers will be out of town until early September. Check back in with us then for all the latest goodness. Stay cool and enjoy your vacations! Here are some pictures to keep you going until the next batch!

Skip it is the only time he sucks his thumb

Introduced to Play-Doh!

New man cave for Holden

Mommy found a Sea Cow

Manatee

Summer '13

credit to Derek Luman
father of one of Holden's play dates

 Hurricane season arrived earlier than expected this year with a little storm called Andrea. The military command down here is predicting, "two shelter in place" events and one evacuation to Orlando. Without seeming sardonic I will tell you that has been the prediction since 2010. So, fingers crossed this year!
The tropical storm prevented the Keys from seeing daylight for more than a week and was supposedly a big boost to the mosquito population. Mommy tried to take Holden and Corinne for a walk to the park during this time and looked back at them in the wagon to see them covered by the tiny beasts! Speaking of beasts we now have several wild iguanas living in the mangrove tree behind our house. Sadly for Holden they only come out at nap time, the hottest part of the day.
So far this summer Holden has enjoyed birthday parties for girlfriends his age, swimming pools and trips to the park by the beach. He runs everywhere he goes, likes to walk on his toes and talks all the time, either nonsense or mimicking what we say. The potty training concept has slowed and now he tells us as soon as he goes; pointing to his training potty with a dirty diaper, hoping for some credit that will get him M&Ms no doubt. We continue to be alert, letting him walk around without a diaper sometimes with disastrous consequences. He likes for things to be neat and will take great pride in throwing things away. He loves to pick up everything he can and bring to Daddy for either safe keeping, sharing or showing I am not sure which but it's great.

Holden showing Corinne that it is okay to eat the birthday girl's cupcake

Mommy showing both that it is not

Holden sees the blocks we brought as a gift for the birthday girl and quickly re-appropriates them.

"Mom! no one seems to be interested in this stuffed dog...."

Holden loves snack time and knows to grab napkins, place mats and his water cup.

Baby Alise learning to walk

A rare scene on the waters of Key West, not a ripple.

Holden learning to use crayons

Holden likes to kiss baby

a real hunk

Lately his bed time routine has been to run around our kitchen island while Mommy or Daddy asks "Where is Holden?!" and he comes sprinting around the corner giggling as we shout, "THERE HE IS!" Below is a picture of this.

"There he is!"

HCG

Every child has one of these and some may be different than others. Some children may have two some may even have three but most have one.  Want to know what that something is? Nap time. That sweet sweet respite that gives the caregiver a break and perhaps a nap themselves. If it's just me watching Holden I panic, not knowing how to best spend the two hour block of freedom. As the time nears for Holden to wake panic turns to frenzy until no activity is satisfying waiting on the inevitable call of the recently risen Prince Cyrus. Everything must come to an end but Holden always gives a smiling face after nap time making you wonder why you were ever happy to put him down.
Holden is exploring the depths of his temperament lately. He gets mad at loud noises and if he sees a parent in pain he will attempt to hit us as if to say, "I will give you something to cry about". This is a strange habit and hopefully passing. Mommy watched a baby boy for a few days giving Holden exposure to his coming sibling. Let's just say it was educational.
Two things this kid loves right now, sweeping and being outside. He loves to use his toy "BOON" (broom) inside and run around the outside of the house and touch hoses, rocks, ice chest, bike pumps, grass, flowers, toys, shoes, etc.
Holden explored the law of gravity by exiting his crib at rail height one morning. The poor guy landed pretty hard and wasn't walking for a few hours. A couple of check ups later and he was pronounced a normal boy and to never be given anti-inflammatory after an injury like this (in case it is a break that will interrupt healing) until checked out by an orthopedic doctor.
Holden has one more month in Key West and then it is off to California for two months to see family, friends and his new friend Frankie Ventura (Mommy's college friend's newborn, eta any day now). You can do it Erin!
 Grandpa John was in town last week and Holden enjoyed playing with him and being pulled by grandpa in his red wagon. Holden took about ten minutes to warm up to him and was sad to see him go. He hates goodbyes. Here are some pictures of late. Sorry there hasn't been a post lately Mommy and Daddy were in Season 3 of a Game of Thrones marathon and it just ended tonight. WOW! 

Holden loves loves loves, "POP"

A burger for the little man

Grandpa John

Holden can say hat but doesn't keep them on long

A real reader

This is too weird. Out of fifty some odd books Holden chooses two. The Catcher in the Rye and The Stuffed Griffin, a cookbook.

Holden serving himself on a nice new table Mommy got for him.

Holden will stay put as long as there is fruit on his plate.

"Big Brother"