50th and Happy New Year

We are back, safe and sound in Key West. Two short flights, to and from New Orleans, that somehow miraculously escaped the massive delays we have been hearing about. Some due to mid west white outs others from post-Christmas travel flow. Aunt Jane for instance had to wait five hours at the Lafayette airport for her departure. Jane should have gotten in John Candy's van when she had the chance. We even heard from a lady who was on a plane at LaGuardia that went to the flight line and back three times all while an incessant alarm sounded in the cabin (the entire ordeal lasted four hours). If that is not Hell on earth I don't know what is. Here are some pictures from the trip.

A toy doll that Mommy got Holden. He is wary of it and as in most toys loses interest quickly, at this stage.

Mommy wrapping presents sent by Santa Amazon to La.

Chimes that work!

"Gamma"

"No Gamma"

"Dont"

She did it.

Girard Park fowl

Holden's cousin Caedmon

Holden's cousin Benjamin

Where Ben is careful and calculating Caedmon is reckless and powerful

Eleanor and a foster child Louise and DJ are caring for

Louise and Eleanor

Grand Dude shot his best score ever!

Can't go to Louisana and not get drive-thru daiquiris, right Aunt Jane?

Christmas morning

Holden's South Louisiana uniform

T-Coons for breakfast. Famous for its smothered rabbit. Was actually outstanding for breakfast.

Adam and God (Uncle Jonas)

Holden spent his Christmas in Grand Dude John's 3/2 new house with four other children under the age of six. So, we thought for sure he would decide to walk or get eaten alive by the others. Well, like Mommy says he is not a performer and he will walk when it suits him. He was content to observe his energetic cousins and every now and then join in. Between hangin' with cousins, going on walks and playing with toys Holden was able to make it across Lafayette to see one of his two great grandmothers. "Gamma Irene" had flown down from the hills of rural North Arkansas to see him while she stayed at her daughters home. Holden got a kick out of her and her denture tricks! Holden played at the park Daddy played at throughout his youth, so it was pleasantly nostalgic. Everything did seem a lot smaller and not as vibrant but that's the way it goes, isn't it. I guess that is why we keep the cycle going, so you can go through it one (or five) more times if not in a slightly different way. Sorry for any of our Louisiana readers that we were unable to see. It was a short trip.

Back at home Holden likes to play with his new Christmas toys. He continues to experiment with his sign language. For instance, he may give the tired sign my patting his cheek followed by a rapid shaking of the head. As if to say, my body is tired but my mind is not. I don't know, we still put him down every day at 9am/1pm/7pm. He now sleeps until about 3 or 4 am which is a lot better than it used to be. Happy New Year to all and thanks for making the blog a success by always coming back and checking in to see how Holden is. This is the 50th blog and we have had 4,550 views (counting the nefarious Russian trollers) since The Beginning post.

Holden playing the Xylophone from Davis grandparents

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family. The presents are bought, Holden is sleeping, Daddy is blogging and Mommy is watching that new Persian reality TV show. Tomorrow Holden flies all the way to New Orleans. From there it is a two hour drive west to Acadiana Parish; home to bayou, beer, Catholics and crawfish.

Holden has been aging well, like a fine cheese. He continues to dabble in standing with no real desire to walk, as of yet. Although he did take three steps the other night towards Daddy. Since Mommy missed it we are going to call that unofficial. His sign language continues to grow and new sounds are pronounced. He loves to read books that have pictures of food he recognizes, like cereal, bananas and apples. He has received many great presents from our readers and will grow into them in time.

Mommy and Daddy at Christmas party

Holden still does not like loud noises and waiting on his dinner. Santa came through the hood the other day in a fire engine. Well, of course they hit the siren, so Holden got mad but was calmed by Santa's helpers handing out free toys.  He has used a toilet seat adapter that allows him to sit on a toilet, unassisted. He is able to use this frequently and his reward is pulling toilet paper. 

Mutton Snapper Daddy speared

At library group when the big kids walk in front of him and take his toy he sticks out his "boo-boo" lip, turns bright red and cries. Now I am not saying that my son is a pushover but I am assuming this emotional outburst merely needs to be developed into a firm verbal warning followed by a physical sign of masculinity or superiority as the situation calls for.

Holden wanted to help clean

This is all tongue in cheek guys, I already know my kid is the smartest, fastest and strongest.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We are hoping for a safer country in 2013 and a good market for Holden's college fund to grow in. Peace.

Christmas Time is Here

Hold the phone! Holden jumped to one nap a day. He said (in so many actions) that he was ready to be a big boy and take it to one a day. Well, that lasted for only a few days, every day Mommy pushed his first nap a little later to help him adjust. Well he finally gave her the sleep sign after he had enough of that. Open palm to the cheek, at 9am let Mommy know he wasn't ready to do one-a-days. This boy is responsible.

Holden reacting to his first birthday cake

He reminds me of his parents, in bed by 8 after an early bird special and up by 5am.  Holden is obsessed with phones and when he sees one will put his palm to his cheek and say "Dada?" over and over. If you give him a phone he hands it back to you to call someone. He tries to make phone calls with harmonicas, blocks and his hand. It is pretty sweet.

Fresh Veggies from CSA

Holden has started eating new vegetables and foods thanks to the weekly Community Supported Agriculture box. New foods like, dandelion greens,  Swiss chard, radishes, cucumbers and eggs seem to taste better when they come from the box.
The weather is warm down here and Holden still goes to the park at least once a day to climb and play with other children. The weekly Music Together program is off until the new year and Mommy makes regular trips to the library to lead babies in song and story. Although Holden is quickly becoming the elder child a responsibility he assumes with gusto; demonstrated by his clapping and bouncing during the song portion.

Miss Zhaleh visited from Washington State

Liked unwrapping his presents more than presents

Farmer Holden got a tractor from Miss Tina

Mom playing Jenga with Holden watching

When Holden turned one we let him go out with a friend

This may have been Holden's most favorite thing he has ever done.

Mommy said she had never seen him so focused

We got a tree!

"I can help!"

A Christmas card from Holden's friend Corinne. He recognizes her and touches the card...like a lot.

Holden went to the Waldorf Astoria's Casa Marina here in town this past weekend as Mommy and Daddy went to a retreat. He enjoyed the pool area and fruit selection. He did not, as we did not, enjoy sharing a room with Mommy and Daddy as he could stand in his crib and see us laying in bed still as snipers. Soooo, you know you live and you learn. We want to expose him to different environments but we have created a monster in the fact that conditions must be absolutely favorable in order for him to fall asleep.

Mommy is good with Instagram

If you remember last retreat Mommy and the child care staff had some "miscommunications" to put it lightly. This time was better and Holden seemed to be one of the more resilient children when Daddy picked him up. Meaning, he likes to eat so much that while other kids are lamenting their parents departure or absence, Holden is too busy eating Cheerios.

Happy Holidays.