Return

Welcome back readers. Forgive my longer than planned sabbatical. Holden has changed so much since the last update and I will try to cover it all.

Soon after Daddy left Aunt Sarah arrived from the West coast and when it was time to leave, Holden had to be pried from her grip, as she was captivated by her nephew. After both of Holden's beautiful aunts left Grandpa Perry came in to help out around the house. Holden quickly identified him as the morning conversationalist and avid walker who would introduce him to many neighbors and snowbirds. Speaking of walking, after more calls to B.O.B. Ironman stroller company, wheel returns and some engineering skills by Perry the stroller is now running true and Laila's right forearm that become a bulging sinewy muscle has gone back down to a normal size as she no longer has to compensate for the pull to the right.
Grandpa Perry and Daddy "tagged out" in the Atlanta airport as Perry headed back to California and Daddy returned to Holden and Mommy. Grandma Charlotte returned soon after Daddy and we are all one big happy "village" again. For those of you wondering, this is Laila's family's first grandchild and our door in Key West has been revolving with cheerful visitors happy to help and hold the young man. I am resisting making any in-law jokes as of now but don't push me....

Grandpa Perry reading to Holden

But I digress, the real reason everyone's here, Holden. I tried to keep up with Holden on Face time during my travels but my WiFi connection was never that great. Almost as if it was planned he began really learning to cry the day Daddy left. A "Waa-Waaaa-Waaa" that almost sounds forced on his part and then the tears come. The crying in my opinion usually indicates a disapproval with the status quo and the recommendation that the scene around him change for the better, immediately. If that sounds vague it's because sometimes I have no $^#&ing idea why he cries.

Absolutely loves baths

Man, can this kid talk. Well its not exactly talking but he crows coos and belts out a cacophony of vowels. He is encouraged by the listener mimicking him and enjoys the conversation. He is also in a routine of baths every night and has developed surprisingly coordinated abilities in his legs. Holden has not rolled over yet although Daddy tries daily.  However, guess what he can do! He..slept...for...5 hours last night! Daddy has been waking up early all week so only gets to see Holden in the evenings. So today Daddy woke up Holden just a bit earlier than he should have to play with him. This went well at first but has made for a mid-morning grump that had to be handed off to Mommy so Daddy could write the blog. I know, I'm bad.

Mommy and Daddy have been able to go on a couple of date nights this last week thanks to Grandma Charlotte and have really enjoyed it. Hope to keep this going so tell your friends were back online. Take care!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Greetings. We hope your 2012 has been as good as ours. Aunt Julia is still here and working hard for Holden. Congratulations to her for getting an A- on one of the final exams for her 3rd year Law degree. Holden is getting better and better. He smiles a lot now, sometimes on accident and sometimes on purpose. He has great head control and can "stand" with Daddy's support as he surveys the world around him. Last night was his longest sleep period so far, one three and one 2.5 hour sleep session. His second growth of hair is coming in but he still maintains his perfect mullet he was born with; you can take the boy out the bayou but you cant take the bayou out the boy. Here are some more pictures.

Aunt Julia learns SUP

The BOB Ironman is operational

Audubon would be proud

Who has the boy?!

Fish Daddy shot for dinner

zzzz

Also, Mommy hooked herself up to the Milkinator 3000 and is now "pumping".  So, Daddy has been able to feed Holden using tiny bottles (2x); this is good because for the first time we can quantify his consumption.

Daddy has to go away for a month tomorrow and will miss the young man. Unfortunately, there may be a lull in the blog but "ya'll come back now ya here"......

Aunt Julia Arrives

Extra clothes for cold front this week

Outfit from Great Grandma Parker

One month old sticker photo

Preferred burping technique

Harry and David fruits from "Gran Gran"

"We Seceded Where Others Failed"

So back in 1982 the United States government initiated a roadblock at the North end of the Florida Keys in order to combat the rising drug and immigration problem. Well this hurt Key West tourism and after getting nowhere with formal complaints, declared independence from the USA. The prime minster (mayor) then declared war by breaking a loaf of Cuban bread over a man in Naval uniform. The Conch Republic was formed. The Conchs surrendered a minute later and asked for 1 billion dollars in foreign aid. The roadblock was removed soon after and there have been several "wars", "invasions" and "annexations" following this unique bit of US history.

  Well, for those of you who don't know, in order to be a true Conch you must be born here. So it is with great trepidation that I submit for Holden's passport to this backwards "country". Laila and I will be three years short of being a Freshwater Conch when we move in 2013 by the way.
"And now you know the rest of the story".

Last night Laila and I took Holden out for frozen yogurt at one of those places that has every flavor under the sun and twice the toppings. Here are some of the things he saw.

Also here are some pictures of Holden's newly acquired head control. Also pictured is the fading hair on the front of his head. He is our little Benjamin Button.