Food!

Holden has been following doctors orders and holding off on anything but breast milk until today. If you happen to have fed your child earlier than that, we  must have different doctors. Holden has watched us eat for most of his young life but not until recently has he started moving his mouth in succession with our chewing. Today while he watched us consume some decadent basil lemon chicken wings, I felt true pity for the young man. We decided to break the fast a couple of weeks early and rush home after buying an avocado. Mommy put her new purchase, the Baby bullet, to work. Grinding, blending and stirring she finally got the ripe ahuacatl, which means testicle in ancient Aztec, into an eatable paste . I have to say that expectations were high for Holden as Daddy thought that he would take to eating like a cat to milk. Needless to say Daddy learned that the natural tongue thrust reflex was a poor tool for consumption. He did make faces we have never seen before and we are pretty sure that he actually swallowed some of it. Most of it went on the bib, hands, face and new high chair. So we will call it a success, with more time spent in preparation and clean up than the actual meal. At present he is making noises, rolling over, pulling on rings and doing the newly acquired tongue stick out. Oh the life....

Daddy demonstrating

Mommy gives it a try

California train ride
 

Holden's friend Reagan

Grandpa Perry

Holden also completed a flight across the country to California where he took his first train ride and hung with old and new friends and family. 

Also, a belated Happy Mothers Day to all of our mom readers, I now know you are the hardest working and most deserving. Thanks to Holden's especially, she is the best.

New Orleans

Momma's favorite drink Seasonal Abita Strawberry Beer

Our friend Dori

Audubon Park

Pastor Gibson

Aunt Jane sees Holden for the first time

Gary the Giraffe!

Eating tapas at Baru on Magazine

Daddy and Holden listening to Kermit Ruffins

Decided to grab his toes for the first time in NOLA

Uncle Jonas and friend Colin

Beaches and Buddies

So Holden, we realized, is very sympathetic and intuitive. Mommy will take him to the library for mommy and baby get-together and if one cries Holden will cry also. He watches young children around him very closely as he doesn't see many around our house. Take the family we had over for dinner the other night. Their young son could laugh in front of Holden sending Holden into stitches. This is completely opposite of Daddy who has to work very hard to get laughter from Holden.

We brought Holden to the beach the other day and he loved it. The wind, sun, water and sand were very pleasing to him and he never complained during the four hour trip. Mommy even got to paddle board. This Sunday Daddy leaves for a week on business and will meet Mommy and Holden in NOLA for a festival then return to Key West together.

Holden has only slept once through the night and can put up a real fight just prior to bedtime depending on the days nap cycle. We continue to innovate and try to find the line between spoiling and neglect.

Baptized

Welcome back readers. Today we took Holden for his second round of shots which he took well, initially. The vaccine spread through the tissues before we could get home and all hell broke loose. After a bath and some liquid Tylenol he seems to have calmed down and gone to sleep. We are going to meet some friends for dinner Daddy met in Peru, years ago, who happen to be in town.

Key West mascot

Never knew this street was here

Holden got baptized this past Sunday at the Methodist Church and was a good sport. Infant baptism is encouraged by the Methodists and other Protestant religions because the redeeming love of God is revealed to all including children. It is then up to the church and the family to help him grow in grace. Not to push our religion on any secular readers.....but I believe I just have, sorry.

Holden still doesn't consume anything but mother's milk and wont for another two months since today was his fourth month alive. Holden has gotten better with his hands and can grab toys in his area and bring them straight to his mouth. He still talks a lot, with quiet sessions of contemplation about the world around him between speeches.

Until next time.