TwentyTeen

sleepyholden
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

This pic is for auntie steph. She was sad that I haven't posted pics lately, so I drug this one out of the archives. Can you believe this is ME? Back when I was just a sleeping, drooling, pooping, adorable lump of a baby...almost 2 years ago!

Now I'm a big boy and can walk and talk and chase kitty and vacuum and do all kinds of big boy things. I can even count all the way up to "Twentyteen" like I did with Auntie Steph yesterday!

Boy do I have lots to teach baby sister when she arrives!!

HS

Bouncing Toddler

I am into making sentences these days, and busting them out faster than my little mouth can say them. Some favorites so far:

Hi baby chicken (my first sentence)
My butt poop
Poop in here (pointing to diaper)
Daddy's shoes outside
Daddy's shoes stinky
Holden shoes on peeeeez
Holden brushing daddy's hair (longest sentence ever!!)

I may have others, but they become lost on M&D's untrained ears.

M&D and I went shopping for a big boy bed today. We came home with a nice bouncy one, along with a new raspberry on my forehead from test-bouncing all the mattresses. We also got me some new sheets and a guard rail to keep me from flying out of bed at night. Now we just need the courage to let me try sleeping in it (and potentially giving up my perfect 12-hour a night sleeping sessions!)

Aren't I a big boy??
HS

My Loot

Well, the insanity of Christmas has come and gone, and I am left with a huge, overwhelming pile of toys, books and other unidentifiable toddler objects. My favorites so far are my very own vacuum cleaner that makes noise and 'yites up,' my very own DJ station that I can sing my ABCs into, and my little wooden fruits and veggies that I can cut and drool upon and then share with my play buddy. These things are neat. The other multitude of 'semi-neat' toys were cast aside and hope to be played with some day when the 'neatness' wears off of the above 3 toys.

Other Xmas-related activities included:

• Seeing Tutu, Koka & BreeBree and reliving the whole present opening festivities again.
• Eating about 5 bites of the massive Christmas dinner mama, gamma and tutu cooked and declaring 'all-done.'
• Driving down Peacock Lane and yelling "NAY NAY!" out the window to the horsies.
• Seeing Unka, Gigi & Jett the next day and reliving the present opening thing yet again (does this ever end??)
• Bestowing upon my wonderful gamparents and mama the ultimate toddler Christmas gift: the snottiest, nastiest cold you can imagine!!

Time to help mama 'bo nose'

HS

It's "Mismas" Eve!!

The big day is almost here and I've been ever-the-so-helpful little toddler elf:

• Help wrap presents (strategically place tape and bows; sometimes on myself).
• Carry presents from wrapping area to Xmas tree (sometimes sneak peek at present).
• Return presents that have been unwrapped to be rewrapped.
• Rearrange Xmas tree ornaments (only one casualty so far).
• Point out every santa, snowman and reindeer in the house and on Xmas tree.

With all the company we've been having, I've picked up a lovely new habit of opening the bathroom door on people. I like the funny surprised looks and the screams of excitement that come from the potty-er inside. Mama is trying to break me of the habit, but I (and the potty-ers) seem to be having too much fun with it. So I'll risk a few more time-out sessions to continue the 'potty surprise' game.

Aren't I fun??
HS

Fun with Gamma & Gampa

G&G taught me this fun new game called Hide & Seek. It goes like this:

G: "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, ready or not here I come!!"
H: [Giggles from under dining room table]
G: "Wheeeeeere's Holdennnnnnnnnnn???"
H: [Laughter from under dining room table]
G: "Is he heeeeeeeeeeere?"
H: [Hysterical laughter from under dining room table]
G: "Found You!!"

Round Two:

H: "2, 7, 4, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, he come!!" [wander from room to room, spy kitty, chase kitty for awhile...]
G: "I'm hiiiiiiiiiding"
H: "Gaaaaaaaaaampaaaaaaaaaa?"
G: "I'm hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiding"
H: "4, 7, 2, 8, 9, 10"
G: [patiently waiting for toddler, comes out into plain view]
H: "Found oooooo!!"

Is there anything more fun in the world than Gamparents???

HS

Ho Ho Holden

Just poking my head in to say hi....HI!!! Gamma and Gampa are here so I have a captive audience for the next 2 weeks (hey, if gamma and gampa are here, who exactly is reading my blog???) Anyway, I'm getting excited for the big Xmas day. The presents are starting to pile up and I've learned (the hard way) to keep my mitts off of them. I've only broken one ornament so far, yay me! We've been cooped up inside for awhile due to the pretty ice storm that blew in over the weekend, so to relieve my impending angst the G's and I went house shopping this afternoon. I'm thinking they should move into the house right next door but I don't think our neighbor would appreciate a toddler arriving at 7am for a Gampaaaaaaaa wake-up call.

OK off to poke at some more ornaments...

TFN,
HS

My Visit with Santa

M&D’s suggested trip to visit Santa sounded innocent enough and I was curious to see the actual person behind all this hype, folklore and poor fashion taste, so I consented. On the way there, I got caught up in all M&D’s excitement and by the time we parked, I could talk about nothing other than ‘anta.’ I brought Pear Bear along for the ride and noticed his quiet unresponsiveness, but thought nothing of it at the time. Once inside, I happily made my way through all the awe and woo of sparkly, christmasy toddler-temptations and managed to make it to the tree-lined area of His Santaness. And this is where the story, and the toddler, fall apart...

Santa was big and weird-looking and did not fit the fuzzy, happy, cartoon character of my toddler imagination. He made fun of Pear Bear (addressed him as ‘Care Bear’ ???) and broke the ultimate toddler golden rule: he looked right into my eyes and tickled my chin. The Indiginity!!

I decided it was time to leave, but M&D had a different plan. They handed me off to the bearded maniac and suggested we document the whole sordid affair with a picture. I would have none of it, and decided for posterity’s sake, to ‘show it like it is’ and screamed for the entire picture-taking event. M&D thought it was ‘cute’ anyway and displayed it proudly next to last year’s almost identical picture.

(Note to self: be very weary if M&D suggest visiting the Easter Bunny this spring!!)

Sweet Santa Dreams,
HS

Meet Pear Bear

pearbear
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

This is my newest most favoritest creature...Pear Bear (so named for his loveable Pear-y shape). M&D bought him on their honeymoon, and I have since adopted him as my 'peary' own. PB and I do everything together...read, eat, sleep, push buttons, wave bye-bye...and PB even has his very own taggie to sleep with at night. And daddy loves when I 'talk' my PB (since daddy doesn't speak PBese, he doesn't know that Pear Bear is actually making fun of him).

Pear Bear has recently gotten into a bit of trouble, because it seems he can't keep his peary little paws off the newly assembled Christmas tree. How can you blame him??? Something so big, fuzzy and sparkly just screams to be grabbed, shaken and drooled upon. How can you expect a toddler...errr, a PEAR BEAR to stay away from such an amazing object?

Anyway, just wanted to post a quick hi to introduce my buddy and give a sneak peak at this year's Christmas Card pic. Watch your mailbox for a Christmas Cow near you!!!

Words Words.

Still no pictures because daddy is in charge of pictures and he's frantically trying to get the basement ready for our new carpet tomorrow! Once that's done, I promise to post some pics...even if I have to take over the picture transferring process my very own self!!

Gamma sent me a Christmas book today (thanks gamma!) I was convinced that the white bearded man in the red suit was Gampa and ignored mama's insistance that it was some guy named Santa Claws. It was so obviously Gampa, I don't know what mama's been smoking.

For all you that have been asking about new baby's name, we've decided to name her KICKY. All she does is kick kick kick all day and night and even gave me a good kick in the ribs tonight when we were reading our nigh-nigh books. Sibling rivalry is already beginning...

Good night allllllllllll!
HS

Shucky Ducky

IMGP4015
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

Well this is an old picture, but I feel bad that I haven't blogged lately and I have SOOOOO much to update you on. So, here's a kernal to keep you entertained while I get my vacation and Halloween pics organized. I will tell you that I've been busy sprouting some new eyeteeth lately. Boy were they the buggeriest of all teeth to break through. The bottom ones are in and I fought my whole entire naptime with the top ones (that's right, no nap for me today!!!)

So I promise I will get those pics together and share with you my wonderful and not-so-wonderful holiday adventures!!

xo,
HS

Countdown!

TWO is the magic word today...it's my favorite number, actually. When asked how many raspberries I'd like at lunchtime, "TWO, please" is always the answer. When asked how old I'm going to be, TWO is the number that gets M&D all giddy with excitement. When asked what number comes after six, TWO is the obvious choice. TWO is the default answer to any numerical question that comes my way. And since Tuesday is TWO days away, I finally got the answer correct when M&D asked how many days until our big trip. YEP! In TWO days I'll be on an airplane flying to Santa BlahBlah!! Isn't TWO just grand?? So, wish me luck and be sure to wave at me when you see me flying overhead!

toodles,
HS

A Day in the Life...

IMGP4019
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

I don't remember exactly what provoked this, but here is a picture of me having a time out. One of my first. I'm pretty good about it - I sit on the rug by the sink and contemplate my bad deed while one full minute of my life ticks away on the clock overhead. I've found that "bad" is a relative term, and M&D and I are still trying to figure out just what warrants the dreaded time out. So far the only thing that's earned my time on the rug is running into the street. And that's BAD. Luckily, just a warning of a time out usually works well enough for the not-so-bad stuff. I'm finding there's a lot of grey area in toddlerhood.

So our Santa BlahBlah trip is about a week away! And after that, M&D are planning a fun weekend getaway to celebrate daddy's bday - SANS TODDLER!! Why anybody would want to go anywhere without their toddler is beyond me, but...whatever floats their boat!! I will be just as happy at home with Tutu and Kitty all to myself.

TTYL!
HS

My Fall Day

IMGP4031
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

In true Portland fashion, just as suddenly as winter became Summer this year (yes, we missed out on Spring!) our Summer turned to Fall. Fine by me - I love Fall! Especially those first few days full of fallen leaves and HUGE MUD PUDDLES!!

Whilst daddy and I strolled through the lovely Laurelhurst park today, I could not control my toddler urges and plummeted butt-first into said mud puddle that was deeper and slicker than either of us could ever imagine. Mud-covered toddler was the result, although daddy managed to snap this cute pic of me before the mayhem ensued:

Muddy dreams to all,
HS

A,B,,,,,Geeeeeeeeeeee!!!

My newest latest and greatest thing: I can sing the ABC's!!! Well, the condensed toddler version... It goes like this:

Mama: a,b,c,d,e,f
Holden: geeeeeeee. Aych.
M: i,j,k
H: elmo. peeeeeeeeee.
M: q,r,s,t,u
H: veeeeeeeeee.
M: w
H: ecks
M: y
H: zeeeeeeee. yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! (clap, clap, applause, thank you, thank you)

I am getting excited about my approaching trip to Santa BlahBlah. I hear Gamma & Gampa have a tangerine tree right in their backyard, so I plan on spending LOTS of time back there...and mama plans on bringing LOTS of butt balm to deal with citrus-induced diaper rash.

Mama is quickly becoming educated in all things baby couture. I mean, look at this. And this and this. And THIS! How could you NOT spend your entire savings on this stuff??? I actually hate shopping and scream if I'm strolled anywhere near baby Gap, so I entirely approve of her latest online shopping addiction (although I wouldn't have minded a pair of these when I was a robeez-wearer!!)

TTYL,
HS

Guess What Daddy Got Mommy?!?!

PREGNANT!! Yep, I'm gonna be a big brother! I'm hoping they birth something fun like a kitty or parakeet. Mama had an ultrasound Friday and came home with pictures of what looked like a little otter, so I'm pretty excited! I think it'll be fun to have a little sister. I'll always have someone to play with and laugh at my jokes. And since I'll be 2 when she gets here, M&D will have an exponential increase in diaper changes (I can show her how to wiggle out of their grasp and run around the house stark naked). Mama is finally getting her little shopping buddy so she's happy and has recently taken a second mortgage on the house to pay for all the cute girlie clothes that she could never buy for me. It would be extra nice if she comes out sleeping through the night, because we're getting quite spoiled by our current luxurious lifestyle (I slept in until 7:30 this morning!!!).

Mama had morning sickness pretty bad, and I had a lot of fun imitating her. Nothing like a toddler standing beside you making gagging noises while you toss your cookies first thing in the morning (I'm always good for a laugh around here). Due date is Feb 27, 2006 - don't quote me on that. I was born Feb 21, so it'll make for some interesting birthday party planning on mama's part... Hey, if NewBaby is the baby of the family, what does that make me?

Pondering my babyhood status,
HS

Letter B

Just took it easy today...played with some tinker toys, went on a walk, stopped to sniff the leaves...

Not much to report on, so I'll sing you my favorite song:

(sung to 'Let it Be')

When I find I can't remember
What comes after "A" and before "C,"
My mother always whispers,
"Letter B."

She told me "B" starts "Big" and "bird"
and "Ball" and "bat" and "battery."
Yes, buh-buh-buh-buh-buh means Letter B.

Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
She whispers "Buh-buh-buh means Letter B."

And when I feel downhearted,
Mother whispers "B" words constantly,
Like "bib," "Bob," "Bulb," and "bubble," Letter B.

Now in my hour of darkness
There's a sound I know will comfort me,
It's the buh-buh-buh-buh-buh of Letter B.

Letter B, letter B, letter B, letter B.
My mother whispers "B" words, Letter B.

Nighty-night,
HS

70th Avenue Tricycle Gang

bike
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

That's the name of my soon-to-be gang of tricycle-toting toddlers. And this is fearsome ME on my new tricycle. Aren't I the fiercest?? Grrrrrr.

My favorite pasttimes these days are:
Riding my new tricycle
Pushing my new tricycle around the house
Standing on my new tricycle when nobody's looking
Attempting to drive my new tricycle over kitty
Throwing tantrums if M&D make me do anything non-tricycle related

M&D have started preparing me (and themselves) for a trip to Santa BlahBlah in October. They are terrified of taking me on an airplane, but I can't wait! Can you think of anything more grand than spending two straight hours on an airplane with a nap-deprived toddler? I wonder if they'll let me bring my tricycle.

hmmm.

xo,
HS

Sad Face

sadface
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

This is my sad face. I'm very sad for all the people on the Gulf Coast that have had their lives ruined, and I'm mad at our government who has failed miserably to help them. I'm especially sad for the babies and toddlers and mamas that are there. I've decided to donate my old baby clothes and toys to them. I wish I could have them all come live in my room with me.

HS

I'm Baaaaaack!!

pottyboy
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

Hi Blog! I haven't posted in awhile, but seeing as how I need mama's help to post and she's had the icky sickies, it's not entirely my fault. Anyway, it's been awhile, and must catch up...been BUSY!

So, big boy that I am, (or am becoming) I went peepee on my brand-spankin new potty! I just sat my naked little butt down, let out one tiny fart and peed about a teaspoon of peepee. Check it out here.

I also had a visit from gampa and gamma! They came up to visit me from that mysterious Santa BlahBlah place. We played and played and played. We went to a garage sale and bought the most fabulous of toys called Tinker Toys that are now my latest obsession. Daddy is obsessed, too and we tinker the most fabulous of creations together. Check them (us) out here.

Finally, mama's starting to feel a little better, so we went berry picking on Sauvie Island yesterday. We found a special farm that breeds sweet, genetically-engineered thornless blackberries. We threw caution to the wind and ate the little mutations, and enjoyed the fact that I could help pick without getting tangled up in blackberry bramble. If I start growing an extra head, well just blame M&D... Anyway, here I am picking away.

Hopefully that will satisfy some picture-hungry grandparents for awhile.

nigh-nigh sweet blog!
HS

Number Cruncher

Hi Blog. Sorry for the delay. Mama's been feeling icky and hasn't been able to help with my blogging duties (she has to push a button every now and then). But good news: the fam has survived my molar emergence and it looks like clear sailing until my 2-year molars rear their ugly, toothy heads. I'm sporting four sets of white, ridgy bumpy things in the place that my massive molars will soon be!

In other news...I can count!! Well, Kinda. Here's how it usually goes:

Mama: Oooooone
Holden: Doooooooo
M: Twooooooo
H: Teeeeeee
M: Threeeeee
H: Foooooe
M: Fooooour
H: Fiiiiiiiiiii
M: Fiiiiiiiive
H: Sic
M: Siiiiiiiiix
H: Eiiiiiiiight
M: Seveeeeeen
H: Niiiiiiiiine
M: Eiiiiiiight
H: TEN! YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!
M: Niiiiiiiine
H: TEN! YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!
M: Ten! Yay!

It's pretty groovy, and M&D even have some footage of it. I'm a little confused about the whole ordering after 'sic' but I ad lib as I go and it seems to be working. Now onto those pesky letters...

Sweet Dreams!
HS