The Shadow Game

Holden is getting so big. But even more than that, I feel like he is just acting older lately. Now that he can walk so well, he just seems a little bit different in the way he approaches everything - older. I can see him watching, learning, imitating... and it amazes me how much he soaks in. Actions and reactions, sounds and words. It's like one big Shadow Game. He is just learning so much now. And so fast, it seems.

He especially loves to watch, mimic, learn from, and just generally follow around other little kids.

Yesterday we were over at Grandma and Grandpa Himes' for lunch after church, and Holden's cousins were there, too. He was so funny the way he just did exactly everything Naomi did. He just takes everything in and spits it right back out. She walked to the living room, he walked to the living room. She touched the turkey figurine, he touched the turkey figurine. She walked over the the chair, he walked over to the chair. She petted the dog, he petted the dog. It was so so cute to watch.

But even more than other children, Holden is captivated by his daddy. He loves to be with and held by Mommy - no denying that. But when Jared comes into the room, Holden just looks, watches, waits for Daddy to talk to him, waits to see what Daddy's going to do.

In fact, Jared is going to be the percussionist accompanist at a few events coming up, so he's been practicing lately. And he gets the big djembe out, and gives Holden a maraca. So the whole time Daddy's drumming, Holden's walking around the living room shaking his maraca right along with the music. Acting just like Daddy :)

But I watch Holden watching Jared and I when we're talking - just taking it all in, learning how to interact and, basically, how to be a man. And, frankly, sometimes it's a little frightening to think about just how much we, as parents, are going to impact/determine the kind of person he will become. It definitely makes me remember how much of a model I need to be. All the time. And while I am the stay-at-home mom and definitely spend more time with Holden then Jared gets to, I'm still pretty sure that when it comes to ultimate role model, Mommy will not even be in the running with Holden's hero: Daddy.

watching Daddy give the doggy a bath

♥

“He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”
-Clarence Budington Kelland

"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven." - Rabindranath Tagore

I love fall. Love it. The chilly air. The smoky smell of burning leaves and the crunchy sound they make under foot. Pumpkins and mums. Football, chili, and warm baked goods from the oven. Sweatshirts, scarves, and blue jeans. And of course, the colors. The still-green grass, brown corn stalks, and fiery hues as the sun shines through the changing leaves. I love fall.


And I feel like, overall, even with the rainy days, autumn has been absolutely beautiful this year. And I have been so lucky because every nice day, Holden and I get to go outside and play or go for a walk.

And the other week when it was especially pretty outside, Megan and I took the kids to the Wilderness Center to see the trees and feed the geese. It was such a great day - so pretty.

Once again, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be a stay-at-home Mom.

Beautiful.

the leaves were amazing

Holden and Josslyn

Our handsome little guy♥

walking down to the pond

Joss

Joss, Megan, and Baby Felix (tucked in his sling)

Holden and Mommy

Loving his ride through the woods

Feeding the geese

Watching them swim

we were supposed to be feeding the geese
but someone was not participating.... hehe :)

cutie pie

it was so pretty






adorable.






showing Mommy his leaf






me and my little hiker♥





"A year, ten years from now, I'll remember this; not why, only that we were here like this, together." - Adrienne Rich

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall." - Nadine Stair

I am always aware of how fortunate I am to be a stay-at-home mom. But on days when the weather is beautiful and I get to play outside with my son... well, on those days, I always try to remember to say an extra prayer of thanks.

And yesterday was definitely one of those days.

outside at Mimi's house

going to see her flowers

playing in the garden

my heart.

looking so grown up standing in the garden all by himself

A-oooooooo!

Somewhere along the way, Holden started howling. I have no idea where it came from, and it makes me laugh every time he does it. It is so stinkin' cute the way he gets his lips all shmooshed out there!

So I think maybe if we dress up for Halloween we might just have to be a baby werewolf :)

A-yoooooooo!

yep, even tilts his head back :)

And each wobbly step gets slowly steadier....

Daddy snapped some pictures while Holden was practicing walking to Mommy the other night. His new "high score" is 7 steps before he loses his balance now! :)

First one step, and then another....

Holden is about 10 1/2 months old now, and getting very close to walking on his own. His new "high score" - in the steps without falling game - is four :) we're getting there.

He uses his high chair like a walker.
He pushes it all around the kitchen!

Standing up anywhere we can now....

this was the new big trick about a week ago. no more holding on!

"It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into." - Terri Guillemets

Just playing in Mommy and Daddy's room.

"My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana. I said 'No, but I want a regular banana later, so... yeah.' " - Mitch Hedberg

Holden's new favorite food - along with every other baby, I'm sure - is bananas. And he really loves to feed them to himself, which gives me a chance to get some things done, but also makes it impossible not to realize how grown up he's getting. We just can't give him too many at a time because he stuffs every one of them in until they're gone. And then with a full mouth, tries to ask for more :)

getting the little bananas out of his bowl

chew, chew, chew






cutest little monkey I've ever seen :)

"mmmmba"
This is what Holden says every time there's food around. And his word for "more."






our handsome little Buddy♥