New Hairdo

Liam must have thought my new haircut lacked something, so he spent some time teasing it and giving it more body and volume this evening. He was having a ball giving me my new, fashionably disheveled look! Poor guy, yesterday was a bad day for him (teething upper and lower, right and left cheek teeth all at once....) so we were relieved when he was back to his typically happy self today.

August Blog

I can hardly believe August is nearly over. And I haven't been blogging all month.... so much for my blogger abilities. We've been busy around here. Little man is now crawling at super-sonic speed and he's into everything! He still hasn't taken any steps on his own yet, but is getting close- he's an old hand at cruising the furniture and can walk with us holding just one of his hands. 2 weeks ago he started one day a week at a Mother's Day Out program, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at a local church. The age group of his class (the "Bouncing Bullfrogs") is 10-18mos and naturally, although one of the youngest, Liam is the biggest baby there. According to his report cards, he's enjoying himself socializing with other youngsters. He's the one sitting in Miss Susie's lap right after Greg dropped him off. They have a schedule of activities they do every day, 15-30 minute blocks... snack time, singing songs, story time, diaper change, chapel (I'd like to see 6 Bouncing Bullfrogs pay attention during chapel!), outdoor play, lunch time, free play, naptime....Of course, I get the rewarding part- picking him up! It's such a rush when he clings like a monkey and laughs and sings out his happiness in the car on the way back home!

Splish Splash

Liam can now beat the heat in our own backyard in his new kiddie-pool. I usually get right in with him and he splashes up a storm to keep us both nice and cool. We've needed it- 105-plus all week. Thank God for A/C. We've been keeping busy at work, which is a nice change from the slow pace of last month. Greg has only a couple of weeks left of classes before his second summer break. I'm sure hoping he's going to get something accomplished on our front porch when he has the time! Hint, hint, Honey. Liam is now using his walker like a battling ram and zips forward and backward and around the kitchen island like a pro. He loves to try to catch you and if he hits your bare feet, it's torture! We've taken to wearing crocs in the house at all times if he's in the walker!

July Update

We had a very pleasant 4th of July at the Ranch and had a treat- my brother Bill was on leave and visiting from Georgia. It was great spending some time with Billy. He's truly a sweet young man, and gives me a lot of laughs. Liam was uncertain about his only uncle! I guess the stranger anxiety kicked in. He doesn't see Grandma Dee and Grandpa Paul very often (on average once per month) but he remembers them and revels in Grandpa Paul. Dee and I have to laugh because she knocks herself out for him and he only has eyes for Grandpa Paul if he's in the room. Liam started cruising the furniture while we were there, and now that he's home he travels the couches and coffee tables with ease. And I'm thrilled to be "Mama"- his first word!

Hot Days

This little guy apparently found a cool place to hang out- in the strawberry plant on the back deck. We've been enjoying it out there, too. Greg got the mist-system going and we've done a lot of grilling to save the A/C from stove and oven heat indoors. Gregor Dan is turning out to have a talent for the grill, which we received for Christmas from Paul and Dee. What an awesome gift it has been! Liam loves to swing in the mist, and he thinks having his feet sprayed with hose water while he swings is even better. With over 100 degrees weather, I have to agree. Not too much news here. On the little guy front, he's now able to get into a sitting position by himself, and is starting to cruise just a little bit around the coffee table. Proudly toddles all over the house while holding onto hands. We are really loving this 9 months age- he's just such a character. He loves trying new foods and is starting to find trouble- chasing the cat around, digging through the trash. He is close to crawling but still does a lot of rolling around. Already hearing a few 2-year-old-esque tantrum squeals now and then. A preview of what's to come, no doubt, but for now he's easily distracted and the naughty stuff is almost more of an experiment on his part, so it's hard to keep a straight face!

Nine Months

This blog is just basically all about Liam. I don't seem to have any other topics that interest me half as much! If I could change the title of my blog from "The Blog With No Name" to something like "The Liam Journals", I'd have to do it. But wow.... today marks the nine months birthday. Nine months in the womb, and nine months out. What a life changing year and a half it has been, and I still marvel at how absolutely in love I am. Its almost painful sometimes! I need to schedule his third quarter professional photography...we ought to be able to capture some standing up, which he is getting really good at. In fact, he thinks he's better at it than he really is, and keeps trying to let go of hand-holds and falling down. He scares me- sometimes he takes intentional dives for the thrill of it and comes up grinning when you catch him! What else... with lots of encouragement, he's finally starting to take steps, 6-8 at a time. Babbling the G-words all day yesterday. Loves sampling foods from our plates- the other night he had "nano-burgers" (tiny pinches of hamburger and bun) which he seemed to just love. He's finally learning to be more gentle with kitties and has been rewarded by Fergus approaching him and allowing some chin scratching. That's about all I can think of and Greg needs to write an exam, so I'll sign off now!

That Seventies Guy

This is Mister's ultra "sober chops" expression. The other night Linda sent Liam home in a retro outfit she'd found in the attic (well, it belonged to Greg when he was a tot... not sure if all that stuff is literally in the attic- seems to be getting some use!) I just thought it suited him so well. It reminds me a little of Star Trek with that collar/zipper/sleeves. Well, not too much news. Life is good in the Holland Household. We're in the process of baby-proofing, though Liam is still not crawling. He's more of a rolling stone. Greg is back to teaching summer classes, and work is fine at Midwest Vet. We're looking forward to tomorrow, when Dad is bringing Papa Krauser to Durango from his winter digs in Holmes Beach, Florida. They are stopping here mid-afternoon and spending one night. Papa broke his hip about 2 1/2 weeks ago, so he needed some help driving home. I'll try to get back to posting a little more often!