While Holden's recent accomplishments aren't necessarily the ones they write whole chapters about in baby books, they are huge to him, nonetheless. He can form his hands into the pinky, pointer and thumb up position to say "rock on" and use both pointers and thumbs to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider to Riley. He can get all the way undressed by himself, and nearly all the way dressed. But the biggest blow-your-mind accomplishment of all lately is his getting over some of his water-related fears. While at his first swimming class at the YMCA last week, he screamed bloody murder about being separated from Kevin and putting his face in the water. But he diligently did his homework in the tub last night, and put his whole face in and blew bubbles. Again and again. I don't think he could believe it himself!
And then there's Riley. Little man, lots of words. They just keep coming - one after another: Door, Me, Milk, Mommy, Nice. They're not always the clearest little morsels, but they are there. He'll repeat anything, and try to keep the conversation going. He can answer "yes" and "no" questions, although the answer is usually "no." But it's the cutest little "no" you've ever seen as he deliberately forms the solo syllable with his lips and gives a definitive head shake. Unfortunately, he's started telling us "no" when he really doesn't have a choice, but you've got give him props for trying! The best, of course, is his slurred and garbled "I love you." It's hard to find, but it's there. In other news, he's got eight full teeth and a molar almost all the way in, and now will walk holding a hand. Last weekend, he went all the way around the block!
The best part of all this is watching them take pride in their own achievements. We can give them all the praise in the world, but it's worth nothing unless they feel it, too. So they clap, cheer and grin and they own their success. Big things do come in little packages.
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