Cousins!!!

Halen had a blast at the botanical gardens, hanging out with Grace, Caroline, and Sam. Poor Sam had pink eye, so we tried to keep them seperate. It was just too cute to seperate them when Sam came and gave Halen a minute long bear hug. After they both let go, Halen wanted more and did a running hug that ended up being a tackle. He and Sam then rolled in the grass, wrestling and laughing. It was very cute. Halen also managed not to get pink eye!

Spring Break

Dan is on his spring break from school. We couldn't afford for him to take off work, so we're doing fun things around Atlanta after he gets off work. Yesterday we did more hiking, this time at Arabia Mountain. It's a mini stone mountain and pretty cool. Halen had a blast. All that uneven rock was just right for him to practice his stepping up and down. Bruce had fun too.
Today we are going to the Botanical Gardens with his cousins!!! He's going to be ecstatic. He loves his cousins!!!

Yummy Smoothie

I'm a Purple People Eater

The Little Hiker

We went to Sweetwater Creek today and Halen had a blast!!! We tried to put him in the backpack, but he wasn't having it. He wanted to touch every tree and pick up every rock, stick, or whatever was on the path. He also wanted to step right into the raging freezing cold rapids. Against his wishes, we had to keep him in the backpack when we where right next to the water, or he would have darted right in. I had to stop at every tree to keep him happy, so he could pet the bark and say, "tree." He's going to be a botanist, I tell you! When we got to the harder climbing areas, he'd adamantly refuse to hold hands. He wanted to do it himself!!! And he did! He climbed up some stuff that I never thought he'd be able to climb up. Then on the loop back he all the sudden wanted to be picked up. He went from 100% independent climbing everything boy to asleep on your shoulder boy. Very cute. He slept all the way home. We've been home for about 3 hours now and he's still asleep! It was quite the adventure for the little guy.

Tree

Halen's new favorite thing is to say "tree," and then go feel the bark. Then he looks around for another, points, speaks, and goes!

All Boy

Now that it's getting warmer (not that this pictures shows any evidence of that), Halen is developing a whole new scent. It's the little dirty boy scent and I love it. There is an absolutely primal necessity for me to sniff Halen every few minutes, ever since he was just born. I'm sure he's pretty familiar with my scent as well, trying to sleep in my arm pit half the night. He is growing a new tooth and we where all up all night long agonizing over it. At least I was. Halen's motto is, as long as there's a boob in my mouth, I can deal with anything. If there's not, I'll scream like crazy till there is. I love nursing. It is an amazing bond between us and it's so healthy for him and his fragile little immune system. But there are the nights when the first damn molar is ripping through tender gums that I feel completely drained, literally. He will nurse off and on all night, without me getting up to drink any water, and I wake up feeling like even my eyeballs are dried out. It's crazy how a mother's body will pull moisture and nutrients out of anywhere to take care of her child. He's numero uno for sure.
Also since it's been warm, we've been going for lots of bike rides. We'll just cruise the neighborhood, or go to the playground. The whole family road to Raging Burrito for lunch over the weekend. Halen got his own bean burrito. It was huge and only $3.50. I think it's more the right size for me than the adult burritos, but you have to be 12 and under. Halen made a friend at the playground yesterday. Cash, who was 22 months old (and smaller than Halen), had lots of fun chasing each other around the little league field with a ball. Cash had a baby brother who was only 4 weeks old. Halen was fascinated. He was in a bjorn on his mommy and Halen kept grunting for her to squat down so he could pat his head and say and sign baby. When Halen does the sign language for baby (it's like you're rocking one in your arms), it's just about the cutest thing you've ever seen. I think he wants us to make him a little sibling.
On other news, Halen has two new aunts. My father just adopted the two girls who have been living with him for many years. They are the nieces of my step-mother and have had the most tragic lives you can imagine. Not that I agree one bit with how my father has raised them (super sheltered, home schooled southern baptist), but I guess it's better than getting shuffled around in the foster system. Or is it? Anyway, they're good sweet girls who have been dealt a shitty hand. Growing up with two brothers, I always wanted a sister. Now I have two.
Well, this has gone on longer than I planned. Dan is home from work today studying for a test, so Halen is more distracted than usual, so I actually had time to write a little. Speaking of Halen, right now he's trying to ride his xylophone.

I Think Halen Needs To Go To A Show!

VAN HALEN IS BACK!
VAN HALEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE SUMMER TOUR
February 2, 2007
Los Angeles, CA - In what is no doubt one of the most anticipated moments in rock and roll, VAN HALEN officially announces their 2007 North American tour.

The tour will mark the first time since 1984 that original VAN HALEN front man David Lee Roth will perform with Eddie and Alex Van Halen along with new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen for 40 shows this summer.

VAN HALEN fans can look forward to legendary high intensity performances, featuring a set list of the most iconic hits ever produced by America's premiere rock band.

Eddie Van Halen states, "I am very excited to get back to the core of what made VAN HALEN."

Lucky Halen

We have found a home for the puppy, Halen will not be eaten. I was recently thinking that myspace has become too overwhelmingly infaltrated with dumb stuff. I was considering closing my page. Then we found a home for the dog through myspace! I called many shelters and rescue groups who where all full. Kelly sent out a massive email to a list of people who foster animals. And we find a home through myspace. I am a new believer. don't send me your band info or clothing line info though.

ADOPT ME

I'm cute and sweet and need a home, or I'll eat Halen. If you read this blog, then you should love Halen enough to help save him.

Best Buddies

Happy Halentines Day

Halen is blowing kisses bye bye and dressing like Cupid. What a cutie!!!
We're still not sure when or where we're moving. Portland, OR is added to the possibilities though.
I hope everyone has a wonderfully sweet and romantic valentines day.

Roarrrr......

Halen went to Fernbank for the first time today, with his cousins Sam and Caroline. He LOVED it. He roared at all the dinosaurs and made animal noises at all the stuffed and fake animals. The kid's play rooms where also a blast. He really liked pollinating the flowers and feeding worms to the birds.

My Boys

Woke up this morning and got on photobooth to play with Halen. It's his new favorite thing to do. And I saw this picture. How can you not love these guys??? I know I do.

Dino

Even when it's raining and cold as balls outside, Halen has fun. Who wouldn't have fun in a matching dinosaur raincoat/boot outfit?
Adding to the list of Halen's words is poo poo and teeth. For noises, choo choo.
tata for now.
momma

Meow

Now it's animal noises. He barks like a dog, meows like a kitty, baaas like a sheep, and whatever a horse does likes a horse. ( I have been told that a horse whinnies) He whinnies like a horse. He also does monkey and monster noises.

New Words

Halen is turning it up on the talking! He's got new words coming out of his mouth every day. Recently, he's been saying no alot. Great! It's actually real cute. When we tell him 'no,' he stops what he's doing and shakes his head a bunch and says 'no,no,no,no.' He also points at Bruce and tells him no. Yesterday, he said, 'shoe, gentle, and Albert.' He already says Bruce, so he can't get jealous that he's saying other dog's names. It's funny that the first names he's said are dog's names. Of course he says momma and dadda, but no one else's names. I guess he spends a little too much time with just mommy.
Dan, Halen, and I are talking seriously about moving. Dan has started the application process to Humbolt state university. It's in Arcata, CA. That's outside of Eureka, about 275 miles north of San Francisco. It's a small town, less than 20,000 people. We're looking at buying a trailer home and rocking that till we graduate. I am going to apply there too. We are looking at doing this this summer! Holy smokes is right! It's just kind of come up and we're trying to get the ball rolling. I'm excited. It's an extremely liberal town, with lots of vegetarian eateries and bike lanes. We're going to wait and see if Dan gets accepted, then visit this spring if he does. Then we'll put our house on the market and move this summer. Anyone want to come with us? I'm sad to be leaving friends, so anyone who wants to come along is welcome.

Yard Work

Halen loves helping me in the yard. I couldn't pick the cutest picture, so I put 5, or was it 6? I just bought him a "shrub rake." It's a little Halen sized rake. Stay posted for pics of that.
It's Halen's friend Scout's Birthday today. Happy First Birthday Scout.

Bikin' Baby

We got a baby bike seat for Halen for Christmas. We got to go for a quick family ride today and it felt sooooooo good. Halen loved it. He wasn't too fond of that helmet, but he was okay once we got moving.
I can't wait to do critical mass with him. he'll flip out over all those bikes.
hehehe.

He's One

So sorry it's been absolutely forever since I've posted anything. Halen had an amazing birthday party and got sooo many great gifts. He is absolutely beside himself with all the new stuff around. He just goes from one toy to another, happy as can be. Thanks to all who came and gave him the excellent toys that you did. I'll get on him to write those thank you notes soon.

Mississippi

We went to Mississippi for Thanksgiving. We rode horses and boats. It was a blast. Halen got pretty sick though. He's pretty miserable now. Poor baby. He is walking like crazy now. He's still crawling most of the time, but walking more and more, like from one object to another. He is also clapping. He loves to clap. It is real cute. I love that he's learning language. You can just say clap, dance, and nose and he knows what to do. You don't have to show him anymore. He's one smart cookie.