Chatter-box Monkey

Our little Monkey has become quite the chatter-box. His speech has progressed tremendously this summer. I feel like we went from saying 1-2 words, to now practically having conversations. He is not always completely articulate, but Mommy usually understands him and is able to translate for others. And it seems like every day that goes by, he's becoming so much easier to understand.

He is totally into imaginary play and I sometimes love to sit back and listen to him chatter with himself, his trains his toys or his stuffed animals. His latest obsession is The Backyardigans. It is one cartoon that I actually like because it encourages creativity and imagination. Holden likes to act out the characters and he loves their songs. Right now Pablo, the Penguin seems to be his favorite!
His other obsession is yard work with Daddy. He loves being outside and he digs it even more when he gets to help Daddy. A couple of weeks ago, he helped Daddy and Papa lay sod. Holden was in the middle of the action, covered with dirt and loving it!

We recently visited his pulmonologist when Monkey came down with a sinus infection. His doctor has been so impressed with how he's handled colds that she's changed her mind about keeping Holden so sheltered during cold and flu season. Her exact words were "He's no longer the fragile child he was" and we need to let him show us what he's capable of. She's even supportive of him going to preschool 2 mornings a week, as long as we're prepared for pulling him out (temporarily or permanently) if he's not able to handle winter colds...or even worse...the flu. On one hand I'm thrilled...what great news!! But on the other hand...the thought of him possibly getting the flu or RSV freaks me out! However, we've gotten to where we are today by having "faith" so I need to be faithful that everything will be okay! We spent the last 2 weeks touring preschools and just registered him for the one we felt was the best fit for us! He starts on September 7 and seems excited!
So tomorrow is Holden's surgery and I'm completely dreading it. The procedures are very common and considered low-risk, so I'm not really worrying about that. I think one...it is having to put Holden through another hospital experience...and any fear and pain he'll have to endure. Two...for me, it is so hard to go back. It is a place that reminds me of a hard time in our lives. And while I'm eternally grateful for the care the doctors and nurses gave to Holden, it is hard for me, mentally, to be there and not worry.

Holden's procedure is slated for 8:45am and should not take too long. While they've reserved a bed for him to stay...just in case, the plan is to bring him home tomorrow afternoon. We'll be sure to post once he's out of surgery and recovering.