December 2004

(Click on a photo for a larger version.)

Mommy started to wean Griffin during the holidays with the anticipation that the distractions of travel would help break him out of his routine.  It worked!  By the end of December, Griffin was generally down to twice per day.

In November we spent Thanksgiving in South Carolina with the whole Smith Family at Doug and Robin's.  On December 31 their son James (first row, middle, beside Doug) unexpectedly died.  We are so sorry for their loss.  It seems that no matter how much you give to your child, no matter if you are wonderful parents, there are no guarantees. So, we hold Griffin, and all of you, our friends and family, close in our hearts.

Christmas Pageant at All Souls Church, Unitarian.  Griffin, in "cherubic" white, is on the floor (right, middle of picture) beside Peter, in red shirt and holding G's halo over his head.

Gingerbread house decorating in Portland, OR with Auntie Jen and Louisa's mom, aka "Cammy."  Griffin loves the results!

G with Louisa's Dad, aka "Papa"

"Little Bunny Foo Foo" is a violent "playsong" of little redeeming value.  Griffin loves it.  If he is fussy, one only needs to start chanting it and before the first field mouse gets its head "bopped," he's enthralled! In the above picture, Griffin for the first time ever joins in with the hand signs.

When Griffin first saw Cammy's Christmas tree  he stared at it for a minute, then ran back to the kitchen, picked out a plastic lid he had been playing with earlier, and very carefully placed it on one of the lower braches-- just so!!  A few days later he decided it didn't have the effect he was going for and put the lid back in the kitchen. His favorite ornament was a plastic candy cane with a little bear clinging to it.  When we got home, we found that he had snuck it into our luggage to bring home to DC!

Griffin with his adorable cousin Rebecca.  She was very good with him.  She gave him his new favorite naptime book -- "The Baby Catalogue." Very simple, yet you see something new everytime.

G et al checking out the sheep, goats and other animals used for the live manger scene at the Grotto, in Portland.

By the end of the month G is saying "mommy," "daddy," "kitty," "doggy," and "no-no-no!"  If he is curious about something he's been warned not to touch, he'll say "no-no-no!" to himself.  His rudimentary self-control is given a voice.  If he wants something, he'll point and say "This?"

First steps in the snow at the Lodge on Mt. Hood.

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