Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Our Christmas day started with Graham showing us his new belly laugh.

We'll post more pictures of Christmas this coming weekend.

Note: If you receive this blog via email, you will need to go to www.thehollandsinx.blogspot.com to view the video.

The big three zero

A fortnight of firsts

Graham experienced a number of firsts since our last post. The most exciting first, rolling over, is one that we haven't yet captured on video. Here are pictures of a few others:

Learning to suck his thumb

First time meeting his cousins

First bath in the bathtup
A few other pics

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are a few picures from our Thanksgiving Day celebration:

Two videos and a movie

Tummy Time

Graham Waking Up

In other news, Chantel's movie is coming to a theater near you. Click here for your local theaters. Click here for a preview. The movie debuted March 11 at SXSW in Austin, opened Nov. 16 in NYC, and it opens Nov. 21 in LA, Nov. 23 in SF, Nov. 30 in Chicago and Minneapolis, and Dec. 7 in Dallas.

Graham at one month

Graham had a busy week this week. His parents took him to McKinney to have lunch and shop for antiques, he met his great-grandparents, visited his grandma, and started helping with household chores.

Graham and Alison in McKinney

Graham meets his great-grandparents

Graham visits the country

Four generations

Graham and Judy
Graham helps with the laundry
Future boxer?

Graham at 3 weeks

Graham will be three weeks old on Friday, Oct. 26. See below for a few updated pictures.

Hanging out in his swing

Graham and Mom

Happy (?) Graham

Napping on the couch
Napping with dad

Spending time with grandpa
Visiting with the neighbors

Thank you! (and a few pictures)

We wanted to thank a few people who helped us throughout the pregnancy, delivery, and beyond. First, we want to thank Robin, who provided advice throughout Alison's pregnancy and also helped during Graham's delivery.

Robin and Alison at the hospital

Alison, Robin, and Graham on 10/17

Next, we want to thank Melody and Vanessa, who also gave us lots of advice and answered many questions throughout the pregnancy. It's definitely nice to have friends who are midwives.

Alison, Michael, Michael, Melody, and Vanessa

We also want to thank Alison's parents, who have been staying with us these last two weeks preparing meals, cleaning the house, comforting Graham during the middle of the night, and being great company. As some of you know, they are also moving to TX in the near future.

The happy grandparents

Here are a few more recent pictures of Graham:

Graham getting his hair washed

Graham visits the doctor

Sleeping peacefully

More About Graham

Graham was both at 10:22am on Friday, October 5. He was 20 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ½ ounces. Alison, Michael, and Graham spent Friday and Saturday nights at the hospital before returning home on Sunday afternoon.

Preparing for delivery

Just a few seconds old Mom and Grandparents Going home Graham

Graham’s middle name has a strong family tie. He joins a long line of Hollands, dating back to at least 1761, when Jacob Holland was born in Anne Arundel County, MD, becoming the first of his line to be born in the United States. Jacob’s parents sailed to the United States from the Netherlands. Jacobs is Alison’s family name and dates back to at least the 1800’s in Poland (as Jakubowicz).

Here are a few more interesting facts about Graham’s ancestors:

• His mom’s maternal ancestors were living in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Germany, and Switzerland as far back as the 17th and 18th century.
• His mom’s paternal ancestors are of Jewish descent and came to the U.S. (Ohio) from Poland and Russia in the 1920's.
• His dad’s maternal ancestors have lived in Alabama and Florida for several generations. We think that this side of the family is primarily Irish and Native American. His great-grandfather was a long time middle school principal. In 1998, a middle school in Pace, Florida was named after him. Graham was born exactly 11 years after his great-grandfather died.
• His dad’s paternal ancestors immigrated to Maryland from the Netherlands in the 18th century. This side of the family fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 (with Andrew Jackson), the Civil War, and World War II, and settled portions of East Texas.

Michael is working on a family tree for Graham, so if anyone from the family wants to see what he's done so far and add what they know, send Michael and email.

Note: If you are receiving these updates via email, please let Michael know if you would like to continue to receive email updates whenever the blog is updated. After the next post, anyone who does not indicate that they want to remain on the email list will be removed.

Going home

Mom and baby are doing great