First Haircut

Before:

After (with the help of Daddy in the tub and a few smarties):

He looks so much more mature :)
I'm hoping to post an update sometime soon.
It's been about half a year since I last posted. Whoops :)

New Friend

Henry has a new friend. They met eachother while I was busy washing dishes. I didn't even notice they were talking until I turned around to see Henry sharing his life story. Here they are laughing at an inside joke.To appreciate the affection of this moment keep in mind that Henry's kisses are rare, indeed.

Flower Child

TA DA!!

This evening Cory brought me home a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I'm kinda spoiled that way - I get flowers pretty often.

This time Cory also pulled out a special red flower just for Henry.

The following sequence gives you a glimpse of the thirty minutes worth of Henry's dancing

due to his excitement over the flower.

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.

All Boy

 

 

 

 

Henry's First Birthday Party

The "Spring" themed decorated Table. Above you can see part of the Birthday Banner that I finished just in time!

Above and Below you can see the Cup Cake Bites I made.

Birthday Boy!

Menu:

Cesar Salad

Spagetti

Buns

Cup Cake Bites a la Bakerella

Ice Cream with Mains' Family Maple Syrup

First Birthday Memories:

Henry was very cheerful. He even did a jig for the first time which had us all in stitches! Grandma made Henry a truly beautiful quilt for his bed and Oma made Henry an eye spy quilt (pictures to come!)! He was very spoiled by everyone else, but not enough to make him rotten :) He even got a surprise gift from Great Aunt Angela! The food was great, although Grandpa had to rescue Mama's pasta (way too much pasta in a way too small pot). Overall, it was a really great time!

How is my little baby a one year old. . .?

Happy Birthday Henry!

Happy Birthday to my most adorable little bean!

Yesterday was Henry's First Birthday. We spent the day doing laundry at Grandma's, visiting Great Oma, eating Chicken Parmesan and playing with Daddy. Saturday will be his Birthday Party with family. On the menu is Henry's favourite: Spaghetti.

So Nobody Misses Out

I didn't post much over the months of November and December.

So, here are a few pics of Henry during his 7th and 8th Month.

He LOVES to watch his bathtub fill up!

Splish! Splash!

Such a Monkey in his Monkey Sleeper

Tired Boy.

Isn't this an adorable sweater/hat set????

This post was especially for my Mom.
A few good grandbaby pictures should help any grandma through her cold!

Kate and I went for a walk today. Of course, where we go our boys go too - so the four of us trekked out with strollers and back carriers in tow. We were headed for the library.

Any locals would appreciate that this is no small feat as Ottawa was hit with a decent snowfall over the past few days. I had Henry bundled in a onesie + sleeper + lined cord pants + fleece hoodie + socks on top of sleeper + winter boots + fleece ear flap hat + hood from hoodie + hood from snowsuit + down filled snowsuit. He was in his stroller covered by several blankets and I tucked his lambskin under him for coziness and warmth. He was toasty warm the whole way!

Kate and Matthew and Henry and I had a great time at the library, but decided we would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, (ever) attempt this again until the spring. We thought it would be a good workout, trudging through the snow, and it definitely worked us! It took us over an hour EACH WAY to get to the library (it normally takes us 20ish minutes). And during both of those entire hours I was pushing a rather large stroller and heavy baby through major snow drifts while Kate carried Matthew on her back attempting to move forward and remain upright. Did I mention it was up hill both ways? It really is. I'm not even lying.

Anyway - we arrived home safely. Our boys stayed warm and we have a few good books to peruse in the mean time. Reading is probably all we'll be able to do while our bodies recover.

The rest of the day went well. I made this healthy soup with some crunchy bread on the side. My son was particularly cute at the table this evening and then sat quietly over his papa's shoulder while he read to us from God's word.

Overall? A great day!

20 lbs Soaking Wet. Literally.

Yes, this is my son.

Yes, he is in the bathroom sink.

Yes, he is in his onesie and diaper.

Yes, he is soaking wet.

Henry is struggling right now. He wants to do so many things and gets very frustrated when he can not do things easily. So, when these meltdowns happen, often we'll go for a walk around the house and find the nearest mirror (mirrors are an easy distraction!).

This time we ended up at the bathroom mirror. However, the tap proved to be much more interesting. So I turned it on thinking we'd watch the water. But the water was so tempting to touch. So I thought some toe splashing in the water wouldn't be so bad - a few moments later, an enthusiastic kick landed Henry totally in the sink.

Since he was already wet I decided to let him play awhile.

This is what my life looks like these days. . .

- My Brother's 19th Birthday Celebration

- Christmas Lists and Christmas Shopping (here's hoping we can be all finished by Dec. 1!)

- Cory and my first date (without Henry) in 7 months! Henry stayed with my parents and we had supper and a late night movie. We talked about our little bean but spent plenty of time enjoying each other's company. We had a great time despite the (nearly) hilariously horrible food and service and movie. Ha.

- Cleaning and Reorganizing as we prepare to cozy up for the winter. I have three closets being used super inefficiently. I haven't organized yet but it's been stewing for awhile

- Running errands: the Library, the grocery store, etc

- An accidental Fabric Shopping and Coffee with all the girls and no babies. Kate and I have been doing some grocery shopping the evenings after our babies are in bed. Last week we joined three other girlfriends for some fabric store shopping and then followed it up by too many giggles at Starbucks (if you haven't tried Starbucks new Salty Caramel Hot Chocolate drop everything you are doing right now and run to your closest Starbucks. I'm serious.)

- Aquafit with Henry on Mondays. Except for today, Henry is getting over a cold. Which brings me to my next point. . .

- Cory and Henry are getting over colds. So Chicken Noodle Soup is simmering, yet again, on my stove top.

- Cory has been successfully completing his accounting tests (and therefore has been studying A LOT) as well as a promotion at work (which has also kept him very busy).

- Organizing my digital photos on my computer. I threw in a couple of my favourite pictures of my boys just for kicks :)

Organic Brown Rice Goodness

Today I took a very special trip to The Wheat Berry, a local health food store, where I purchased the following items:

This evening Henry ate his first solids! He totally enjoyed his brown rice cereal - he ate about 2 Tbsp (quite a bit for a first timer!). Towards the end he was definitely not into it anymore, and was very happy to resume nursing. I was delighted with that, as I'm far from ready to give up that special bonding time.


MMMMMMM. . .Yum!

It's so much more fun to peel potatoes. . .

. . .when I have this little one peeking at me from around the corner.

Around this time a year ago.

Tied Down - Edgar Guest

“They tie you down,” a woman said

Whose cheeks should have been flaming red

With shame to speak of children so.

“When babies come you cannot go

In search of pleasure with your friends,

And all your happy wandering ends.

The things you like you cannot do,

For babies make a slave of you.”

I looked at her and said, “’Tis true

That children make a slave of you,’

And tie you down with many a knot,

But have you never thought to what

It is of happiness and pride

That little babies have you tied?

Do you not miss the greater joys

That come with little girls and boys?

They tie you down to laughter rare,

To hours of smiles and hours of care,

To nights of watching and to fears;

Sometimes they tie you down to tears

And then repay you with a smile,

And make your trouble all worth while.

They tie you fast to chubby feet

And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.

They fasten you with cords of love

To God divine, who reigns above.

They tie you, whereso’er you roam,

Unto the little place called home;

And over sea or railroad track

They tug at you to bring you back.

The happiest people in the town

Are those the babies have tied down.

Oh, go your selfish way and free

But hampered I would rather be,

Yes rather than a kingly crown

I would be, what you term, tied down;

Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,

Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,

The fettered slave of girl and boy,

And win from them earth’s finest joy.

It was around this time one year ago that I discovered I was expecting our first child. To say that we were excited is an understatement. We cried tears of joy, laughed with a giddy excitement and were reverently contemplative as Cory and I pondered the great miracle and blessing that our Good Lord had decided to give us.

When he was born on April 1st, via a planned cesarean section due to a stubborn breech position, each hour revealed greater and greater the mystery of a parent's love for their child. All the selfish questions that stirred in my heart were quieted when I met my precious gift.

Henry has brought us great joy. Again, I will say - Henry has brought us great joy.

I realize I will have many more trying times in this glorious and sanctifying experience called motherhood but I can safely say, come what may, it is worth every sacrifice. It is worth every moment I put off Vanessa's needs and meet Henry's needs now. It is worth every tear. It is worth every heartbreak. It is worth living on one income. It is worth indefinitely postponing that vacation. It is worth eating on a budget. It is worth shopping second hand. It is worth the false perceptions and stereotypes. It is worth it - no matter what others may say. It is definitely worth being Tied Down.