Bye Bye!

Henry has been waving byebye to me for about a week now but everytime I try to show someone else he doesn't do it and I look like a liar! Finally he's started doing it more and the other night when KK and Papaw were over here he did it for them and did it long enough for me to get it on video. He's so cute when he does it and he is so proud of himself.



I also forgot to post this last month on his crawling!!

Baby's first Christmas

Henry's Christmas was really good, all things considered... Considering he had RSV, and ear infection AND broke out in what I think was hand foot mouth Christmas morning.


It all started when Henry had what I assumed was "the crud" around Thanksgiving because we all had it. Finally after about 2 weeks of him still not being able to shake it, I took him to the doctor. The doctor said Henry was well on his way to a double ear infection so he put him on an antibiotic to clear that up and help dry up his sinus issues. After a week of meds Henry seemed like he had actually gotten worse and had a terrible cough! So knowing it would be just our luck to be in the ER on Christmas Eve, I decided to take him back. Dr. S said he had an ear infection in his left ear and confirmed my fear that he likely had RSV. He took a chest x-ray and said his lungs looked good but to keep an eye on his cough and make sure it didn't get worse and he wasn't struggling breathe. He decided to change antibiotics and said to continue propping his bed and run the humidifier. By Christmas Eve Henry was still a little puny so we had to skip Henry's first Christmas Eve service at church. I was pretty bummed about that but we figured it was better to play it safe and not expose him to other small kids in case he was contagious. We went to Lee's mom's for dinner and stopped by our friend's house for a quick visit and went home to get ready for Santa! My mom spent the night with us and she and I stayed up late baking cookies together. I really enjoyed that. Christmas morning was pretty low key, we got up when out little alarm clock in Christmas pajamas called for us. He opened a few gifts and was ready to go back down for a nap after about an hour. My dad came over for breakfast and more presents. By the time Henry got up again I noticed he had a rash on his chin and hands. By mid morning it was all over his back and feet. I couldn't call anyone with it being Christmas day but I have seen it enough from working at the daycare to be pretty certain it was hand foot mouth, which is a fever virus followed by a skin rash. It's pretty contagious among infants so we opted not to go to Christmas dinner with Lee's family in fear of getting cousin Summer sick. Lee went and my mom hung out here with H and me. By afternoon Henry acted like he was feeling better but still had the rash. We all just laid around and watched Christmas movies in between naps. That evening, KK and Papaw stopped by and visited with us and we exchanged presents.

I absolutely hated that Henry was sick for his first Christmas but it also made me so very thankful that I have a healthy baby most of the time. I spent a lot of the time he was sick thinking about was how terrible it must be to have a child with a chronic or terminal illness. It broke my heart to see him feel so bad and look so pitiful but I knew he would be well in a matter of days. I can't imagine how it feels...I hope and pray I never have to know...

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas came early

Our family "festivities" began the weekend before Christmas. We all got together at Mimi and Bpaw's and exchanged presents and ate delicious lasagna and way too many sweets. Henry and his cousin Summer were showered with toys and clothes from their aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Merry Christmas!!

half a year!? What!?

That's right! My little reindeer was 6 months old this month! I know, I am late in posting but school, the holiday and having a 6 month old really takes up my time these days. Did I mention I have a 6 month old?!?! That's half way to a year, this cannot be!!! I just found out I was pregnant a few months ago and just brought him home like yesterday, right?? Time is just flying by!!
Henry is such a joy to have in our lives. He is so easy going and happy most of the time. He is very loving and snuggly~I hope that never changes! He is busier than ever!! He can now officially crawl on all fours and has pulled up several times. Our life of plopping him down somewhere and walking away is over! I joke with Lee that when he crawls, I'm going to push him over, I'm just not ready for this! He is really doing well at sitting up by himself (when he sits still long enough too!) It was quite a challenge to get a decent Christmas card picture of him because he is constantly on the go....not to mention a total drool factory!

He babbles like crazy and still loves to bounce in his jumparoo..well actually he loves to bounce where ever he is! When he gets excited he kicks his little skinny legs like crazy! He is now 28.5 inches long and 16 lbs-still long and lean!

Hen loves to eat from a spoon! He gets so excited when we put him in his highchair because he knows what's coming. He now eats stage 1 and 2 organic baby foods (fruits and veggies). His favorites are peas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. He likes most fruits but is not a fan of bananas. He tried a new flavor-corn and butternut squash last week. He wasn't a huge fan of it at first but I assumed it was because it was a new flavor. About 30 minutes later he threw it ALL up so Im not sure if he was allergic to it or for whatever reason didn't agree with him but I've been afraid to offer it to him again. He acted fine before and after so I'm still not sure what to think. We've started doing a few signs with him, hoping he will pick up on baby sign language and start to communicate with us soon.

We are very excited about our first Christmas with Henry and as parents! I am SUPER excited about spending 2 weeks off of work to be home with my sweet man!

Santa!!

Last week, we took Henry to see Santa! I was so worried he was going to freak out and cry but he did great! He looked at him and checked out his beard and then looked right into the camera! Cousin Summer and her parents came along with us and Paw Paw and K-K couldn't miss out on all the fun! We got some great pictures and we were so proud of our little Christmas elves!! We celebrated by going to dinner afterwards. It was a great night with great company!

Sooooo not ready for this...

This would be my crazy son tonight...

Six months old as of today and he's already PULLING UP! ! ! What gives?! He just started creeping/crawling a few days ago! I just can't take it! He is growing up too fast!

Tonight he went down as usual... I put him down still half awake and he usually hums/whines himself to sleep. Well, tonight I laid him down and walked out the room a few minutes later he was silent and then all the sudden another 5 minutes later he was making noise. So Lee went to check on him and he said, "Katie come in here quick!!" So of course I ran in there only to find my baby holding onto the rails on his knees, bobbing up and down so proud of himself! I told Lee to make sure he didn't stand and fall out while I ran for my camera. Needless to say we lowered the crib immediately. So many firsts in one month I just can't believe how fast he is growing!

on the MOVE...already!?!?

I knew this was coming I just didn't think it would be so soon! When Mike, Jamie, and Isaiah were here over Thanksgiving, Henry decided to show off and learn how to get up on all fours and rock back and forth. I guess he watched his cousin and learned a thing or two because by the end of the weekend he was doing the "inchworm" and trying to army crawl like his big cousin (who's only 20 days older but also on the go). Well almost a week later Henry is moving and a groovin! He's not too graceful but can get from one place to another and getting faster everyday! What am I going to do!?! At this rate, he's going to be crawling circles around the Christmas tree by the 25th!!



I'll try to post a video tomorrow, but for now here are a few pics of Henry scooting around...

Special Day

Sunday was a very special day for all of us. Henry was baptized. It was a beautiful day and Henry was in a great mood! He looked so beautiful handsome in his gown. He was so sweet when the bishop blessed him and melted my heart when he smiled and reached for the water. We were honored to ask Bethany and Wes to be his godparents. They are so special to us and they are (and will be) great Christian role models for Henry. My mom and Tim, Amanda and Summer, my dad, Jamie, Mike, and Isaiah, and Karen and Ray all came to witness the special occasion. We are so blessed and thankful to God that he has let us borrow one of his precious angels. He has brought such joy and happiness to our lives, more than we could have ever imagined!

So Thankful!

This Thanksgiving (and everyday) we have so much to be thankful for!! We have a beautiful, smart, healthy baby boy that brightens our lives more than we could have ever imagined. We have a wonderful loving family, a roof over our heads, and we are all in good health. What more could we ask for!?
We had a great Thanksgiving! ALL of my family came into town! My brother Joe, his wife Kiersten and their 3 kids Caroline (5), Nicholas (4), and Molly (2) drove over from Georgia. My brother, Michael and his wife Jamie and their new bundle of joy, Isaiah (6 months) came all the way from Tacoma, Washington. And my dad drove from Colorado. Its was quite a large crowd but I loved every second of it. Growing up, all of our family functions and holidays were pretty small so I love it anytime we can all get together and enjoy each other's company. It was so fun to see all of the kids and it was a hoot to see Henry and Isaiah roll around on the floor together. I got lots of great pictures and will post some tonight. I've had a hard time finding time to blog lately! I have a feeling with Christmas coming it's only going to get busier!

5 months!

Henry is now 5 months (+ a few weeks...I am a bit late in posting). I cannot believe how fast time is flying by! I know people say it all the time but it's crazy how fast they grow-right before your eyes!! I was looking at him the other day and he no longer looks like an infant. He is a baby! No more just lying around taking it all in. He's now moving and exploring things and putting EVERYTHING in his mouth that he can get his chubby little hands on. He laughs and babbles and is very expressive. He is so animated and just down right busy! That's my word that best describes him right now, busy! He grabs and reaches for everything! His favorite are glasses and earrings and he's not afraid to pull them clean off your head if you're not careful! He is a drooling machine! I know he's about to get a tooth. I can tell his bottom gums are swollen and when he is still enough for me to look, I think I can see a little something that's not quite broken through the skin. He is starting to be able to sit up some, with assistance. He's not crawling but will rotate around on his belly or roll to reach something. He LOVES to take a bath! He gets excited and kicks and splashes. He also loves to be outside. I wish I was home with him more during the day so we could stroll. He has tried every vegetable in "stage 1" babyfoods and loves peas and carrots. He will eat any of them but I can tell he likes them best. His least favorite is squash. I am going to start him on fruits this week and I'm sure he will like that. I will post pics asap...this whole working thing has thrown a kink in all of my free time!

hi-ho hi-ho...

It's off to work I go~If only I could be so happy to sing that little ditty every morning. I've been pretty busy lately which is why I am just now posting. October 27 was a hard day! I started back to work. I will say that morning was not as bad as I thought it would be...the night before was the hard part, packing everything up and ready to go. I dropped Henry off bright and early that Tuesday (well actually it wasn't all that bright it was a dark, rainy, & depressing morning). I did fine and didn't even cry when I left! The day went by fast and before I knew it, it was time to go get him! I was surprised how fast the day went by but boy was I busy! I felt like a brand new teacher all over again! Everyone kept asking if I cried when I dropped him off. I didn't cry...until that night...when I had to pack him back up again and do it all the next day. Henry had a hard first week back, as did I, but by Friday Mary said he was a different baby-all smiles. That made me feel so much better. The weekend was busy with Halloween festivities so I didn't even think about things until Sunday night. That was probably harder than packing him up for his first day. I think it was the exhaustion from the week before, busy weekend, and the stress of work. This week has been a little better. Monday was LONG! We had a faculty meeting until 5-That being the longest I've ever had to be away from Henry plus the stress of state walk-throughs coming up on Wednesday did me in! It's been hard but getting better. I know it's been harder on me than it has on Henry for sure. When I pick him up he is always in a good mood and babbles and smiles at me. That makes a world of difference. The hard part is that he comes home and is ready for bed by 7 or 8, which means I only get a few hours with him. By the time I come home, play with him, feed, bathe, pack him up, and get him to bed I am worn slap out!! When the heck am I supposed to clean house or do dishes/laundry??
I honestly didn't intend this post to be one from Debbie Downer but as I read back over it it sure sounds like a pitty party! I know it will get easier and millions of moms and dads do this everyday, It's just going to take some getting used to and find a balance and routine that works for us. I am blessed to have a helpful husband and thankful to have a job in this economy. That's what I need to focus on. That and how lucky I am that I get to see my sweet, precious healthy boy everyday and hold him in my arms!!! It is a gift.

Hoppy Halloween!

Is this not the cutest frog you have ever seen!?! We sure think so! We had a great first Halloween with Henry. Since Henry isn't quite ready to trick-or-treat or eat candy, we met Amanda, Chris, Summer, Mimi and B-Paw at the zoo thinking Boo at the Zoo wouldn't be as crowded because we figured everyone else would be hitting the streets for candy. Apparently everyone else had the same thoughts as we did and it was pretty packed. We still had a great time, despite the crowd and chilly air! After the zoo we all went to eat Mexican food and warmed up and enjoyed each other's company.

I'll post more pictures tonight...

Special Trip

Last week was my last full week to be home with Henry so we decided to try to make the best of it. We slept in, went shopping, visited Lee's office, and had lunch with friends. On Wednesday Amanda(Lee's sister), Summer, Mimi, Henry, and I took a special trip to Montgomery to see Memaw(Henry & Summer's great-grandmother). We had such a nice visit and the kids were great travelers! Aunt Icy and Uncle Danny had a delicious lunch for us and even Aunt Julie stopped by to see the babies. Henry is so fortunate to have so many people in his life that love him and look forward to see him. We are blessed...

Mimi and Summer

4 generations

Memaw & Summer

Memaw & Mr. Drooly

YUM!

Here is a funny video of Henry eating baby food for the first time. Sweet potatoes...yum!
*be sure you have your sound up!

Weddings, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes~ Oh my!!

This weekend was one busy weekend!!! It started Friday when I attended my beautiful friend's brides maids' luncheon. Then it was off to the rehearsal and dinner. Henry stayed with Mimi and B-Paw while Lee and I attended. It was lovely... a bit chilly but very nice! Saturday we slept in till about 9 (H got up at 6 but ate and went right back asleep-YaY!!!) and then Alisha came over to cut and fix my hair for the wedding. I had to be at the church at 2 to get ready for pictures so Lee and Henry hung out with each other until they met up with SueSue to attend the wedding at 6. He was so well-behaved during the wedding and hung in there like a champ during the reception. I was so honored to be a part of Rees and Lauren's big day and the wedding was just beautiful!!

Today (Sunday) We attended a yummy brunch to send off the new Mr. and Mrs. then headed to the farm to attend JPGA's 1st birthday party. It was a "wild wild west" themed party and we had a rootin' tootin' good time! Henry was in a great mood and saw all kinds of farm animals. To end the party we walked to the pumpkin patch and picked our very own pumpkins right off the vine!! We all had a great time!

To top the night off Henry had his first taste of baby food...sweet potatoes. I was going to start Monday but wanted to be sure Lee got to see Henry's first reaction to them. Hen LOVED them. I will post a hilarious video tomorrow but for right now I am headed to bed, we are exhausted from our eventful weekend!

better late than never

I finnally got around to taking Henry's 4 month pictures and uploaded them on my computer. He was in a great mood...

starvin' marvin

So apparently I have been starving my poor child! The afternoon we got home from the doctor I made Henry and 8oz bottle and he chugged it down! You would have thought the poor kid hadn't eaten for days (I BF him before our visit)! I don't see how I didn't pick up on this but any other time I supplemented and left 4 or 6oz he took it and was fine?? So from Thursday on I supplemented during the day and BF in the evenings and in the mornings. I immediately noticed a difference. He was a different child! I had notice about two weeks ago that he was sort of whinny and cranky at night but I chalked it up to him maybe teething or tired and didn't think another minute about it. By the end of the weekend I could tell he had gained weight and was as happy as a lark! We went to the doctor yesterday for our follow up and my chubby bunny had gained 2 pounds in a week!! (sounds like me-takes a month to loose a pound and only a week to gain 2 ha!) I felt terrible!! But his doctor was great and said it happens and I'm not a bad mom. He said everything else looked great with him and that I could start jar feeding him if we wanted. He suggested starting with veggies and trying a new one each week just to rule out any weird allergies. So I will be taking a trip to the store this weekend to pick up some big boy jar foods! I can hardly believe he's big enough for baby food. Anyone have any suggestions as to a specific kind or brand we should try??? So far we have been going the organic rout with the formula and cereals. Let me know your thoughts! And thank you to everyone who said prayers and cared enough to ask or think about him!!


Hope everyone has a great weekend!

hmmmm...

Well we just got back from Henry's 4 month doctor's visit and he has lost a pound! I was/am pretty worried as Dr. S said he should have gained at least another pound from last month. Henry hasn't been sick or spitting up and he's been eating just as he normally does but it's so hard to tell how much he is actually taking in while breast feeding. I do supplement from time to time while we are out or if he is with a sitter (pumping is not for me~I've tried and I get next to nothing!) So, Dr. S suggested to supplement a little more during the day and try to get 8oz in him per feeding, keep giving him the rice cereal, and nurse him in the evenings, nights, and mornings. So I am supposed to journal that for a week and bring him back to weigh in next Wednesday to see if that has helped. If not, he said he will do some blood work. He mentioned at the end of the visit that he wasn't overly concerned because he is still eating and acting normal and hasn't lost a significant amount. It could be due to Henry being so active this month (learning how to roll over and jump in his jumparoo) that he burned a lot of calories and to make sure we aren't restricting his diet. So....we gotta fatten this boy up and get some meat on his bones! Please say a prayer that this is all that it is and we will see a weight increase by next week. I will keep you all posted. thanks!!

Where has the time gone?

Today my Love Bug is four months old! I'm so proud of him and excited about all of the new things he is learning but he is changing and growing up right before my eyes! Does anyone out there have a magic potion to make this slow down a little!? It's bittersweet. Henry is like a sponge soaking up everything that is around him. He is learning all kinds of new "tricks" daily it seems. At four months he ca now roll over front to back and back to front, push up on his arms when lying on his tummy, reach out to touch or grab at things, and he babbles and laughs. He also started eating cereal from a spoon. He loves rice cereal and oatmeal. His favorite toys are his "crunchy" books (they are cloth books that have some kind of plastic in them that make noise when you touch them), horse jumparoo, and rolling around on the floor. Of course he still loves his swing and bouncy seat.


We go Thursday to see how much he's grown and gained since last month. Henry is such a good baby. He's still a great sleeper and such cuddle bug! We are blessed to have such a happy, healthy boy!

I haven't made his 4-month onesie yet but it's on the agenda for this afternoon and will post pictures after out photoshoot. For now, here are some a few from here and there the past week or so.

Summer is here...

not the season of course but Summer Laurel, our new niece and Henry's new cousin. Summer is beautiful and has a head FULL of dark hair. She was born Thursday weighing in at 7.5lbs and 20 inches long. Amanda (Lee's sister) was such a trouper and we are so proud of her and Chris. I could not get over how tiny she was. It's crazy how fast they grow and change! All of the sudden Henry just seems so big to me! It's hard to believe we were there just a few months ago. Summer and Henry are four months apart (almost to the day) and I know that they will be the best of friends!! We can't wait for family vacations, play dates, and get-togethers!!

This shirt I had made for him for the big day. It said "my cousin rocks" I had one for her that said  "I heart my cousin"

first time meeting Summer

Hard to believe he was ever that little!