11 Months

Let's see if I can post your 11 month entry during the week you turned 11 months.  Wouldn't that be an achievement?

I have been sappy all week due to you hitting the 11 month mark.  I don't know if it is how pictures are starting to look little boy like rather than baby like, the fact that we are one month from your first birthday and the planning is actually underway, but I am so sad.  My itty bitty baby isn't so itty bitty anymore.  You don't cry as much when I leave, the cuddle time is minimal (because you are always on the go), and those rolls are slimming down.  Dear Henry, you are growing up too fast.

You are a curious little boy who wanders around the house.  I love taking you to new places and watching you explore.  You are starting to stand on your own, but you don't realize what you are doing yet.  I am totally fine with you not learning to walk yet.  You get around just fine with your bear crawl ways, walking is just another step in the growing up process that I am not ready for.

You continue to be a healthy little eater.  Popsicles are a fun treat that you enjoy.  It is a messy mess, but so stinking cute.  We are sticking around the seven teeth mark.  I see a few more starting to come in, but for now we've got seven.  You have a gap between your two front teeth that is adorable.  I'm crossing my fingers you inherit your father's "perfect bite". 

Your personality is hilarious.  You focus on details and squeal with delight.  You definitely are an observer and it takes you a little while to warm up.  Once you feel comfortable though, watch out!  You give grins out freely and have the cutest little wave.  Everyone loves to hold you because of your fluff, you prefer to be down exploring. 

You can say "dog" pretty clearly and continue to look around for "Jaja" when he isn't in the room.  You mimic syllables which is so fun.  You are definitely more vocal over the past month.  

You are as cute as cute can be and I can't get enough of you!  I give you a million kisses a day because someday I'm sure that will be embarrassing.  Fair warning child, you're still gonna get them. 

10 Months

Another very delayed post.  Mom of the year award, thank you so much.  I am terrible about uploading pictures.

I can't believe we are already at month TEN!  You're little personality shines more and more each day, little one. Every night after you go to bed, Chris and I sit and talk about how cute and sweet you are. We are smitten beyond belief.

You have SEVEN teeth now. SEV-EN!  Four on top and three on the bottom. It is so silly to see you giggle with your mouthful of little toothers. You like to bite your momma still.  You think it is hilarious, I however beg to differ. Pureed food is very rare nowadays.  You love table food.  Chicken, veggies, fruit, whatever you can get into those chubby hands and shoveled in your mouth.   

You are everywhere. You have started to cruise a little around the furniture, but crawling is your preferred mode of transportation. You bear crawl on the hard woods to keep those nubby knees protected. 

You are a sweet, happy little fellow. We chit chat through the day. "Dada" is your favorite phrase now. I think you say hi every so often and you say Jaja when you see Jasper. You light up when you see other kiddos. We are very blessed to be surrounded by lots of littles, so we have lots of fun play dates.

You recognize your grandparents now, which they love.  You reach for your grandmas and give lots of smiles to your grandpas.  We are so thankful to live close to them.  They ask to watch you often and it is so fun to see you bond with them.  You will be begging to go to their house before too long. 

We couldn't imagine life without you. It is hard to believe we are starting to plan your first birthday party!

Getting pictures out of you is a full body work out.  You just go go go.  I love it!

9 Months

LOOOONNNGGGG overdue nine month post.  Like two months past due.

Whew, another fast month.  When I wrote your 8 month post you had just learned to go from your belly to a sitting position.  It seems like from there you just took off.  Before we knew it you were standing up in your bed and then crawling.  Now you pull up on EVERYTHING, crawl EVERYWHERE and are a busy, busy boy.

Your top left tooth is through and the right is shortly behind.  The teeth on either side are starting to show as well.  That means that pretty soon you will be a six tooth wonder.  Teething has not been too bad (knock on wood).  You still drool and chew on everything.  You have also picked up the new trick of biting your mother.  So not cool, child.  You've put your new teeth to good use in the feeding department.  You still eat your pureed food for the most part, but you are into table food.  Peas, carrots, puffs, eggs, bananas, and perhaps a few nibbles of whatever is on my plate (you love pancakes).  If your rolls are any indication, eating will not be a battle with you.

You are much more vocal these days.  Momma and babababa are your favorite sounds.  You've got until Father's Day to master the dada.  You sing and dance, which is awesome.  You have also started to reach to the sky for no apparent reason from time to time.  It is hilarious and you talk to me while you are doing it.

You are still a momma's boy.  You love your dad and I am so excited to see your relationship grow as you become older.  I am eating up this time though because I know it won't last for forever.  The day will come when you will be off at the batting cages with your dad or on the golf course.  For now, I will gladly pick you up when you reach for me.

Your facial expressions crack me up.  I would love to get inside that little head of yours to hear your thoughts.

We are spending much more time outside which has been so fun.  You love to go on walks, swing, play in the grass, and explore.  This month has been chopped full of learning.  I am excited to see what is next, but again am ready for things to slow down.

Love you little baby boy. 

I also failed to take a picture with the chalk board for month nine.  Thankfully, the wonderful Meg White took pictures on his ninth birthday, so it's all good.

8 Months

In my defense, I wrote this over three weeks ago and just haven't sat down to put the pictures on.  I have GOT to be better about getting pictures off of the camera and doing something with them.  

I am a little behind on your 8 month post... What else is new? I am in love with this age. I wish that I could freeze time and keep you this size and sweetness for forever.

You are a rolling fool and have started to rock on your hands and knees. You push yourself backwards easily and have been known to trap yourself under furniture. Silly boy.

Our favorite thing as of late is to lay on the gray bed for "cool down" time before nap time. This used to be our time to read books and cuddle, but is now your time to roll around and let out some giggles. Love it!!!

On your 8 month birthday you learned how to sit up from laying on your belly. This will be interesting I'm sure.

I love to see you learn new things every day. Whether it is a new sound that you repeat over and over, a new dance move, or just something in the house that you've never noticed. Watching those little wheels turn is precious and priceless.

You continue to be a great babe and even though we might have a rough nap day or you might fight to go down some nights, I am reminded it is typically just a phase and is short lived. You are dreamy and I am spoiled.

You love your momma and I am smitten with you. When I come home from work your smile is amazing and you wiggle and squirm until you're in my arms. You have the best baby fluff and I could snuggle with you for hours. I hope you continue to be a snuggle bug as you grow, not ready to give that up.

This mom gig is clicking more and more every day and I love it. So glad you were placed into our lives.

As seen in the pictures you roll constantly and are on the move.  Might have to get more creative on taking your pictures in the upcoming months.

That Moment

I won't deny it, Henry has never been itty bitty. He was over eight bounds when he was born and has far surpassed all of his friends close to his age. His rolls are irresistible and you can't help but hug his fluff when you hold him.

But, he's still my itty bitty babe.

I was holding him yesterday when he was sleepy and cuddly and happened to walk past a mirror.

Where did my little baby go? I feel like he takes over my whole body when I hold him now. I tell him on frequent occasions that he is too heavy to be held for so long. I will shut my mouth now. The moment came when you realize they grow too fast. When your newborn has long since left you and your infant will be a toddler in no time.

So, the sleepy time cuddle talks and the desire to be held and just walk around exploring won't be rushed little man. I know the day will come when I have to ask you for lovin rather than the other way around.

Now off to have our morning conversation over a bowl of cereal and cup of tea.

Seven Months

From six to seven months FLEW by.  I blame this for my failure to blog your seven month post in a timely manner.  We are on the down hill slope to a year now and I feel like it is going to be very quick.  This makes me sad! 

You are an eating fool now.  You have days where you are not very interested, but when you are, whew!!  It is still difficult to fit this into our schedule at times.  More stuff to pack when we leave, more time to sit and eat, etc.  But, it is fun.  You have had pears, carrots, peas, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, apple sauce, bananas, prunes, and oatmeal.  I made a lot of these items and so we will probably stick with them until the freezer clears out a little.

Sitting or standing is your favorite position.  You sit very well now and will pull on my fingers to hold you in a standing position all the time.  This is so cute, but you are not a light weight!  You roll around a lot in your bed, but continue to be frustrated when you are on you stomach on the floor.  Your dad and I are both ready for you to crawl!!! 

You have the best belly laugh and it comes out often.  You love your Aunt Erin's dog, Tilly, and she can get you laughing pretty easily.  We went to Texas right at the end of your six month period and I think it is confirmed that you can say "mama".  Granma said you would say it over and over if you were upset.  Unfortunately, we can't get you to say it when I am around and you are happy!  Stinker.  You make the Ba-Ba-Ba sound a lot and will look so intently when we talk to you.  I think you might be more of a listener like your momma than a talker like your dad.

We took swim lessons over the past two months and you had a love hate relationship with it.  I did too though, the water was cold!!!  It was fun and I hope to do more things like this with friends in the future.  We are so ready for warm weather so we can have play dates with your friends Miles, Evelyn, Bennett, Tess and hopefully Kettie and Lewis.

You are fun as fun can be and we are LOVING this stage.  Stop growing up now, please :)

Texas!

Last week was a week I had been highly anxious about for sometime.  One of Chris' close friends from undergrad popped the question to a fine lady a while back and their wedding date was set for March 16.  Chris was asked to be in the wedding and I immediately went into panic mode about leaving or taking Henry with us.  My loving husband convinced me it would be best for us to leave Henry with the grandparents and enjoy a little time away.  As the time drew near, we compromised a little.  Chris drove down on Wednesday before the wedding in order to enjoy some golfing and guy time.  I flew down on Friday and met up with everyone for the rehearsal, had the day to myself on Saturday until the wedding and we drove home together on Sunday.  Here is a brief synopsis of the long weekend...

Since Chris took the newer car down to Texas, Henry and I were left with the Mustang for a couple of days.  Whewy, a two door car and a car seat are not my idea of fun!  But, I got to look back at this sweet face at stop lights.

We attended a baby shower of a sweet friend on Thursday evening.  I was exhausted by this time and needed to get out of the house a little before the shower.  So, I strapped Henry into his Beco carrier and we headed to TJ Maxx to look around.  He had never faced forward and loved it!! 

No pictures of the rehearsal dinner.  It was delicious though and nice to catch up with Whitney and Ryan.  I could sit and talk to Whitney for hours!! (I'm sure anyone could though) Hilarious, sweet lady!  I ventured out into Dallas afterwards on my own to a hotel for one that evening.  King size bed all to myself!!!  I slept terribly though. 

I was pretty pumped to have a day to myself on Saturday, not gonna lie.  Had full intentions of going to Ikea, HOWEVER all the local guys told me it was an hour drive (Mapquest said 26 minutes, we will never know who was correct).  I opted to stay close rather than driving out to an unknown territory to a place I could really go crazy at.  My fear was I would be sucked into Ikea wonderfulness and seeing as how the house is still on the market and we have no idea where we will be next, house decorative items are really a no go right now.  So, Wirth suggested a fun mall I hit up and boy did I hit it up!!!  The place was huge and so fun!  Wish I had a girlfriend there to enjoy it with, but venturing around with no agenda was nice.

The mall had one of these fine cafes inside.  I've heard so much about this place from friends, I had to stop.  It was scrumptious. 

I had a little time before check in at the second hotel (we stayed at the reception sight the second night together) so I ventured over to Crate and Barrel.  What do you think of this sectional Danavee (in gray of course)?

The wedding was at the SMU chapel.  Beautiful and fast, my idea of a wedding!!!  I think Whitney said it lasted 18 minutes :)  Andrew and Bailey are two of the sweetest people.  I am a blessed gal that Chris has so many great friends from high school, undergrad, and grad school who have welcomed me into their circles.  I love seeing them and it is so fun to see Chris interact with his buddies.  Hate that everyone lives so far apart. 

The reception was at the Adolphus in downtown Dallas.  Fancy, smancy!  It was classy, simple and elegant.  This was the centerpiece at our table.  Lovely!

Yummy grub!  They had an assortment of southern foods; crab cakes, pulled pork, chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese...  I could have had three plates, but I held back.  This gal is a bottomless pit (have you seen my son's thighs?).

The Mizzou gang in the wedding.  Wish I would have gotten a picture of our table. 

This is Patty and Allen.  I went to their wedding with Chris way back when we first started dating.  It was fun to catch up with them and actually talk to this couple whose wedding I crashed (I was a newbie girlfriend back then). 

 

And of course, I was SOOO excited to get home to this little man.  Remember how I went shopping?  Umm, I bought A SHIRT for myself (and mugs from Anthropologie).  Everything else was for Henry.  I missed him just a little.  Oh, and Jasper was missed too of course. 

I am sure many more weekends away are in our future.  Henry did great and we love that he has grandparents who want to steal him away from time to time.  Before we know it, he will be begging to spend the night at Granma and Papa's or Grammy and Doc's.  

Swimming Lessons

My friend filled me in on a great Groupon deal that we both snagged for our little ones.  Eight swimming lessons at our local Y for a great price.  Now, I realize Henry won't be jumping off the high dive or diving for rings anytime soon, but I hope to get him used to the water.  He loves his bath time, so I figured he could be on cloud nine in a pool or freak out.  With Henry, ya never know.

Fortunately, he didn't scream bloody murder.  He wasn't splashing around like a mad man either.  He was Mr. Cuddle during lessons and I was a okay with that!  He unintentionally stuck his head in the water a few times and whimpered a little, but nothing overly dramatic.  I am excited to see how he reacts throughout the next few weeks. 

Chris was able to come and snap some pictures.  Hopefully he will get in the water with us at some point.  My friend Zanna and her little girl Evelyn are taking lessons with us.  It is pretty fun!

Little unsure of the pool.

So nice to have friends with babes the same age to do fun things with!

Henry's preferred spot during lessons.  I didn't mind too much.

Corny smile.  I was freezing!

Seriously mom? 

He loved being on his back, talked the whole time.

Six Months

Half a year already?! I feel like six months sounds so old... This month has been chopped full of new stuff for you, little man.

You started oatmeal about three weeks ago. After a few attempts, it really was a no go. Since retiring that nastiness you have moved up in the culinary world to bananas, apple sauce, avocados and sweet potatoes. You tolerate the avocados and apple sauce the best and really only eat well in the evening. It has been fun though. My hope is to mix up some carrots and mangos next.

Little man, you are sitting up now! You wobble at times and if you see something you want, a tumble to the carpet doesn't seem to matter. But, you've got it! You have also mastered the fine art of rolling from back to tummy. While conquering this milestone however, you have forgotten once again how to roll from tummy to back. This results in throwing a slight fit while pancaked on the floor.

Splashing in the bathtub is a new favorite past time. You also have the cutest little fake laugh. You are a loud talker, but have quiet times as well. Your favorite book still tends to be the kid Bible books, you will look with such interest at the pictures or roll to your side to watch me read. The Johnny Jump Up has become a life saver.

As mentioned, tummy time is your worst enemy. Evening times are still no fun. It is always a toss up on if you will be in a good mood or not, so we have a list of possible errands to run in the evening which helps. These have included walks around Bass Pro, driving around looking at houses, Target trips, etc.

You're still a great sleeper. We have officially cut out one nap, so you have two, two hour naps and still go to bed at eight.  Most nights once you are down, you are down until we go get you at 8 in the morning.  There have been nights in the last couple of weeks though where you have flipped to your belly, needed a hug, or kicked off you blanket and needed rescuing.  

Your six month appointment went great. You greeted the doctor with a very loud burp and made your presence known by a stinky smell before we left. You had a look of accomplishment on your face as we walked out. You are 18.4 pounds and 26.25 inches long. A big, healthy babe. The doctor said we need to start baby proofing the house. I chuckled a little because I don't see you being mobile for a while.

You are a delightful, cuddly, sweet little boy. We are already so proud of you and I kind of think you have dad wrapped around your finger. :)

Someone was starving for attention.

One sock is typically always off.  Pointless to constantly put it back on.