My Birthday Boy

Just playing catch-up. Here are some pics of our little birthday celebration for Henry a few weeks ago. We kept it very small so that I didn't go bonkers with planning and preparing, what with a newborn and all. Of course, my mother was here, and she kept saying, "Oh, I'll just make this. Oh, and this. Oh, and this is really easy." So there were a lot of good things to eat. :) Oh, how I love her.

My big boy!

The younger crowd found things to put in their mouths:



Something delicious is coming your way...

It's getting closer....

What the deliciousness???

Hey! There's a THREE on here!

Don't mind if I do.

I was right. Delicious!

'Twas a fun day, shared with our closest little friends (and their mommies and daddies whom we actually call family). At this age, I've decided all that matters is that the kids have fun. Mission accomplished!

PS Jenna, Henry asked several times where Nate was. You were missed Sady bunch!

Wyatt lately

I thought I should post something about our poor, forgotten newborn. Okay, so we haven't forgotten him, but if you compare the number of posts I had already done about Henry by 8 weeks...

Wyatt is 8 weeks old today! He continues to be such a sweet baby and so easy to care for. He fusses a little more now than in the beginning, but I suppose if he didn't fuss at all, he wouldn't be a baby. He is such a sweet addition to our family and Henry is really having a lot of fun with him:



Surprisingly, Henry is super-gentle and very careful around Wyatt. He always wants to help take care of him and will be the first to run to Wyatt when he's crying -- offering a pacifier or saying, "It's okay, baby Wyatt." Darling boy.

What is new with Wyatt? Um...well, he's growing! People still say, "He's so small!" but really, he's growing so fast, I can't believe it! I love when babies start adding rolls to their cuteness. :) He is starting to talk a little, but he seems to be a little more on the serious side (like his big brother was) so we get more of a "thoughtful" expression from him than anything else. I read recently that by 2 months (next week) my baby "should be smiling easily by now..." Hmmm. Well, he kind of smiles, but mostly in the middle of eating or when he's half asleep. So when he's not really meaning to. I'm not worried about any kind of smile deadline though, seeing as Henry took about 9 years to smile and 27 years to laugh. It's just one of those things you cannot WAIT to see!!!

Something different about Wyatt is that he loves his pacifier. Henry couldn't spit his out fast enough! It's nice to have the option to "pacify" the little guy, since he's not able to find his own thumb yet. :)

We're starting to pull out more and more baby-type toys for Wyatt to enjoy, and part of the fun of that is Henry gets so excited about something new, too. He wants to "play" with Wyatt and show him every little thing possible. And I mean everything. And I mean really show him. Like in his face. Like touching his nose. So helpful!

All in all, we're getting the hang of things here and are totally enjoying being a family of FOUR. Of course, it's a little tougher to get out the door, but it's totally worth it! For the most part, Wyatt just goes with the flow, so as long as his big brother cooperates (I'd say 50/50), our day is pretty good. Oh, also if I get a nap. And please don't think I'm saying that life is easy breezy. 'Cause that is NOT what I'm saying. Just enjoyable!

Here's a pic of our growing boy (and his leg rolls!):

And here is a video of Wyatt for your viewing pleasure. Try to contain yourself.

Oh, how the years pass by...

This past Monday, Henry turned THREE, and I finally have time to sit and reflect on the enormity of that fact. It's hard to believe that he was once as tiny as his baby brother and didn't talk or run around or say "NO!" :) It's funny, the toddler years. So much of what they are learning/achieving/experimenting is thoroughly enjoyable and there is a LOT of laughter involved. However, as all my mommy friends know, there are those times when you have to lock yourselves in a room withOUT your "precious" toddler to keep your sanity. How is it that they forget their vocabulary when they are upset?

Oh, but he is also such a joy! Curious, smart, funny, caring, observant, such a good big brother, experimental... Henry's new mantra - I can do it myself. Eeek. He keeps us on our toes for sure!

Every night when we go in to check on him as he's sleeping, I am overwhelmed by the love I have for my big boy. Even in those tough toddler situations, there are the moments afterwards when I am holding Henry to me and there is no doubt in my mind that I was made to be his mother. To love someone so much is a gift...and one Jim and I treasure more than life itself.

Happy Birthday Henry! We love you!

Who I want to be

Today, my mom leaves to go back home to Orlando. She was able to be here for 12 days and I was so thankful!! Besides all the things she helped with (dinner, cleaning, laundry, Wyatt, HENRY!), I just love having her company. I know how blessed I am to have a mother who I not only love, but like so, SO much. Everything that I could ever hope to be as a mother, she is. Loving, kind, patient, generous, calm, WONDERFUL...the list goes on. She has grown from just mother to friend, and I wish she were closer all the time! I would like to say that when I said goodbye, I held up quite nicely, but as usual, I was a blubbering fool. :) Henry hasn't stopped asking where Grandma is and when she's coming back and that he misses her. We miss you already, mom!

Here a just a few pics of us while she was here...I'll post more later!

We love you, mom! Thank you for coming!

PS Henry wants to play more Hi-Ho Cherry-O with you. :)

Brotherly affection

Henry will hold Wyatt's hand,



and stare at him,

and touch him with his foot.

Oh. Also, he likes to involve Wyatt in all his games.

Here are some videos that are really not all that exciting, but the grandparents (and other family members we never see) will love it!

I swear to you, Wyatt keeps smiling at us...

Here is Henry entertaining his brother. Of course, it was WAY louder and more dramatic before I started taking video... Usually, whenever Henry is talking or running around, Wyatt watching him or trying to find him. It's pretty cute. He just wants to see what his brother is doing!

And Henry is always willing to comply. He will show Wyatt everything he's doing and will often get a little too close for comfort.

Well, it has taken me forever to finish this. Typing with one hand half the time. Aaaand goodbye!

Brothers at random

Well. Who has time to blog? Not me! So here will be a random assortment of pictures from the last two weeks. Give me some credit. I'm dead tired! My toddler is acting like...well...a toddler. He has, in fact, perfected the craft. Lovely! I'm trying not to give myself too hard a time for being rather snappy with him lately, but I do feel bad that on top of all that has changed, I also don't have all the patience he requires right now. And then there is our darling newborn, who is an angel baby. However, how did I forget that you spend most of your day feeding a newborn? Did I mention I'm tired? And how come I can't seem to properly line up Henry's nap with a time when Wyatt doesn't need to be fed?? zzzzzzzzz.... Ah well. I suppose it will all come together in time.

Anyhow. Back to the pictures! Just to prove that we do still exist!

Jim treated us to a few days at the beach last week and we stayed at an awesome hotel where Henry got his very own room with a king sized pillow top bed. Mmhmm. Jim and I slept on the pull out bed in the living room with Wyatt next to us in the pack n play.

Here is Henry enjoying his digs (try not to laugh):

And here is Wyatt, having no idea where we are:

Every time I pull the camera out, Henry wants to do something for me. Usually it ends up being something pretty silly. These are times when I really love having a toddler!


I love our precious babe!

...and from another angle...

...and yawn. This is what he does all day.

Look! They actually DO interact! Or, Henry gets close to Wyatt and either pokes him or stares. Whatever! I'll take anything that doesn't involve toys hitting the head!

Hello, dude.

Henry has been SO lucky lately. Lots of people keep bringing him toys and fun things to play with. :) Here he is showing off his new transformer from the Mareks:



And here he is trying on daddy's helmet:

Oh, the fun. :)

And now, my always on-the-go big boy is requesting a game of fishing with him, so I must take my leave. Does anyone know of a game to play with a toddler that involves resting??

Our newest addition!

We are happy to welcome our little Wyatt Paul to the world! He was born Saturday, May 30th at 10:20 pm, weighing in at 6 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 inches long. I was certainly happy to welcome him 3 weeks early!! He is a precious baby...rarely cries and is just as sweet as can be. :) We are so in love! Even Henry is very curious about Wyatt and is constantly asking questions about him all the time. I'm not positive, but we could be close to actually taking a picture of them together! For now, we will settle for "interested."
***
We are doing well, just trying to get as much rest as possible during these two weeks that Jim gets to be home with us. We are all certainly blessed by Jim, who is taking control of the house, food, diapers, you name it. I am so well cared for and so are my babies. He is truly an amazing man to and for me and is so in love with our boys. So okay, there have been some tears. But they've all been happy tears because I know what I have. A wonderful, wonderful family. Healthy happy boys. A happy marriage. A great and faithful God.
***
Here are some pics of our brand new baby on the day he was born...enjoy!

And now...back to resting!

Wyatt Update!

So! For family members and friends who aren't offical friends b/c Facebook hasn't told us so, here is an update on Wyatt's incubation:

1) 36 week appointment today
2) 2 cm dilated
3) Baby's head was felt, people!

I know, I know. He could STILL decide to stay in there until his due date, but I'm a firm believer in mind over matter, so LET'S GET READY! Except not this weekend. Because Jim will be climbing Mt. Adams with Mike. And that would really not be so convenient. Especially if his cell phone doesn't work. Who wants to take me to the hospital??

In any case, Henry is ready to be a big brother! WOOT!




On a more serious note...I have been so overwhelmed by how much of a miracle it is to be carrying this child. Having done it before, I didn't know the feeling could still be so powerful! What God does in us is so amazing and I am so very thankful for this precious boy. I cannot, and I emphasize CANNOT, wait to hold him in my arms. Whenever he's ready to get out of my tummy already. ;)

Favorite new toy

So, the weather's been nice...



and there's been lots of smiles....

because someone is excited....

about his tape measure!!!

Everybody measure!

This is what happens...

...when you're great with child and want to keep your almost 3 year old entertained.

What tummy?

34 weeks pregnant



Large and in charge!

Wyatt can come anytime. It looks like he's pretty healthy, doesn't it?

Hmph

The first thing my husband says to me when he gets home is "Why did you choose the one group photo that was out of focus?" WELL! I was CHOOSING a picture where everyone was actually LOOKING at the camera and no one's EYES were closed or no one was making a funny face!!! Hmph. So. Here is another photo. I think it is the only other one where none of the above happened.