Wyatt lately

He is still smiley and funny and cute, but let's add loud and mischievous and temperamental to the mix. Wyatt's personality has really taken off in the last few months and while he is a lot of fun, he can also be a handful! He continues to be very different from his big brother in every way. He is into everything! EVERYTHING! Saying "NO!" only makes him laugh and do it again. Removing him from the situation makes him turn around and head right back. Removing him again makes him throw his fists in the air and scream. He still throws his food and chucks his sippy cups so hard, the "spill-proof" cups send a fountain of drink in the air as they hit the ground. It is impossible not to laugh at him when he is being naughty. He is strong and has the will to crawl over anything. He still isn't walking, though I think if he tried he could. He throws his hands in the air and lands with a thud on the ground before taking off at full speed on his hands and knees. It's his way or the highway. Or the loud way. Whichever. He is extremely social and so far, has not met a stranger. He will be the child who might need a kiddy-leash or else be lost at the mall/grocery store/zoo/anywhere we might go. I am a little bit scared of this kid...of what he is going to be capable of accomplishing very soon. Being cute with awesome hair he totally uses to his advantage only makes it worse. BUT! He is still sweet and flirty and cuddly and is still my baby and knows it. We love him to pieces (even when his dumping stuff in the toilet has me seriously thinking about leaving him on the curb)!

Pictures!

Can you see the look in his eyes??? Mischievous!

He loves being sneaked up on...major squealing, I tell ya

The wind beneath our wings...

Prepare yourself for the stop-it-ness of this next picture:

I know, right? So cute! The little booger.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Not a Fish

We signed Henry up for his first swimming lessons this summer. We waited till now because he has always been a little timid of the water and I have a problem paying $58 for him not to get in the pool. Also, one of his besties Nate was in the class with him and we thought if they had each other, they'd do well - like preschool. I have always been a fish (growing up in Florida will do that for you) and have had a hard time dealing with Henry's fright of the water. I want to encourage him but not push him; excite him but not overdo it. Is throwing him in the pool and making him find his way out with raw survival skills too much? Anyhow, while he absolutely loved being in the water while it was 3 feet deep, he did not love it so much when his feet were not solidly planted on the ground. The poor teenager who was Henry's teacher got a lot of ear piercing screams...in his ear.

Henry was recommended to retake this level of lessons again, until he is more comfortable putting his face in the water and being held on his back or tummy with support. So basically, until he can do anything other than jump around in the shallow end and splash his buddy Nate. Precious boy. Though I have to say, he is a smart one. One of the activities they do to have the kids get their faces in the water is throw plastic eggs and rings on the pool bottom and make the kids pick them up. One time, Henry's teacher purposely put a ring a little deeper and asked Henry to get it (because let's be honest, Henry is tall and his face was not going under water during these exercises). I watched with great anticipation...while my brilliant son monkey grabbed the ring with his toes and then handed the ring to his teacher with a smile. Yes he did. I suppose I have to be proud of his problem solving skills!

So, we will try again! (Yeah Jenna! No pass!) He will eventually get it, right? Things are slightly better and he is that much more comfortable with all things swimming pool so at least we got somewhere. I will work at being okay with him not being a fish like me and continue to clap and cheer exuberantly whilst my eldest child has just demonstrated how well he can put his chin in the water.

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And now, pictures!

Here is a cutie of Henry and my pretty mama. This was about 15 seconds before he fell backwards off the bleachers and landed on his head. 5 head x-rays, 2 treasure basket toys, 2 stickers and 1 huge ice cream later, he was A-OK.

Here is Henry on the last day, ready to go down the big water slide!

Waiting for his turn with the big kids class..

Here is my big boy, coming down the slide:

If you didn't catch what he was saying at the end, it was, "That was so, so, so, so fast. I wanted it slower."

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And then! Mr. Teenager asked Henry if he wanted to jump of the diving board. I thought to myself, "Yeah right!" but Henry said he did...if his teacher would hold him. I won't give away what happened. Just watch. And listen carefully at the end.

Oh yeah. HA! I love this kid. :)

FOUR

Four years ago today, I held you in my arms for the first time.

You were the answer to so many prayers - a true and perfect gift from God. We waited for you longer than we would have preferred, but my sweet son...it was well worth it. And now, here you are. Four years old.

A happy, healthy, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, obedient, energetic and silly little boy. You have grown in leaps and bounds this year. We watched as you bravely entered preschool, unsure yet excited. You went from not looking your teachers in the eye to tackling them in a full embrace, legs up and arms thrown around their necks when it was time to leave. We watched you develop a very silly sense of humor and take stabs at telling jokes (ahem). We watched as you tried new things, jumped from greater heights and befriended total strangers at the park. Best of all, we watched you become a big brother - the most amazing brother we could have ever imagined. How can we put into words the tenderness you have towards Wyatt? The ability you have over all others to make him smile or laugh? The way every morning when we go in to get him, he waits, staring at his door until you come running in with a huge "GOOD MORNING, WYATT!" and then lots of jumping and squealing ensues because you are his very best friend? In your own way, you have show us a true selflessness(ish) because you will most always drop what you are doing to go help your baby brother out if he's upset or in a bind.

We are still watching you develop a deeper curiosity of Jesus and a desire to know more about Him and His written Word. There is NO GREATER JOY for us than when you ask us about Him. We are so proud of you, Henry. You are a pure and constant joy in our lives and even though you scream like a preteen girl on a roller-coaster when you're hurt or angry, we still love you more than we thought possible.

My precious boy...thank you for being exactly who you are. I am not sure how you are already FOUR, but one thing is for certain:

I cannot wait to see what the next four years have in store for you!

Happy Birthday, Henry! I love you!

Sick and...not sick

Henry: Mommy, why are you taking Wyatt's picture?

Me: Because he is so sick and sad looking and it's cute.

Henry: Um, Mommy? Can you take MY picture because I am not sick?

Me: Yes. I can do that. Say "cheese!"

Thank you, Mr. Comic Relief. :)