Just because.

He won't take a pacifier but he'll suck on his fist all day. Jim and I laughed this morning when Henry woke up a little early, fussed a bit, and when he realized we weren't coming right away we heard, "suck, suck, suck"...and he was peaceful again. Whatever it takes, I guess!

 

Oh my.

Henry weighs 15 lbs. 7 oz. and is 26 inches long. Good grief. The pediatrician said, "Well, he's a tall boy, that's for sure." Doc assured me that he is not too big at all - that he needs to weigh as much for his length. He's proportionate! I have to say though, when I saw another lady there with her two month old daughter, I nearly laughed at how tiny she was in comparison. At least we can say he is healthy! And cute, don't forget. =)

So I've gained some weight. Sue me.

As you can see, our little boy is growing by the day. He has acquired quite a nice set of chins along with a little more squishiness in the thigh area. I love it! Tomorrow he has his 2 month appointment and we'll see how much he weighs.

Henry has started to smile (first one was for daddy!) and is talking more and more. Talking means "Gaaw," "Hooo" and the like.


ADORABLE.

Something that we are having fun with right now is when Henry is crying because he is tired, he goes something like this, "Waah-ah-ah-ah." And Jim replies, "One crying baby - ah-ah-ah." Get it? Sesame Street anyone? Ah-ah-ah!

Tee hee

 

WHAT?!?!

You Are Barney

You could have been an intellectual leader... Instead, your whole life is an homage to beer You will be remembered for: your beautiful singing voice and your burps Your life philosophy: "There's nothing like beer to give you that inflated sense of self-esteem."

The Simpsons Personality Test

Hmmm...I do sing AND burp though...

Roar!

Okay...and a cute one of him getting dry, too. 

Bath time!!

Here are some pictures dedicated to that precious time we spend giving Henry a bath. He loves it! To the ones that show his tummy we say, "What the belly???"


Getting ready for bath! Can't you tell he's excited?

Babies and hats

Why is it so fun to put hats on babies? I, along with several of my friends, enjoy purchasing all sorts of head coverings for our little ones. They're so darn cute! (the babies aren't so bad either...) Here's us before our walk last night. It was a little more chilly than normal outside, so OF COURSE, we had to bundle up and wear a hat. =D Henry also wore a hat on Sunday, which was part of the super-cute sailor outfit Myrna got him. AHOY!
In case you've forgotten what his head looks like, I've added another picture. Please notice head to dad's hand ratio. Geesh!
Because I love posting pictures and to make an even mom/dad showing, here's one with Jim and Henry. Awwww. I wonder if Henry's eyes will be as bright blue as Jim's someday?? I'm wondering when I will actually have some stories or bright ideas to post again... For now, this is what you get!!!

Stupid formatting.

This pic is a couple weeks old but I just love it. I just want to squeeze him silly, he's so cute! Wouldn't it be nice if we adults could nap like this more often?

I promise some newer pics in the next couple of days! 

Grandma, we miss you!

Sup?

Henry is always flailing his arms about, making him look like a rapper. Yo, yo, yo! It's quite funny. Also, notice how loooong his arms are. Someone is going to be tall like his dad!

Here is our first family pic since the day Henry arrived...

Could I be any cuter?

I think not.

 

Time flies!

Our baby boy is four weeks old today! Good grief! Didn't I just give birth to him? I can see why people keep saying to enjoy this and that while he is this little. So precious, so little...but growing every day. I am love, love, loving being a mommy and watching Jim be a daddy.








My mother, proud new grandma, has been here visiting for a week now and we are just having a blast taking Henry all over town. He is very well behaved when we're out and about. Must mean he likes to shop! Ha. Grandma Johnson is having so much fun with Henry - playing patty cake (yes, already) and putting him to sleep faster than you can say "shhh." She's got the touch, I guess!





Seems to enjoy "patty cake," no?

We just love our little boy!

Smitten

Naptime

On our way to Sarah's birthday party!

Seriously though...could he be any cuter?

Henry James Marr

Well, I have to say I have never been more overjoyed or thankful than I am these days. Today, our precious baby boy turns 2 weeks old, and life has been nothing but perfection since his birth. Sure, there are fussy times and dirty diapers...but it is all so worth it to hold this little creation in your arms. Praise the Lord for His healing and faithfulness! The tears of joy have not stopped since I first saw his face.





We love you, little Henry James. We have waited for you and loved you even before you were made.





And a huge shout out to Jim, the most incredible husband and adorable daddy. Thank you for taking such good care of me and our little guy. I can't wait to see him grow up and follow in your footsteps.






Here is my favorite pic so far of Henry. This was the day he was born and we were forever smitten. Ah, parenthood...




Thank you Jesus for this little treasure!

This is my life

Here's me...ready to have our baby!
I am going to give birth while Portland is experiencing triple digit temperatures. I know it. And then, the city will be using so much power, what with all the A/C demand, that our hospital will lose its power. Can that happen? Hmmm...maybe that doesn't make sense. Hospitals have to have some serious back-up generators or something to keep people well and living, right? Yes. That is what I will cling to! Although, maybe that is just to keep machines running and not so much for the A/C. Dang.



Here's me from the side...WOAH!
Maybe I should be more concerned about our A/C working when we get home. Poor hot baby! I know all the born and raised Oregonians are saying "Get over yourself! We've been doing this for years!" I can't help it! I was raised where if it's hot outside, you pump your A/C!!!




Last but not least, our super-cute crib waiting for baby.
Doesn't it look like he'll be so comfy? Then why is he not coming?? Come out little one! Make your presence known! I am ready for you! (As you can see, I am technologically challenged and cannot erase or rotate this picture now that I have placed it here. Sorry!)

This is the type of decor you use when your daddy works at Nike...

And your uncle. And your other uncle.

Help!

If I do jumping jacks, will the baby come?

And I quote...

"Well, that's a nice size baby you've got in there!"
Spoken yesterday by doctor, while viewing amniotic fluid on ultrasound.

ACK!

Baby, oh baby, you're precious to me
Still kicking and squirming and swelling my feet
It's hard to believe that so soon you'll be here
Filling our hearts with such love and such cheer
We've waited for you, we have prayed for the day
That we'll welcome you home, where you'll live, grow and stay
Your daddy and I so await your debut
To see your sweet face and to say "We love you."

A thought...and a new vow

I am making a promise to myself that I intend to keep forever. If a pregnant woman ever tells me she is tired, I am going to empathize with her and remind her of how much it is worth it! Especially if this pregnant person is super close to giving birth. Why do people feel the need to constantly say, "Pfft. It only gets worse."??? How does that help anyone? I would think it actually gets BETTER at some point and that you should encourage them toward that thought. So what if it takes a year to get there? I think it is important to validate pregnant women and how they are feeling. Not make them feel like poo. This is my lifelong goal now. =)

**And FYI - none of my friends or family have made me feel this way whatsoever! It's some people at work and random people who shouldn't be offering their advice to me anyways! Leave me alone! =P

For Roy...

This post is dedicated to Roy Bunch, who wants to know how we are doing in our 9th month of pregnancy (WAY past 7th!!).

We are great! It is a bit hot, but not too bad. I am big and my body gets sore, but sitting down with my feet up feels great. My ankles swell by the end of the day but at least it's not my face (yet). Sometimes my emotions get the best of me, but I have a terrific husband who talks me off the ledge. =D I would say that physically speaking, I am ready to just have the baby! I can't wait to bend over the sink to pluck my eyebrows again or tie my shoes or use my hands to pick things up off the ground rather than my toes! But I am looking forward to a few weeks of rest before the big welcome for little Henry.

Jim is handling pregnancy quite well. =) I'm sure I am a constant source of entertainment for him as I explain (not whine, thank you) all the woe's of my poor body. He is very accomodating and I am very appreciative. He is doing great at his new job and enjoying the different company culture that NIKE offers. I am so happy for him.

That's an update! Woohoo for me!

WOW

My husband ran a marathon on Saturday. He rocks. He was a bit salty-faced at the end, but had a great attitude and a huge smile on his face whenever we'd catch him on the run. I am so proud of him! I still think he's crazy...

And props to Trent, who ran it with Jim, and kept him laughing the whole way! =D

Since I've married Jim, he has become many things:

1. An avid hiker
2. A backpacking enthusiast
3. Camper extraordinaire
4. Snow shoeing adventurer
5. Sometimes not so graceful cross country skier (hehe)
6. A casual runner (to keep him in shape for all his other hobbies)
7. A marathon runner

I think it is fair to say that I was not made aware of this adventurous side of Jim when we got married. If only I knew what I was getting myself in to...

I would still love him.

The difference a year can make

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of one of the saddest days in my and Jim's lives. I can still feel the pain of loss like it was yesterday, but the Lord has blessed us so much in this one year, way beyond what we could have imagined, that the pain becomes easier to bear. I cannot explain the depth our marriage has grown or the strength our friendships have taken, but these things are what I am thankful for each and every day. We have a precious baby boy on the way, a new house to put together and enjoy with our friends and family, so many baby nephews to love and hold born in the last 8 months, amazing, AMAZING friends and family... I am so thankful that even in the deepest heartache, God can reach down and grant us peace - that He makes His love for us known in so many other ways. True, it is hard not to get just what we want, right when we want it, exactly how we planned for it. But now I cannot argue that the Lord knew better than me - knew the person I would become, the things I would learn, the bonds that would grow stronger.

Thank you to all our family and friends, who have helped make this past year not one of suffering, but one of many joys and good memories. I am eternally grateful for the love and support that has helped put the smile on my face today. Thank you especially to my husband, who has shown me more love than I deserve and who sacrificed so much to keep me going. I love you all.

Uh oh

My appetite is increasing. The days of "I've worn the same pregnancy clothes throughout my whole pregnancy" are sure to be over soon. Ah well!

Does 10 weeks seem like it's not very far away to anyone else? AH!

So, I'm having to train multiple people at work in several different areas of my job. I would say that it is the most stressful thing I'm involved in right now - over preparing for a baby, selling a house, buying a house and Jim starting a new job. But the funny part to me is, I am getting so tired of talking! I know! Who has ever heard of such a thing? =) But seriously, I talk, talk, talk and explain things all day long, every day. I'm tired of hearing my own voice, and I didn't think I'd EVER say that. Huh. And how am I supposed to pass along all the info I just so happen to know after working here so long?? Ayaiyai. Too much.

And I'm hungry again...

Best news ever...

One more thing to be absolutely happy about!

New home

Hello everyone! Jim and I made an offer on a beautiful home last night and it was accepted! If everything moves forward according to plan, we will have the keys to our new house on June 12th. Yikes! Just enough time to put a baby room together - not to mention the rest of the house.

Here are some pics of the house, though I don't think they do it justice...

Bums, burgers and burns

I love how I've been saying, "Wow, this baby's got a sharp behind" when all along it's most likely been his foot. =D

Only 3 1/2 pounds gained this month! Woohoo! According to our doctor, I am perfect, my uterus is perfect and my baby is perfect. A man who knows how to treat a woman! After hearing all this "perfect" business, I felt totally justified in stuffing my face full of Wendy's right after my appointment. Mmmm. Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries and a Frosty...you warm my heart. A girl's got to indulge sometimes! Especially when she is "perfect."

On to other things... Do you ever wonder why you do certain things? Especially when you KNOW what the consequence will very likely be? Thanks to my pregnancy born clumsiness (ok - so I'm not the picture of grace when I'm not pregnant either), I burned my thumb on my curling iron a couple days ago because I wasn't paying attention. So I have this lovely mark that is starting to heal over. I get it real close to my face to have a good look. For some reason it strikes me it would be neat to pinch the skin in the middle with my nails and see what happens. DANG IT! WHY STEPHANIE? I KNOW what is going to happen! OW! Raw spot in the middle! Now it burns all over again.

Friends

Can I just say how blessed I felt yesterday? I got to watch as Mike and Eric slaved away at our house with Jim - finishing one chore and asking for another as I watched helplessly, unable to climb ladders, lift heavy objects...you get the picture. My favorite mental picture (should have taken a real one!) was watching the three of them pick weeds together in our front yard. They were chit-chatting away and laughing and filling paper bags to overflowing (which I suppose I should be embarrassed about). =/ Anyhow, I just feel so lucky that we know so many people who would offer their time and backs to help us with such icky housework. I know we often take for granted what a blessing it is to have such amazing friends. I have people tell me all the time that they wish they could say the same. You guys are awesome!! Thank you SO MUCH!

And we've got all your backs when the time comes for any of YOU to pick weeds and clean windows!

Good practice

Ohmygoodness. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to take Jim to have his wisdom teeth pulled! It only took about a 1/2 hour, which was fantastic for me, and the doctor was really nice. When they wheeled him out in the wheelchair with a mouth FULL of gauze, I could NOT contain myself. The poor boy! He was so funny! Funny looking with the gauze, but also as loopy as they come! I don't remember laughing so hard in a long time. The whole way home he would repeat himself over and over, asking the same questions, telling me he wanted to spit... And THEN he wanted to come into the grocery store with me while I filled his prescriptions!!! I had to tell him quite firmly, "NO. Stay in the car. I'll be right back." But he was so cute! So helpless! I loved it. =D

The practice part came into play when we got home and I got to change his narsty gauze many times, stick wet tea bags in the back of his mouth, remove them, more gauze, medicine. AND WHEN HE COULD START EATING! Oh boy, then it was really game time. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Stephanie...I'm hungry!" =) I felt like I was constantly on the move to keep him comfortable, but I'll tell you what, I loved it! It's nice when you get to turn the coin and be the one "taking care" of someone else. He has proven himself a worthy caretaker of me many different times and deserved all of my attention.

I'll tell you what else... It was all worth it just to spend that one hour of total loopiness with him on Friday. I will never forget that precious hour when my husband, for once, was nowhere near being in control, saying the most odd things, stuffed full of cotton and totally dependent on me. =) Sweet boy.

PS Jim recovered very well, for the most part and is doing great.
PPS Oh yes...I took pictures.