Dear Henry, So, the days after the mass food exodus to our mouths we stayed at Crappaw's and Grandma P. The afternoon after Thanksgiving you and Johnny were the kids left over and so you decided to play together despite the age difference. First, you and Johnny had a bath together. Johnny couldn't stop giggling and pointing out that you have a "booty" and you couldn't stop watching what he was doing. He tried to teach you how to play "guys", You know, where you get action figures and make them talk, fight and save the world. At one point I heard him telling you, "NO! Henwee! He doesn't fight him today!" I don't think you cared, you just moved on to chewing the rubber duckie. It was clear that you enjoyed having a bath time buddy.
Later, Johnny tried to show you how to play guys again. He got really frustrated that you couldn't understand the Star War figures' relationships and you kept trying to "have them be friends" in his eyes when they figures are enemies in "real" life. Someday you'll get it buddy. No worries! Later big cousin Johnny showed you how to attack Crappaw.
Crappaw was trying to help Johnny jump over the peanut and all of the sudden you crawled over and you both started jumpin' all over poor Crappaw. He feigned distress but you know by now that you can't hurt the mighty rock called Crappaw very easily.
That afternoon Daddy and I wanted to see how the new Zaharako's would be decorated for Christmas it's first year reopened so we took you and Johnny for milkshakes and cheeseburgers. You both loved all of the decorations and you shared Daddy's cheeseburger. We stopped by Grandma LaJean's and Great Grandma Hazel's and they gave you and Johnny cookies. Johnny was told to share with his brother, cousin Tony, when he arrives the next day but Johnny carried them under his arm all day and frantically ate them before Tony would get a chance. Great Grandma Hazel's cookies can do that to kids and adults a like.
The next day when Tony arrived from his mother's Thanksgiving visit we all decided to go for a walk at the Mill Race Park People trails. It was a rather beautiful afternoon and wonderful for walking around in the fresh air. Immediately the bigger boys all ran to the river's edge to skip rocks. Daddy had Crappaw bring you down so you could try your hand at it. You clutched on to the rock like a hungry raccoon clings to food. It wasn't coming out of your hand Crappaw swung your arm out quickly but without fail your super glue grip was maintained. Maybe next year you'll be skippin' with the big boys.
Grandma P played with Johnny in the grass and Tony decided to roll down a hill over and over. Johnny decided to join him but couldn't quite get it right.
He would start to roll but would end up going sideways rather than down the hill. Tony kept trying to help him roll downward but had the same results.
Before we left the park Mommy tried to get a photo of the three boys and Crappaw and Grandma P but none of you boys were very helpful in getting a successful photos. Well, I suppose they were sort of successful, at the very least they make ya laugh!
After the park we decided to all go to Zaharako's again as Uncle Gary hadn't seen it since the renovations. It was fun being all together but we missed Michelle and the other kids. Grandma P took you and Johnny to look at the Christmas Tree with the train and bubble lights. You boys watched it go round and round and round!
I think Johnny's initial jealously of you is starting to subside. On the ride home Mommy was sitting in the back with the two of you and I looked over to see Johnny holding your hand as you drifted off to sleep. It was so sweet Mommy felt a little teary. We made it back to Grandma P's and Crappaws and the big boys jumped in the hot tub with Crappaw. Daddy and I thought you might enjoy it so we let you join. You splashed and splashed and squealed. It was clear you were happy.
I hope that you can always be a happy boy who enjoys being with family. Mommy hopes that family "sticks" around for a long time. Here's my flickr link to more photos.
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated your first Thanksgiving. It was a busy day with lots of people but full of wonderful food and eventful happenings. We went over to Columbus on Wednesday to sleep over at Grandma LaJean's and Great Grandma Hazel's. Auntie Kristin and Auntie Carrie and Great Auntie Ruthie (Grandma LaJean's sister, Daddy's Aunt) and Great Uncle Fred were over too. The next morning we woke up and played with you while Grandma LaJean and Great Grandma Hazel slaved away in the kitchen to prepare an excellent Thanksgiving meal. It is no surprise what Mommy and Daddy were grateful for this year...that's right! Our new van! Just foolin' Peep! Of course it was you! Daddy was especially excited about helping you eat your first Thanksgiving. We gathered around Grandma LaJean's beautifully decorated table. You sat in your plastic booster seat fixed to your Great Grandpa John toddler chair (Daddy's Grandpa who died a year before we married and for part of why your middle name is John Carl). Daddy pulled you up to the side of the table and started shovelin' in the potatoes and stuffing.
Mommy realized that perhaps the only thing to keep you from being the center of attention is Thanksgiving dinner. We all had our faces buried in our plates. Auntie Kristin made sure you had your serving of homemade applesauce and laughed at how demanding your are when the bites don't come fast enough.
After dinner while the dishes were getting cleaned and the table tidied Mommy found you crawling through the legs of the table and chairs like you were exploring a jungle. You saw Mommy watching you and you looked at me like you got caught doing something you knew you shouldn't be doing.
After the clean up Grandma LaJean finally got some play time in.
Our busy day doesn't end here... we had to pack up and head over to Crappaw and Grandma P's house and eat all over again. Poor us! Two awesome dinners in one day. Yeah it was great! Lots of family was at Grandma P's and Crappaw's and you really enjoyed playin with your buddies Johnny and Ruby in the house. Later, Mommy's cousin Katy and your second cousin Nash played with you in a basket. Nash was so sweet with you and wanted cuddle and hold you even ask you fought out of his arms. With two older brothers I think he likes nothing more than feelin' like the big guy for once and playing with you.
While Grandma P and Great Aunt Clarcie were cleaning up I found you in the kitchen dressed in Crappaw's socks raiding the tupperware cabinet! You're a fast little sneak these days and explore like you're Indiana Jones and a coaster or large plastic bowl may as well be the Holy Grail.
At this point I picked you up for jammie time and put you to bed. It was a loooong fun day and we were all worn out! The next day the fun continues...
Mommy doesn't need to do the blogger cliche and talk about how this Thanksgiving she is so grateful for her baby boy...but I am. I can't be thankful for you without acknowledging your beautiful birth mother J. She is super special to our family, not only because she found us for you but because she is such a special person that I'm happy to call my friend and to forever be connected to. I Love You Baby Boy, Mommy
Dear Henry, Our buddies the twins from Heather and Phillipe just had their welcoming party. Grandma P went with us to meet the little babies, since she put her end of the season garage sale hunting into good use. You crawled around, cruised and made crazy noises having a hard time staying inconspicuous with an audience for which to perform. Corey, Lily's daddy, threw you in the air a few times. When you growled at him he asked if that sound was why we called you Chewy. Yep! You sound like Chewbacca from Star Wars.
Doug tried to help you stand.
Nissy tried to keep the coasters out of your mouth. The food was fair game, even if it wasn't on your plate.
It was a lovely get together to celebrate the lives of Etienne and Sylvie. I don't know if Mommy Heather was even aware of how lovingly Etienne was staring at her. So sweet!
This isn't the first time we've seen the babies since we first visited them. One day Mommy Heather brought them over to go for a walk around the neighborhood right before it grew too cold. We also met for lunch one day and I grabbed these great smiles from Etienne. It is nice to have someone to talk to. You always enjoy looking at the babies and try to touch their little heads.
Mommy is so grateful that you are all here! It will certainly be a nice Christmas this year! Love, Mommy
Yesterday afternoon, 12:40, Mommy was trying to put you down and you shot your legs out under you like rockets while I simultaneously let go and alas you stood on your own! Yep for about 5-7 seconds you stood wavering like a surfer catching a big one, your face glowing with excitement then you plopped back onto your butt. When Daddy arrived home you did it again about 3 times! You're a wonder boy.
Apparently, You have a few things you want to say because you are jumping up and down at my leg crying trying to get your hands on the keyboard.... here it is...The last thing you typed? Mommmm mm m mm NO JOKE! xeejx b cxdgm,rettfdfmnxx js
and you threw your head back and was done with it. (Internets if you can make sense of it, let me know...) Love, Mommy
Dear Henry, Vacuum, sheet drifting down, jello falling out of Mommy's mouth, robot activated, basket on head with a little roar...What do these things all have in common? They once made you giggle and they now make you cry. This week you discovered fear and apprehension. It all started when Mommy took the basket we put all of your toys in, put it on my head and gave a little roar. You looked startled, your eyes grew three times their size and the corners of your little mouth turned down making you look much like Hermey, the would be dentist elf in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. (I couldn't find the scene where he is crying!) Later I was feeding you a little strawberry Jello and Mommy was goofin' around and let a blob plop out of my mouth to splat onto your high chair try. Again, you transformed from smiling to crying in a couple of seconds. I felt so bad for being the instigator of the confused look on your face. Mommy tried to show you it was only Jello but each subsequent time I let it fall from my mouth only made it worse. Later in the day I was doing laundry. Normally I will flip out the sheet and let it drift back down over our heads for a good belly laugh but this time you were in tears. Really? We use to love that play time playing peek a boo with the sheet. The next day I took you to the kitchen with me and started to sweep. Oh how in the old days the sweeper made you fall fast into a deep sleep. Now the sweeper makes you stop in your tracks and book it over to my legs to hang there for dear life. Tonight you were cruisin around the living room visiting your robot on the little kidney shaped table as you do every day, about 20 times a day. Per usual you knock robot off of the table. I hear you playing with it and soon you discover the switch and turn it on. This is the first, and my guess the last time you will turn on Robot for a while. You started screaming and skitted as fast as you possibly could onto my lap, thumb shoved snugly into your down turned lips. Mommy tried to kiss robot and show you that he is our friend. Kisses did not help the situation. You were scared. Mommy is sad to see this new development but also secretly happy that you jet for me to give you comfort and reassurance. After all, that is what being a Mama is all about so it makes me feel a little more legit. As you go off into the world, as your defined world gets bigger and bigger you will have fears. My four big dreams for your life are that you are self sufficient, confident, good to others, and that you go after your passions. I hope in the process of living independently that you always feel like you can come back to Mama's arms until you are able to make sense of things and learn to tackle them on your own again. I have faith that Papa and I are doing everything we possibly can to try and make this happen. For now we will work on returning you and robot to friends.
