No Sleep Till 2 AM

Dear Hazelita,
I feel your late night owl sleep patterns are correcting themselves back to normal (normal for you has been sleeping through the night until at least 7:30 since the day we brought you home)...and as I typed this I know I am threatening the sleeping beddy bedtime gawds to shake your bed and tickle your toe and wake you up.  You're not a cranky teether, just an awake one.  So the other evening I took pictures of what a baby lady does at 2 AM.  The answer, just about everything.  
You like to play with your little barn, only at this late hour.
You love taking the big bricks out of the box, arranging them on the fireplace and putting them all back, and repeat. 
You want something to drink.
You want a little snack.
You want to dance to the music I put on to try and sooth you to sleep, and steal the remote and change the channel to some weird Mexican reggae dance hall music...and then hid the remote, of which I still am searching.

When I asked you where you put it you shrugged your shoulders.
You like to roll on the floor.

You like to pull out the National Geographics and pretend you're reading it while pointing to pictures and making words that may be the languages of some of the people featured.

You like to say new words of your own...like, "Go pee, pee!" 
You also seem to enjoy stopping all the above to mean mug me as if I'M the one keeping YOU up, several times! 

I love it.  You are so funny and ornery at the same time.  It is sweet, cute and some you and me time...but I'll just let you know, we can get all this done by midnight, too.  I am not complaining.  We have friends whose little boy your age doesn't sleep longer than a couple of hours at a time, ever.  I feel for them.  I am also sooooo grateful this is fun for me because it isn't the norm. (Let's keep it that way!)
Love, Mama

Sleepy Time Sequence in Syncopation

Dear Peep and Peach, 
On the morning before our trip to Michigan City and Chicago I came into Hazel's room to wake you.  I found Henry with his hand on top of your head (Hazel).  I thought this was incredibly cute so I ran to grab my camera before I woke you. I took one shot and I gave you a little shake, saying, "Wakey, wakey, it is time for our trip!"  Unexpectedly, the two of you did a 10 to 15 second coordinated dance of sorts.  You pulled the exact same moves and I quickly snapped the few shots and then you both slipped back into your gentle snores.  It was a special way to start our trip.  Most times Peep you try to act like you just can't sit next to your little sister.  This was so sweet.  Glad I had my camera on hand.

   Love, Mama

Short Road Trip

Dear Henny and Hay-zell,
We woke up Saturday and Mommy felt like going on a short adventure Daddy and the both of you were down with it.  We decided to go visit Mama's aunt Linda and uncle John in Ohio, meet up with friends Mike and Amy at Ikea and come back on Sunday.  It would be an understatement to say you were excited.  Henry, you just couldn't wait to stay at a hotel with a pool and hot tub.  We would periodically hear from the back of the van a sweet little boy's voice declaring, "I am so excited!"  Hazel, you were the perfect little traveler.  

 We enjoyed our time with Amy and Mike at Ikea.  Then we got back to the hotel and made it to the pool in time for a 15 minute dip in the hot tub and you helped the hotel lady put the cover on.  
You were so helpful and a good listener.  Daddy and I were proud of you.  Back at the room you drew pictures on every page of the in room note pad while Hazel snuggled in readying herself for sleep, you drew this too.   

We finally got you settled and my three buddies cuddled up to snooze.

Then next morning we slept in and then made it down to breakfast where the WONDERFUL workers there fawned all over your and Hazel and got us some extra sausage.  We went swimming again and this time Hazel joined you for her introduction to the pool and hot tub.  

Hazel, you wore a little green and white striped bikini that was BEYOND CUTE!  Even your brother squealed, "OH, CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!"  You had no problem floatin' in the water.  The hot tub made you veg out in seconds...and just your little tootsies were in.  

Henry has really started doing a great job taking pictures, I get to be in some now too!

After we cleaned up and got our bags together we went to Uncle Johns and Aunt Linda's.  We had such a nice visit.  Linda is a great cook and much like my Grandma Stella she made sure she had food on hand, a wonderful mushroom and barley soup.  She made you a special pbj and had cute little apples and oranges for you to try.  

She dragged out a ton of crap for you to play with while John gave Hazel snuggles.  

We were having a great time but it was getting dark so we took off for home.  You slept a lot waking to ask when we'd go back to our hotel to swim.  It was great getting away a little with our team of four.  
Love, Mama

Dear Peep, 
My sweet baby/big boy in transition.  After Saturday's stunt we decided we needed to just make the big changes, rearranged your room and..... removed the crib............(dramatic pause)
I cried.  Daddy and I gave each other a few saturated melancholy glances, our hearts thumping back to how not so long ago we were putting this crib together for our new baby we had yearned for so very long.  Here we were anyway, taking it apart and moving over the twin bed into its place.  I asked you where are you going to sleep tonight and with a stoked holla you said, "IN MY BIG BOY BED!"  Bed time was simple.  Per usual, we read a few books together in the rocker; Where the Wild Things Are, Bard and Hugs.  Then we tried to get you to allow Daddy to "hold you like a baby," but instead tonight you gave him a big squeeze and a kiss...slow down buddy, you don't have to be such a big boy so quickly.  Then I gave you my huggings and our song, 

Squeezin' Means Lovin'

Lovin' Means Squeezin'

I -Love- You!  SOO MUCH!

Then a kiss...you gave me an extra big one tonight.  You did the traditional flop backward at the end, the fall wasn't as dramatic as from the side of the crib.  We connected gazes and you giggle and scream back, "TOO MUCH MOMMY! TOO MUCH!"  Daddy and I always respond, "NEVER TOO MUCH!  SOOO MUCH HENNY!"  And you asked me to stay a bit tonight.  I did, sitting in the rocker you asked me to tell you a story about 'Enrique'  (Spanish for Henry complements of Bahboo).  I did and then I listened to your breathing getting heavier until I was sure you were asleep.  I slipped out of the room with a heavy sigh.  I was sayin' good bye to my baby and welcoming in decidedly a new phase for you.  This is the first time I felt a milestone was a metamorphosis, a leaving behind of who you were in exchange for who you are going to be.  I have to get used to the pile of Henrys that will gather in my heart.  

I debated over whether I wanted to share this here but more than ever I am grateful I have kept this record of my sweet peep, so I will.  As I was re-shelving your books out of the blue and over the music you said, "I was in your tummy Mommy."  I said,  "What honey?"  I was surprised and wanted to make sure I heard you clearly.  You said, "I was in your tummy."  I don't even use the term tummy when I refer to where a baby grows so I was a little surprised.  I said, "No baby, you didn't grow in my tummy but I wish you could have, but I am just as happy that you grew in JoJo's tummy because we all love each other so much."  Then I called Daddy for back up.  He asked you if you'd like to hear about the day you were born and then started to say, "Daddy was there and Mommy and..."  You changed the subject.  We didn't press.  Daddy went back with cousin Tony and we went on with our work.  A few minutes later you mumbled to yourself, "I wasn't in your tummy but mommy wishes I was, I was in JoJo's tummy.  She loves us all TOO MUCH!  TOO MUCH Mommy!"  You redirected it towards me and jumped into my lap giggling saying, "JoJo loves us TOO MUCH!"  I said with a snuggle, "NO, NO, NO! So much!"   I think maybe you too were feeling the changes.  You needed to feel close to us.  We always love you baby.  No matter how independent you get.  Even though it is bittersweet, that is how we have decided to raise you.  We wish for you to be thoughtful, self reliant, confident and capable.  We also do a lot to make sure you know that we are always here for you when you need us.  I suppose we can't hold ya like a baby forever, even if we wish that we could.  (You're up! You slept until 9:37!)

  Love, Mama 

Houdini

Dear Peep, 
Tonight your two cousins Jonny (5) and Tony (15) are staying over.  You are so excited that they are hanging out for a couple of days.  The first hour we were home you ran around the house chasing Jonny while yelling his name.  Little by little however, I saw little signs from you today that you needed Mama a little more after some attention competition crept into your territory.  You needed Mama to get you up from your nap.  You threw a major out of the blue fit at dinner and ...drum roll please!....YOU CLIMBED OUT OF YOUR CRIB FOR THE FIRST TIME!  Your bed time routine has been a snap since about 5 weeks.  We do our thing, you lay down, cuddle your blankets and you go to sleep.  Tonight, with Jonny asleep next to your crib in the big boy bed you apparently felt restless.  Mommy, Daddy and cousin Tony were in the basement watching a movie when about 20 minutes after we put you down I hear feet pattering....bam, bam, bam, bam down the stairs.  I don't see Jonny's head as he comes into the basement room.  Huh?  Then I see a bright shiny face smiling at me quite proud of himself and it is Henry!  What the heck.  I ask you if Jonny got you out of your crib. "He's upstairs."  Ok, so how did you get down here?  I go upstairs looking for Jonny only to find him asleep in your big boy bed sawin' logs.  Mama gives you an incredulous look!  What!?! You got out of bed yourself and came all the way down stairs on your own?!  What the hell am I supposed to do now?  I put you back to bed and for 15 consecutive times you get your buns right back out and are at my heals before I can even walk to the living room.  Finally, I try the Super Nanny method of sitting quietly in the room and inching my way out.  It worked!  But what is going to happen tomorrow night?  I started to think about why it happened tonight.  I thought about your previous unusual outbursts and thought perhaps you were having an escape response.  You were worrying about Jonny sleepin' in your bed and the attention the other two boys may be getting so you needed that extra attention and this was enough motivation to get ya out.  Whatever the reason I am a little freaked out not knowing what the next few weeks will bring.  Plus, there is a little burning spot in my heart between the place my baby used to hold and the place this new big boy is to inhabit.  You won't stop growing and learning so I had better get used to it.  We love you peep.
Love, Mama

Rip Van Winkle

Dear Henry,

Or should I say, "Dear Rip?"

Rip Van Winkle is the story by Washington Irving written during the early 1800's about a man who has a crappy farm because he is lazy but people love him because he is docile and nice, except his wife because she is always annoyed with his laziness. One day he goes out, in the years before the American Revolution (believe me! you'll hear plenty about this from Mommy one day, now is not the time) and he goes a drinkin' with the boys to get away from his crag of a wife and falls asleep and sleeps and sleeps for 20 years and wakes up after the American Revolution and vows his loyalty to Kind George of England. He returns to his lazy life and lives with his grown daughter because his wife is dead. It is a story that is supposed to make husbands envious of Rip because he escaped his pain in the neck wife.

Okay, so now that I've reviewed the story from several resources and have written the brief summary above I am perplexed by something... Why in the hell would people want their children to read this story? Your very own mother played the role of Ms. Rip Van Winkle as a kindergartner in 1980 while wearing her great grandma's glass and as legend has it Mr. Rip Van Winkle, Craig Gant, had to endure me telling him all of his lines. I guess I fit the role.... I digress...

So you take after Mr. Van Winkle on two accounts. You love to drink all day long, albeit your drink is baby booze called Infamile Lipil for Gas and Fussiness, and you love to sleep. You've been sleeping through the night the past week and today you were awake a total of 40 minutes. That wasn't 40 solid minutes but bits and pieces through out the day. I can only figure that you're growing. This is partly the reason I've not posted any photos of you the last couple of days, you've been sleeping. I started to play with you and your beloved bowling pin this evening and I said, "look Daddy! He's playing with me!" Daddy said, "No you're playing with yourself, he is falling asleep!" I looked and sure enough you were all passing out on me. I know, I know! Right now it sounds as if I'm living up to the reputation of that role I played so many years ago but I'm not complaining or naggin' at ya. I know you're growing and it takes tons of energy. I am just doing my job of documenting you day in and day out behaviors and to share the last photos I tried to take of you. You were yawning SO much in a 10 minute period of time I could hardly get a photo of you with your mouth shut.











I love ya sleepy head,

Love, Momma

Gettin' Work Done

Dear Henry,

Yesterday I discovered a new thing about you...

You are a lot like Daddy. You really enjoy sitting in your Lamb-eee seat on the front ramp and taking a nap in the sun like an old dog. I read somewhere that one should sit their child, that's you, where they can see you while you're working. We needed to get some flowers in our front pots so I did just that. The only problem is I don't think you learned a thing. The minute I took you out there you feel asleep and you did not wake up until I brought you back in to the house. Then you proceeded to eat like you have not had food for your entire short life.





Today I did the same thing. I needed to get the front and part of the side yard cut and so I put you in Lamb-ee and I cut across the front so I crossed the sidewalk, then I could see what you were up to. This time you didn't sleep. You were watching yourself in the mirror and trying to hit at Lamp-ee. You looked really happy! I'm not suprised. You are a good boy and like to sit and "play" by yourself or have me scoop you up and pester you for a bit, it doesn't matter to you.


I enjoy havin' my boy with me asleep or awake. It makes the work worth it, especially while Daddy is doing his part working hard everyday to take care of us.

Love,
Mommy