One Toof, Two Toof...No Turning Back Now!

Dear Henry,

Mama has neglected to post that you have a second toof... or at least I think I have.
It started coming in during our overnight in Ohio on 8.15.2009. In the next two days that sucker popped and poked out and three weeks later it is nearly full in.
Here is the photo I took way back at the first moments of toofy 2 seeing light.


Love you,
Mama

I'm A Travelin' Baby All Over the World, Well The Midwest...

Dear Henry,

A few weekends ago we received a last minute invite to our friends Amie and Tim's in Dayton, Ohio for a deck party. We didn't have anything to do that night, Mommy was looking forward to taking you to Young's Dairy, the Andrel's had yet to meet you and it was time for Amy and Mike to see you again so we jumped in the van and made a whirlwind trip over to Ohio.

First we stopped by Joe, April and Willie's to say hello. Mommy is unsure why she didn't take a photo there?! I think it was because Mommy was most likely busy with Willie showing me around and watching him demonstrate how each of his toys work. It was a really nice visit and April had ran out to buy me some lilies for mother's day. How sweet was that! I wish we had more time to visit but it was getting late and we needed to get over to Tim's, Joe's brother.

Tim and Amie anxiously awaited our arrival and like gracious hosts offered plenty of awesome pasta salad, Capri Suns (Mommy's favorite) and hot dogs as our reward for the trip. Amie reads our little blog so she was really excited to give you some super squeezes. She was excitedly awaiting the arrival of her little nephew due any day. You decided to hang out on the special flannel blanket she had made you on their newly remodeled deck. Tim turned the fan on your face and you were in heaven. You threw your arms out and arched your back like you were a bird flying effortlessly.
Your little curls blew about and you starting doing your screamin' grunt and continued for quite a long time. Mommy and Papa were able to visit for a while then it was apparent you were getting sleepy so we decided to head to our hotel.

You loved your second hotel experience almost more than the first. You played in and out of the pillows for a good half hour and the next day when we took you to the pool and hot tub you kicked around with a smile pasted on your face.

Daddy and I gave you a bath in the sink got dressed and drove to Yellow Springs to go to Young's Dairy.

Young's is a really cool place where they make ice cream and cheeses from goats and cows right there on the farm. You can have lunch and dairy treats then head to barns to pet and feed the animals. They also have many other activities you can do with the kids like a big jumpy thing and play area, hay rides and pumpkins in the fall, putt putt and a little train ride. You were still too small for all of those things but you did get to experience a couple of bites of ice cream and you pet some of the goats. Amy and Mike were great as always and we had a nice visit.


They called their friends to meet us who have also have two boys through open adoption. We had a great conversation about our experiences but it was hard for the oldest to stay put with so much fun going on around him so he pretended to ride on the tractors near by while the old people talked.

We said our good byes a little earlier than we might have because it was SO hot I am nearly certain you were melting into Papa's arms and my feet and face were slowly dripping into puddles. We made the long ride home and hit the hay as soon as we got in.

It was a quick but fun trip.

Love, Mama

She was Swingin', Just a Swingin'

Dear Henry,

Open adoption can be such a wonderful thing. A couple of weeks ago a few friends from our support group got together and met Lily's birth grandmother and birth cousins who were in all the way from California to visit the Rieman's home. Of course Heather made pie, which you made grabs for but Mommy kept away from you. It was great meeting them and you were able to play for a while on the playground.

Well, sort of...

Mommy took you down the slide a couple of times but the real event was getting to share Lily's first swing with her. The funny thing is "excited to teach our child how to swing," is exactly the type of thing we put on our adoption letters. Now, here we are!

Being about 7 weeks older gave you the opportunity to show Lily how it is done. You showed off a little by flappin' your legs in and out and keepin' a cool look on your face.

Lily scrunched in her little swing seat and seemed to just get sleepy. The best part was seeing you two side by side with your daddies side by side.

Good thing too... Mommy Brook and Mommy were too busy taking pictures...somebody had to push you! I liked how Mommy Brook was really gentle where as Daddy Corey was trying to shoot Lily to the moon on her very first swing!

Mommy had to share this video especially since you are in the super cute beep beep outfit that Grandma LaJean, Great Aunt Ruthie, and Cousin Amy bought you.




Love,
Mama

Family Swim! We Have a Family! Let's Go Swim!

Dear Henry,

Just before fall began inching in it's leafless claws we went to a free family swim at IU's outdoor heated pools. It was a lot of fun! True to yourself, you didn't mind being in the water at all. I think you really enjoyed it and splish-splashed around. You kicked your legs as if you have gills and fins tucked about under your chin rolls. We met our good friends Mason, Samantha, Max and Ruby at the pool. Samantha helped you dip under the water for the first time. She counted to three and blew into your face so you would hold your breath (a natural reflex for babies), then plunged you up again. This didn't really phase you either and Mommy repeated the exercise many times. The only problem was I didn't realize that Samantha was continuously blowing until you were under water and the first time you emerged a little sputtery. You'd come up and blow out blinking rapidly until a smile came across your sparkly face.



Your little friend Ruby liked swimming along side of you and splashing at you. Max tested his skills out on the high diving board.

Then, despite the heated water, you started to shiver a bit and Ruby's lips were a pale shade of smokey blue so we dragged you both out.

Mommy pulled you out and put your cozy hoodie on, wrapped you in a towel and delivered you into Papa's arms. Mommy went about putting a new diaper and dry pants on you. Apparently the cool air triggered your "pee pee go!" button because right away you peed in a big arch. Luckily Papa's pants stayed dry but I think he needed a shirt change when we got home and your hoodie was headed for the washing machine. It was quite funny... you might be able to win a prize for distance - judge for yourself. The dark marks on the concrete in the photo are your special markings.
Notice it is almost an H pattern!

After swimming you become a big pile of mush. You're relaxed and super calm... not that you aren't already but you become particularly cuddly.

I can't wait to take a swim class with you sometime. Mommy looked into it today and we may be able to get in one in October at the Y. I can't wait to swim with my little Flipper. Thanks for taking video Mason.

Love, Mama