Dear Henny,
Summer seemed so short yet we jammed in as many day trips as possible. One we couldn't leave out was a visit to JoJo, your birthmom. We took the leisurely 45 minute drive over and the minutes and miles couldn't roll behind us fast enough for your liking. We arrive and you're happy to see they are still tucked away in their cozy cabin and you and Hazel jump out and take off leaving me to shut the doors. T shows you their kittens and JoJo tries to convince me to take one, while cute, no thank you! After hugs and quick catch up we decide we are all hungry and we need pizza NOW. The Pizza Hut we had eaten at before was closed down and in a little town with few options we back tracked to Anthony's Pizza, JoJo saw along the way. It turned out to be a a gem with great food and even better service. They sell by the slice but when I told the guy I needed to feed all 4 kids and two mom's he cut me a deal of a GIANT pizza, breadsticks and drinks.
We even had enough left to share with our husbands later. After lunch we went to a local park and played there for a bit. Then we ran around the skate park. You and T had races together while Hazel and Josiah slid down the side and got sweaty.
After feeling like we were trapped in an oven, JoJo pointed out the free splash pad and we all said yes! It was a great splash pad and we had it all to ourselves. I loved seeing how you and T played together this time, clearly completely and utterly happy to be in each others time and space. You hugged tightly while anticipating the bucket of water crashing down over your heads.
On the way home you went on about how you love how cute and tiny Josiah is and how soft his hair is, which you kept petting. We had a really fun easy time together, as always. I am so glad we got to see them before school started.
We love our JoJo and the boys.
Love, Mama
Dear Henny Bear, It is here! Your birthday! Wednesday you turned 7. Whaaat!? You love nothing more than celebrating your birthday and Christmas, only days have to pass before you ask how long before another one. It isn't just the presents you love so much. It is the focus on family and visits and cake and... okay, presents. This year after your short day at school I took you to visit with J and your birth bros. It was a rainy day and your nervousness had me swing by home to get a couple of toys you wanted to take to share. On the way home you said, "HEY! How did JoJo know to call YOU if she didn't know you already? That's a part of the story you've never told me! I just thought of that."
I said, "Well, I have told you a million times but I'll tell you again. I took a profile letter to my OBGYN doctor, that's the doctor that deals with pregnant woman and women body parts. Two weeks later she got our profile letter and it had things about us and a free number she could call."
"Did she call you then?"
"Nope, she shared our letter with friends and family and held on to it from September until Dec. 25th. Then she called us around 5:30pm on December 25th and then we met Jan 3rd and started making a plan together for the baby."
"Oh! 'cause I thought, "How did she know how to call you?"
It is funny how early and often I have told you the story of your early days but it was exciting for me that you finally had a question. I let you know you could ask me or Daddy anything or even ask JoJo anything you wanted.
Loaded up with your toys, we got to JoJo's new, cozy comfortable country cabin. JoJo gave us a tour and when you made it to her room she showed you that her sock money was sitting at the corner post of her bed. You thought that was pretty cool and she took it down to show you your little hospital wrist band and the pitiful white gown we had to borrow from the hospital because you pooped all over the take home outfit. You thought it was funny to see how tiny the wrist band was. She told you she loved holding you and your breath smelled like nothing, it smelled like life. How beautiful is that? I loved that you were able to share this with her.
You played with T and Hazel played with Jo. They got you a funny booger ball flinger and playdoh poop maker, perfect for a 7 year old. We sang happy birthday and you all split a giant cupcake.
It was a great visit but time to get home to Daddy for your requested pancake and bacon dinner. Grandma Jean had been by earlier and left some chocolate pudding, your choice over a chocolate cake.
You were SOOOO excited to open presents. You got a Koosh ball, some magnetic thinking putty with a big magnet, a lego kit, and a powerful magnet set that has yet to make it to the house! You were super excited and already coming up with ways to test it with Daddy.
You love things you can manipulate with your hands like gadgets, hinges, putty, rubics cubes and transformers.
Last night Grandpa Tim and Trish stopped by with a super cool Tech Lego kit and cheeseburgers. Hazel also got a little bed and little clothes for her Dora doll, a bonus for her and she hogged Trish in her room the entire time she was here. You started the Lego kit with Grandpa Tim after getting your reading done for the night. He was impressed with how you dug right in and got started with no reservations.
So you're 7. I can't really believe it. Daddy and I have been talking about how 7 is next level kid, whole new world kid, the remembering kid, the start of your internal self. This makes us lament and cling to every second of the kid protected from the real nastiness of the world. (Adding 6 years old Henry to my pile of Henrys) It is all so hard to believe we've been honored to love and care for you for 7 years now. The doctor's office said you're 4'1" and 56.8 lbs. I don't know where all of that flesh and bone came from, all of that intelligence and humor, all of that deep down sweetness and vulnerability, all of that curiosity, and personality, but I sure do adore you, love you. I am grateful for you, love laughing with you, and creating and exploring with you. You've learned to blow bubbles and read and write and think.
I'd be nowhere without you. So, I am honored to spend another birthday with you.
Round 4 on Sunday with much of the family together to celebrate you. What a fortunate 7 year old you are to have so much love.
Love, Mama
Adding J's words on our relationship and you at 7.
It's hard to believe it's been a whole 7 years since I gave birth to this beautiful, wonderful, smart, funny, curious, loving awesome Super Stud little boy! 👶🏽 I can remember the exact way he smelled and felt in my arms the day he was born!! 😍 As I placed him into the loving arms of the woman I chose to be his Mother, ( I couldn't have made a better choice than her) I knew that I had made the most selfless decision a mother ever could! I chose life for my child, a better life than I could've eve dreamed he'd have!! 🙏🏽 Playing and talking with him today has truly made my heart and soul so full of joy! For him to know where he comes from and his heritage has always been very important to me, him, and his Mom! When he asks me questions about when I was pregnant, delivering him, or his birth family members, with such curiosity, innocence and love, I know that he is proud of my decision for him, and loves me as much as I do him! I love my open adoption and am truly happy I still get to be a major part of his life and share the Holidays and every other day with not only him but his family, My family!!
-You and Steve are the the most incredible parents I know, and deserve a kick ass baby momma, such as myself!!! && Wendy of course!! You all make such a beautiful family, and I couldn't imagine my life without you guys, nor would I ever want to! I know all of your families gratitude, and there is no family more deserving!! I love you so much and I thank you for loving me even through all my craziness!!!
Dear Henny and Hazel,
I have had a few dozen posts espousing my self loathing for not keeping my letters to you on a steady flow. My excuse is LIFE IS BUSY with two little ones, Christmas coming up and mama finishing up a photography job. I so miss taking the time to document our happenings big and small, as at 6 you have interest in looking back at what happened this time of year 2 years ago, or when you lost your first tooth, or you cut your hair. I didn't even finish the Halloween post yet or after that your school play, Hen. So here is a little update on the pre-holiday stuff so I can forgive myself and reform my negligent ways from here on. Especially important for me to include in our blog together are our visits with birth family.
A few weeks ago things had settled down enough for J that we were able to make a trip over for lunch. We chose the truck stop we originally met J at before you were born. Due to T's long lunch into recess we broke him out of school to go with us. We had a great big round table and being virtually the only people there we had great service and I ate the best eggs and french toast ever.
As we finished up I gave you and T a buck and you both chose to spend it in the stuffed animal claw. I could play it a million times and never win but soon after the two of you returned, bouncing weightless through the tables to show us the two animals you won. Henry, you are a claw wiz and though they were ugly and cheep you held them like gold trophies, beaming that you won one for T. J and I chatty while you all played together and Hazel and Josiah flirted and drank hot chocolate together. We stopped by her sisters to drop off the senior picture I took of your birth cousin and say hi to Jmom. You loved their pets. Then, we took J and Josiah back to her place. You whispered in my ear while getting out of the van to say good bye that you really wanted her to swing you around. I told you to just ask her, she would love it if you did. You blushed and so I asked for you and she jumped at the opportunity...spinning herself dizzy to please you, and continuing to a begging Hazel.
I loved hearing your giggles mixing together as she tried to maintain your too long limbs from clunking on the ground. It was a short but warm visit.
Next was Hazel's turn with WW. We went to the Independent Adoption Center's holiday party, seeing lots of friends and meeting up with WW and your bio sibling's family for a great hibachi dinner together. Hen, Ryan and Hazel were so excited that you caught a piece of onion in your mouths the chef threw at you. A week later and Hazy, you will still say out of the blue, "I caught it in my mouth!"
We exchanged gifts and she loved the sweater you chose for her. She is always the perfect gifter and bought the four kids the softest blankets in the world. You were all in love and spent hours of the following day playing playdoh.
The McKeons gave you a sweet little doctors kit, which you will soon find out Santa also bought you, but I think they will all fit nicely in the box. Henry rushed to follow the directions to the mini lego kits. Gifts aside, it was a relaxed and happy time together. I especially enjoyed your race offs on the sidewalk after dinner.
So cute seeing your tiny legs attempting to keep up with the older kids with a big smile on your face. Always looking forward to future visits. I love you two, and love keeping our connections solid.
Love, Mama
Dear Henny, 
We even had enough left to share with our husbands later. After lunch we went to a local park and played there for a bit. Then we ran around the skate park. You and T had races together while Hazel and Josiah slid down the side and got sweaty. 
