The New Yard is Here!

Dear Henry,
Well, our pool is finally no longer.  I hope that someday you don't harbor hard feelings that you have an awesome and huge yard in the pool's place.  A few weeks ago as the last load of top soil was smoothed out and seeds and straw were spread out you were chomping at the bit to get into the yard.  You made your way down the ramp and you ran across the yard smiling!  This made Daddy and I realize we made the right choice.   You have always loved watching people work and as you saw them shaking out straw you joined in.  You picked up pinecones making us smell them before you tried to eat them.  You crawled under the bench, squashing your head down to get into the flower pots throwing dirt everywhere.  

You found the pin oak to have a great texture and you patted it gently.  You shoved dirt into your mouth with such gusto we knew it must be dinner time.  The first day you were so tuckered out that this is what you looked like when you woke from your nap. 
We stayed out playing for three hours two nights in a row.  It was a great feeling knowing that you would be safe out back now and that you were really enjoying it.  There is a lot more work to be done out back but it is already a great place to play, or perhaps it is just great to play with you.  

 Love, Mommy

Buttons

Dear Henry, 
Last time at Grandma P's and Crappaw's Mommy went through the button box searching for some really cool ones to stitch to the robots I'm making you.  When I was little Mommy and Uncle Gary would get the big metal tray out and pour out the buttons.  They were fun to look at, to hold, and to imagine what else some of them could be; some of them are very old.  You loved the buttons too.  I used to use them as props in my doll house.  There are couple of buttons that look like big chip bowls, pumpkin pies and meringue.   I had to watch you like a hawk because you wanted to grab handfuls and shove them into your mouth.  After I got it across that they were not food you and Grandma P threw them around so I would have to pick them back up.  In years to come I'm sure you'll be visiting there and ask to see the button box.

Love, Mommy

Our Hard Working Dude

Dear Taco, 
This is for you, because you work so hard for us.
I appreciate you getting the taxes done and gettin' up early every morning so that we can have the wonderful secure life that we have.  It is no small feat.  There isn't a day that I am not appreciative of the time you sacrifice away from us so that I can be home with Peep and live my dream of being a mom.  Thanks for being a stand up husband and father.  Your faithfulness and commitment to us makes me feel so fortunate.  I can't wait for you to get home.

 Love, Wifey

Winter Hibernation

Dear Henry,  A few weeks ago winters cloak of grey and cold lifted, birds started chirping and color slid its way back into the world.  We stretched our lazy bodies out of bed and after dressing I decided we'd go for a walk outside.  I opened the front door and gave you a gentle push to the opening and you just stood there.  I couldn't get you to step over the threshold.  I stepped passed you to encourage you out only to find this expression...

Clearly you couldn't believe you could really walk out into the world so easily.  You had sludged around in the snow, stared down the cold from the window and let it nip your nose in the dash from house to car, car to grocery and NOW! you could go out sans the assault to your baby senses?  I know you were really happy for the reprieve.

I loved the look of wonderment and your tentative steps lead to confident plods around the yard.  Picking up sticks, banging on water main covers and chewing on everything quickened your pace.  
Later that afternoon we put together the wagon you received for Christmas.  I asked you to hand me things and you did on cue.  Much like Mommy would help Crappaw back in the day you assisted me.   "Wheel Mommy?  I have it! Here!"  and you'd shove it in my face.
When Daddy returned home from work we made a few rollies (ham and turkey rolled up in a slice of provolone or cheddar), some drinks and loaded you into your wagon with blankie in tow.  You loved your first wagon ride.  
Daddy played music on his Droid while we made our way around the neighborhood.  It was this day that you decided to say "flower" for the first time.  You would take the flower in hand shove it up in your nose and snarf at it.  You get what smelling looks like but still need more practice on the actual skill set.  As you looked around from your chariot you babbled and started working your hands like you were reciting an important poem dedicated to the chirps of baby birds, dry crusted worms and tiny buds.  

Because I'm behind on post I'll blend in some other first spring days...
The next day we went to Crappaw's and Grandma P's.  We went for a little walk to the end of the drive to get Crappaw some exercise.  I pulled you down the drive in Great Aunt Judy's old wagon and you pushed it back.

A couple of nights later we took a walk around the neighborhood when Daddy got off of work.  You picked up and identified with a nasal squeak, "pinecone."  By the end of the walk you were tired and Daddy had to carry you home.

We don't limit our walks to the neighborhood.  While waiting for Daddy to meet us for your Friday record pick you enjoyed climbing stairs and smudgin' up windows along the downtown square.  You picked out Tommy Roe this week, to my delight. 

It is so much fun getting to explore outside with you.  You love listening to birds, picking up every stick, and getting dirt under your nails.  I can't wait until you're a little older and we can all go camping!

 Love, Mommy   

Outdoor Fun

Dear Henry,
With the advent of your 1st birthday wonderful warm air has been coaxed into our parts of Indiana and we are loving it!   As we visited Crappaw during his hip recovery I would take you outside to walk up and down their long drive.  This particular day you were able to be out in only a onesie and robot baby legs.  It was blissful after a winter cooped up in the house.  You were a lot of fun this year but let's just say there were a hunk of months there where you weren't keeping me all that busy with exciting things day in and day out.  You loved this first spring expedition tearing up grass, dangerously waving around sticks and desperately trying to pick up those dried worms and put them into your mouth.  The cracks in the blacktop were clearly great caverns to be explored if that pesky outline of a boy would stop following you around and "rock rock" wouldn't look at you so cute asking for a snack.

 After all of this you settled into Grandma P's lap to peer out the front window identifying the color of cars.

 Mommy went to the other room for a bit and when I returned to see how you were doing this is what I found...

 I can tell already you are going to love playing outside!  I look forward to it!
Love, Mommy

Facing Forward

Dear Henry,
The day after your first birthday Mommy turned the car seat around so I can finally spy on those gorgeous peepers from my captains seat up front.  You do well with change but the turn around was a bit disorienting to you at first.  You clutched around on the seat and grabbed onto the harness and cried.  I started backing out of the driveway and it was clear the sensation freaked you out a little, much like the backward Racer at King's Island can do...after a few minutes you chilled out and were enjoying your new view.  Now you don't hesitate to give me a wave or babble something at me from the back.  I love being able to keep my eyes on you.  You're getting to be such a big boy!

Love, Mommy

Spending 1 at Home

Dear Henry, 
For your actual birthday, March 9th we spent the night at home together, just the three of us.  Mommy picked up an ice cream cake and made spaghetti for dinner.  You LOVED eating the spaghetti and decided you also wanted to wear it.  Since we brought you home we've called you Peep. The story behind it is during those first three months when Mommy cuddled you close you would peck at my chest like a little chicken.  I would get you a bottle and sometimes you would still peck at my chest like a little chick going for food; as a result we started calling you Peep Peep.  After your birthday dinner we gave you your first marshmallow Peeps.  

 You were fascinated by their texture, grew tired of it an spit out a sticky goobered up mess into my hand.  Then we lit the candles on your cake and turned off all of the lights.  Daddy held you snug on his lap while we sang happy birthday.  Daddy helped you blow out the candles, which you had your eyes glued too.  For this cake I just had the lady squirt a ton of icing on top a la the first cake Daddy purchased for Mommy the day after we started being boyfriend and girlfriend.

Sweet!  You loved the ice cream in the cake and got a little wild after all that sugar.  We gave you a bath to get all of the spaghetti and icing off of you.  Daddy played music for you and this made you squeal and smile.  We slipped on your jammies and settled in the living room.  

You started looking REALLY sleepy until we brought out the presents we bought for you.  We had picked out some really great books for you such as Farley Farts and a card board book teaching you several of the basic Star Wars ships.  We also bought you a drum, tambourine and maracas set.  These have been well worth it already as it is the toy of choice multiple times a day.  Then there was Daddy's gift...a Taun Taun sleeping bag.  It started out being an internet April Fools joke but it turned out the interest was so big they started manufacturing it.  Daddy had to jump and get you one!  He is going to post more about that later so I'll save the details for him...

After we said our good nights I put you down to bed.  You cuddled up with your sock monkey and went right to sleep with your pruney thumb stuck in your mouth.  

ONE YEAR!  Unbelievable!  Wonderful!
Love, Mommy