Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A Tree? A Weed? Growing

Dear Henry,

You're a growin'.

First photos is from March 26, 2009, 2 weeks 4 days old.


Second photo is from Easter 2009, a day shy of 1 month.


Slow down!


Love, Mommy

A-Tisket, A-Tasket a Monkey for a First Easter Basket

Dear Henry,


This past Sunday was Easter. This Easter is our first holiday together and Daddy and Mommy were very happy to have you there. For Daddy and Mommy this year Easter was not only a celebration of the mysteries of Jesus' death and resurrection but also a remembrance of how far we have come since last year. In 2008 a very nervous Mommy and Daddy decided to let all your Grandparents and Aunties and Uncle Gary know that we are at the start of completing our paper work to adopt a baby into our family. It was an exciting time for us but also full of uncertainties. Last Easter we did not know how long we would wait for you, we'd already waited 6 years. We did not know if you'd be a boy or a girl. We did not know if we would meet a birthmother and birthfather interested in an on-going relationship with all of us. We did know from what part of the country you would come from.

I feel like in various ways my prayers are always answered. Sometimes these answers may not be direct, come in a familiar way, or often they are answered with new perspectives on old thinking. My life is good. This Easter I thought often of how long we waited to know you, to know J and to have you in our lives. Daddy and I say so often how fortunate we are that our situation happened as it did and that J is the woman that she is because it was so perfect, so miraculous that we find ourselves feeling like we are in a dream. We love you Henry so much.

I am also humbled by the thought that there was perhaps an empty spot at J's family gathering this Easter. They too love you so much, but I also know they are happy for us and for you that we have our family and that you have bundles of love and support every day. It is hard to explain to people how much we love and care about J and her boys and help them understand but Mommy and Daddy are so grateful that we talk and visit and update each other about our lives.


So...your first Easter, new beginnings for everyone.
First we went to Grandma LaJean's and Great Grandma Hazel's. They cooked a feast for all of us of roast, carrots, green beans, deviled eggs, potatoes (two kinds) and rolls. I'm sure I am leaving something out! It was awesome! Of course, this year you did not partake in the roast, instead you had a bottle and swung away in the swing Grandma's LaJean's friend gave her for you. Then you laid on the blanket Great Grandma Hazel made for Daddy when he was a little boy and showed off your head

holding up and rolling skills. Grandma LaJean could hardly put you down and I over heard her tell Great Grandma Hazel that she'd do the dishes later because if she spent her time cleaning the kitchen she would hardly get to cuddle you before we had to leave. Hahaha she loves you! She bought your first Easter basket too... it is shaped like a monkey! She stuffed it with a Peter Rabbit book, two chickens that peep (you enjoy those in the morning), an emu and some robot stickers. Next it was to Crappaw and Grandma P's house where your Great Auntie Glo and Great Uncle Dave, Joseph, Great Auntie Linda and Great Uncle John, and David waited to get their paws all over you. Auntie Linda made you a beautiful fleece blanket from scratch. She is so crafty! It has little ducks in a pond at the bottom and cool polka dot ribbon around the edges. I laid if over you the other day and you snoozed fast and long! Great Auntie Glo and Great Uncle Dave bought you the most colorific pop-up book that I just know is going to become a favorite, as well as, some cutie outfits for the summer. Cousin David loved on you the most through and held you close. Cousin David is VERY tall and held you in the air, so this Easter you also made it to your highest point in the air to date. After they all headed back to Northern Indiana and Ohio Crappaw pulled out your measuring stick for an update, even though he was doubtful there would be any change. He was wrong! You are growin' big time! Finally, Daddy and Mommy made the short trek back to Bloomington, had a little dinner and headed straight to bed. It was fun, but I can't wait until next year when you get to run around and maybe hunt for an egg or two. So glad for spring, new beginnings and baby Henry.



I love you,
Mommy.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

One Month 4-9-09

Dear Henry,


I'm sorry I am a week late on posting this but I've been busy with you. I don't think you'd like it if I spent all of my time on the computer. I jump on and off while you are napping.


We love you and....
all 9lbs 7.5oz of you.

all 22 inches of you.
every little brownish, reddish, blondish hair on your head.
your shifting blue to green eyes.



your milky mouth.
your grunty sounds.
your new smiles.


how you hike your butt in the air when you're on your tummy.
your little milk catchin' John Travolta chin.
your easy way.
your sweet milky mouth when it pecks on our faces like a little chicken.
your classic Henry hair.
how you let me poke at you to make sure you are there.
how you roll over in both directions on your own.
how you lift your head up so high and look from side to side.
how warm you are when I carry you
you up close in the baby bijourn.
how J found us for you and trusted us to be your Mommy and Daddy.

I know, I know these are things all babies do but Henry you do them the best. I'm just certain!

1 month down buddy!

Love, Mommy

Meetin' Your People

Dear Henry,

The past week was a busy one for you. Two parties, doctor appointments, and meeting lots of friends and family for the first time. Daddy and I are particularly grateful you finally met your
Uncle Gary, Auntie Michele and cousins Tony, Johnny, Jelani and Khadija who all came up from Atlanta special to see you. Now, cousin Johnny is not much older than you, he will turn 3 May 1st. Right now he is having some growing pains with a new baby in the family. Not to worry, this isn't about you it is more about him finding his place with Mommy and Daddy. Remember I told you that before you Mommy and Daddy were super Aunt and Uncle so he is just worried that he has to give something up. So far so good. He did say you were little bitty, cute, and he likes you. He helped me give you a bottle and keep the milk off of your face as you eat. Cousin Tony was really excited to meet you and held you close.


He also told Mommy many sweet things about how he thinks you are going to have a great life with us. We sure hope so...we know we are doing our very best by you and I hope that we never disappoint you. Uncle Gary couldn't believe he is an uncle and just stared at you for a long time. Auntie Michele thinks you are the cutest, she liked your milky smell and you stirred up baby fever a little bit for her but their family is complete right now so you will remain the baby. Well, you'll remain the baby until Mommy and Daddy think it is time to start the adoption process again and you get to be a big brother. Jelani is really great with kids and I'm sure in the future will look out for you and play. Someday Khadija can teach you how to be fashionable, even though I don't think I'm doing too bad. She is excited about going to her Junior prom and found a lovely one of a kind dress. We all went for a nice walk around the block before your welcoming party and talked about how nice it would be for them to live near-by.








Grandma and Crappaw came over too so we were able to attempt a family photo. Let's just say this didn't go so well. We Foldenauer/ Thompsons/ Andrews have to accept that we are a little unique and getting all of us to behave at one time is sometimes pushing us to our limits.
It was a fun time and we were happy for the opportunity to visit. We will see them again in May when we venture to Atlanta to see Johnny on his 3rd birthday where we plan to go to the aquarium with him.




Love you,
Mommy


Monday, April 13, 2009

Warped Notions of Love


Dear Henry,

I figured out this morning that being your Mommy has given me a warped sense of love.
I kept smelling a funny urinal like smell. I realized it was because I had accidentally put on the shorts you peed on two days ago...I am really not sure how as I had put them in the laundry hamper. Two days ago you pooped on my big toe while I was changing you. I will not likely sit cross legged and in bed to change you for a while. I do have a photo but there will be plenty of other embarrassing posts to throw out to the internets about you so I'll spare the readers and you.

But the pee pee pants and my pooped on toe just feel happy because it is another sign that you are real and I'm really your mama.

Yea!



Letting you know how much I appreciate you,
Love,
Mommy

PS: Don't get me wrong Henry, I did scrub my toes with soap and water.

My Henry Likes to Party All the Time....

Dear Henry,
Our good friends Samantha and Kate decided you deserve a proper welcome into our circle of Bloomington friends and family so they set up a Handsome Hank meet and greet last Saturday. It was a very sweet and fun time. Everyone came, Dave and Kate, Samantha, Mason, Max and Ruby, Kelly, Johnathan, Ivy, Ollie, Lori and Lizzie, Mike and Amy, Laura and Warren, Sarah, Alicia, Heidi, Pete and Amy and all of your aunts, cousins and Uncle Gary.


Cousin Jelani and I hid Easter eggs in our front yard and they had a great time finding them. The little ones had a hard time with the idea that they could set their finds down in order to pick up a new acquisitions and were constantly dropping them. When they dropped one egg they would set all of the rest of them down to pick the one up and then would struggle to get them all back in their arms again. They did this over and over but it was so darn cute I didn't get them a bag until it was all over.










We set up Easter eggs to dye. It was a lot of fun and there were some really pretty ones. Next year you might be able to start turning your fingers blue and red too.








Then came your amazing and delicious chocolate cake with delicate butter
cream icing. Sam used the drawing that Tim, a comic designer, made for you with Yoda holding you.




IT WAS SOOOO CUTE! Your new friends purchased many sweet gifts
to welcome you. A sweet velour outfit, your first "Oh, Henry" book, a cool rabbit basket, cute boy onesies, punk rock onesies, soft crib cover (which has kept you sleeping more soundly), mittens so you don't scratch yourself, "Where the Wild Things Are" and a couple of sweet sleepers, some lotion and soap that makes your skin silky soft and a kimono outfit that you look mighty handsome in. How fortunate we are to have good friends and family.

We laid you on a blanket so you could show off some of your tricks. You do have a few now. You roll over both directions and hold your head up high and steady and look both directions. Everyone cheered you on.


Someone
asked if we had been implementing the 5 S's because Mommy and Daddy went on and on about them before you were born. I emphatically replied, "YES! and it works!" The 5 s's, in case you've forgotten by now, is a process to calm you down or get you ready for a peaceful nights sleep.
First we swaddle you, this keeps you from startling yourself because right now Henry you don't even know you have hands (sorry to embarrass you, we were all there too little buddy). Secondly we turn you on your side slightly forward with my hand under your head. Thirdly, I jiggle your head like it is a plate of jello because when you were inside J and she walked around or went upstairs you were jigglin' inside of her. In the forth step we get really close to your ear and go, "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." The fifth and final step, if you aren't calm at this point (which for you means you want to eat or you have poop in your pants, again sorry) we put a pacifier in your mouth so you can suck.

Well, when Kate heard and witnessed all of this fun that she is missing out on she asked me to swaddle her too. Mommy found her big king size quilt and swaddled Kate. It was pretty funny. Sam attempted to do the jiggle on Kate but it looked more like she was trying to shake her head off.
So Kate is now your official swaddle buddy and she hung out with your for a while.
It was a really nice time. Daddy and I went to bed feeling pretty proud of you and happy to have friends take the time to think of our family.
Not everyone gets to experience the support that we are experiencing when they have a newborn, without it this would be very scary and lonely.
I am glad that everywhere we go you are getting the proper welcome that you deserve!

I love you,
Mommy



Friday, April 10, 2009

Its been a long time to see you Bocille, 5,000 children and the crops in the field.

Dear Henry,

I'm getting behind in writing about your day to day happenings as your eating is taking on new dimensions. It is hard to type and load pictures when you're needing a bottle and as you eat more ounces, up to 4-4.5 now, it takes longer for you to finish up. That's okay with me because you are healthy, thriving, and growing like crazy! So, to backtrack a bit... way back when you were only about 8lbs 5oz...

Friday, April 3, 2009...

Dear Henry,

Tonight you were very awake. Daddy and I seized the opportunity to get some play time going. Daddy was holding you and showing you your finger puppets. You LOVED the finger puppets. Daddy was talking all kinds of crazy talk for each character to which you stared at him intently and wiggled around; but when he put on little green stripey fish your eyes widened and your arms flapped around and you couldn't get enough of green stripey fish or daddy for that matter. Each of the animals had their own distinct voice. Monkey sounded like Michael Cain and giraffe suspiciously had the personality and tone of Joan Rivers. When the Loan Shark Shark came in with his very poor Jersey accent Mommy was cracking up. While daddy was playing Mommy decided it was time to introduce you to one of her favorite records as a child, Kenny Rogers', Greatest Hits. I know Henry! Not many people would guess that one of my first personally influential albums is Mr. Kenny Rogers, but I have to tell you it just has one hit after another! Has Daddy told you yet that he too loves Mr. Kenny Rogers' work and even did a lip sync rendition of

The Gambler as a youngster? Hey, you're a lucky kid because not every parent learned early when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to walk away and when to run. To make a long story short our first Henry/ Mommy/ Daddy dance party ensued. For an hour or so we danced you around the living room in a silly fashion trying to introduce you to music that we hope someday you will love it as much as we do. Honorable mentions are Beastie Boys, Jawbreaker, and J Church (which caused all three of us to throw up a unified punk rock first). You stayed awake the entire time, looked around a lot and slept in late the next day so I am certain it was as great of a time for you as it was for us. We ended the evening by reading you a book or rather two books at once. Daddy read Opposites by Sandra Boyton, two which Mommy would read the Spanish version, Opuestos. Never too soon to start you on a language or two!






Before you, Daddy and I would fantasize about moments like this for a long time and to finally get to share music with our very own son just adds to my list of a million and one reasons we love you and we are so thankful that J chose us to be your parents.

Love, Mommy