Merry Christmas!!!

Hendrix's First Year Scrapbook!

Well, I did it. I finally finished Henry's scrapbook. I kept it pretty simple in hopes that it wouldn't take me long, but boy did it ever. However, the last few months, it's been GAME ON with my procrastination. With this next little one on the way, I knew this scrapbook would end up on my "list of unfinished things." I wasn't having it. So, I buckled down at every nap time I could and made it happen.

I plan on starting Roscoe's (Yes, this lil' babe's name!!! I'm keeping it off Facebook for now. The peanut gallery gave us too much commentary over Hendrix :) in January. Hopefully, I can have the bare bones done before he pops out! That way, I can keep up with it as we go. WOULDN'T THAT BE IDEAL? After that, I plan on making "A Year in Our Lives" picture books online. I figure I'll stick with the month by month idea and do special pages for holidays... That means, I'm behind already. I need to get on that. :)

It's all about Christmas time here. I'm so glad I don't have this still hanging over my head! What did you do to chronicle your babes when they were babes? Is is on your unfinished list? Any ideas for future documenting?

27 weeks, baby!

Things are in full swing here. Christmas is around the corner, and then this little guy follows soon after. We are working on quite a few (probably too many) DIY projects, washing and folding baby clothes and snuggling Hendo like crazy. I am carrying MUCH lower this time around, and already I am finding myself almost unable to pick Henry up. I'm having to sit down to do a lot more. I'm trying SO HARD to be conscious of taking it easy, but it's not easy this time of year, is it?

So, I'm forcing myself to SLOW DOWN. To sit. To lay on the floor in Henry's room while he plays. This little one will be here so soon. I am already aching to hold him. Oh, boy. I'm in trouble! :)

my first.

As this new little one is squirming around, becoming more present every day, I find myself holding Henry a little tighter. Though I know my relationship with Hen will become even stronger with the addition of his little brother (yes! a boy!), I can't help but feel a little sad. Soon, Henry will be one of two; I will be a mother of two. Things will be harder. Henry won't have my undivided attention, and I won't have his.

You might be thinking, "Duh, Kel." But, I have a tough time with change, okay? The first time Henry ate applesauce, I cried because I wasn't the only one taking care of him anymore-- now fruit was, too! When Henry learned to crawl, part of me couldn't help but feel terrified that he had just begun the inevitable journey of moving AWAY FROM ME. Change is tough for this mama.

So, I've been trying to really savor our last moments of "alone time." I'm putting the computer and the phone down. I'm going outside to play, even if it's cold out. I'm laying on the floor in his room and letting the toys pile up around us. I'm stopping to read every book, even the train one, again and again and again...

Today we had lunch at a restaurant with a friend and her son. Henry wanted to leave. So, he started whining (loudly). Usually, I can be pretty impatient with all that. But today, I asked him if he needed a cuddle. He lifted up his hands, wrapped his arms around my neck and laid his head on my shoulder. He whined and whimpered into my ear for a minute, as I covered his perfect head in kisses. I told him we'd leave soon enough, and I understood he was anxious. He said, "Okay, mommy," and went back to playing with his toy. There needs to be more of that happening in my life. By "that," I mean patience and perspective.

Henry is my first baby. He will always be. Our relationship will be very special because of that, but this new baby will make our relationship even more wonderful. Though change and evolution are tough for me, I'm also watching Henry become this independent and gracious human being. I am so proud to be his mother, so blessed.

In less than 4 months, God willing, I'll be holding a brand new life in my hands. Henry, who I am sure will look like a teenager by then, will climb into the hospital bed with me and meet his best friend for the first time. I'll hold both of my boys, and I know I'll cry and cry, so thankful for all the beauty change can bring. I might not feel ready by then, but I'll be ready.

Henry's 2nd Birthday!!!

Well, this update is about a month late, but here it is! We celebrated Hendo's 2nd birthday with a FARM PARTY!!!! There was really no other theme that would do for my little guy. Here is some of what we did:

The party was a perfect success thanks to all my friends and family who helped me out. I spent the night before in the ER (food poisoning)! Henry loved his party, and went to sleep telling me all about the fun he had. That's really all that matters, isn't it? :) A special thanks to my good friend Amy who took these pictures for me!

our mornings.

I love my mornings with my boy. After cuddling for a little while, we usually shake off sleep, put on the nearest clothing and step outside. It's still warm here in the afternoons, but the mornings here are chilly and quiet. Two days ago, we woke to fog filled air. Henry kept exclaiming, "WOW!" as we walked around. He danced in the fog, rolled in the dirt and told me about the noises he heard in the woods.

More and more my little baby is becoming the most fascinating kid. He is enthralled with nature, captured by it. I couldn't wish anything more perfect. We are so lucky to live here, to have so much space to explore and see.

Fall is different here. The leaves aren't all changing and we don't need our scarves just yet, but it has the same effect: magic.

the end of an era.

This is the only picture I have of me breast feeding Hendo. The lighting is awful, and I'm so sad I don't have any others. Henry was 2 weeks old. We were still figuring it all out, struggling to get him to latch properly. It took us a while, but we became pros.

Henry has been weaned for a week now. He hasn't asked to nurse at all. It's as if he's forgotten he was glued to my body for the past two years. I fed Henry on demand for two years. It was my goal to breast feed till Hen was 18 months. We blew past that goal, and my new goal became to let Henry wean himself.

I got a lot of flack from people about it. Essentially, just people constantly asking when I was going to wean him. "I'm not." I would say. The closer we got to the two year mark, the more annoying it got. Then, I did start to doubt myself and my decisions. I mean, what if my son slept with us, breast fed and took a pacifier the rest of my life!? Was I making some kind of mistake?

As if he read my fears, Henry started breast feeding less and less. He would latch on for comfort, but wouldn't really drink anything. My body quickly responded, and I stopped producing. For the last week of breast feeding, he would latch on at night for about 30 seconds to each breast and tell me, "All Gone, Mama!"

The weaning process was seamless for us. Henry made the transition himself, and I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect ending. The only thing I did was apply the "don't offer and don't refuse" principal. Hendrix is now sleeping comfortably through the night (the first time in 2 years-- I know!), and he now rolls over to cuddle up with his blanket to go to sleep (instead of my chest). We're going to be transitioning him to his own bed in the coming months (we've tried many times in the past, but it hasn't been the right time). I'm shocked at how quickly and effortlessly this all happened. Henry seems like he aged overnight. I'm so proud of my little buddy. He's really not a baby anymore.

Breast feeding Henry was magic. I will miss the close bond that the breast feeding relationship gave us. I will miss providing for him in such an intimate way. But, watching Henry become such an independent and wonderful human being is just as rewarding. I can't believe it, but it truly does keep getting better.

2 Whole Years of Awesome..

Dear Hendrix,

You are TWO YEARS OLD TODAY. In 2009, at 12:03 p.m., you popped out into the world, and since that moment, you changed it all, kid. You are the greatest accomplishment of my life, my cutest accessory and my best little buddy.

In the last year, you have blossomed into a little man. You are amazed by the smallest details of life, and you help me remember how amazing this world is-- even the clumps of dirt. You are a country boy, which I guess I could have seen coming. Even as a baby, nothing would make you smile more than a walk or resting on a blanket in the sunshine. Now? There is no substitute for the outdoors. Sometimes, you kick off your shoes to ROLL IN THE DIRT. We usually have to drag you, kicking and screaming, to come inside and cool off. I finally broke down and bought you a pair of overalls the other day, and you beamed when I put them on you. You puffed out your chest and announced, "Henry! Farmer!" Farmers are your heros, and I can't help but think that is the coolest thing.

You are so smart. I know every mom says this. But seriously! You're going places-- like libraries and schools and probably Harvard. You are using language more efficiently every day. Half the stuff you come up with, we have no idea where it's from. You just pick up everything! You love books and are constantly telling me what things are. If it weren't for you, I would have no idea there are so many trucks or boys around.

Henry, in the next 12 months, you're going to grow up so much. Your dad and I are insanely proud of you. We love every tiny bit of you. We love watching you learn new things, and we can't wait to see you as a big brother! Please know that in these coming months, your parents are your biggest fans. Becoming a 3 year old is tough. Some people call this year the "terrible twos." But you? You are anything but terrible, and we are here to help and encourage you as you explore this world and make your mark in it.

Grow on, little man. Though it's all going too fast, we're along for the ride. We love you, Hendo. Happy, Happy Birthday!

13 months!

14 months-- photo taken by my good friend, Amy Werner

15 months!

16 months!

17 months!

18 months

19 months

20 months!!

21 months!

22 months!

23 months.

2. years. old.

busy, busy bees!

Whoa, have we been busy!

Cutting hair!

Playing Basketball!
Eating at restaurants!

Going to weddings!

Playing Outside!
Swimming!
Riding Cows!

Sleeping!

It is still summer down here in Texas, but we are aching for fall. Henry is becoming more of a toddler every day, and I couldn't be more proud of him. I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant, and boy is this pregnancy FLYING by. I'm still trying desperately to slow down and take a minute to breathe. What have you been up to?

TRUE LIFE CONFESSION.

I LOST CONTROL OF HENDRIX'S DIET. Because I've been so nauseous, cooking and preparing food has been the farthest thing from my to-do list. Unfortunately, this means, Hendo has been eating popsicles, Jell-o, Skittles, crackers, and vanilla wafers. We've eaten at fast food joints at least 4 times in the last 2 weeks. At first, these were treats along with mom, but lately, he hasn't been eating his regular food. He wants to get out of his high chair after eating for 2 min!

And what does he request to eat? "Cangy! Fries! Pop-Pops! Cheeps!" I'm not going to translate those, because I am TOO ASHAMED.

I've noticed a change in Hendo's attitude. He's been throwing things, screaming, refusing to cooperate and all around being a real crazy person. Now, granted, we are entering a new phase of development here. So, I guess we'll see if the behavior continues (DEAR GOD, NO). But, I don't think junk food is a real positive mood enhancer.

This malnutrition has also been (I think) the cause of ridiculous night waking. Hendrix was sleeping through the night (for the most part), until I got pregnant. In the last few weeks, he's been waking up and wanting to nurse (more on that in another post) like 5 TIMES A NIGHT! Obviously, this could be due to something else, but I seriously doubt the candy is helping. And obviously, I'm exhausted. So, it's been a bad, bum deal all around.

Yesterday I made myself sit down and make a grocery list/ commitment agreement for myself. It doesn't matter how sick I feel, or how tired I am... Hendrix HAS to eat well. I am responsible for his well being, and popsicles are not a food group. We went grocery shopping today, and I have a ton of lean meat, fresh fruits and veggies for the next week.

Hendrix, I hope you had a good time on the junk food train, because the RIDE IS OVER.

dear new life,

On July 4th, I walked out of the bathroom and over to your dad to show him blazingly pink double lines. You were officially on your way. You, a tiny speck of possibility.

You are due March 9th. I know you'll be early. Right now, I'd have to say, I think you're a boy. If you're not, I hope the inclination I have is because you're destined to be a tomboy (if you're a lady). Please know, I don't care who you are as long as you are healthy, healthy, healthy (and you can take that as a promise for the rest of your life).

Your big brother knows you're coming. He's already started lifting up my shirt to give you kisses or to blow raspberries and laugh. He is going to be your best friend. I promise you that. You are so wanted, so loved. Your dad and I hold onto your sleeping brother at night and whisper about YOU. We get all teary eyed, because, till your brother came, we didn't know our hearts could grow so full of love. Already, they're growing even bigger to make more room for you.

My little baby, please know that I am savoring this perfect time we have together. You and I have these long months ahead of us just to ourselves. This will be the only time it's just us. I take time every day to pray with you, to flood you with all the dreams and hopes I have for you. I have so many. When we saw you on the ultrasound at the doctors, your little legs were kicking, and your arms were waving. Already, you are full of life and energy. Perhaps that's why I seem to have so little of both lately. But don't you worry about that. Right now, it's all about you, kid.

I love you; I love you; I love you. Grow; Grow; Grow.

all boy.

We are soaking up summer here. Henry is going from the minute his feet hit the floor, and I do my best to keep up with him. He fell asleep the other day with a baseball glove in his hand. He's learned to put his baseball hat on himself and is constantly begging to go outside, even when the heat index is 105. This kid is all all boy, all fun, all energy, all the time. I'm one lucky mama.