Roscoe Everett!

My little champ is already a week old! I can't believe that's possible. Roscoe is right now the joy of our life. He's absolute magic. I had no idea what to expect welcoming another member to this family, and I have to say, it's just right. He is meant for us, so perfect. He is our family.

His birth was intense. I'll be working on his birth story for a while, I'm sure. Things of note? I had my membranes swept at 10:30 in the morning on March 8th, and he was in my arms by 9:15 that night. It was back labor again. It was absolutely intense. My voice is still hoarse. I terrified most of the other people on the birthing floor. But? It was all natural, not even a tylenol. I died with love right away.

Hendrix loves his little brother. He does. Watching them meet was absolutely amazing.

It hasn't been easy. I can't tell you how much I wish I had 4 arms. Hendrix has been my EVERYTHING for the past 2 and a half years. There isn't a whimper that hasn't been answered immediately by me. And now, there's another whimperer in my house. As a matter of fact, he's kind of a screamer. He can't help it, really. That has been so hard to watch Hendrix deal with. As a matter of fact, I feel like I'm going through it with him. There has been a lot more melt-downs. He's become more aggressive. He's been fighting sleep like a ninja. It's everything you read about, you try to prepare yourself for, but there's nothing like experiencing it. Obviously, it has been breaking my heart. Last night, Eric walked Roscoe to sleep while I rocked Hendo, whispering a million love notes into his ears. He just kept kissing me and saying, "Yove you so much, mommy." I cried and cried after he fell asleep.

Think they look alike?

Obviously this is such a short season in our family. I'll blink and these boys will be fighting over the video game controller. But I so want to do right by the both of them. I want to love them both fully, to give them everything they need to feel whole and safe. For now, I have to remind myself that I'm doing all I can, and trust that all the love I've given and am giving Henry will help him to deal with this transition, and come out of it an even more confident and secure little 2 year old.

GAH. So, there's all that. I love my boys so much. There aren't words. We are so blessed.

Roscoe Everett

March 8th, 2012

7 pounds, 7 ounces

19 1/2 inches

perfect.

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.

first hair cut

I've been putting off Henry's first hair cut for the past few weeks, because I was secretly hoping curls would take over his head, and I would just let him start growing his Michael Bolton look. Instead, Hendo has been bringing baseball caps to me in the morning and saying, "On!" The result of this new obsession was straight crimped hair that fell into his eyes. So, it was time.

We went to a place called Sharkeys. It was a blast. Henry got to sit in a Ferrari and watch Barney. Older kids were playing video games. It was awesome.

Mid hair cut, he freaked out. So, I got to hold him, his little blonde curls tumbling to the linoleum floor.

My mom told me, "Kelly, you won't believe how much he looks like a little man after that first cut." She was too right.

the great outdoors

Henry's new obsession is "OUTSIDE". When he wakes up in the morning? He gets out of bed, and goes straight to the door. He then proceeds to push on it, bang on it, and attempt to open it. Finally, he resorts to coming to me and saying, "Ah? Ah?" Which, I've gathered to mean, "Hey, Mom. You look beautiful this morning. Could we please open this door and start an adventure?" He's such a sweetheart.

It's freezing now, but lately, we've been going outside right after breakfast. We jump into the wagon, round up the dogs and take off:

We then round our way through the trails on the property. My father-in-law has been lining all the trails with rocks, and installing bird feeders and houses. The property is starting to look like a park. It's really a slice of heaven here. Henry points to different things, asking me to tell him what he's looking at, "Well, Hen, that's coyote poop! That's a tree branch that could take out your eye!"

Henry is an explorer. He picks EVERYTHING UP. Sometimes, he lays out on the ground and scoops up the dirt beneath him. He is unafraid and a true BOY.

If I can be honest, I don't know what it is about myself that has been avoiding the outdoors. Maybe it's from living in the city the past few years? I used to be a camp lifeguard. I would drag kids half a mile through the woods to go canoeing on a little murky pond. But, lately, I've been a homebody, only going outside when it was necessary, or when food was involved. I think Henry's put an end to that old game.

Hendrix Updates!

• He's started saying "MORE" during dinner. Yesterday, he raised his whole bowl and said more. We're only a few words away from a lead in Oliver, people!
• He "dribbles" the ball. Okay, not entirely, but he throws it around and then chases it.
• He points to his diaper when he needs a change. THIS IS AWESOME. My mother-in-law is convinced we can start potty training already, but I'm pretty sure we're still a little ways off.
• He's started doing some animal sounds. Rooster and sheep are his favorites.
• He's started pointing to different body parts. Some days are better than others. Most days, everything is ear!
• He's started pulling on my shirt when he wants to nurse. The most fun place this has happened? IN LINE AT CHIK-FIL-A.
• Also, SCREAMING.

Mostly, this kid is growing at hyper-speed. I don't know who gave him permission to do this, but it wasn't me, I assure you.