We're Moving! Again.

Testing out the new stoop

Wow, I know. We haven't even been in this house for a year and we're already packing boxes for a new place. Something in our current house is really bothering my allergies, I'm guessing it's mold related, and Garrison really hates the pine trees that sway inches away from our windows. I'm not excited about the actual packing but really looking forward to settling in our new place. We get the keys today, officially out of this house March 4th. Garrison will be able to have his own music room in our new house and there's plenty of space for Henry to do his toddler thang, inside and out. Wahoo! But seriously, isn't packing the worst?!

Update: I just realized that the 4th is THIS SUNDAY. Freaking out now.

Baby Party!

Too heavy! Daddy doos it.

Birthday girl!

Don't worry H, my eyes glaze over when I eat dessert too.

Totally sharing the entire time. NOT.

Toast

BEFORE

&

AFTER

Henry went to his first birthday party this weekend. He decided it was a good idea to skip his nap before we left so by the time the party was over he was in FULL FORM. During the party though, he was actually pretty good, the secret was keeping him hopped up on chocolate covered strawberries and lemonade. My friend had made little bow ties for the boys and tutus for the girls. So cute! Mini pink bow ties are so awesome that they even make tantrums and snot/chocolate covered faces hilarious and totally adorable.

Just thought I'd share: As I'm typing this, Henry is skipping his nap again. He's in his crib screaming, "ELMO! GIT IN! HURRY! ELMO! ELLLMMMOOOO!"

Dammit, Barney!

Okay, you've done it. Somehow you've worked your cheesy songs and overly animated club of kids into our household. Gone are the tolerable days of DJ Lance and ElmoElmoElmo. Now it's an automatic, "BARNEY!" when we ask Henry what he wants to watch. I thought I had mastered the quick channel change and "Oh no! That DVD isn't working right now!" but you're good. Real good.

Not Quite Big Enough.

picture by leigh

Let's Speak in Henry

"Socky Guy"

"The Wilds"

"On Pop"

"Nakey Snuggles"

"Ebery-body dit in!"

"Sour face"

"Frosty the Po-nan"

"OUCH!"

"Nose. Running."

"EmmEmmEmmEmm" (say it with your tongue out)

"Butts the Yeow"

Where Have You Been?!

Life is really kicking my butt these days. I started my field observations for school this week so for the next two months I'll be working with a group of 4th graders. It's going really well and I'm having a lot of fun being in a classroom but there's so much to grasp that I feel like my mind is mush. On top of that, Henry got really sick the day after his birthday party and this stupid cold has been hanging on for about two weeks now. I took him to the doctor on Monday and they told me he has a sinus infection AND tonsillitis. I can't even remember the last time he was this sick. Yesterday, in between coughs, he'd cry, "No cough! Go away cough!" and then do this pathetic little whimper. My poor guy! Garrison and I have been sleeping about three hours a night because he's up coughing and running a fever and just miserable. Have you ever watched Cinderella at four in the morning while someone coughs and sweats and pees all over you? Not fun! I'll start blogging more when I feel more in control of everything. Hope you guys had a great Valentine's Day! This is what Henry does when I ask him to make the "kissy face":

A Whole Lot of This Lately....

Henry's Current Fave

Meet "Socky Guy"

Better

Yesterday and today were so much better than the last two weeks have been, thank you all so much for such encouragement and support! Garrison watched Henry so I could get out for a while and catch my breath and I can't tell you how much it's helped me. It's strange how used you get to having your baby with you all the time. Things like wiping a nose while steering a stroller and eating your lunch as you run after a shrieking toddler become second nature. It isn't until you have both of your arms and legs entirely to yourself again that you remember how awesome it is to have quick access to them.

I used my Henry-free time to get fitted for new running shoes, something I could never do with him even if I had a whole purse full of suckers. I had a long conversation about why my knee might be getting sore after long runs and tried on five pairs of shoes even though I liked the first pair just because I could. I got a coffee at the mall and people watched for almost an hour. I know that sounds really lame and gross and I knowknowknow it is but GUYSITWASFUN. Do you even know how long it's been since I was able to drink a coffee slowly and eat a whole pastry without having to break 3/4 off for Henry?! After the mall I went to the gym and ran six miles before they shut it down for the night. And when I came home, Henry was being so good! He kept saying, "I miss you, mama!" and "Snuggle me, mama? An watch Milo and Otis?"

See, I told you parenting is weird. I was so stressed out yesterday morning and tonight I am going to bed with a heart full of patience and love. As we were snuggling under the covers tonight, Henry wrapped his arms around me and said, "Mama Henry best friends" and I melted.

At the Beach

Last weekend we all went to the beach. It's still a little cold here but pretty freakin crazy that we can be out in just sweaters in January. I wanted to get these pictures up before I forget but if I'm being completely honest, a nice trip to the beach isn't what I really want to be writing about. Henry has been really challenging lately and it's wearing me down guys. Sometimes I feel like crying because I'm so frustrated and just burnt out. Being a mom is so confusing. I mean, one day you feel like the most awesome put together mom in the world and then a day later you're wiping yogurt off of the walls at Panera, and apologizing to the lady who overheard you saying, "I can't handle this. I can't handle this. I can't handle you." as you haul your screaming/kicking toddler out of the restaurant. I need a break but I just can't seem to get one.

Potty Playing.

he goes to this rug to pee. wth?

We're just starting this and it's going well, I think. I mean, Henry likes to sit on his potty and he thinks underwear is cool. It's fun for him unless we push it (don't push it!) so we're basically like:

Us: "Want to wear your Batman underwear?"

Henry: "NO!NO!NO!dklfjdsklfjlekjf"

Us: "Um, okay. Calmmmm down. Whatever dude!"

So I guess right now it's more like potty playing and not training. Can I call it that? Gross?

Anyway, potty training kind of rules because right now there is a HUGE bag of M&Ms in the cupboard. And guess what? The supply has to stay stocked and parents don't have to sit on the potty to get one (or 40).