Crazy, crazy month!

This month has been crazy. Between traveling, work, keeping up with a 14 month old, and ensuring I'm getting plenty of sleep before pregnancy insomnia kicks in, blogging updates have taken a backseat.  I also haven't even been that great about taking pictures, but here's a quick recap of our last month:

Henry and the other kiddos at school have started moving from the parallel play stage and are actually starting to act like buddies (they've also started snatching toys from each other and pushing each other down, but we'll keep this post all about the positive!). I thought Paul had staged this photo, but apparently, he walked in to visit Henry and lunch and found him and Sophia perched on the mat and holding a baby conversation. Too cute.

 

Yes, we're still obsessed with the zebra ("teacher"). But we also require a multitude of other stuffed animals in our bed to use as pillows.

Paul ran the Dallas Half Marathon, which started and finished at the Dallas Convention Center.  Henry got to visit the bronze stampede two days in a row, and LOVED it.  I'm thinking we may have to get some formal family pictures made here. For those that live in the Dallas area, if you're looking for free entertainment for your children, I highly suggest this.  They can run around and have a blast for hours here!

 

Gigi was actually there to help me on the day of the race.  It was so nice to have someone help chase this little guy around - he's such an active kid (boy, boy, boy), and unfortunately, I'm not as mobile (or quick) as I was a few weeks ago!

There's Paul (towards the back in blue)! Averaged an 8:00 minute mile, and ran right by us and high-fived Henry before the finish line.   So proud of him!  He's taking a few months off before he decides to sign up for any more races, which I secretly like.  This means no more alarms at 4- or 5-something!

Here's Henry "petting" a goat at our church's Night in Bethlehem.  Petting to Henry means patting or hitting, depending on his level of excitement.  "Easy, be gentle!" is a common phrase in our household when it comes to "petting" Oscar.

Henry has also started using various objects as telephones. Over a 5 minute span at my parents' house, he used a remote,

a cell phone, and 

his milk cup. Ha! He says "Hello" and then babbles incessantly. Paul and I think this is hysterical because we don't even talk on the phone that much! It's amazing how quickly children this age pick up on stuff!

And word to the wise, if you have stacking Santas, few of them will make it out in one piece with a toddler around.  :)

He's also started finding ways to entertain himself when he's done napping/sleeping.  He's regularly started throwing everyone (but teacher) overboard, and apparently, he also attempts to get naked. Ha!

And yesterday, we had Christmas with Gigi and Papa.  He actually participated and enjoyed ripping off paper!

And, of course, he loved his cars.  Such a boy.  

I hope everyone enjoys the next few days with their families as we prepare for Christmas!  Love this time of year!!!

The big 3-0!

I've been convinced for years that I would be totally bummed on my 30th birthday.  Your 20s are supposed to be so exciting and filled with careless, carefree adventures (or something like that).  But I woke up on Saturday and realized that I was actually excited about my 30s! I have an amazing husband that I'm still madly in love with, 1 beautiful child that warms my heart when I look or think about him, and another healthy baby boy on the way!  Paul and I are also employed, we have a gorgeous home, and have been blessed beyond measure financially.  Seriously, what's to be bummed about?  A lot can disappear in a split second, so while I have it, I'm going to be thankful for what I have!!!

I've also decided to make a wish/to do list for my next 30 years.  Some of these are tangible, some are not.  Some are a stretch (may get booted to my "bucket list" if they're not achieved in the next 30 years), but some are totally doable (and need to be done sooner rather than later).  I hope to go back every few years and be able to check these off, one-by-one.

1. Celebrate 30 more wedding anniversaries with my love (in style).

2. Watch (and hopefully enjoy watching) my children grow up.

3. Skydive.

4. Run a marathon.

5. Travel to Israel.

6. Go on a safari (legit African safari, not a knock-off).

7. Ski on a continent other than North America.

8. Ride in a hot air balloon (but come back down to Earth slower than the speed of sound).

9. Master snowboarding.

10. Visit Australia and New Zealand.

11. Become debt-free.

12. Retire.

13. Average a mission trip every 5 years (I know this sounds lame, but given family and current work demands, I'm trying to keep these semi-realistic).

14. Read the entire Bible, cover-to-cover, at least every 5 years.  Yes, this includes all of Leviticus.

15. Take the kiddos to Disney World and Disneyland.

16. Participate in (or at least view in person) the running of the bulls.

17. Learn to knit.

18. Master and regularly bake homemade bread.

19. Master and regularly keep (every summer) a garden.

20. Pay cash for a new car.

21. Teach my children to do dishes, clean, and do their own laundry (no Mama's boys here).

22. Raise God-fearing, authority-respecting, polite, and generally kind children.

23. See the pyramids (preferably before they're blown up by terrorists).

24. Snorkel. Since I'm terrified of the ocean, I don't think scuba diving is something I'd ever actually do, but snorkeling seems more realistic.

25.Take an Alaskan cruise.

26. Spend a full week at a spa with no outside world contact.

27. Visit China and walk the Great Wall.

28. Zip line in Costa Rica.

29. Take a road trip across America with the family (see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, etc.). Preferably in a rented camper for a more "American" experience.

30. Learn Spanish (to understand and hopefully be mostly understood).

 

I would also like to thank my sweet husband and parents for the fabulous night on the town Saturday. 

 

Paul managed to line up Henry's Gigi and Papa to babysit, and took me to a fabulous dinner and then to a hotel where we got 9+ hours of uninterrupted sleep.  I think the most amazing thing, though, was that we had a total of 6+ hours of uninterrupted talking time togetherr (you parents to young children will understand how rare this is!).  It was awesome - I hadn't realized how much I missed my husband and his company! 

And because I couldn't possibly post without a few pictures of this little guy.....

 

 Henry apparently decided it was appropriate to eat in public with his feet on the table.  He's also obsessed with sweet tea. OBSESSED. He'd drink a gallon a day if I'd let him, but poor guy is stuck with a few sips from my cup when I drink it.  Glad to see he inherited a few Southern genes!

Month of Thanks!

I'm not going to pretend that I'm put together enough (read: organized) to remember to publicly express my thanks each and every day this month like many of my friends are doing.  I mean, it's already the 8th and I'm just now posting this. But I won't give up yet!  This week, 

I'M THANKFUL FOR HENRY'S IMPROVED EATING HABITS!!

There have been multiple days we've sent him to school, picked him up, and reports are that he didn't eat one bite of his lunch.  Wanna guess the mood of the child in the car on the way home? It's a mood very similar to his mother's when she gets hungry.  Generally unpleasant is the best way to put it. ;)  

The most ridiculous thing about his weird eating habits over the last two months is his size.  The child is huge for his age.  While I absolutely have not deprived him of anything, he is expected to eat healthy.  No question.  Paul and I eat healthy, so I'm not about to raise a child that has bad eating habits. Humph.

But, knock on wood, he's been doing really well the past week or so.  I sent him to school with rice, broccoli, carrots, and chicken breast, and almost fainted when the girls at school said he downed it. Therefore, I gave in and let him eat like a 1-year-old - mac 'n cheese for dinner it is!  Please note he's rejected this food before too, but I think we've gotten over that after discovering the awesomeness that is Kraft Mac 'N Cheese!

He let me feed him the first half, but decided to try and feed himself after that.  Not quite coordinated enough to handle macaroni on a spoon....

 He ended up eating a few handful with his fingers (which my brother thought was totally disgusting since he was covered in slimy food), but then tried to get a little more creative....

 Crazy baby.

And on an unrelated note, if our pantry door is open, Henry tends to be in the pantry.  I have no idea why. He doesn't take anything off the shelves or try to reorganize, he'll just stand or sit in there and look around.  So bizarre.  If he was smart, he would've realized the Halloween candy was right in front of him and snuck a few pieces....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Let me just apologize for the ridiculous number of photos - Henry's been a busy boy turkey the past few days! 

Started with Trunk or Treat at church on Sunday.

 

 He never stood still long enough to get one without movement.

 

 

 Even turkeys get hungry.

 

 I was terrible about snapping photos of our buddies, but LOVED this one of Gilda and Jocelyn!

 

 He never watched where he was going, but just plowed through the crowd.

  

Tired boy.

 

He's also been busy at school getting ready for tonight's festivities!

 

Trick or Treating at school. I have laughed a LOT today at the photos of this crazy crew!!

Halloween party at school!!

 

 

 [Please note my child is the only one who is COVERED in food.  I am also sitting in front of the computer with some melted chocolate on the front of my shirt, thanks to this little guy.]

 

 

 Ready to go trick or treating at home!  We made it around the block, and Henry had a blast.  I've decided trick or treating is a fabulous way to meet your neighbors - there were a few people that lived behind us that we'd never met in person.  People are VERY friendly when your child is dressed as a turkey. :)

 

 We started in our car.

But it didn't last long (I think 1 house, actually).  Gigi and Papa picked up the car slack. :)

 

This baby has one good daddy. 

 

I hope everyone had a safe and fun night!! Paul and I already have our lights out, and our goal is to be in bed before 9:00 p.m. We know how to party.

Henry's gonna have a....

LITTLE BROTHER!!!!!

 [I think these 3-D ultrasounds are kinda creepy. Glad babies don't come out looking like claymation.  Paul and I do think he's going to look a lot like Mr. Henry Louis, though.]

Can't wait to kiss these sweet little feet.

 

We cannot wait to meet you face-to-face, Walter Samuel.