Thursday, November 27, 2008

Learning

Two weeks ago I walked into Henry's room to find him watching Wade rake leaves through his window. He was chuckling to himself and then said "Bapa. I see you bottom." I peaked out the window. Sure enough, it was a classic case of plumbers crack. A couple of days later I asked Henry to pick up his train. "Okay Mama," he said, "but I will do it like Papa." And he yanked down his pants, turned around and starting picking up his toys with his tiny bottom hanging half way out.

Kids have this amazing ability to A) observe the world around them and B) remember every single detail. We are already getting corrected when we read his books that he got for his birthday, 2 days ago- "No Mama it's Brother not Bother." And Henry's ability to remember the beats and harmonies from music that he has only heard once or twice totally amazes me. He is singing songs from albums he has heard once or twice. Lyrics that Wade and I don't even recognize. He seems to be a very musical kid. Several weeks ago he placed all the containers in his room upside down on his tool bench, hooked his shakers and tambourines on to the plastic hooks on the wall, pulled up a bucket for a seat and started drumming on his home-made drum kit.

May
we always have a roof above us, food before us, and love between us.
-Kelly family blessing, 2008

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Lip

Poor kid. He had a little bit of a rough week last week. It started with a visit to the doctor because of a rash on his head and then he hit is mouth on a toy the next day which chipped his front tooth and split his lip. So now he has a chipped tooth to go with the scar on his forehead. But, I am pretty sure his birthday party erased the memories all the trauma from the week. A big Thank You to everyone that came to celebrate with us.

Birthday Song

This is a very short video that I didn't even realize I was taking while we sang Henry Happy Birthday. It isn't much but you can hear his little voice singing along (if you can drown my voice out), see his happy face and watch him get dangerously close to hurting himself. Which, frankly, after the week we have had, I am surprised that he didn't. :)

Birthday Bean

Henry is 3! He has been looking forward to his birthday for weeks. On his birthday morning he came in our bedroom and woke us up saying "I woked up and turned 3 and now it is my birthday. Can I have cake?" Later on in the day he asked me if his feet had gotten bigger now that he is 3 and he also used being 3 as an excuse for not giving Mama the snuggles she usually gets before bed. I'll post more pictures soon.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

More October

Making dog treats
That's the one!
Grandpa
Meeting a baby donkey
Playing with Bagel

Shaving
Sick of painting just on paper

Aunt Suz

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Glow in the dark jammies


Funny

Aunt Susie called today to tell me about something Henry said yesterday while she was helping him use the potty-

Aunt Susie: Henry I’m so proud of you for pooping in the potty.
Henry: Aunt Susie I am so proud of you for watching me.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

October
















Jason & Mandy

Apple cider slushes and Jason and Mandy-a perfect day for Henry (and us too).

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Last night after dinner we went out on a search for a new park. We went to an elementary school on the west side of town with a map of the United States painted on the parking lot. We spent a while showing Henry all the places that his family and friends live. Then we headed around to the back of the school to the playground. It was quite a walk from the parking lot to the playground. I pointed the slides out to Henry. He said "That is far away. I can't go very fast I only have 2 foots not 4 foots."
When we headed back to the car we stopped again at the United States map and Henry proceeded to show us where he lives. Where Nana lives. Where Jason and Mandy live. Where Gramma Alee lives. Where Aunt Annie lives. And Florida.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

We were looking over a few pictures of birthday cake possibilities for Henry this evening. He picked a train cake again, this time in the snow. I said "Okay Hanky, that is the one we'll have on your birthday." He said "But Mama when I eat too much of that cake I will get sick. And then I will be big and round like a ball."

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Working...almost a little too well

We were just about to give up on Henry ever using the potty when my friend Elizabeth suggested that we try m&m's. It was the only bribe that worked for her when she was potty training her daughter. Generally I am not a fan of giving sugar to an already high energy little person, but we were desperate so we gave it a try and it worked immediately. He has been in his big boy underpants ever since. 1 m&m for a pee. 3 for a poop. Why this was not suggested in any of the 20 parenting books that I own is a mystery to me. Thank God for the advice of other Mom's. There is a problem though. Henry loves getting m&m's so much that he has been walking around with a glass of water since 8 am yesterday morning. He has two tiny sips, says "I think it's ready" and then runs to the bathroom. Even with the trips to the bathroom every 3 minutes we are all thrilled to see him use the potty. And it is fun to see him so proud of himself. Next stop....preschool!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

We are fielding a lot of questions these days

Papa, do cats like cheese?

Mama, why is the moon out in the morning?

Papa, how do they get the raisin in the yogurt?

Monday, September 01, 2008

Riding the train

We took the advice of several friends and brought Henry to ride on the Midland Train this weekend. Before the train left the kids were given some time to explore. There was a red caboose, two passenger cars, an outdoor car with benches for passengers and a orange engine. The train was slow. We went about 11 miles one way and it took over a half hour. Our destination was Norwood, which it turns out, it just a small area of the woods that has been cleared out, mowed and given a name.

Henry was excited. He was focused and very concerned that we find a seat and sit down so that the train did not leave without us. He made a half-hearted attempt at exploring the caboose but his mind was preoccupied with finding our seats. In the green car. Once we got in our seats Henry sat very still and held on to his ticket to give to the conductor. Gigi and Grandpa came along and Henry was glued to Grandpa's side most of the way out. He got a little bit more adventurous on the way back and by the time we returned he was running up and down the train car, leaving my stomach in knots, but having a pretty good time.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Rapid Fire


That is how I would describe being Henry's parents. He moves so quickly from being funny to serious to surprising to naughty. Just when I think "oh I have to remember that for the blog" he does something else and I forget what it was I was supposed to remember. What I can tell you is that Henry's personality is really coming through and I think I can speak for everyone that is getting to know that it is a pretty special and fun experience. Overall he is proving himself to be a very empathetic little boy. He recognizes and understands emotion and has learned to comfort people. The other day Wade I and were having a conversation about our civic, which is breaking down, and I was feeling overwhelmed and Henry noticed and said "You sad Mama? Don't be sad. It will be okay Mama. Do not worry. Is the blue car broken? Just take it to Bob (our mechanic that apparently Henry knows about). He will fix it and you will feel better."
He does this sort of thing all the time and it is always so very surprising to me to see that in a 2 year old. (But then again I have no idea what other 2 year olds are doing.)
He is very particular about how things are done and who does them. Mama sings song at night night. Papa does the "Get the silly's out" dance. The glass of water goes here when we eat our dinner and after his bath we have to look for and talk about all his pruny parts before we can dry off and run out of the room for his "after bath crazies". As I understand it this desire for routine and consistency is very common in 2 year olds but it is amazing to watch him in action. His memory is very good, especially when you compare it to the memory of his old and tired parents :)
Henry also makes jokes. He calls them baby jokes. He will laugh and say "Just a little baby joke there." He tells stories, usually about choo-choo trains and flying. He dances and says "Hey Mama, check out my new move." He thinks every kind of ouchy should be covered in a band-aid, even the not-bleeding kind. He rarely sits still for more than a few minutes. He believes that his new running shoes make him run faster. He is learning how to play with kids his own age and is very happy just being bossed around by the neighbor girl. He is very sound and smell sensitive and will tell you right away if you are "too smelly". He is quick to remind people that he loves them and that they are his friend (best friend is usually saved for Grandpa or Papa). He thinks that there are 4 places that people go when they travel-the beach, Topeka, the North Pole and Africa. He will get naughty if he is tired or had too much sugar. He loves reading books, Jonny Cash and Bob Marley, his Geo Tracks train set, building machines, yogurt covered raisins and says nearly every day "Mama, today is a wonderful day." And I have to say that with Henry around, it always is. :)

A work in progress




Thursday, August 07, 2008

Someone's Birthday Wish

“I WISH FOR A RIDE IN A CHOO-CHOO TRAIN!”
-Henry, 8/6/08, right before we blew out the candles on my birthday cake.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Wet chalk

I made this in April and forgot to post it.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Henry's favorite lunch

Beanadilla's and PBSB towers

Oh and more with the puppets. They came with us to the grocery store this morning.