What I love...

 is seeing my two men hanging out.  That will never get old....

Although sometimes Peter clearly doesn't want his picture taken.   :)

Skype...

I'd much rather see a person "in person."  Everyone would probably say that, but I feel much more natural when I'm sitting down with someone over coffee or a meal.  Since having Henry, our distance from family has become even more pronounced and I've hated it.  Skype has been a life-saver and we've been able to have many visits with family and friends.  Can't say it is Peter or I they are wanting to see these days....Henry's been the main attraction.  :)

  Although Henry's not always up for talking and we have to encourage him a bit...

Future Buddies...

A few weeks back, when I was in Indiana, I got to spend a few hours with my college friend and roommate, Lindsay.  Lindsay just had a little boy, Jesse, and has a 2 year old, Asher.  We had such a great time catching up and I loved watching Asher - imagining what Henry will be up to when he's 2 years old. 

What's so funny about this picture is that Henry was the one that was throwing a huge tantrum just moments before...he's as stoic as can be and Jesse is the one who didn't want his picture taken.  Can't wait for them to hang out together in a few years.  :)

Miss you Linds...

Thumb Sucker...

Henry has recently found his thumb.  Sometimes we think that he's sucking a couple of his fingers, but every once in awhile, he finds his thumb.  Don't know how I feel about this yet, but it's cute to see him try and figure it out.  :)

 

 

Henry at 2 months...

Henry was 2 months yesterday.  I honestly CAN'T believe how fast time has flown.  He's smiling, cooing, sucking his thumb (well, kind of...), and has just been so much fun.  Oh yeah, and he's turning into a chunker!  I love this little guy.  :)

Here is our attempt at 2 month pictures...  :)

Here are some of the out-takes...took a little while to get him to pose.  :)

 Seriously, mom...what are you doing to me?

Henry at one month...

Here are some more pictures of Henry at one month.  He's smiling so much and was such a trooper as we traveled across the state of Indiana more than three times.  Thank goodness he LOVES the car!  :)

 

Please excuse the "popped" collar...don't know why he's trying to act too cool for school...

Holly

Holly came to visit.  It was touch and go for awhile whether she was even going to be able to make it, but she was able to make it happen.  It had been a few months since I had seen my sister, mainly due to the fact she's living in California, and I realize every time we're together how much I wish we could live life together.

Both Holly and Hillary "get" me, and it's funny how when we're together, we slip into our familiar roles.  I'm the nurturer, the caretaker, the peacemaker...making sure everything is taken care of.  Holly is fun, passionate, thought-provoking and always causing me to think.  Hil is contemplative, willing to sit and listen, rather than participate, marches to the beat of her own drum and loves to be independent/different.  I love my sisters and am so thankful for the roles they play in my life.

Holly loved on Henry during our visit...and I saw her become more and more comfortable taking on the role of Auntie Holly.  Can't wait until Hil comes to visit in September.  :)

Love you babe...

Shower...

I've never liked attention on me.  I remember feeling overwhelmed as my wedding day approached, thinking about all the people staring at me.  Don't get me wrong, I felt more loved than I had ever felt in my life.  So many people I love in the same room...I'll never have that opportunity again.  But the thought of having all the attention on me made my heart race.
 
Dear friends threw Peter and I showers for Henry earlier in the year...felt so special and appreciated it more than they know.  But they could probably tell...I was uncomfortable with all the attention on me.  I tend to get tongue tied, talk extremely fast, and blush to a bright red color. 

So when my sisters and mom discussed a baby shower for Henry, I was more than happy to have more of an open house feel.  People could come and go as they pleased, and I could spend time catching up with people I hadn't seen for a long time.  My sister Holly and Peter flew in for the occasion, as well as my Taylor roommates and their families.

Many of you know that my sisters are extremely creative.  Holly has her own jewelry website and Hillary has developed a talent for drawing in recent years.  They both can express themselves so freely in written form, whereas I tend to be more matter of fact and black and white.  But honestly Holly and Hillary went all out when it came to decorating for the shower.  They made everything in California and had it shipped to Indiana days before the shower.  It was like Christmas, pulling the "flowers," banners, and special creations out of the box.  Holly then went into her creative "zone," making the house look amazing.

 

Please go HERE to see most of their decorations...my pictures don't do it justice. 

My roommates from college...It had been a year since we'd seen each other.  I love and miss these girls...wish they could be in my life on a daily basis again. 

Henry at 3 weeks...

My dad was able to take some pictures of Henry during our time together.  He's SO much bigger now, but wanted you to see how adorable he was at that stage...

It's been awhile...

So I haven't blogged in awhile and I'm going to attempt to record the events of the last month over the next few days.  I was in Indiana for the month of July and had an amazing time with family and loads of friends...

I love my family.  I feel like I'm more relaxed, more myself, and more at ease in the presence of my family.  They love me for who I am and have been my biggest fans as I embark on this new adventure of motherhood.  Most of the month of July was spent with family - both my family and Peter's family.  I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but here are a few to capture our time together.   

My grandparents met their great-grandchild for the first time...

My aunt Gina couldn't get enough of him...thanks Gina for letting us come and take over your house for the day.   :)

Fourth of July at my Uncle and Aunt's lake house in Wisconsin...

Headed over to Lake Michigan after our visit to Wisconsin to spend time at my in-law's lake house.  

First time at the beach  :)  Henry didn't let us stay for awhile...it wasn't his favorite.

Henry and I got to spend a lot of quality time together - after Peter left for NC and my parents left for home...

I'm upset I didn't get any pictures with my Duke friends - Amanda, Faith, and Jenny.  Amanda and Faith drove over from Minnesota to spend a few days with Henry and I.  I loved seeing a more "grown-up" Faith and was reminded again how much I miss our Duke friends. 

Also didn't get to take any pictures with my in-laws. :(  I really need to get better at this!  Peter and I were able to relax at their lake house - Candy was gracious enough to let me take naps, go on walks, and rest while she watched Henry.   I love seeing them interact with Henry...Paul and Candy have been more than I can ask for.  They have loved me and have let me be comfortable as a new mom...they are always so accommodating and have already been amazing grandparents. 

Ok...that's all for now.  I'll post more from our last month tomorrow...