Pictures for Daddy...

I usually send pictures to Peter throughout the day when he's at work or when Henry and I were away traveling.  They are usually random moments throughout the day or something funny Henry's been doing.  Thought you would like to see some of the "Daddy" pictures I've taken over the last couple of weeks. 

*Again, I really should be showing you as they happen, but lately it's easier to send them out in one chunk! 

Henry is NINE Months!

So, as you can see...I haven't been blogging much lately.  Henry has been a very active little boy and I don't have as much "down time." It seems as though I'm always chasing him around and I'm realizing what all those moms meant when they said to enjoy his immobility while I can.  :)

But Henry is nine months now and has been a ton of fun.  I love this new stage and he does things to make me laugh everyday.  Although it is more tiring, he is learning more and more by the day and becoming more independent (which is bittersweet for his mama).  Here are some of the pictures I was able to snap...it is getting harder and harder for him to sit still!

 

 He didn't want to sit still and got angry....

Was more interested in looking at his books.  He runs circles around the ottoman. 

 
Things Henry is doing at 9 months:

• We just had a 9 month appointment - He is 28.7 inches tall, but he is the same weight since our last appointment in early January - 20.5 lbs.  Doctor thought it was due to all his activity and he's working off everything he eats!  I promise I'm feeding him...
• Eating solid foods like a champ - loves all kinds of fruits and vegetables.  Bananas and sweet potatoes are his favorite.  :) 
• He's picking up foods and is starting to prefer to feed himself. 
• He is finally sleeping through the night - as of a couple weeks ago.  There are times when he cries out, but he's working on soothing himself.  Go Henry!  It has been wonderful for ALL of us...it's about TIME!  :)
• He started pulling himself up a few weeks ago and now is standing/walking using help all the time.  He is walking laps around our couches, dining room table, etc.  If there is something to grab onto, he'll walk from point A to point B rather than crawl.  Consequently, he's into EVERYTHING and seems to like things that he shouldn't have, rather than his toys.   Bath time has been challenging because he refuses to sit down and play.  He just wants to walk around the edges of the tub. 
• He's crawling up the stairs multiple times a day - although he still doesn't know how to get down.  We're working on that...
• He's "talking" more and more.  Saying 'dada" and "mama" but obviously doesn't know what they mean.  Everytime he sees an animal, he gets more annimated.  Looks like we need a dog!  He's also giggling and brightens up when he sees Peter or myself. 
• Starting to get a little separation anxiety.  It's just been in the last couple of weeks, but he seems to get nervous around strangers and especially if he's a little tired, he tends to break down. 

climbing

uh oh...I have a very curious climber on my hands. 

More from California

I hate living so far away from my sisters.  Holly is in California and Hillary is in Indiana - we don't see each other near enough and it's hard to connect at times.  I was so glad to have the chance to see Holly's life in CA - she and Nate are attending Fuller Seminary and they have had a great opportunity to not only learn a bunch of new things, but also meet some amazing people.  Their life out there reminded me of Peter and I's time at Duke.  Being back in an academic setting, where people are at the same stage of life, pursuing similar things...making friends was easy and we were blessed to get to know so many people during our time there.  They have been able to meet some wonderful people and made some long-lasting friendships.  It was good to see them so happy and settled.  I loved being able to put some faces to names and to be able to spend time with a few of their closer friends there.

Holly and Nate loved on Henry and were so helpful with taking care of him.  Henry's internal clock was a little messed up during our time there - I forgot about the 3 hour time change and the affect it would have on him (and myself).  Consequently, Henry and I were up at 4 am most mornings and they were very gracious to a noisy apartment at that hour.  :)

Holly and I had the chance to spend a lot of time together - we took walks around town, shopped, had brunch with her friends, Henry and I helped with her babysitting job, and even went out for dessert one night while Nate stayed with the little man.  I really enjoyed hearing about the things she is processing through and learning at school...she and Nate are growing in their faith and have been wrestling through the things they believe.   It was challenging for me to hear the things they are learning and good for me to analyze my own faith and why I believe what I believe.  I'm so proud of the two of them - they are pursuing their dreams and although it has taken awhile to figure out exactly what those dreams are...they are on their own time table and not letting opinions of others affect what they want to accomplish.

And like I said before, the camera was out most of the time and we were able to capture some sweet moments.  :)