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...

At the Beach...

So I'm still trying to get used to the concept of blogging.  There are probably a few things I could have shared over the last couple of weeks, but I forget to sit down and type them out.  Here are a few of the highlights and I might include some more details/pictures at a later time. 

1.  We drove 13 hours through the night to Indiana to spend time with our families over the fourth of July.  Henry was a trooper and did VERY well, considering he was restrained to a carseat the whole time.  Luckily, he doesn't mind the car and it usually puts him right to sleep.

2.  Spent some time in Wisconsin with my mom's family - my grandparents got to meet their great-grandchild and I loved seeing them interact with Henry.  We got to spend a day at my aunt and uncle's lake cottage...as usual, my aunt and uncle spoiled us with good food and time on the lake.  I didn't ski this year, but my dad and Peter had their annual tubing contest.  My dad won this year, as Peter flew off his tube, but he did NOT lose his shorts this year...thanks Paul and Jenni for his new swim trunks.  :)

3.  I have had some quality time at my in-law's lake house, off of lake Michigan.  It has been absolutely RELAXING and wonderful.  I've got to spend some time with my parents, Peter's parents, and my Duke friend - Amanda and her 2 and a half year old, Faith.   I've taken naps, read, sat out in the sun, and just had a more relaxed schedule the last few days.  I've LOVED it!!  Everyone has helped out with Henry and allowed me to have some time to myself, as well.  Wish that Peter was here to experience it with us, but he's back to work in NC.  Can't wait to see him this weekend...

4.  Went to my home church on Sunday and ran into many people I haven't seen in a long time.  They got to meet Henry and it was really good to be back.  It was a little overwhelming and surreal to be there with my SON, but I loved seeing familiar faces.  I was lucky to have had the opportunity to attend my dear friend, Kayla's wedding shower.  I have watched her grow up over the last 12 years or so and am so proud of the woman she's become.  She's marrying a great guy and I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in their lives.  I also got to visit with a couple other DEAR friends this last week and I was once again reminded of how blessed I've been over the years with amazing friendships.   Thanks Laura and Jenny for taking time out of your day to catch up...  :)

I have a full weekend ahead and I'm so excited for it to begin.  I have quite a few people whom I absolutely love coming into my hometown and I can't wait to spend some time with them.  I also have Henry's open house on Sunday, which my sisters and mom have sacrificed a lot of time to make it special...  I know many people are giving up their Sunday and even driving long distances to attend - thank you so much (in advance) for being willing to come and meet our little guy.  I'll make sure I take pictures and share about it next week.


I'm also including a few pictures of Henry smiling...it's been so much fun to see him respond more and I can help but snap pictures...  :)  And yes, his cheeks ARE filling out...he's getting bigger!  :)  

Open House for Henry

 All are welcome!

Please email RSVP to me (Holly) so I can plan accordingly...