Breakfast Smorgasbord

Over the last month, I've been introducing Henry to a variety of solid foods - leaving them cut up in little chunks on his tray. Most of it ends up on the floor (Spinner has learned this is the place to go at meal time). And I supplement with the jarred purred baby food - which he still loves and it so easy to make! This morning instead of cutting up Henry's banana, I just gave him a chunk. He loved sucking on it and made a huge, slimy mess. I also gave him some toast and yogurt. He loved the yogurt and grew to love the toast. It's so fun to feed him and watch him explore each new thing he puts into his mouth

Snow day!

Henry woke up on his 8 month birthday with snow - a lot of fluffly, white, wonderful snow! Brian and I are guesstimating 15 inches - more than we have seen in several years. We woke up this morning (Herny slept unil 8:00!!), got dressed in our warmest duds and went outside and played outside. Henry was very curious but also very cautious, as he is with most new things.

The following video does not in any way reflect the way we handle our son on a typical, non-snow filled day. But it will make you laugh!

Sitting with Santa

We snuck out today for a quick trip to the mall so Henry could have a chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him everything he wants for Christmas. So glad we did it this way - there was no line! We were in and out in no time and Henry was an angel! He loved Santa and Santa loved him. I realize this may be the only good picture Henry ever gets with jolly old saint again - I assume next year he'll be too scared to go within 10 feet of him.

Big boy bath

A few nights ago Henry got his first bath in the "adult" tub without using his baby tub. I wasn't too excited to give up the baby tub - I liked that he was confined to one place. But, now that Henry is always moving, he was starting to crawl out of his tub, head first, and it was too slippery of a fight to keep him in place. When we put him in the big tub, he wasn't sure what to do with all the room at first. But, a few nights in and we back to where we started - he is all over place just with more room. Bath time is still a struggle. Now instead of crawling out of his baby tub, he tries to crawl out of the bathtub.

Teeth!

Or I should say, tooth. Henry's very first tooth broke through over night - we noticed it this morning. It's right in the bottom front and it' soooooo cute!! He doesn't like when you touch it, but you get a few glimpses of it when he gives us his gummy (not for long) grin. I'll try to get a picture soon.

Breakfast with Santa

This Saturday we took Henry to the Brick Hotel, in Newtown, PA, for breakfast with Santa. We met grandpa and grandpa Garlits, Uncle Dale and Aunt Beps. After we enjoyed a delicious feast, Santa came around to all the tables for a Christmas greeting - the place went crazy and all the kids were running around screaming and giggling. It was so cute! I was really excited to see how Henry would react to Santa....

Henry wasn't scared. But he wasn't sure what to think. Right before Santa handed Henry back, he tried to pull off his beard.

Circa 1940

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine mother's group was hosting a charity event that offered Old Time Photos for young children. I couldn't pass up the opportunity for this photo op and the proceeds went to a good cause. A win-win! I picked up the "results" yesterday and had a great laugh. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Dinner out

Date night has a new meaning when you have a baby. There certainly is never a dull moment or an akward silence. It's different, not at all relaxing, but it's still awesome. You have to count on ordering as soon as you sit down. And then insist they rush our order. We know we have about 1 hour of awesome babyness. Then, it's all down hill folks, because Henry said so. Oh, and dinners out, may as well be lunch - in by 5:00, out by 6:30.

Recently, Henry started sitting in a high chair at our fancy dinners out (you know, Chilis, Unos, etc.) This past weekend, we hit up Unos. Henry was so entertaining - not only for Brian and I, but our whole half of the restaurant. He literally laughed (squealed) the entire time. And he showed us his new trick - the head tilt. He thought he was so funny every time he did it! (I thought he was, too!) We had such a great time AND I remembered my camera!

First Snow

We got our first snow of the season this past weekend - big, wet, white flakes of deliciousness. It came, it stuck, and then it was gone. Henry wasn't sure what to make out of it. When it started to come down, he stared at it through the window. Then we put him in his snow suit for the first time and he didn't mind one bit. When we brought him outside he was fascinated by the snow flakes - either that or was just completely immobile, kind of like the kid on the Christmas Story.

Henry's reaction to post-first snow experience....bewildered? stunned? amazed? cold? And Spinner (his nose to the left) was anxious to lick the melted snow off Henry's snow suit.

Standing in my crib

I finally remembered to bring my camera with me this time. This is Henry new favorite thing to do in his crib... standing. He used to like to sleep in it, but that's a thing of the past. Now he loves to fall asleep in our arms and as soon as we put him down - he cries, gets up on all fours and crawls over the edge and screams bloody murder. The best part, he doesn't know how to get down. So, we can't let him cry it out, we have to literally stand over him, while he is in the crib, and hold him down/rub his back. The weirdest thing - he only does this at bed time! And I don't think I am the problem because I also sometimes put him down for naps during the day. Any suggestions?

Anyway. Here's the little rascal after a nap. He's so happy when he gets up.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Henry's first Thanksgiving at grandma and grandpa Garlits' house. We brought a bunch of Henry's toys up to the house and he crawled around and explored all the news things. he spent most of the time standing up on the back of grandpa's chair and poking him in the butt. When he wasn't doing this, he was eating Turkey legs and drinking beer with Uncle Dale.

Seriously, the kid cried if you took the beer bottle away. There's no denying it, he's a Garlits boy. And the turkey leg pictures - Brian couldn't wait to take this picture. But he envisioned Henry holding each of the turkey legs in his hands and I guess yelling "feed me, feed me" while he was at it. I don't know why he thought his 7 month hold son could hold up two turkey legs, each weighing a few pounds. I mean, he's amazing and all.... but we tried and it was a good laugh.

Who needs toys...

when you have pots and pans!? Henry's new favorite place to play is the kitchen cabinet filled with pots and pans (and I've been throwing in some Tupperware and measuring spoons) So, what does he want for Christmas, you ask?? A brand new set of pots and pans! (I have nothing to do with this.)

Standing tall

About 2 weeks ago (11/15/09), Henry and I were sitting in his room getting ready for bed. Part of his bedtime routine is to allow him to crawl around naked before getting in the bath (you love it and I just can't get enough of your little naked hiney!). Yes, I've been peed on a few times, but it's totally worth it! This particular night, while I was sitting, Henry crawled right over to me, grabbed my knee and pulled himself up to a stand. I couldn't believe it! He's been doing it non-stop ever since. And he still keeps his toes curled under when he's standing! It looks so painful! Hopefully he'll grow of this!

A few posts ago, I mentioned how Henry does a the downward facing dog yoga stance. I finally got it on camera. He does this a lot - I guess he's trying to stand?

Solids

Once you turned 7 months, I was anxious to introduce you to new foods. I went to the store and bought every flavor of the "puffs", some jarred meats, teething cookies, fruits and veggies I puree at home, etc. etc. I was so excited, I want to give you everything at once (I didn't.) I quickly realized you would need some time to warm up to these new things. I gave you a few "puffs" broken into small pieces. You spit these out right away. You had no idea what to do with something hard in your mouth. You get better each day. Now you are learning to chew with your gums. Most of it ends up on the floor, but it's still good practice trying to get the food in your fingers and into your mouth.

You love love love meat (chicken and turkey). And its the jarred meat, too. I felt bad giving this too you. It's just gross. I want you to eat the meat we eat for dinner, but I just don't think you are ready for it yet. If anything is too chunky, you choke and gag until you barf. It's gross and it scares the snot out of me. So, we slowed down a little bit. You're still mostly on pureed solids (stage #2).

Every once in a while I'll give you a teething cookie. You think you died and went to heaven. You take it in and out of your mouth, stare at it, suck on it, put in down, pick it up and whatever else you can do. You make a holy mess with it too. And then it dries into this nasty, hard coating all over you, your clothes and anything else you touched. I don't think you'll be getting these too often.

You love your sippy cup. You only get water, but you reach for this like you reach for your binkie. Introducing the cup to you a couple months ago turned out to be a great idea. I feel like this give you a little independence - when you're thirty you grab your cup and take a drink!

Happy 7 Month Birthday, Henry

My darling son,

We celebrated your seven month birthday yesterday. Hard to believe. Time is flying by. I can't quite get my head around it and I'm so scared with each passing day I am going to lose all these awesome memories we are making together. We'll make more, I know, but I just don't want to forget the last seven months. Before I know it, you'll have friends and girlfriends and won't anything to do with your mom - - I really hope this won't be the case. I promise, I won't kiss you in front of your friends, but I hope you can still give me hugs and kisses when no one is looking. I won't tell. But if you won't, I am making up for it now by smothering you with kisses every time we are together. You are so kissable.

You also have quite the personality these days. You let us know when you aren't happy with something by fussing. You will fuss and fuss and fuss until it is fixed. I hate to say it, but sometimes your fussiness and the faces that accompany it are so funny, your dad and I will let you fuss while we giggle at you. We don't let it go on too long, but honestly, sometimes we just need to finish our cereal!

Your grandma and grandpa Holzapfel came to visit this month, too. When they arrived, you weren't sure what to make of them. In fact, your crazy grandpa made so many crazy noises and silly faces that you bottom lips immediately started to quiver and you let out a cry. But within minutes, you were fascinated with the old guy and BFFs for the whole weekend.

You are very skeptical of new people and things. It takes you a few minutes to warm up - it doesn't mean you don't like it, you just need your own time to take everything in, evaluate the situation and then react, as you feel appropriate. I feel bad sometimes, because when strangers approach you, you look at them like they have three heads. You can tell which ones you take too, because you give them the gummy smile you are famous for. And others, you just stare and that is all they get. I wonder what your criteria is? Whatever the case, go with your gut kid, it's usually right on.

Speaking of gummy smile, you are still all gums. Every once in a while you will have a rough day and I think - maybe you are teething? But, nope. Nothing. Which is fine. I love your gummy smile and I also enjoy pain free feedings. In the mean time, you continue to stick anything and everything in your mouth. Seriously - everything!!

You also had your 6 month (6.5 months, actually) visit with Dr. Palsky. Dad and I were wondering when you would start catching on to the fact that every time you go to the doctor you get a shot. I hate it, but I know it's best for you. You got the next round of your vaccinations and the seasonal flu shot. We wanted to get you the h1n1 (swine flu) vaccine, but those are hard to come by! The stats from your visit were:

Weight: 17lbs 13oz (48%)

Height: 26" (25%)

Dr. P said we shouldn't be concerned about your height. Another quarter of an inch and you'd be in the 75th percentile. So, don't sweat it. He also said at 7 months we could start to introduce you to "real" solids and meats. Woohoo!

Before turning seven months you felt the need to get a few other milestones under your belt. You started to crawl instead of scoot. But you still favor scooting. And you pull yourself to a stand now too, mostly by pulling on my shirt and grunting your way to a stand. You are pretty amazing, son. I am still betting you'll be walking before we know it.

We have more fun together every day. I feel like you get my jokes, we play games with your toys and you laugh and laugh. You're just so much fun and so happy. I am so lucky to be your mom. I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy