Shore Play Date

Before heading to St. Louis, Christina, Chase, Laura and Sam came down to the shore for a visit. We actually started the day at the beach, but after about an hour, the wind started to howl and the temperature dropped we were all freezing and Chase's lips were turning blue. So we decided to spend the rest of the day at the house and let the kiddies take a nap. We had a great time - I was worried I wouldn't have enough toys to entertain the little ones, but they loved Henry's baby toys and exploring other things around the house. We had a blast, but afterwards I was exhausted, that was with 5 adults and 3 kids - I am amazed that people have kids that close together and can manage by themselves without going crazy!

The scene: 1 infant, 2 toddlers, 3 moms, 1 aunt, 1 grandma (taking picture)

Christina and Henry

Tina, Sam and Henry

The future Mr. & Mrs.

Sam loved Henry's toys

Chase LOVED grandma Sue's hats

Henry's first boat ride

There is nothing better than a boat ride on Table Rock Lake in Missouri's Ozark Mountains. I've been boating on this lake for over 20 years - I learned to ski, tube and knee board on this lake. I also learned how to jump of cliffs and rope swing. And I hope to have Henry do the same - after this trip, I promised him and me that we'd make it a yearly event. The lake is breathe taking - the beautiful water surrounded by rolling green hills and a beautiful blue sky. It's nothing like boating in the Jersey shore - don't get me wrong, I like my shore time, but lake boating takes the cake. The scenery is spectacular and the only waves are from the wakes of other boats. And this year, it was even better. I got to take Henry with me, on his very first boat ride and he loved it! He wasn't a huge fan of the life-vest, but as usual, he put up with. He puts up with everything. I have the world most patient baby.

His grandparents Henry and Donna, great-grandma ("G-G"), and my god-parents, Dennis and Debbie were there for his first boat ride too.

Before going to the dock, we tried on Henry's life-vest for size.

"Aunt" Debbie helped get him on the boat.

Henry's face was smashed the whole time from his life-vest. Can't they make them so they fit better? Some how, he managed to fall asleep as soon as we got going.

Sleeping


"Uncle" Dennis and "Aunt" Debbie Stroot

Aunt Debbie, Grandma Donna, and "G-G" enjoy the ride

Grandpa Henry lets lil' Henry drive.

Captain Henry

Henry had to put his "whole body into it" when we turned the boat.

Happy 3 month birthday!

We celebrated Henry's three month birthday at our family's lake house in Missouri's Ozark mountains sans candles or anything that resembled candles. So, we settled with mini powdered donuts.

It amazes me that another month has gone by already. I can't keep track of the time - every day is a blur, even when we do nothing. I am having such a great time with my little guy. It's amazing how much Henry has grown in the past month and how much more fun he is with each passing day. He is smiling all the time and constantly talking and cooing - every once in a while he gives a little laugh with the smile, pretty soon he'll be laughing up a storm. He is extremely alert and very nosy/curious -he always wants to be walked around to see everything that is going on. If he isn't ready to sit down, he'll let you know it by kicking and fussing. He won't stop until you get back up and walk him around. My favorite development this month, besides the smiles and coos, is Henry's ability to recognize me when I walk in the room, especially after he naps. When I go and get him, he looks at me and smiles. It melts my heart and he gets smothered in a zillion kisses.

Henry's also packing on the pounds. I'd bet he's over 16 pounds to date. And every new family member and most strangers don't let us forget. We are often hear the words, "Wow, he's really big for 3 months." He's a healthy eater, but nothing out of the ordinary. I reassure him after hearing these comments that he isn't fat - he's perfect. Even if he does have little fat rolls where his wrists and ankles should me! More for me to love!

With his new found weight, he's getting much stronger. He loves to stand up (with help) and often times he won't let you bend his legs to sit back down. I can tell he's ready to walk now, if his brain would cooperate. We do a lot of tummy time everyday and every day he improves. He holds his head up high and looks around and kicks his feet to try to crawl. Pretty soon he should be able to put it all together. On July 23 Henry rolled over for his first time. I am not sure if it was an "official" roll over, since I put his arms under his chest, but he was able to get from him tummy to his back without my help. He did the again two more times the next day, but hasn't done it since.

He's sleeping was a little screwy while we were on vacation, waking up once a night for a feeding. But, nothing too terrible to complain about. He had a minor fever one of the days at the lake, and we called Dr. P who told me not to worry, since his temperature wasn't high enough to be an "official fever". We gave him some Tylenol and were told he'd sleep like a champ - similar to what we were told after his first round of shots - but Henry is the opposite, he was up all night. Just like he was up all day after he got his shots. Go figure. I've figured out his napping routine during the day - now I just have to work on getting him to take all of them out of my arms and in his crib.

We had an incredible time visiting family in St. Louis and at the lake. We'll post tons of pictures soon!

Henry's Hairdos

While Henry was sleeping the other day, grandma and I decided to style his hair. We got a little carried away and invited many different looks that Henry could try. Amazingly he slept through all of this, including grandma and I laughing so hard we were crying.

Which one is your favorite?

The Tossle

The Half n' Half

The Butt-cut

The Blow-out

side view of the Blow-out

The Spiked Comb over

The Comb over

The Mohawk

The Mohawk with bangs

The Comb down

Standing and Bouncing

Over the last couple weeks Henry's leg have gotten so strong. He acts like he just wants to get up and walk away. Most of the time when you play with him, he won't let you sit him down, he only wants to stand. I am amazed by how fast he is growing and how strong he is already. In addition to his new found ability to stand ( with assistance ) he is talking and squealing more and more every day.

Before Henry was born I found a Jumper-oo at a garage sale. This morning we tried it out. While Henry can't hold his head up perfectly, all the time, he can do it pretty good and I was going to be there to help him out. As soon as we put him in to it he was so excited. His big eyes got even bigger and he had a huge smile on his face. He tried to reach for all the little bells and whistles in front of him. Then, we realized, his little feet couldn't touch the ground. But that didn't stop us, we helped Henry bounce by putting a phonebook under his little tootsies (for some reason we didn't get a picture of this!). He thought it was so great... for about 5 minutes, then he wanted to move to the next activity. It should be a huge hit in a few more weeks!