Spinner's Socks

We needed a laugh one night after putting Henry down, and Spinner delivered - after we put Henry's socks on his paws.

More peas, peas

Once Henry turned six month he started to love eating! It was like a "switch" went off all the sudden and he had been eating for years. Like "duh, mom, give me more, I'm starvin'!" For about a month he had only rice cereal - nasty, nasty, nasty. He didn't really ever eat it, but it was good practice. Then we introduced sweet potatoes and bananas. At first, neither were a big hit. Then one day, they were. I couldn't get the food in his mouth fast enough. He was eating a full bowl (well, a full baby sized portion!) It's so fun - I look so forward to meal time! Since then we've also introduced pears and peas. Yummy, yummy. (We've also discovered what solids do to our diapers. Deeelicious!)

Halloween Party

Henry had his first 1st Birthday/Halloween Party this weekend and all the kiddos got to wear their costumes! It was a great time - and quite the celebration! Henry loved meeting all the kids and watching all the people.

Henry is/was a chicken this year for Halloween (or as Brian says, "A Rooster, my son isn't going to be a chicken for Halloween.") Whatever. He was cute no matter what and totally didn't mind being all dressed up! He even worked his magic with the ladies (a witch, monkey and a lobster!)

Mallory, the birthday girl!

Henry, moving in on Ellie.

Getting ready for the kiddie parade!

Walking in the parade - Henry was more interested in the falling leaves.The last time I saw this many people outside, taking pictures of their kids, was my prom. Boy have times changed!

Hi-5

Henry LOVES the kid show, Hi-5 on Discovery Kids. If I'd let him, he'd watch it all day long. As soon as he hears the opening music he whips his head around to look at the TV. And doesn't stop watching until it's over or I turn it off. I've even tried to block his view with my hand and he moves his head around to see the TV. I don't think he grasps why he can't see the TV when my hand is there. It's quite hilarious. It has been a god send the last couple months - I can turn it on and quickly run around to get a few things done! I don't know how mom's who don't let their kids watch TV survive!

He watches them sitting up...

and laying down.

I also found some short Baby Einstien and Wiggles videos on Youtube.com. Henry loves these too! Grandpa spoiled him the weekend he was visiting and let Henry watch video after video after video. So spoiled!

Henry's Baptism

We baptized Henry on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Woodside Presbyterian in Yardley. I've been attending Woodside since 1995, not religiously (no pun intended). I attended during my high school years - not without fighting with my mom every Sunday about sleeping in vs. attending church. I got away from church during my college years - since I went away to school in North Carolina and still when I moved back and got married. It took some time to get back - I found my way again when we were trying to get pregnant with Henry. This time, on my own. I feel in love with the church, it's community, and our Pastor Doug. I felt really proud to be part of such a great place and knew I wanted Henry to be part of it, too. Although, I am sure, once he gets older, I'll have the same fights with him that I had with my mom!

The Baptism - it was a chilly and rainy day - with two Nor'easters hitting the coast in one weekend. And of course, as our luck would have it, it was the very weekend Grandma and Grandpa Holzapfel were coming to visit. Uncle Alex and his girlfriend Danielle came for the weekend too. Everyone had to get up early Sunday - one shower, six people. When we awoke, we didn't think Alex and Danielle made it home from the night before, because they weren't downstairs.... then Grandpa H looked outside and found them in their car! Turns out, we (Brian) forgot to leave the door unlocked the night before. They were cold and tired, but still put on a happy face for Henry's big day. They both tried to call, several times, but our cell phones were on vibrate and there were left downstairs. And Uncle Alex refused to bang on the door for fear of waking up Henry on his "big day". We owe him one for this act of kindness (I'm not sure I would have been that nice!).

After the Baptism we had family and close friends over to celebrate. Henry, having missed his nap time for the ceremony, went straight to bed for his nap. But he made an appearance at the end.

All the pics we took and this is the only one we got of Henry in his Baptism outfit!

Cutting Henry's cake

Opening presents (with a little help)

Family photo!

Henry's grandpas

Henry's Godparents

Dad, Andrew, Uncle Dale and Henry
The Fields family

Let the crawling begin...almost

Whenever Henry is on the floor, he's usually on all fours, rocking back and fourth. It's like he knows what he has to do, but just can't get all his parts to cooperate. He's taken several face plants, but has also learned to avoid them by laying on his belly and doing "the worm" to get where and what he wants. It's really exciting, but I also realize my days of putting him down and coming back to him in the same place (or close to the same place) are numbered! I guess we'll be baby proofing the house soon!

Jumping tootsies

Usually, Henry bounces in his jumper with socks on. But this weekend was nice enough to go sans socks. When he was in his jumper we noticed that he jumps on the knuckles of his toes! And it looks like it hurts. After he is done they are all red. But he just keeps jumping and jumping! Brian kids that he is going to tie boards to the bottom of his feet so he stops curling his toes! (He also curls his toes when he stands up. Apparently, this is the only Holzapfel trait that we've found so far. My mom and I both curl our toes under when we're sitting barefoot.)

Katie and Rebecca also came by this weekend to witness the incredible toe jumper. They got a real kick out of it!

Tickle Monster

Henry is ticklish! He cracks up, but not in his normal giggle and squeal. It's more of a grunt and grins. It makes me crack up, too!

We've been caught

We're about 2 weeks into the fall season and all ready the whole family (minus Spinner) is down and out with a nasty cold. It started this past Saturday with Henry - he was starting to get the sniffles a little cough and many, many sneezes. I wasn't overly concerned... but as the days wore on, his nose got more and more runny and he got more cranky. But, the fever has stayed away - thank goodness. To top it off, I came down with the same thing on Sunday and still fighting it. And the icing....Brian, the world's biggest baby (yes, bigger than Henry) came down with the same thing last night. It's a snot fest over here. Next person up to bat, Nancy, the nanny.


I'm learning really quickly, that colds and babies do not mix. It isn't so much the crankiness or the sliminess, but the torture they have to endure to feel better - or just breathe. As far as I am concerned, baby nasal aspirators are a form of baby torture. I feel like every time I have to do it to Henry I am causing emotional and psychological damage.... not from the sucking of the snot, but from holding his hands, arms and head down while he screams. Poor thing.

P.S. Tomorrow kicks off my first day back to work. Things with Nancy have been going pretty good. It's really, really, REALLY hard to give up control of your baby. I don't think it is going to get easier anytime soon.

You make me feeling like bouncing!

Before Henry was born, we picked him up a Jumperoo at a local garage sale. I knew some day he'd get a big kick out it, but that day was pretty far off. Well, as with most everything else, that day came in a blink of an eye. I've been putting Henry in his bouncer for a couple months now, but really for just a place to "put" him while I run and do something. He's have never actually "bounced". But today he bounced and bounced and bounced - sometimes for 30 minutes straight. Of course, he had his first bouncing session with his new nanny, Nancy. A really nice lady, but of course, I wasn't there to witness it nor was I the one that got to teach him how to bounce. Today was Nancy's second day with Henry and I have to force myself to go do things around the house to give her time with him. That in itself breaks my heart, but then he goes and do something awesome and I missed it. Darn it.

This first video is Henry and Nancy- after he just learned how to bounce.

In this video I was reading Henry a Dr. Seuss book while he was in his bouncer. He was cracking up. Please excuse my horrendous voice.

Dinner with the Palskys

The other night we had the Palsky's over for dinner. It was a terrific evening - mostly spent watching Chase run around like a wild man. He's a hoot to watch and you can't take your eyes off of him. And he adores you. He is always yelling "Hen, Henry!". And he runs up to you gives you hugs and kisses when he sees you. I think you'll be great friends some day. And luckily, the Palsky's are in it for the long haul, because they graciously accepted to be your god-parents. Or as Chase said, you two are now "god-brothers". Cute. You are lucky to have such wonderful people in your life and just around the corner - so if mom and dad ever drive you nuts, you can always hide out at there house. Now, the trick is to never let them move away from Yardley. Because you know we never will...

Here's a video of Chase singing you his favorite "Wiggles" song and included some love taps. You seemed totally fine with this, too.