Some random photos from May – my birthday, mother’s day & just warm weather fun!
One of my favorite memories of Disney from when I was a kid was hanging out with my family on the Boardwalk. There’s food and street performers and it’s just really cool looking.
Last night, we decided to wrangle the kids and take them there for dinner. Unfortunately, due to our late afternoon at Downtown Disney, I had to wake C from her nap (at 6pm) to leave (never an easy transition).
Right when we arrived, a performer was about to start. He juggled and had a whole schtick. He was actually quite funny. There were only two people in the whole area who were pretty straight-faced. Who? My children.
There were a couple times when they had half smiles…
Once C had a juice box (I showed her that I had bought her one and she didn’t know what it was… special treat for the lady!), she was refueled and ready to go.
We had dinner, watched the sunset, ate a funnel cake, watched another performer and played a bit more!
Charlie woke up singing about the beach where the sharks live from her pink bunk bed (I need to remember to take a picture). She’s already loving her “Florida home,” as she calls it.
This am, Mark & C played while henry napped and Dad and I went to the convention center to set up our trade show booth.
We finished around 1130, scooped up everyone at the house and headed to downtown Disney. C was pumped to see Mick-Mouse, but unfortunately, Downtown Disney is more of an outdoor mall than anything else.
Sillies
First stop: Irish pub for lunch
After lunch, we explored, saw kids singing, Went on C’s first ride (train fun), and more! Good stuff ❤
Q
And how could I forget, we went to a CUPCAKE store for “puck cakes wif frinkles!”
My eye has been twitching for two weeks and I’m going to guess that it 100% correlates to yesterday’s 2.5 hour flight to Orlando. Who would have thought that flying with a 10 month old who never falls asleep in public settings would cause stress…
The day before my flight, I really honed my inner cheerleader. You can do this! 2.5 uninterrupted hours with yours kids and hubs (and parents – we’re in FL for a trade show)… you love those people. Etc, etc.
I was in a good mindset, but unfortunately, running on 4 hours of sleep, which was a bit rough. But, honestly, everyone did really well. 
Of course, there was no sleeping and NO WIFI… wtf, southwest!? I was counting on Fwozen for a certain toddler… but other than that, all was great.
And, of course, with all the random toys I brought, which was the best? POST-IT NOTES!!
We kept sticking them to the back of the seat and henry would rip them off and throw them on the ground.
The kid loves to destroy…
Some other pics…
By the time we finished the flight, got our million bags, and arrived at the rental car counter, the general mood was:
Tiny Hemy was zonked…
Last week, our favorite New Yorkers came to town! Mark’s sister, Erika, her hubby Mike & the nieces, Emily & Audrey. Unfortunately, we had a rough start to the visit. Poor Audrey was diagnosed with the flu (influenza) just days before coming to Milwaukee. We were supposed to get together for a big family Sedar (for passover) on that Monday, but ended up cancelling because we didn’t want to risk spreading the flu to the kids (they’re still very high risk).
We ended up seeing them on Tuesday (they had arrived on Saturday) and just about every day after. So, while we had a slow start, the trip was really great! Charlotte and Henry ADORE their cousins and vice versa. It was amazingly cute watching the four kids. I’m talking wagon rides and ring around the rosy cute… reading stories together cute… it was good stuff.
Poor little C got so used to seeing her cousins, she couldn’t quite understand why they weren’t coming over the days after they left Wisconsin. In fact, she cried the whole way home from school on Monday because she wanted to see Audrey.
Thank goodness for technology… the kids spent a good 30+ minutes chatting on FaceTime a couple nights ago. AND, we’ll be trekking out to NY next month over Memorial Day! The kids are SO excited, and so are we! It’s going to be a blast.
So, I wrote the list below last week after bawling my eyes out on the driveway (and inside the house) over my guilt. I had been chatting with a friend that morning and had asked her what her kiddo did at 10 months. I kept having this feeling that I just wasn’t doing as much with Henry as I had with C. She read off this whole list of “skills” her babes was doing at 10 months (she keeps track in an ongoing note on her phone), and as I listened, I got this terrible, sinking feeling.
For whatever reason, the two things that stood out the most to me were the fact that he was signing and the biggest one, that her son loved animals. HE LOVED ANIMALS? Does Henry even know what a flipping animal is? Shit. Seriously, besides Toby (our pup), have I ever specifically pointed out an animal in his entire 10 months of life? What the fuck? Why would I not show him animals?
So that was my mindset. (And all the other items below)
Since I started this post, here’s what I’ve done and where I’m at…
First of all, I slept about 24 hours in 2 days. That helped.
Then, I reminded myself that I’m always doing the best that I can and that I should use this situation as a reminder of what I’d like to be doing with Henry and just try as hard as I can to do at least some of it.
So, I’ve been reading with Henry. Two books when he wakes up in the AM, from his naps and before bed. AND, GUESS WHAT? Henry LOVES books. He’s amazing at turning the pages and he loves books with the flaps. He can lift the flaps all by himself and he really enjoys it. See what I did?!? I learned something about my guy.
I’ve been showing him animals using his animal puzzle… to the point that he’s probably thinking, “Ok, mom. STFU and give me my puzzle piece so I can shove it in my mouth and move on.” But whatever.
And, most importantly, I’ve been taking some time during his awake time at work to just play with him and enjoy him. While having him at work is such a blessing, it’s also REALLY hard. Especially when I’m busy. It’s hard to shut off my work mind and go all momma on a situation and then switch right back. But, I’ve been doing it and things have been going well this week. We’ve had some nice time together and I’ve been getting a lot done.
I guess the MOST important thing is probably just giving myself a break. I get so caught up in doing everything and managing everything, that I feel totally paralyzed. In trying to do everything, I just shut down and can’t do anything… which, of course, just stresses me out even more.
I’m trying to just relax before my body (and/or mind) just explode.
Deep Breaths. Just Keep Swimming…
So many mantras.
**I failed my goal below…**
I’m determined to get this damn post up within 1 week of Henry’s 10 month mark (April 2). With that said, what in the what!? How is H-pie already 10 months old? That’s 2 months shy of a year (in case you were struggling with the math). My sleepy and distracted mom-brain can’t handle that. My baby is getting SO OLD and time is flying.
Excuse me while I hyperventilate.
Okay, done.
Onto my big old lovey of a man who made some big changes over the past month. It was a significant developmental month for H.
Weight: Henry is somewhere between 23 and 24 lbs. That puts him at around the 75th percentile. Dang, Henry, you skinny.
Height: Henry is 29.5″… Mommy is 60″. Yup. Henry Morris is a 1/2″ shy of half my height… at 10 months old. While that number seems surprising (as I think C was 30″ at her 2 year check up???), H has moved from the 95th to the 75th percentile for height.
Health Updates: Henry had another little cough/cold and woke up with a big fat puffy eye the other day. OH! And the little stinker was eye goobering everywhere (although didn’t seem to have pink-eye – doc and I agreed) and managed to give his momma a nice solid case of pink eye. I haven’t worn make-up or contacts in a week (feels longer). Pink eye is the devil.
Sleep: Henry continues to be a great sleeper; although, not at the same caliber as his sleepy older sis. He goes to bed around 6:30 and most often wakes up at around 6:30, but sometimes as late as 7:30 or 8. Naps, on the other hand, are not AS great. They’re still good… but not Charlie good.
His schedule these days most commonly looks like this:
630/7: Wake up (we will usually either give him a bottle or I’ll nurse him)
7:30/8: Breakfast (2 egg yolks)
9ish: He typically naps for 1.5-2 hours in the morning (wake up between 10 and 1130ish)
12/1: Nap – This nap is usually 2-3 hours. Probably most often around 2.5 hours. Today; however, it was 1.75 hrs. Not. Enough.
2:30/3:30: Sometime between 2:30 and 3:30pm (most commonly) Henry wakes up.
2:30/3:30-4:30: Henry destroys mommy’s office, pulls cords, generally speaking, he f’s things up.
5/5:30: Dinner
5:30/6:30: Bed – Some nights this is a little later, but lately, Henry has been pretty sleepy and ready to go to bed around 530.
Clothes/Diapers (Sizes): Henry wears 12m and 18m clothing and size FIVE diapers. If Charlie were still in diapers, they’d be in the same size. HOLY COW!
Diet: Mr. Henry face LOVES food and drinking water from his sippy cup. He holds on with both hands and tips it back for a good solid chug. 70% of the time, he then lets the water spill out of his mouth.
As for new foods… oh I don’t know! I feel like it’s been a lot of the same. He seems to enjoy peas? Also, confession, I’m excited to be done breastfeeding… or at least pumping. I’ve made it very clear that I LOATHE pumping, which has not changed. In the past few weeks, I’ve switched from pumping twice a day to only once (slight improvement).
But honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of breastfeeding this time around. I loved it with C, but they’re so different. With Charlotte, she never cuddled… like, ever… EXCEPT when she nursed. She would just curl up like a little love and I adored that time with her.
Henry, on the other hand, is a total cuddler. It’s amazing and wonderful and I just LOVE Henry hugs. They’re amazing. He smashes his face against mine or puts his big noggin on my shoulder. It’s total heaven. HOWEVER, when he nurses, it’s not really like that so much. He gets distracted SO easily, he’s bitten SO many times (so I tend to be on edge), and it’s just not comfortable. Maybe C was a gentle nurser… Henry, not so much.
With all of that said, I’m excited to wean. We’ll see how H feels about that… especially because he literally wants to crawl back inside my uterus on a daily basis.
Teeth: The Henry man has lots of chompers. He’s currently at SEVEN! 4 on the bottom, 3 on top… but that 4th one on top will come through any day. He looks like such a little jack-o-lantern man with those tiny spaced out teeth. Gives me a good chuckle.
ALTHOUGH, Henry has been known to use those chompers for inappropriate chomping. The other day, he leaned in to give big sister a nice smooch on the cheek. They both lingered in the cheek kiss when all of a sudden, Charlotte screamed and started crying. Apparently, Henry couldn’t resist those chubby Charlie cheeks.
He also bites me now and then… on the arm, leg, nipple… good stuff. I pray that this little phase ends quickly and never returns. Ever.
Baby Gear Love: Guys, we lost Henry’s Comotomo Teether that he sleeps with every night. Oops. Thankfully he’s a chill little man and was okay with the replacement random teether I’ve been giving him. As for other toys, he still loves everything dangerous, truly enjoys fucking things up (shredding paper, pulling cords, yanking drawers open, throwing cell phones, etc).
Milestones/Firsts: Mr. Henry is now officially an army crawler. He drags himself around, as if he weighs 1,000 lbs. He has gotten his belly off the ground, but still isn’t crawling normally.
He loves to stand (with assistance) and to pull himself up on mommy. I’m guessing he’ll probably start walking around the time he’s 16… years old… Just in time for my hips and back to totally disintegrate.
Henry has totally mastered the art of feeding himself.
Hmmm…
I’m struggling. I know there’s a lot more, but I can’t remember.
He chitter chatters all day. It’s funny because he legit sounds like he’s talking.
Likes: Henry loves food, trouble, mommy, Toby & knocking things over.
Dislikes: Henry HATES when he doesn’t get what he wants. And he doesn’t appreciate having to sit still.
Things I Don’t Want to Forget: Henry totally lights up and bounces and giggles and reaches for me when I enter the room… this usually turns to dramatic, “I need you RIGHT NOW” cries, but still. It’s pretty sweet and funny.
Henry smooches. He loves to kiss and finds it so funny. And oy, he gives such great hugs.
He’s amazing and perfect and I want to give him a big smoochie.
I’ve been working an earlier day on Tuesdays so that I can pick up Charlie from school at 3pm. In doing so, I’ve been able to blend my working momma / SAHM status a little more than normal (which is the beauty of taking Henry to work with me every day).
Well, since I’m home at 3, I get to hang with my favorite momma friends & their broods on occasion. It seems that we’ve had a lot of great weather days on Tuesdays. It’s awesome. We take walks with the kids, blow bubbles, play, etc.
Definitely the highlight to my week!
Note that Miss C loves to care for the younger boys and little H is always smiling!!
Back in February, we took the kids to Discovery World, which has awesome interactive exhibits and an aquarium. It was an abnormally warm and perfect day, so we took advantage by taking a walk by the lake.
Here are some photos…
**From March 14th – was waiting to add photos, but I might as well post it at this point.**
So, I totally missed Henry’s 8 month update. I will be better moving forward.
Weight: Henry doesn’t have his next checkup until 3/29, but I weighed him at the office and he was 23 lbs. Daaaaang, Hemy! You big, man.
Height: He’s just so big. It’ll be interesting to see where he’s at in a few weeks.
Health Updates: Henry had a cold back in January, but otherwise, has managed to avoid illness. In January, he had a spot of blood in his urine (visible in his diaper). It turned out to be nothing.
Sleep: Henry is such a good sleeper! He’s really been improving his napping and is really just lovely. I put him to bed awake most of the time and he just does his thing – plays, snuggles his reindeer, whatever – and goes to sleep.
In terms of his schedule, most commonly, it looks like this:
630/7: Wake up (we will usually either give him a bottle or I’ll nurse him)
8/9: He typically naps for 2 hours in the morning (wake up between 10 and 1130ish) – some naps are closer to 3+ hours, but on average, it’s about 2 hours.
11/12: Nap
2:30/4: Sometime between 2:30 and 4pm Henry wakes up. Henry could probably use one more quick nap after this; however, he REFUSES. Whine, cry, scream, fuss… that’s what Henry has to say about a third nap. I don’t push it because he’s technically sleeping more than enough between his (2) 1.5+ hour naps and 12+ hours of night sleep. (14-15 is recommended… Henry is over well over 14.)
5/5:30: Dinner
5:30/6: Bed – Some nights this is a little later, but lately, Henry has been pretty sleepy and ready to go to bed around 530.
Clothes/Diapers (Sizes): Henry wears 12m and 18m clothing and size FIVE diapers. If Charlie were still in diapers, they’d be in the same size. HOLY COW!
Diet: Henry is now eating 3 solid meals a day and has definitely started drinking a bit less milk (remember, he was drinking 9 oz bottles!!), but I’m pretty sure it’s still according to recommendations. As for solids, here’s what he’s tried since Month 6:
I’m sure there’s more, but that’s all I can come up with right now…
Long story short, the boy loves to eat.
Teeth: This boy has so many teefers! He has three on the bottom and one on top… AND his second on the top is almost through. His poor gum is SO SWOLLEN, it hangs further down than its neighboring tooth that’s already out. Hopefully it will break soon.
Yesterday, Henry used all his new, shiny teeth to bite mommy right on the arm. He had been nursing and then took a break, lifted his little head to my arm, CHOMPED down, and quickly looked up at me with a laugh.
Should I be frightened?
Baby Gear Love: Henry’s two lovies that he sleeps with continue to be his reindeer Rodolfo. and the Comotomo Teether. These are his essentials. Other favorite items of Henry’s: danger, cords, glass tables, paper (for shredding, crumpling, and knocking to the floor), my cell phone (his favorite $300 chew toy.. also loves to hear it being thrown to the floor). He also really loves this Giraffe Ball Popper toy, anything Charlie’s holding, and this little spinning toy that’s supposed to promote crawling (or rolling in Henry’s case).
For me, I actually just bought my THIRD ergo baby. Not because I want a collection, but because I’ve had two that I bought or received as a gift with C and returned both because I didn’t use them. Well, with Henry, it’s perfect! I think because he’s such a large man, I need the extra ergonomical support. I bought this Ergo Baby for $25 used on my kidcycle (buy, sell, trade) website. How cute are those whales?
I’ve actually also been using the double stroller again (now that the temps are a little less arctic). I think it’s going to be a huge asset this spring/summer.
Milestones/Firsts: Henry is definitely mobile; however, his only mode of transportation is rolling. He rolls EVERYWHERE. Forward, backwards, 6 rolls in a row. The kid is motivated and skillful. He can roll himself right under the couch. “Oh no! Mommy, Hemy under the couch!” True story.
Henry is also mastering “mama”… this is definitely more consistent in the past couple of days. He also seems to say “more” and “nom nom nom nom” when things are delish.
He waves! That’s pretty cute. He’s probably been doing that for a month now.
He can get food into his own mouth.
He can move himself backwards in the walker.
He can sit up… although he still tends to fall over.
He gives kisses!!!! Oh this is my fave. Wide open mouth kisses. And HUGE hugs.
He can pick up chicks with his sparkle eyes.
He can eat a full apple. (aka he can gnaw on it and maybe eat the equivalent of 1/4 tsp)
He does “TOUGH GUY!!”
He went to his first aquarium (at Discovery World)
He took his first bath with his sissy.
Likes: Henry is a lover of life. He’s so chill and adaptable. He really loves rolling all over the place and getting into trouble. He loves pulling hair and ripping glasses of faces. He loves to snuggle. Oh does that boy know how to smush his face against mine and snuggle. He loves when anybody talks to him. He loves to laugh. He loves eating. He loves to mess with Toby.
Dislikes: Being put down when he wants to play. Being overtired. When someone (usually me) takes a toy from his hand. When I don’t feed him fast enough. The hours of 2:30-4:45.
Things I Don’t Want to Forget: Those sparkle eyes. Man do they get me. Henry’s entire face just lights up with love and joy and happiness. When he looks at me so lovingly, I just melt. I want to just keep that in my pocket forever. Mr. Sparkles.
Also, the snuggles. Oh the snuggles. When I put him to bed, 4/5 times, he snuggles in so close to me. He puts his smushy cheeks against mine… not lightly, but like, smashed into my face. And we rock with our faces smashed together and it’s magical. Literal magic. Sometimes, if he’s too tired for smashy face, he just puts his little head on my shoulder until I melt into a puddle on the ground. Essentially, I melt for this loving boy.
Yesterday, Charlie, Henry and I were sitting on the floor. Henry was in my lap, Charlotte across from us. We were opening up this makeup subscription package that I get. The box had a perforated tear away strip to make opening the box easier. Charlie ripped the box open, making a silly noise as it tore across the perf. Henry was in hysterics. Once opened, Charlie began ripping through everything. She was grabbing items, opening tops, squeezing containers too hard, etc. And I was on total mom (and makeup present) defense: “Charlotte, don’t squeeze that!” “Put that top back on” “Please give me that!” All the while, tiny Henry was literally laughing HYSTERICALLY! Nonstop laughter! I have no idea what he thought was so dang funny, but man was he laughing hard! It was pretty silly.
Playing House 