1-Year Immunizations

Henry had his 1-year immunizations today. I had to bring him back since he was sick last time and had a high fever. It was a really quick appointment since we didn't actually have to see the doctor, and he did fine, although he got really mad and then immediately cried when the nurse gave him his shots. There were 3 this time. Usually there have been 4-5, so I was thankful that there were less. It's getting harder and harder to watch him have shots now that his awareness about them is increasing.

The problem is that this afternoon after we got home and tonight he was pretty fussy, mostly around meal times. He was acting really hungry, but as soon as I put him in his highchair for lunch and then again for dinner, he started crying and throwing all of his food off of the tray. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this reaction with immunizations?? He didn't eat much, even of his favorites...grilled cheese and bananas (not together on a sandwich though!). He went down really easily tonight and also for his afternoon nap, so it seems like maybe those immunizations just knocked him out. Poor little thing. Hopefully he'll wake up refreshed in the a.m.

On another note...my long time friend Katie who lives in NYC is in the hospital as I write this and will probably be having a baby sometime tonight! Her water broke around 12:00 (eastern) time this afternoon!! I'm SOOO excited...they don't know what they're having, so I'm excited to find out if it's a boy or girl and what he or she will look like!

Cousin Pics

It is just so fun to see Henry and Gabe together. Having babies just 4 months apart is such a blessing. We had lots of fun last weekend watching the two boys play together. Here are some cute pictures from Henry's birthday weekend...

Henry's 1-Year Stats & Fever/Ears

Yesterday was Henry's 1-year well-child doctor's appointment. He wasn't feeling well and had a fever Monday evening and woke up Tuesday morning with the fever and was being extra fussy and just wasn't himself at all, so I was glad that we had an appointment and he would get to see the doctor, although I thought the fever might have been from teething since he had no other symptoms. After the doctor checked him (which by the way he really hated for the first time. As soon as the nurse started measuring his head he started to cry and when the doctor checked his ears and throat--all the basics--he cried so much he was crying real tears. That's when I knew that he was definitely not feeling well at all because usually he's so laid back and nothing bothers him..he usually loves a stranger!)---anyway, after the doctor checked him he announced that his throat looked fine but both of his little ears were infected. So that explains why he's had the fever and been more fussy and having a hard time sleeping, and not being interested in eating. It's so sad because he's really not been himself these past few days. He was playing a little bit tonight, but he got tired faster and wanted to be held a lot. He's on an antibiotic, the same one he took when he had his other ear infection. Hopefully that (along with lots of prayer!) will help kick out the infection fast.

Henry didn't end up getting his immunizations since he was running a fever and already feeling under the weather, so we have to run back in to get those as soon as he's feeling better again. However, they did do all of the measurements..here are his 1-year stats:
Height: 30.5 inches, 70%ile
Weight: 24 lbs 8 oz, 75%ile

1st Bee-Day Party

Henry's first birthday was on Saturday, July 22. It was such an emotional day and few days leading up to his birthday. It's just so hard to believe that my little, precious baby has turned one and is becoming a toddler and little boy. I think the reason his first birthday was so hard for me was because it makes me realize (even though I already knew this, it makes it really real) that Henry will one day turn 5, and 10, and become a teenager, and eventually be moving out on his own. Ok, enough of that fast forward! I really want to savor and enjoy every day and minute of his life. I realize how quickly it passes.

Anyway, Henry's birthday was a fun success. I mostly want to offer all of my thanks and gratitude to my generous family and friends for helping with the party and making it a success. Thank you to my Mom, to Dan and Sara and Gabe who came down early and worked so hard cooking, making ice-cream sandwiches, stuffing favor bags, and running endless errands. And a big Thank you to Holly for coming to Bloomington and helping out with everything from babysitting Henry so Patrick and I could celebrate our anniversary (4, yay!), doing a streamer decorating extravaganza, baking/frosting darling bee cookies, crafting darling favors, and being such a fabulous photographer for the big day. Thank you all so much for helping so much and for making Henry's day so great and memorable.

It was such a fun day, and we were blessed with bee-autiful weather. Seeing family and friends and gathering together to celebrate was the very best part of the day. I'm so thankful for our friends and family for offering their support and love throughout this first year of Henry's life. Thank you so much for being a part of his life and for all of your advice, wisdom, and support. We will continue to need and appreciate it for the years to come!

Our biggest thanks is to God for blessing us with the privilege of being Henry's parents. He is such a happy, bubbly, energetic, sweet, fun boy. Last year at this time we could have never imagined how much our lives would be changed and enhanced for the better. He brings so much joy to our lives and we are so thankful for the blessing of this precious little baby.

Henry's First Steps

Henry taking some of his first steps in the kitchen with Daddy. July 9, 2006. They're not much of walking steps, but more of trying to run!

Henry's 1st Steps!!

Tonight we were sitting out on the front porch (enjoying the newly improved porch!) and Henry was playing. He's been pulling up on things and then letting go and balancing, but tonight he pulled up to Patrick and then let go and took 2 steps!!! We were both there to see it and both so excited. Then we came inside to make dinner and Patrick pulled him up to standing and let him get his balance and then he let him go and Henry took more steps. Only this time they were more of running steps..definitely not slow or cautious...yikes! He just leans his entire self forward and goes. His record for steps is 7 at a time. Both my mom and Patrick's parents (who babysit Henry on Fridays) have said that they don't think Henry will walk...they think he will run....well...I'm starting to think we're in for some trouble because they might be right :-) I guess I always thought he would be a late walker since he was such a late crawler and is such a good, speed crawler. And I guess he still might be, but after watching him try so hard tonight, I think he's determined and ready to go!

Above are some pics of him letting go and walking tonight. Excuse the naked baby...he was outside and got soaking wet playing in the sprinkler that's watering our new landscaping! I also took a short video..I will post as soon as Google video gets it up!

Front Porch and Landscaping Facelift

The past two weekends we've been working on the outside of our house, doing some much needed work to add some curb appeal to this place. Below are some before/after's of the front porch and the front of our house with new landscaping. I didn't remember to take an actual before pic, so it's a picture from when Dan and Patrick were working on the roof in May.

Last weekend Patrick's mom came over and helped us plant and mulch our front...we planted Holly bushes (all for you Holly H!), hydrangea's for some color, some kind of evergreen and some other bush type called a barberry. We also hung some fern hanging baskets, and planted some geraniums for some more color up front. Then throughout the past week and thru today we've been working on the front porch and front of the house...we scraped the old green paint off of the porch and painted it red, painted the screen door red, replaced the light fixture, hung black shutters (the old ones were green with heart cut-outs...ugg), painted wooden plant boxes black and planted impatiens, painted the porch swing black, and painted two wicker chairs black that used to sit on our back deck. All in all I think it's a great change...it was much needed and I think we'll definitely be spending lots of time out there!