Fleeting Moments

Kim

Fleeting Moments

There are so many fleeting moments to motherhood.  There are things that you think you'll remember forever, but then don't.  You can't.  Things change so quickly.  Little ones grow ridiculously fast.  Newborns become infants who become babies who become toddlers who become little boys all within the first two years of life.  It really is amazing. 

A little post-naptime (pre-haircut) reading.

I know that these are not novel observations.  Any parent will tell you this, and we were told this numerous times when we were expecting Henry.  In fact, we are still reminded of this fact by the older and wiser ones around us.  I can only imagine that it gets worse...that times flies by even more quickly as it continues on.

I feel like I was more aware of this fact early on in Henry's life.  I mean, you can't fully understand it as it is happening, but I was at least aware of it.  Maybe part of it was that I recognized how sleep-deprived I was and the low-capacity at which my brain was actually functioning.  It was all I could do in the early weeks to remember when Henry last ate and to remember to feed myself.  I practically burned down the house one day (ok, not really), because I left a pot on the stove of boiling water, sanitizing bottles, while we went on a walk around the neighborhood.  We came back to smoldering plastic and a house filled with white smoke.  I know I wrote some disjointed posts early on about things I didn't want to forget about Henry's first days.  My blogging has slowed in Henry's second year, but I do still want to chronicle those little fleeting moments, and with babe #2 on the way, there is no doubt that documenting these things will be even more important, as my brain tries to wrap itself around two little amazing beings.

Just hanging out with Fish Dog on the deck.

All that to say, here are a few of my current favorite don't-ever-want-to-forget-them things about Henry:

• He is a chatterbox!  I know I have been saying this for a while, but he talks all the time.  Sometimes you understand it, sometimes you don't, but he always has something to say.  He's putting 3 words together easily and loves identifying things, directing you, and ensuring that you are aware of what he's doing at all times.  Everyone who encounters him comments on how verbal he is...a random man in the line at Zaxby's the other day turned around and said, "You sure can say a lot for such a little baby!"  I think it is great.  It is also hilarious.  I love hearing his thoughts and getting a glimpse into what is going on in that mind of his.
• On that same topic, Henry is still a parrot.  He will repeat anything you say - and he doesn't forget that you've said it either.  His memory amazes me.  For example, one morning on our way into church we ran into my co-worker and she had her new puppy with her.  Every day since, as we've gotten out of the car, Henry has said, "Doggie?  Doggie go home?" Even weeks later, he comments on the dog.  And back to the parrot thing...you definitely have to watch what you say because he is going to repeat it back to you.  Football season has become much more subdued around our house these days :).
• He pronounces all of his "L's" as "Y's" right now...so he says, "yight" instead of "light" and "heyyo" instead of "hello."  I love it.
• In the past few weeks he has started to pretend, and I have seen glimpses of his imagination at work.  He loves to high five his stuffed money or try to give him some milk.  He also will talk on the "phone."  His favorite person to call these days is Grammie.
• He is into trains (choo-choos) lately.  I think this started with our trip to Disney World, but it has really grown.  Seems like such a quintessential "boy" thing and it is precious. 
• He really loves Fisher.  He still calls her "Sher Dog," and his favorite thing to do it to get his cup of crackers and run around the house with it while she chases him.  Fisher can't resist the temptation of Goldfish, and follows right along beside him, around and around.  She never gets aggressive with him though, just follows him closely, hoping for the stray crumb (of which there are usually plenty). 

When did he get so big?!

I'll post a separate pregnancy update soon.  All is well and we are moving into the 3rd trimester(!).  Although for whatever reason, there seems to be something about the 25-28 week time span that just gets to me.  Last time it was the massive meltdown over the sugar test. This time it has been something similar, but different as well.  I am blaming it all on hormones.  While I recognize the irrationality in it, you just can't control it sometimes.  Anyways, more on that later. 

Back to School

Kim

Back to School

This summer definitely flew by.  We had a ton of rain at the beginning and it didn't really feel like summer.  By the time it warmed up and things got back to normal, Labor Day was here.  Preschool takes a break over the summer, so Henry spent a lot of time with babysitters at home.  I have three wonderful girls (and a great mother-in-law) who kept him, and he did fine.  It took a little getting used to, but then he was in a new routine and all was well.  It is quite a bit more expensive to pay a babysitter, as opposed to preschool, but you do what you have to do, right?  I am thankful I only have to do it for a couple of months each year.

Preschool started back this week.  I am love that Henry gets to come to work with me again now.  He's moved up to a new class this year, so he has definitely spent this week adjusting to things, but I know he'll get into the new routine soon enough.  He has cried every morning when I leave him, but soon after he is happily playing, so I know he is ok.  He is also re-adjusting to all the action.  Over the course of the summer we pretty much dropped his morning nap (because I knew they didn't take a nap at preschool this year), but by 12pm he still gets pretty tired.  At home with a babysitter he could rest and watch Pooh or read books, but he doesn't get that sort of quiet time in preschool.  Sure, they have books and all, but with the other kids around I know he doesn't relax.  This entire week he has been almost too tired to eat his lunch and he falls asleep as soon as I get him in the car to go home.  I think he'll adjust to this too, but it will take a little time. 

He has also managed to catch his first "back-to-school" cold of the season.  I am just hoping it doesn't turn into an ear infection (like it seems to always do), but I've actually already made an appointment with his pediatrician next week to check his ears just in case.  Call me crazy, but I know how these things go for him now, and I just want to be proactive this time around. 

We had a great Labor Day weekend at the beach with family.  The weather was beautiful and we managed to get in some beach time.  Henry didn't try to eat as much sand this time, which was a nice improvement, and he loved running around and chasing his cousin, Myles, on the beach.

Why yes, we did bring a little bathtub down to the beach.  He loved it. 

Looking for fish with Grammie.

Hanging out on the stairs with Grandad.

I can't believe that summer is over.  This pregnancy is moving along and things are going well.  I can't complain.  Sometimes it feels like we still have a long time to go, and other times I feel like I need to get busy so that I can get things done before he gets here!  We're really only about 3 months out!  Hard to believe, but we are excited.