Happy Holidays!

We hope everyone had a good holiday -- we sure did! Henry's first Christmas was wonderful -- spent surrounded by all those that love him! Here are a few photos

Loves his Moose Pillow Pet from Grandma and Grandpa Beach

Aunt Lindsey with Henry at the French Family Christmas

Grandma and Grandpa Beach with Henry at the French Family Christmas

 Christmas morning at our house! 

A new ball from Aunt Katie

Charlie loved all his gifts too!

Thanks Aunt Katie!

Daddy got the Beatles Box Set (Mono, of course!)

Helping Mommy unwrap her gifts

With Uncle Adam

A quick Sobczak family picture the morning after Christmas!

We finally caught his amazing smile on camera!! :) 

Happy Holidays!

rollin' rollin' rollin'

He's on the move! Henry first rolled over almost 4 weeks ago, but then seemingly went into hibernation mode, just being content eating his hands, pulling on mommy's hair, grabbing Daddy's glasses, and blowing bubbles. But now the rolling is back -- and in full force! 

He rolled over about 10 times yesterday!

Caught it on video!

Speedy Santa?

Yesterday we attempted to visit Santa. Henry was in a very happy mood, so we dressed him in his holiday outfit and arrived at the mall around 11am. After waiting in line, we arrived at the desk and were then informed that the next time we could see Santa was at 6:48... P.M. Huh? Are.You.Kidding.Me.????

Now, I know Santa is popular, but this is out of control. The woman looked at my shocked face and let me know that Santa arrives everyday at 8am, and that many people are waiting in line before he arrives. Okay, since Henry goes to bed at 6:30p.m., we declined the Santa Pass and resigned to the fact that we would have to try again the following day... which was today.

We did it. We arrived at 8:50 a.m... our Santa Pass was for 10:37a.m (much better!) Henry took a nap as we  finished a little Christmas shopping and promptly at 10:40a.m., Henry met the man in the big red suit!

No smiles... but also no crying -- success!

Santa didn't want Henry grabbing his beard!

Waiting to see Santa with Mommy

Almost a smile for the camera... 

Aunt Katie was also very excited for Henry's first visit with Santa!

And after the two day Santa experience, my sister and I have come up with a great business plan -- "Speedy Santa" for infants -- no talking to Santa required, just the picture taking! The other option is to pay off a family that has a Santa Pass for an earlier time than you. Either or....

Happy Holidays!

15 weeks!

Henry is 15 weeks today! I am still amazed at how fast the time has gone and how big he has grown! At 12 weeks he rolled for the first time, and has done it a few times since then. He talks all the time! He even wakes up talking in the morning. We are still going to Mommy and Baby yoga (loving it!), taking daily walks with Charlie, and attending Seed Babies class. Every day is a wonderful, new experience and I am cherishing every moment. 

Can't you just tell that these two are going to be the best of friends? 

Say Cheese!

We attempted family photos today.... good idea in theory, but after a long night and a morning with no nap, Henry wasn't very interested in smiling for the camera. He would smile, but as soon as the camera was picked up, the smile disappeared. grrr. But, when all was said and done, the photographer was able to capture a few nice photos, despite the few meltdowns along the way.

Henry - 3 months

... and he's done!

(Beach Family 2011 Holiday card?!?)

9.5.... but I give it a 10!

Henry slept for 9.5 hours straight last night! And then added a few more after he ate. :) We've found that Henry likes to go to bed early... by 7pm. We were putting him to be around 8 and by this time he was overtired and would fight going to bed.  Now, bath and bedtime are even more fun. An early bedtime also means more time that Mommy and Daddy get to see one another during the day!

Henry is 14 weeks old today!

Henry and Charlie are ready for Santa!

LOVES looking at the Christmas Tree lights!

Charlie's holiday haircut

New Experiences

Henry and I have been quite the busy pair!

We participated in our first Mommy/Baby Yoga class this week, which was beyond great. It felt so good to do yoga for an hour again and Henry was so interested in watching me and everyone else in the class -- he was perfectly content watching me/sucking on his hands/and working on rolling from his back to his belly. Henry also participated with his own stretching and some infant massage at the end of the class. I think we will return next week!

Also, for the past 5 weeks we have been attending "Seed Babies," an infant playgroup. It has been a wonderful experience watching Henry with the other babies in the class -- it really has put life into perspective for me watching the babies roll, play with toys, and enjoy the singing we do with them! It has also been a wonderful experience for me talking with the other first time Moms - one of my favorite hours during the week!

Another new experience is Henry's sleep habits!! He has been sleeping much much more at night -- quite often sleeping for 7 hours, eating, and then sleeping for another 4-5 hours -- makes for one happy Mommy!

Loves to grab everything now!! 

Daddy, Henry, & Charlie

LOVES his bath!

Charlie is always keeping a close eye on Henry

All clean!

Supermarket Sweep!

I loathe grocery shopping... always have, but even more so now that I usually have Henry in tow. He generally doesn't like being in his car seat (unless he is sleeping) and I don't always have the baby bjorn with me, so I usually end up running through trader joes/whole foods/meijers/target/costco/name any store like a contestant on Supermarket Sweep. I feel like I am racing through the store with a clock counting down (that would be Henry before he starts to get upset or the time when I need to get back to the house to feed him) trying to grab as many items as possible that will make dinners and keep the house/clothes/people clean.

What usually happens is I make a list, but forget said list or don't have time to refer to said list. And usually I'm approaching the checkout, I remember that "one" item - that "golden" item (worth lots of points, but usually at the opposite end of the store from where I am) but then see Mr. Henry stirring and getting antsy, so I leave that item on the shelf, quickly check out, and hope that next time I can win this game.

3 Months!

Henry is 13 weeks/3 months today! It's so hard to imagine that at this time 3 months ago I was in labor, with about 4 more hours to go (2 hours of that was pushing!).

On my due date, September 1, 2011

And after 18 hours of labor... we met our baby boy!

and 13 weeks later...

We love you, Henry!! 

xo, Mom, Dad, & Charlie