Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Happy Birthday to my Mom -- you are amazing! Thank you for everything you have taught me and are still teaching me... I would be lost without you. Henry is so lucky to have such an amazing Grammie like you! 

Routines

Babies thrive on routine... or so they say. I have been faithfully sticking to a routine for Henry, even forgoing my own (daily showers? who needs them!) to give him consistency with his wake/sleep cycles. Some days I think it is paying off when he naps easily and wakes up happy, and other days I'm left wondering when is it all going to fall into place? I've asked my mother this question countless times, thinking that a mother of four would be able to tell me. Right? Well, she told me, just not the answer I wanted. "It will happen when it happens." Great. Thanks a pantload, Mom!

Needless to say, the past few weeks have been tough. His naps seemed to be getting better, but his nighttime wakings were getting worse, and then some days he would nap for a total of an hour in what a friend calls "disco naps." Two nights ago he woke up 5 times, but last night it was only 2x. And today he is napping. So, I guess my Mother is right, (yes Mom, you are right!) it will happen when it happens... in Henry time.

And of course, some pictures, because that's what everyone reads this blog for, right??

Always together. Always. 

told ya. 

See? Charlie is always close by...

Looking good in his redwings gear -- it fits just in time for their winning streak! 

Cloth Restrictions

If Henry could be naked every moment of the day, he would. He almost never has socks on -- he can get any pair off -- either by rubbing his feet together or just grabbing the toes and pulling on them for a moment or two. He will love you forever if you take his pants off (baby legs have been our new thing to keep his legs warm!) He also gets downright giggly when you are taking his diaper off! It means he can instantly pop his foot (or feet) in his mouth and squirm and move anyway he wants. You see, we are doing cloth diapers, which seem to restrict his ability to nibble on his toes any time he wants. (he can do it, but has to put forth quite the effort!) I often feel bad about this when I see how excited he gets being naked, but I think of the benefits too -- no diaper rash, no diapers going into landfills, saving $$, and they are oh so cute -- he already has a cute bum, but when you add a colorful diaper to it, it's downright adorable :)

I know he is going to be one happy baby come summer when he can roam naked along the shores of Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake. I'll have to figure out how to blur certain parts of photos for those blog posts!

And some more pictures -- because, hey, he's cute!

I love his smiles!

Really starting to prop himself up!

I cherish these photos -- capturing his smile isn't easy!

Loving not having any pants on!

With Aunt Katie :) 

"Hey, I see a baby! And another Charlie!!!"

Mr. Rosy Cheeks

The weather, rollin', naps, and visitors!

What beautiful weather we have been having lately! It's January and the temps are nice and mild -- mild enough to continue to take walks (which Charlie is loving) and enjoy the sunny days we have been having. I know this is supposed to be winter, but I'm sure the snow/freezing temps will hit at some point. But for now I am enjoying getting out and about.

Henry is continuing to be a rolling machine -- rolling from back to front to back again -- and again and again. He has also become very interested in Charlie - always wanting to pet (sometimes pull) his hair, which Charlie has been tolerating very well. We continue to go to yoga, which Henry loves, as well as our infant class. 

Best of all, he is finally starting to develop a nap routine! His morning naps are getting longer and longer, which makes showering, laundry, and picking up the house easier. And his early afternoon nap is getting longer too, which is helping me research/contact daycares and other childcare options for when I have to return to work in (gulp) 7 weeks! Naps help both of us out big time -- Henry is happier and more playful in the afternoon and can (sometimes) make it until Daddy arrives home from work!

We had lots of visitors this weekend. Grandma Sobczak stayed with us on Saturday night and arrived just in time for bath and bedtime, which meant that she got to read bedtime stories to Henry! She also helped us out by watching Henry Sunday morning while we ran out on a few errands! Sunday afternoon Grandma and Grandpa Beach and Aunt Lindsay came over for a visit! Lots of visitors, but Henry was in good spirits after taking a nice long nap! 

And of course we have some pictures to share!!

Henry and Charlie -- always together!

Henry and Daddy -- so cute in his overalls!

Reading with Mommy

Always so busy!

Grandpa Beach and Henry

"Hi!'

Charlie keeping an eye on Henry

"swimming"

"look at me push up!"

So strong!

"Happy Baby!"

Cold Turkey, 2012, and 4 months!

Wow -- I've been meaning to give an update, but it's been hard to sit down at the computer these days. We have a cat napper on our hands that doesn't give us much of a break! In addition, Daddy was home last week, which was so awesome!

The big news is that Henry is now sleeping in his own room -- in his crib! Henry outgrew his bassinet over a month ago so we set up his pack n play in our room. We then packed it up and used it over Christmas, but when we brought it home, it didn't want to snap into place. It was literally the 2nd time we "packed" and "unpacked" it... bummer. We returned it the following day, but in the meantime we needed a place for Henry to sleep. Hey! How about that fancy crib Grandma S. bought him?? What an idea! The first few nights were rough, but with the addition of a video monitor (love love love not having to run down the stairs at every noise) we/Henry are getting this under control. Henry is now sleeping a 7-8 hour stretch, followed by another 3-4 hours. Awesome. Who said you can't go cold turkey?? Now to just conquer the nap schedule...

What? It's 2012!?!? 

We can hardly believe it has been an entire years since I found out I was pregnant!

Henry is 4 months old! 15lbs, 7oz, 25.5 inches! His doc says "he's perfect" (but we already knew that!) Time sure has been flying by. We are enjoying our days together -- taking walks with Charlie (yes, even in this cold weather), going to yoga, and play group!