Sunday, November 4, 2012

I feel like I'm forgetting something...

Before I had Henry and lost part (okay, more than 50%) of my brain, I never had to write a grocery list,  never needed multiple reminders to do anything, I was very (very) organized, and never missed appointments, bills were also sent in weeks before their due date, and my car was also serviced at the appropriate time. When I was pregnant, I was given advice to keep a journal and/or write the baby letters to memorialize all our experiences. I laughed internally at these suggestions. Who were these people talking to? Didn't they know me? Had they not seen my office at work -- my calendar system, all synced with my iphone/google calendar/ical at home so I would never, not ever, miss a thing. All my paperwork was always in order - labeled and filed.  But in reality, I didn't need this crazy advanced  system, because it was all in.my.brain.

Fast forward to today. That calendar system? All those notes for deadlines, appointments, and reminders set on my iphone? It's my lifeline. Vitamins, dog's heart worm pill, court appearances, and reminders when leaf pick up day is...all in my calendar, and it is an absolute must that they are in my calendar, because there is no way this side of hell that I would remember otherwise. Henry must have hit some internal switch on his way out that turned off part of my brain. No worries, though, I have my backup system full of all the awesome technology... I'm just not quite sure what will happen if the network ever flatlines. That's a thought I don't want to tackle right now.

And that whole "write to your kid idea?" I tried to embrace it early on. I bought a beautiful new journal, and I wrote in it religiously the first few months (before Henry started rolling over/moving...) I wrote a lot, I even remembered to write the entire birth story down before I forgot it forever. But now? There are some dates, number of teeth, and milestones jotted down -- things I want to make sure I remember, but there are no complete thoughts. Even this blog was supposed to help me write things down, keep others updated, but well, you can see how the entries have been a bit more spread out? Sigh. So, to all those Moms out there that I silently judged, I apologize. I now know why you have stacks of papers in your house, baskets of unfolded laundry, stacks of "to-read" books, and bins full of pictures that never found a place in photo albums. If we are going to be honest, it has taken me two full days to complete this blog entry.

The bottom line is that at the end of the day when your child is finally asleep, you (well, I do at least) do a little victory dance saying "I did it, I made it through the day!" And then like a first responder, you tackle the most dire tasks first: Dishes, laundry (diapers and clothing essentials for the next day), important emails, online bill pay, etc. And then you look at the clock, you see how much time you have until it is essential you shut your eyes for the night and you decide: Do I work out to get rid of the last 10 Henry pounds? Do I spend time with my husband? Write in said journal you promised yourself you would do once a week, or read the next book for the book club you want to go to, but so often fail to attend (as it starts at 8:30 and you're just plain exhausted by then), or do I just go to bed?

But enough about me -- my brain will catch up someday. Right?

Henry!
14 months old!

Favorite Book: "Good Night Gorilla" -- Loves to read and be read to -- a lot!
Number of teeth: 8
Favorite songs: Itsy bitsy Spider, ABC's.
Loves to: Dance!
Best Friend: Charlie
He's a talking machine! My favorite part of the day is listening to Ryan and Henry's morning conversation when Ryan gets Henry up and changes his diaper. Melts my heart to hear Henry's sing songy voice discuss the morning events with Ryan!



I'm getting so big!


Roar, I'm a Tiger!


Loves to read


"Vroom Vroom!"







Daddy and Henry



"Mom, I would really like to go outside with Charlie"


"Cruising around the hood"



"Dad, pick me up!"



We needed a picture of Charlie in the mix :) 


Super cool guy!


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

1 year mark.


Henry turned one last month -- and I'm a bit behind on posts since our house has been a bit under the weather. The start of the cold-flu season has really taken a toll on the Sobczak-Beach household. I think we are all finally on the mend (fingers crossed) and hope we can start to enjoy this beautiful fall weather we are having!

At Henry's one year check-up he weighed 22lbs, 2.5 oz (65th percentile) and was 32 inches long (95th percentile). After observing Henry walk (run, climb, open all the cabinets, drawers...) and talk during his check-up Henry's pediatrician wanted to make sure that I had the number to poison control handy as Henry is one of those kids you have to "stay 3 steps ahead of at all times." Some parents might be shocked by this statement, but I was not. Long ago I put all harsh chemicals on high shelves in locked closets waaaaay out of reach of our busy little man. And boy is he busy. Busy building with block, chasing Charlie around, reading all his books, driving his cars, making sure Mommy and Daddy are doing their jobs. Very rarely is Henry's body at rest, unless it is truly at rest (sleeping). At every other point of his waking hour he is in constant motion. Oh, Newton, you were so so right. 

Here are some pictures from an August wedding... he still looks like a baby!

I will try my very best to post more often and get some updated pictures on the blog -- Henry has changed so much from the pictures below!


"Oh, Mom, you want me to follow you?"


"Actually, I think I'm going to go this way..."


And he's off...


Very determined -- look at that tongue!



Minor fall...


But that doesn't stop him!




He's up and back to running!




The family (and future ping pong world champion!)





Monday, September 3, 2012

Cake for Pies!

Happy Birthday, Henrypie!!!

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

What a completely fitting quote for our birthday boy....

Wow, how a year has flown by --




Just a few days before Henry...


One day old...


At his frist birthday dinner!!



Happy Birthday, Henry. You are growing up too fast!

New milestones: Walking, Running, Throwing, but still loves to dance!
New Words: This, That, Yes, Ball, Light (ight), Uh-oh
Foods Henry Loves: Cheese!! (grilled cheese, quesadilla, mac n cheese), Avocado, eggs, yogurt, toast
Best Friend: Charlie, of course :) 
Number of Teeth: 6
Favorite stuffed animal: tough one -- loves his panda bear, his moose, dog
# of Lovees he takes to bed: minimum of 4
Official stats will come when we go to the pediatrician next week




Here are some other fun pictures from his birthday weekend!


Out and about in the hood


Taking a ride in his new car

Car Project: Speakers needed to rock out during walks!


"Check out my sweet cup holder!"


Swinging at the park




Loves it!


At the park on his birthday



Check out my new shoes!


Birthday cake from his party


Mommy and Henry with his new Tiger hat!


Thanks for the State sweatshirt, Liz and Mike!


I love my new hat. Thanks Grandma S.!




Fixing my new front loader from Grandma and Grandpa Beach with my new tools from Aunt Lindsey!


Just like Daddy.


Birthday morning -- firetruck, blocks, car...



Oh, but his favorite gift??


The empty roll of wrapping paper!!!



Phish t-shirts and Tigers caps... ready for another day!!

Happy Birthday, Henry! We can't wait to see what this next year brings -- we love you soooo very much!!!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Charlie