Summer Days

The days of summer are long but they sure go by quickly. I'll do this post in reverse order because I love this first picture so much. Before church on Sunday, I wanted to get a few pictures of the boys together. There were so many cute ones but I just love this one! 

This is what our backyard looked like when we woke up Sunday morning. Over 7 inches of rain! It flooded the garage and some water got under the house. Poor Patrick spent the rest of the day pumping it out and running dehumidifiers. 

On Saturday, Patrick and I took Thomas to see Sesame Street live. He loved it even more this year. He danced in the aisle and was so excited to see some of his favorite characters. He called it Elmo's concert! Afterwards, we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Such a fun afternoon with just him!

 

 

While we were gone, Mimi was busy loving on this little guy. I think they were both in heaven!

On Friday, school called to tell me that Thomas didn't feel well. A trip to the doctor confirmed a raging ear infection in his right ear. Boo! While we were there, we went ahead and got Henry's 2 moth shots. Thomas was such an awesome big brother. He held Henry's hand and sang him "Away in a Manger" when he cried. He stop crying immediately. Such a sweet moment. Henry did ok with the shots except that he woke up with a little fever. Tylenol brought it down thank goodness!

On Thursday night, our friend Jordyn came to eat dinner while she was in town, her husband Kirk was in our wedding and we all went to UGA together. They had a little boy, Oxford, 4 weeks before Henry. I love that our kids are the same age. They just moved to Raleigh from Richmond but I hope we get to see them more often.

On Wednesday, we went to the park to play! Happy boy.

And we stopped everything to watch the trash truck, of course!

Last Saturday, Patrick took Thomas to the zoo with our Sunday school. I'd say he had fun, wouldn't you?

 

Baby Henry - Weeks 4-8

Being the second child means you just have to go with the flow. Poor Henry gets carted all over the city while Thomas and I play this summer. His favorite thing so far is walks. He never fusses and falls right to sleep. This picture is the difference between 5 days and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, he was 21 inches long and 10 pounds, 8 ounces.

 

 

We had to go to the doctor when he was 6 weeks because he had a little cough. It turned out to be a reflux cough. Just to be certain and to check on his jaundice, we had some bloodwork done. He was so pitiful getting his blood drawn...look at this sweet little hand all bandaged up.

 

 

 

These next two pictures are how Henry and I nap every afternoon. With Thomas, I would never have let him sleep in my bed for fear of what might happened. We both sleep so well in these naps and I get to look over at this precious face!

 

 

Look at that belly! That's what happens when you gain a pound a week for 4 weeks. He is 6 weeks here. He has the same ambilical hernia that Thomas had. It should go away in the next few weeks, but it sure looks funny now.

 

 This sweet face just makes me melt. He is 7 weeks here and is a really sweet baby when the reflux doesn't make him scream bloody murder! We had a tough weekend, but they increased the dosage of his reflux medicine yesterday, and it seems to really be helping. He likes the Baby Bjorn when his reflux is acting up and it makes it easier on me to have two hands free. This is another first with Henry because I didn't use one with Thomas.

 

 

Henry has made more trips to the pool than Thomas did his entire first year of life. We just find a shady corner and let him nap. I usually have lots of helpers at the pool between LuLu, BooBoo and Mimi and Tino so it hasn't been too hard yet. The new pool makes it so easy even when I'm by myself with both boys.

 

 

Last Wednesday night, Patrick and I snuck away for a great date night. We went to the Lionel Richie concert. I LOVE Lionel Richie...I know, I must be a 60 year old trapped in a 30 year old's body, but I grew up with my parent's listening to his music. His greatest hits CD literally got me through at least 5 busy seasons. Believe it or not, the crowd had tons of people our age. The concert was AMAZING! He is a true entertainer. Cee Lo Green opened for him and we loved seeing him.

 

We went to dinner at one of our most favorite restaurants, Itta Beana, before the concert. The power went out just as we finished our dinner...it was chaos. We had to guess how much our ticket was and write a check. Not sure what they did if you didn't have a checkbook with you!

 

We had to document the night with our very first "selfie." Ha! Lisa was excited that we finally decided to take one since she lives her life through selfie pics! Don't understand this younger generation sometimes....makes me feel so old! ;)

Thomas Turns Three!!

We celebrated Thomas's 3rd birthday this Saturday with a swimming party at the new pool at the MCC. I decided back in January that we weren't having a party at our house with a newborn, and this was the perfect option. All I had to do was place my order, pick up a few decorations and show up. That is my kind of party these days! The best part is that everyone had a blast and the birthday boy loved it!

We had a fish cake and I found a picture of these cute fish lanterns on Pinterest.

Thomas was on a little sugar overload, but I love this picture of the three of us.

How is my baby 3? I kept telling him I was going to put a brick on his head!

Henry and Sophie Jane's first date!

 

Sweet DeeDee, John Eric and Jane came to town for the party. Loved seeing them!

 

Harris had a great time splashing in the water and chasing all of the balls. How cute is he?

 

Uncle Brian and his girlfriend, Lindsey, came to town for the party since the Walker's couldn't come as he is in the middle of his chemo/immunity treatments. We sure missed Nana and Papa but loved getting to meet Lindsey and spend some time with them. I think Thomas said Uncle Brian's name about a thousand times!

 

On Saturday night, we all went to Local in Overton Square for dinner.

 

Brian finally got to hold Henry. He had that same big smile when he met Thomas.

 

The Monday before Thomas's real birthday, we had cupcakes and juice at PDO. Thomas was excited to have everyone sing to him and was very specific that the cupcakes should be "banilla" with red icing and NO sprinkles because they just mess up the icing! :)

 

That night, we celebrated with Mimi, Tino and BooBoo.

 

On his birthday, he woke up to his gift from Mommy and Daddy - a fish. He has been asking for one for months, so we finally gave in. Thomas named him Scrumpy.

 

On Tuesday night, we went to Las Delicias with LuLu. It was Thomas's first Mexican birthday celebration. He was a little embarrassed while they sang but kept talking about it afterwards!

 

 

On Thursday, I had a special surprise for Thomas. We went to the Redbirds game at lunch and Tino met us there. He loves baseball and had a great time!

 

I cannot believe that my first baby is three. He is so special and we are lucky to be his Mommy and Daddy. A little about my little guy these days....he is sensitive and funny, stubborn and smart, inquisitive and busy, caring and personable. He is always listening to us and watching what we do. I am amazed at how much he understands or can figure out. He loves to play with his Daddy and tells me often that I am his "bestest friend in the world" - melt my heart. He loves construction equipment, trains, Ninja Turtles, planes, books and tractors. He loves to play baseball, soccer, golf and football. He is the best big brother - so patient and sweet with Henry. He is always putting his paci back in (very gently!) when Henry needs it and is certain to show Henry what toy he is playing with. He brings so much joy to our lives! Happy birthday, Thomas!!! We love you!!!

A Few Favorite Pictures

I am finally getting around to looking through other people's pictures from the day Henry was born. Here are a few of my favorites....

Not necessarily a favorite picture, but a good reminder of the "before" baby. Also a good reminder of why Henry is our last baby....this Mama HATES being pregnant! I sure do love the sweet babies I got so it was all worth it in the end.

Last picture as a family of three before we headed to the hospital. I love how Thomas was putting his arms around us.

First picture as a family of four. Such a sweet moment as big brother met little brother.

I got really emotional when I saw Thomas for the first time after Henry was born. With this delivery, I wasn't scared about the surgery, I was really nervous about what we were about to do to this sweet boy's world....going from an only child to a big brother was going to be a major transition. I think surgery took on a whole new meaning when I had a little one at home already...when I saw him afterwards, it was a release of lots of fears and relief.

Checking out that belly button or "paci" as Thomas thought it was at first glance.

Probably one of my most favorite pictures because Henry is looking so intently at Thomas. 

Henry looks so big in this picture, but he was just so tiny...I say that now as I am holding him and my arm feels like it may fall off....

Henry's first bottle. We have almost this very same picture of Thomas and Patrick. So sweet.

Watching morning cartoons together...notice the lion next to Henry. Thomas always wants to make sure he has something to play with too.

A cute picture of Thomas with Papa and the sandbox that he made for him. We are so lucky to have a Papa that is so talented and loves us so much to spend the time to make such a special gift.

Henry's first trip out of the house.

One Month and Crown & Scepter

Henry was one month old on Friday. How is that possible?

 

 

A 4-week "happy and sad" picture.

 

We went to Crown & Scepter on Friday. Thomas was so cute...he saw Patrick all dressed in his tux and said, "Daddy, you look all grown up!" Ha! As we were leaving, he told us to "drive carefully!" Is he the 2 year old or parent?

 

Patrick's cousin, Harris, stopped by Memphis while he was in Nashville for a wedding. We all went to dinner on Thursday night. It was good to see him. He and his girlfriend, Vicki, live in L.A., so we don't see them very often!

Sweet Henry napping by the pool this weekend while Thomas swims. We had a busy weekend....two birthday parties, Carnival and swimming!