I need some advice...

Every time Henry gets angry, he gets on his motorcycle and drives away...

I know he might be venting steam that way, but I wasn't prepared for a runaway son... What if he never returns? 

I'm so worried! What is a poor mother to do?

Fast growing baby = back pain

Hello, everyone! Sorry it's been a while. After my last post, things got a little difficult with Henry. He was really fussy and needy for 2 weeks and kept me on my toes! I had to do a little investigating into my diet those 2 weeks because he was not happy most of the time and pretty gassy. Once I pretty much eliminated milk and nuts, he was doing fine! I'm a little sad I can't eat my favorite breakfast (homemade banana nut oatmeal) but I much prefer my baby to be happy!

Nothing much has really happened since my last post. There was a visit to the urgent care facility a few weeks ago but that was a false alarm. I was worried because his soft spot on top of his head seemed unusually sunken and he was spitting up a lot of chunky spit up and had what seemed like diarrhea. The doctor said he was perfectly healthy though but that we did the right thing bringing him in. You can't be too careful with little babies! She only suggested that I keep trying my best to space out his feedings. Since then, I've come a long way with understanding what he really needs and what's really wrong when he's sad/fussy. He's doing a lot better now. I just feel bad that he has to suffer while we figure this parenting thing out! That's the price that comes with being the firstborn, I guess! :)

Anyway, I am having the time of my life being at home with my baby all day! He sure is growing fast, and, as my post title suggests, my back is feeling it! As far as my recovery goes, I am STILL having issues from delivering that big boy. I had my last OBGYN visit 2 weeks ago and she told me that everything I was experiencing was pretty normal and that I needed to get used to some of the things I was going through and that I would never again be quite like the person I was before I got pregnant. It's a little daunting! I am still getting used to the new me. Perhaps I should instead refer to it as the REAL me because I will spend more of my life being a mother than life spent as a child, teenager, and childless adult. 

Well here's the reason you REALLY wanted to read this post: pictures of the little man.

These were all taken over the last few weeks.

Here's Henry hanging out with Daddy during his work break.

Diaper pictures! He looks just like me as a baby here:

Here's me:

"Just hangin' out with my dad."

After a bath:

Mom and baby before bed:

Making the same face... I think I got it down.

He loves to look out the window. He could do that all day. Please excuse the hair; he just woke up from a nap. :P

Here he is, growing up:

(Can you guess where he's storing milk for the winter? Oh. My. Cheeks.)

(You may notice that 90% of these pictures take place on the same chair. I spend probably 6 hours a day at LEAST in that chair!)

I mentioned in my last blog that I was going to talk about Halloween! I'm just planning ahead, of course. Andrew and I have had so much fun coming up with ideas for what he should be for Halloween. So far, there have been a few contenders:

Fievel from An American Tail

(because when he was first born, all the arms in all of his jammies were way too long, giving him the look of little Fievel in his too-big-for-him shirt)

Dopey from Snow White

(because he has big beautiful ears)

And Gus Gus from Cinderella

(because he's so sweetly round)

So that's pretty much it! So long, folks!

Grandparents and Half Moon Eyes

I bet we can all agree that the universe is amazing. There's something insanely humbling about looking up at a night sky and realizing how startlingly insignificant we are. I'm always astounded about how close the moon can feel compared to the vastness behind it.

A few months ago while I was still pregnant, Andrew's parents brought over their telescope for us to use and appreciate. Andrew assembled it and for a date one weekend, we did a little moon gazing on our front lawn. Although looking at a detailed picture of the moon might be more instructive, looking at the moon through the lens of a slightly trembling telescope restored my childlike curiosity that night. Although Henry was still in my belly, I like to believe that a little bit of that wonderment rubbed off on him. Seeing him now leaves me with no doubt. Every time he smiles, I am reminded of the many times I have been distracted by the magic of the moon. This is because every time he does a full-fledged, no-holds-barred smile, his little deep blue eyes arch into the shape of half moons, giving them the title of "half moon eyes."

I have had the hardest time capturing these "half moon eyes" on camera! He smiles so much but once a camera comes out, his unrelenting (and adorable) stone face stare takes over! Luckily, Grandma Godard was able to catch some pretty good shots during Grandpa Godard's and her visit this last weekend!

It was a blast having them here. The main reason for them coming, other than to cuddle and kiss the main attraction, was for Henry's baby blessing on Sunday. It was such a wonderful and neat experience for all of us. Henry even let out a little cry when Andrew held him up at the end of the blessing which melted my heart to mush. 

Henry actually wore the very same blessing outfit worn by Andrew and his brothers. It is 34 years old! The last time it was worn was by Andrew so that made it very special for us. Henry sure looked handsome in it! 

On Monday, Grandma and Grandpa Godard watched Henry while Andrew and I went and saw the movie "Brave" (which we absolutely love, by the way!). That was the 5th time I had been away from him and also the longest time. Yes, I cried. I am so crazy in love with him that it's hard to be apart but I knew that Andrew and I needed to take advantage of his parents being here to watch him. 

After Andrew's parents left, I was in awe of how grateful I am that Henry has grandparents who love him so much and who have done so much for him before and after he's was born:

Papa

Grandma Godard

Grandpa Godard

and "cool" Grandma Kelly (as she prefers to be called). Henry met Grandma Kelly when he was still in my belly! He still has yet to meet her now he's here! :)

Anyway, I am enjoying every second with my baby. I have also noticed a renewed love for children in general! I have always loved kids but for some reason, having one of my own, makes me appreciate them that much more. I love going to church for many reasons, one of them being that I get to see all the kids that I love out here!

By the way, here are some more pictures (ALL PICTURES COURTESY OF GRANDMA!)

Well, stay tuned for the next post... I will be talking about Halloween! (A little prematurely, might I add).