Memorial Day Fun

Henry went to the swimming pool for the first time on Monday. One of my friends bought him an adorable swimming outfit, so we had to try it on. He looked as cute as ever. Henry and I met Brendon at the community pool (all students and family get in for "free" [I happen to think we pay for it with tuition]) after studying was done for the day (can I just say I love, love, love that studying is usually done by 6:00 pm these days!?!). I thought we would dip Henry in the water, the water would be freezing, Henry would cry, and we'd go home. Not so! Henry was made for water. I should have known because Henry loves bath time. He is usually crying around bed time, but as soon as he hears the water for the tub, he gets quiet. Then, we play in the tub for about ten minutes. He just lays there, sticks out his tongue every now and again, and we talk about water and surfing. The pool was just like the tub: he loved it. We didn't see any smiles, but I know he loved it. Henry sat in the water as content as ever. I love the personality of my little man: he is so mellow. This is his relaxed, water-loving face.
We will be visiting the pool often for the next few weeks.
After the pool, we had a fun barbeque with some friends. It was as good as it gets: friends, hamburgers, salads, roasted marshmallows (giant marshmallows), and talking. It was a fun Memorial Day.

Handsome Henry

Is it humanly possible for this boy to get cuter? Every time I look at him I don't think it is, yet the next time I pick him up from his crib, he is cuter. Just like that. He is so adorable!

I love it when I hear this (and it has been said numerous times): "He is so cute. All babies are cute because they're babies, but Henry is really cute." I simply say, "Thanks, we think so, too."

Practically Graduated

I remember the phone calls while working at Overstock.com with Brendon on the other end telling me he was accepted to medical school.  We were thrilled (and very relieved) that we knew what adventure we were about to pursue for the next few years (and by few years I mean nearly a decade) of our lives.

So, we packed our bags and moved to Missouri nearly two years ago.  Brendon started orientation and then school.  I can't believe how fast the time has flown, as it always seems to do.

Today marks a very momentous day: Brendon is finished with his last set of finals...ever!  After 21 years (minus two years to serve a mission, but even then there is so much studying that I'm counting it) of classes, teachers, studying, memorizing, tests, papers, late nights, early mornings, etc., Brendon will no longer be required to splurge one subject of information onto numerous tests within a weeks time.  (No, he'll only be required to splurge all subjects of information on more important tests spread out over the next 5 years...but we're not talking about board exams right now.)  He feels...we feel, like he has practically graduated medical school.

And so, we will soon start our next adventure in Utah: rotations.  But it will feel more like work and less like school.  Congratulations Brendon!  You've done so well.  We are so proud of you and grateful for your many hours dedicated to studying (and the time you always make for your family despite what test is coming up).

Our Thumb-Sucking Child

We'll deal with the repercussions later, but for now, I LOVE this little thumb.  It's my favorite pacifier: one that doesn't require mom or dad to hold in his mouth.  I think it's adorable.

I love the sound Henry makes when he finds his thumb after a bit of frustration. It's a "mmm...mmm....hmmm....hmmmm..." long, drawn out, kind of a sound.  I think it's adorable, too.

And I think my favorite thing about the thumb is that I can lay Henry down in his crib and he can put himself to sleep.  Sometimes, I'll lay him in his crib and he'll go to sleep without a fuss.  The other day, I was at a friend's house sitting Indian-style with Henry propped up against my leg.  He starts sucking his thumb and the next thing I know he was out, fast asleep.  It was amazing.  I just think he's adorable. 

A Newfound Respect

After two weeks of my sweet Henry being with us, I realized how hard it was to really care for a child.  Lots of people have babies, it’s true.  And lots of people talk about how wonderful it is to be a mother.  True, it is wonderful (for lack of a better word).  Lots of people simply leave out, what for me, was a couple difficult weeks to transition to motherhood.

I had, what my sister called, a two week “honeymoon” period after Henry was born.  Everything was great…until the slap in the face came.  Breastfeeding--which is literally, by definition, a full time job--was not going so well.  I had absolutely no idea how hard it would be when I told the nurse I would be breastfeeding my baby.  As the weeks followed, I was often asked by others how we were adjusting to life with a baby.  I was not shy to tell people we were definitely adjusting and were still trying to “get the whole breastfeeding thing down.”  I quickly found out that nearly everyone has a saga to tell.  I realized I was not alone.  I guess it is all part of being a mom.  Who knew?

My mom is a worrier…is it genetic?  I have never worried so much in my life.  I have never worried about a server dropping hot food, until I had a baby sleeping at the end of the table in a car seat.  I have never worried about anyone close to me not having enough food, until I started feeding a baby.  I have never worried about not having a doctor’s appointment (does everyone besides Henry have a two-week checkup??), until I had a baby without one.  I have never worried about anybody gaining weight, until I had a baby that I wasn’t sure was gaining weight.  Get it?  I worry about EVERYTHING.  Maybe it is part of being a mom???

While my parents were visiting, we went out to dinner at La Fuente (my favorite!).  A mom walked in with her three young kids and husband.  I could tell the mother loved her children, but she had several moments of frustration.  At that moment, I looked at her and all mothers with a newfound respect.  I appreciated all mothers, especially my mother, in a new way.  I realized that it really isn’t easy.  I somehow realized for the first time all the hard work I had somehow overlooked before I became a mother.

  

My mom was always one who I could talk to about any and everything, one who loved me unconditionally, one who let me help cook dinner (even if it meant slowing her down at times), one who taught me discipline, hard work, manners, how to serve, and how to love.  I’ve always known my mom was amazing and that our relationship was unique, but now I appreciate her even more.

I love and appreciate her more for doing the mundane things day in and day out: for always keeping the house clean, making homemade lunches, cooking dinner, doing my laundry (for a loooong time), driving me to appointments, etc., etc., etc.  And even though it seems like every mother’s day I thank her for these things, this mother’s day I thank her with a greater appreciation and understanding for what she did.

I love her more for her example of selflessness.  She never complained about the things a mom does and puts her family first.  She never complained about doing the mundane things.  She always expressed love through her service, words, and especially her time.  She constantly made an effort to show her support for us in school, church, and extra curricular activities.  She was unfailingly available to talk to, and still is.  I appreciate her for her willingness to talk to me about me and never seems to be concerned about talking about herself.

I think what I appreciate most about her now is the way she loved her role as mother.  Because of her, I have always longed to be a mother, where I could care for someone the way she cared for me.  My mom and I have always had a good relationship and I’ve always hoped I would have the same with my children.  She has, at moments, briefly mentioned being a mother was hard work, but never talked badly about her experience of being mom.  She embraced everything about motherhood and continues to fulfill her role as a mother. 

In a nutshell, my mom is the mother I hope to be…even if it means being a worrier.

It Might be Funny Someday...

Today we took a temple trip to Nauvoo.  First time with the baby.  It's an all day thing with a child: two separate sessions (which are each 1 hour and 45 minutes) plus the two hour drive there and back.  When you're nursing, that's means feed before you leave, when you get there, before you come home, and when you get home. 

So...we get to Nauvoo and Brendon goes into the temple.  Henry and I go to a building for small children to play.  I ask for a nursing room and the missionary tells me to nurse in any room and she would keep people out of the room.  Minor problem: a new missionary couple takes over.

I feed Henry for what seems like forever and in walks some friends from Kirksville.  A mom with two small children.  No big deal.  Then, the husband comes in.  That was a new experience for me, nursing with another man other than family in the room.  I should have selected a different room, but really, not a huge deal, right?  I mean, we're all mature adults.  I tried to keep my cool, but honestly, it was a little awkward.  New mother.  New experience.  That's all.

Henry finishes eating and starts pooping.  I chant my regular, "Good job, Buddy!"  And several poops come out.  I stand up to change his diaper, look down, and there's something on my skirt.  Not just one something, several somethings lining from the top to the bottom of my long skirt.  I see poop on Henry's cute thighs dripping onto my skirt (I always take his pants off to nurse to keep him more awake).  Great!  I thought I was prepared by bringing an extra pair of clothes for Henry...didn't think about bringing an extra outfit for me!  I'm trying to hurry and clean up because we're supposed to be meeting Brendon soon to swap and there's little time from when Brendon comes out to when I need to go in.  Yeah, I still had to go into the temple--and without hot water and my bottle of Shout that I have come to love, there is no way I can get the baby poop out of my skirt.  Starting off to a good first long trip away from home...

Oh, it gets worse.  Much worse.  I come out of the temple, happy as can be to my cute husband in the back of our car, holding the baby.  I say, "Oh, is he awake?!?"  He replies, "He's starving."  My heart sank for the both of my boys.  "He's been hungry for an hour."  My heart sank again.  "I'm so sorry!"

(I meant to bring a bottle, but forgot it. I honestly thought Henry would be fine.  He's been going four hours in between feedings for the past few days.  But not today.  Not after a major poopy diaper, anyways.)

Poor Brendon: desperate times call for desperate measures.  What would you do with a starving baby?  I hope I never experience it.  Brendon got out his orange, peeled it, got a slice and bit it in half and let Henry suck on it.  I was shocked when he told me, but realize it was a very bad situation.  I apologized a dozen times and asked for forgiveness.  (I hope Henry will sleep tonight.)

So, there you have it, our first big trip away from home.  Probably won't happen again, at least not for awhile.  And, when it does happen, I'll be sure to bring extra clothes for the baby, me, and Brendon (just in case), along with a bottle full of yummy milk.

Gotta love being a new parent.  We're still learning...a lot.

Henry's Blessing

Yesterday we blessed our little baby Henry. It was a very special day: one that I have anticipated whenever there's a baby blessing. I had a full heart all day (and it's lingering today...I hope it lingers forever).

We got ready for the day and dressed Henry in his adorable white outfit (complete with a vest and bow tie). He looked oh, so handsome. Brendon gave him a wonderful blessing and did a great job speaking slowly enough for me to write down all the main points so Henry can read it some day. I have enjoyed reading my baby blessing from time to time and want Henry to be able to do the same. Next time, though, I'll ask a friend or family member to write everything down so I can enjoy the moment. We are so grateful for Brendon and his Priesthood power. It is such a blessing!

I enjoyed sitting in Sacrament meeting and loving the feeling of having our sweet family together. I felt so much love and appreciation for Brendon and our sweet Henry. I also felt so much gratitude for the leadership of the church and for them teaching me so much about my role as a a wife and mother. It is so clear to me, personally, that my responsibility is to love, nurture, and keep the spirit in our home. I'm grateful for my understanding of that role.

No family was able to attend Henry’s blessing. The simple fact that we live over 1,000 miles from both of our families and that it requires, not only a plane ride, but also a three hour car ride on top of that makes it a little less than convenient to be here. We missed them, but are so grateful for our “family” in Kirksville. I felt sadder that Henry’s grandparents didn’t get to witness and participate in his blessing than I did that I didn’t get to see them. Of course I would have loved to see them, but it was a great comfort having so many close, supportive, loving friends here. (I’m going to miss this place, especially the people.) 

We were able to share this special day with our practically blood-related friends, the Fields. We have had a connection with the Fields before moving to Kirksville. Katherine is my sister-in-law’s (Julia) sister. They really are like family to us: not only do we love them like family, but they have also done a lot for us: they welcomed Brendon into their home when he first came to Kirksville to interview, they looked for housing for us, they brought us goodies when we first moved here, they have invited us over for dinner countless times, they visited me in the hospital after having Henry, and they have become our Spades buddies (which is a big deal). Katherine and I even have a winning handshake. Point is: we adore them and their cute family, so it was neat to share this day with them.

                           

Close up of Henry, Claire, & Moms

                           

We finished the day with our monthly “Break the Fast” with more family-friends. It was fun to get together and enjoy each others' company. I am so grateful for all of our friends, especially those who were able to participate in Henry’s blessing. It was a really good day.

Henry in his blessing outfit

                                                   

Brendon wasn’t a fan of the hat, but I had to get a picture

...this kid is pretty darn adorable!

                                                  

I love that he smiles all the time now!