My Favorite Rotation

Putting all educational value aside, this February month has been my favorite rotation. Probably not Brendon's favorite, but definitely mine. At the beginning of the month, I felt like he was getting cheated out of opportunities to learn, but now, I could care less about that. (Brendon would probably not even say he was cheated in any way.)  You see, this month Brendon has been on his Internal Medicine rotation, following a doctor who works three, yes 3, days a week. With seven days in a week, Brendon has been home more than he has been away.

Not only did Brendon work less days than he didn't, but he also didn't need to leave for work until 9:30 am. Lucky for me, Brendon woke up with Henry in the morning whenever possible. But sleeping in wasn't the only reason I loved this month's rotation. I feel like--in anticipation of upcoming months spending time a part from each other while Brendon learns from busy hospitals in California--I have cherished time with him. The same way I cherished time like the good ole' days in Missouri, when time together was scheduled and sparse. We didn't necessarily DO a lot this month. But we definitely were together a lot.  In each other's presence, that is.  For the most part, we were both carrying on with own agendas; Brendon with studying, scheduling rotations, and taking regular breaks to chase Henry and me with cleaning, playing, and cooking.  But we were all together and I could talk with him whenever I wanted to.

My "caring less" about his opportunities to learn this month stem from completely selfish desires of having time together. I almost feel like this was our last time having a lot of time together (in our own element) for a long, long time. One more month before Brendon leaves for four weeks to go to California. Is it bad that I tear up cry just thinking about being a part as I type this? I don't know if I'm cut out for this. Hopefully the anticipation is worse than the bite.

Brendon is hoping for seven out rotations to California, and I sincerely hopes he gets each one of them.  But I hope, more than anything, we will only grow closer together. I hope we will appreciate each other more. I hope we will love each other more deeply. Now that's a lot of hoping.

Thank you, IM rotation, for giving us a lot of time together. And thank you, upcoming rotations, for helping me appreciate our "together time" more than I may have otherwise.

Love Day

Highlight of our Love Day:

I'm lying on the couch.

Brendon comes over.

Brendon kisses me.

Henry comes over.

Henry kisses Mom. Henry kisses Dad.

Brendon kisses me.

Henry kisses Mom. Henry kisses Dad.

Brendon picks up Henry for a family hug.

Brendon kisses me. Brendon kisses Henry.

I kiss Brendon. I kiss Henry.

Henry kisses Mom. Henry kisses Dad.

Kiss. Kiss. Hug. Hug. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

All around. From and for everyone.

It was a wonderful love fest.

Baby Showers

Way back before Henry was born (nearly a year ago...crazy!) and we were living in Missouri, my friends threw a baby shower for me. Everyone was so generous and I was so grateful for everyone who came to show their love and support. I felt like I was swimming in gifts (see pictures below).  The evening was a blast! I wish we had get-togethers like that all the time. Oh wait, we did...

I love these pictures of old friends.  Oh, the memories!

After we moved back to Utah, my sweet aunts wanted to throw another shower. Again, everyone was so generous. It was fun to have Henry with me this time. I think all baby showers should be thrown with the baby.

Brittany, Grandma Myrtice, Great Aunt Rosemari, Grandma Carol, Me

The star of the shower (3 months old)

We played "Smell the Poop" (I just made that up). The hosts put melted candy bars in little diapers and we guessed which candy bars were in each diaper. I almost got a perfect score. I'm pretty much a candy expert.

My aunts & cousin sewed this beautiful puff quilt which now lays on Henry's crib.

My Aunt Dawna made this darling photo book of Henry. We look at it often. Henry reaches for the book and loves looking at the pictures of himself. I'm pretty sure it'll be something we always look at. I can often be found looking through Henry's newborn pictures or watching video of when he was younger. I already miss that stage sometimes.

                        

                        

My cousin Addi made this life-saving church book: ABC's for Sunday.  Really, it has been wonderful.  The book keeps Henry entertained every Sunday during church.  He used to find the pictures of himself and smile; now he thumbs through the pages for anywhere from five seconds to five minutes.

We all had a great time together, at both showers.  And we've been using everything we received at both showers.

Thanks (again) everyone!

Eleven Months

Whenever I think about Henry, I mean really think about him, I am overjoyed. But it's different than the joy of him being my son and me being his mother (although there is certainly a joy that comes from that); it's an overwhelming joy, a sense of peace and love. Henry is blessed with a happiness about him: it radiates in his countenance (can you see it?). I can't tell you how many times he has lifted my spirit; it happens almost daily and sometimes multiple times a day. He has truly brought a piece of heaven with him. I feel immensely blessed to have him in my family to help me through this mortal journey. If, as an eleven-month-old boy, he is teaching me so much about our purpose and opportunities for happiness, I can't even imagine what he will be teaching me for the rest of my life.

Henry has grown leaps and bounds this month. The ten- to eleven-month-old stretch made him a new little man. It seems to me he is becoming a little toddler and may not be the "mellow man" I once called him. He is cuter and more fun than ever! I love this stage! Henry is so busy, so anxious to laugh, and remains my happy buddy. And he makes one good little buddy.

We've experienced a number of "firsts" this month. Brendon and I have really enjoyed watching the many changes in Henry. In a nutshell, the following describes Henry's big month:

Feeling frustration

Making his body limp

Pushing my hand away

Walking

Waving and saying "bye"

Finding a comfort toy

Reading by himself

Laughing and playing in the mirror
Kissing

Feeling Frustration
Although this has happened several times now, I still laugh every time. The first time it happened was definitely the funniest because it was very unexpected. Here's the story: I gave Henry the sticker from opening a new CD and he started playing with it. Shortly after, he keep trying to eat it (like he does everything else) and I kept taking his hand away from his mouth and saying, "Don't eat it." After half a dozen times of me pushing his hand away from his mouth (...lightly pushing, I might add), he looked away from me, cringed his fingers tightly to his hand, clinched his mouth, and his head started shaking as his face turned slightly red. I wish I could get a picture of it because, even at his expense, it is adorable.

Making His Body Limp

Along those same lines, I picked up Henry to take him from my grandma's sewing room and he gave me the limp body. Again, I laughed.

Pushing My Hand Away
About a week later, I showed Henry a toy to distract him from doing something he shouldn't and he pushed my hand away. He was tired, upset, and did not want whatever I had to offer him. Now that I'm typing all of these things, I'm realizing the disciplinary aspect of parenthood (which I am so not ready for) just might be around the corner. Yikes!

Walking
For our loved ones far away who want to see Henry talking three steps, here it is:

Goldfish (or any food, for that matter) work wonders in encouraging Henry to walk. So far Brendon has seen up to ten steps. Every step is still so exciting. We love to see him walk.

Waving and Saying "Bye"
Henry is picking up on "good-byes." He says "bb...bb...bb" (as if to say "bye") and waves, even if it is after we close the door from saying bye to someone. (Okay, to date he has only done this once, maybe twice.) Point is, he is coming right along in his social skills and we couldn't be more proud of our little eleven-month-old boy.

Finding a Comfort Toy
While most children choose a blanket or stuffed animal, Henry decided he likes Link-A-Doos. He recently decided he likes to go to sleep, eat, play, walk, crawl, and bathe with a Link-A-Doo in hand. Brendon said, "It was only a matter of time before he latched onto them," and reminded me he has been surrounded by links since birth. We have had links on his car seat, stroller, and we keep a stash in the diaper bag. Toys are often attached at the end of the links, but ever since Henry was little, he has enjoyed holding onto the links. Brendon also reminded me Henry used to fall to sleep in his car seat while holding onto a link. Now, they're his comfort toy. 

Reading by Himself
When Henry is quiet these days (and the door to the bathroom is closed, leaving him no access to the toilet bowl or toilet paper roll), he can be found in his room, looking at his books. I hope my efforts to help him enjoy reading are working.

Laughing and Playing in the Mirror
The past couple days Henry will be laughing while playing. When I peek at him around the corner, he is playing in the mirror that hangs on our bedroom door. He just laughs and laughs. Can I say adorable??? He has also enjoyed playing with his (and my) reflection in the metal thing (whatever it is) in the tub.

Kissing
Although this isn't one of his "firsts" this month, I did want to document that Henry loves kissing anything: dolls, little babies, grandmas, and especially me.  I love those wide open mouth kisses.  He also loves to kiss himself in the mirror.  He knows he's that cute and lovable and I hope he remembers that forever.   

Henry, we love you are are so happy you are a part of our family.