Chase, Floss and Boo Boo

This is Henry's expression when we are playing chase and I come around the corner "unexpectedly."  BIG giggles for all.

Henry loves clips.  In particular chip clips and binder clips.  He is often found running around with this chip clip clipped to the end of one of his fingers.  You would think it would be uncomfortable and irritating, but he finds is super entertaining.

Henry's new trick is to spin around in circles to make himself dizzy.  I get a kick out of watching him spin, spin, spin and then stumble around like a drunk person.  Perhaps its just foreshadowing what 20 years from now is going to look like after a fun night out with friends....hmm...let's not think about that quite yet.

Quick (and very rare) pose for the camera with Mama.

 Henry loves his Dog Dog.  Notice Sophie has two toys, not because she wanted two, but because Henry wanted her to have two and stuffed the squirrel in her mouth after she had selected the purple bone.  I am so thankful we have a GENTLE, patient, sweet dog.

Henry running after Mama with his "dee dee" (that's what he calls this old car charger that has brought hours and hours of fun to our house). 

Henry has loved the stairs ever since he became mobile.  First he would crawl up them.  Then he learned how to slide down them on his belly.  Then he learned how to walk up them upright, bracing himself against the wall with one hand.  Now, he desires to try to walk up them going backwards.  I of course try to intervene by telling him to go up the stairs forward, but this is the look I get in response!  Mischievous little bugger.

 One of Henry's favorite hide outs is under the kitchen table.  I'm thinking homemade forts are in my future.

Henry loves to "help" in the kitchen by removing all the kitchen gadgets from the drawers.  This strainer reminds me of the mask fencers wear.  Silly goose.

While Ryan and I were finishing dinner the other night, Henry was playing independently in the family room.  This is the sight we saw when we got up to clear the table and see what he was up to. 

Sticker fun with Grandpa Keith.

By way of other updates, Henry is still growing, growing, growing.  He's starting to wear 4T fuzzy footie jammies!  Seriously, not even two and wearing 4T (granted they are a little big, but he's busting out of his 3T footie jammies)!  I've also recently bought some bigger socks because I noticed the heels of his other socks are starting to slide down his foot.

Speaking of feet, Henry still much prefers to be barefoot.  He will not wear socks unless you also put shoes on him and then he will often try to remove both his shoes and socks.  I frequently just wait until we reach our destination to put his shoes and socks on because once he can run freely, he forgets how annoying wearing his shoes are.  I think he gets this from Ryan.

Henry remains extremely ticklish, in particular under his chin on his neck.  I think he gets that from me. : )

Brushing his teeth has gotten a bit easier, but it is still a bit of a production.  The last month or so I have been trying to introduce flossing.  I think I am going to loose a finger one of these days!

I've also noticed a fair amount of drool return in recent weeks, which likely means more teeth are on the way.  Henry was a trooper for most of his teeth, but his molars gave him a bit of grief.  Since we're expecting 4 more to arrive in the next few months, we'll see how we fare.

Henry is still learning more and more words every day.  In my opinion I find the way he says pee pee and poo poo to be the most endearing ("bee bee" and "boo boo" in a super sweet toddler boy voice).  He's also recently learned how to say ice, ipad, cold, warm, bread, fob (for Mama's work fob that is soooooo enticing to play with), book, milk and knock. 

Friday Thanks

2013 is still treating me well.  Recent things I'm thankful for:

* Going out to breakfast as a family.  Watching Henry devour pancakes is priceless!
* Grandma Sherry watching Henry so I could enjoy a UP game with Ryan all the way through (I usually leave at half time to get Henry in bed).
* Piano lesson.  Especially grateful that my instructor didn't laugh at me.
* Morning cuddles with the Hubbie.
* Walks with Soph and Henry.  Crisp, cold air does a body good.
* Jogging on the treadmill.
* Daydreaming of being a landlord.
* Painting my nails and toenails.
* Reading for fun.
* Coming home to a clean house.
* Making time to practice the piano.
* Fish stew made by my Mama (Grandma O).
* Grandpa Keith walking me to the car (to make sure Henry and I are safe).
* Homemade lasagna.
* Lunch with my girlfriend Laura.
* Playing trains, chase and having foam sword fights with Henry.
* Reading countless books with Henry and doing sticker art with him.
* Hugs, kisses and cuddles from my Little Man.  The way he says "Maaaamaaaaa" melts my heart.
* Glass of wine after a long week at work.

23 Months

Henry has known how to work door handles and knobs for some time, but recently he has taken particular joy and pride in his ability to help let "dog, dog" in and out.  If Sophie is outside and I tell Henry we should let her in, he'll run over to the back door, open it up and then lean his head out into the fresh air yelling "dog, dog....dog, dog....dog, dog."  Half the time Sophie comes bounding in, nearly knocking him over, wagging her tail right his in face.  Doesn't seem to bother Henry in the least. 

Henry's still a pretty happy kid. I admit he has been exploring whining and tantrums, but he's generally a happy go lucky guy.  I sooooooooo cherish that part of his personality.

Henry still loves all things with wheels, including his fire truck.  He now associates fire engines/trucks with "Dada."  When were were at New Seasons the other day, the cashier gave Henry a fire truck sticker and he kept saying "Dada, Dada, Dada" and pointing to the sticker.  The cashier gave me a funny look and then I explained that his Dada is a firefighter.  She then smiled, acknowledging that my son isn't crazy.

Henry loves to play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek (where he just hides and I come find him...no counting necessary).  Recently he tried hiding in the kitchen cabinets.  It didn't quite work as he had planned, but it was fun watching him try.

 Mama is so happy that Henry shares her love of trains.

Boy oh boy, this boy's smile is nothing but trouble.  It is SO hard to stay mad at someone who is this darn cute.  I'm not partial or anything. : )

Weekend Thanks

2013 is off to a splendid start.  Here are some highlights of things I am grateful for from recent days:

* Date night with Ryan.  Evening out with our good friends Hadidjah, Fred and Gabe. 
* Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Keith taking Henry over night to facilitate date night.
* Grandpa Keith driving Henry home after his sleepover.
* Playdate with Cameron, Jade, Layton and Ben (and their moms Kellie, Shira and Wendy).
* Coming home from work to dinner on the table.
* Coming home to a clean house.
* First piano lesson (I need to practice!!!).
* Beth visiting.
* Trying out new recipes for banana bread and chunky tomato bisque. 
* Three runs on the treadmill (13 miles this week).
* Painting my nails.
* Finding a couple hours throughout the week to read for fun.
* Watching TV with Ryan.
* Playing with the Ko kids.
* Devouring nearly a jar of my homemade pickles from last summer.

Reflections and Resolutions

At the beginning of 2012, I made three resolutions for the year (1) simplify, (2) find peace with being a working mom, and (3) eat more fish.

If I had to grade myself, I would give myself a B for number (1), F for number (2) and B for number (3).  For the straight-A student part of me, this is an atrocious report card. 

Having said that, I would give myself an A for effort. 

I tried really hard to find ways to simplify my life by hiring a house keeper (which really didn't reduce my housework load as much as I had hoped and anticipated...but I still LOVE that twice a month, my house gets cleaned top to bottom by someone else), hiring more babysitters (or swapping babysitting), prepping many dinners the night before, letting go of having a spotless house, not over-committing to host too many things, etc.  Although there is still room for improvement, I did a decent job finding ways to simplify my life. 

I ate much more fish than in previous years, but not as much as I first set out to eat.  I do find myself making a conscious decision to make a fish selection more than I ever have in the past, so I think I was pretty successful with this goal.

Now, for finding peace with being a working mom...this was a complete FAILURE in 2012.  I am not used to failing at anything I set my mind to do...so this is a hard pill to swallow.  Again, I give myself an A for effort though.  I sought professional help by seeing a therapist for 6 months, read countless blogs and magazine articles on the topic, talked with many working moms, read books on stress management, marriage and parenting, etc..  But, at the end of the day, I FAILED to find peace with being a working mom.  Honestly, by the end of the year, I felt broken in many ways.

BUT, with a new year, comes new energy, time to reflect and an opportunity to set new resolutions and goals.  So, for 2013 I am resolving to do three things (1) find peace with being a working mom (I want another bite at the apple), (2) spend more quality time focused on me and us, and (3) organize my closets and drawers.  Number (1) and (2) are actually related somewhat.  I have been reflecting a lot lately on WHY I still struggle (immensely) with this whole concept of being a working mom.  After reading through and reflecting on my "Random 2 Weeks" and simply thinking back on the last two years of my life (since Henry was born) I have come to the conclusion that I have lost focus on who I am - a dynamic, multifaceted woman. 

I have spent the better part of the last two years focused on really only two parts of my life: being a mom and being a lawyer.  Although I have made some effort to still be a decent friend, daughter and wife, the primary focus of the last two years has been on being a mom and lawyer.  One role driven by desire (and perhaps biology), the other role driven by necessity.  The role driven by necessity takes up a SIGNIFICANT number of my waking hours.  This has made me grumpy at best....angry, resentful, guilty, and bitter at worst.  But WHY???

The best hypothesis I can come up with at this time is that I am so conflicted because I sacrificed (in large part but admittedly not entirely) the many other roles I used to have before I had Henry: crafter, reader, walker, devoted daughter, wife and friend, volunteer, chef, gardener, traveler, dreamer.  I did this 100% voluntarily, but perhaps not consciously.  My biggest FEAR after Henry was born was/is that my choice to work was/is going to forever harm him...and me...so I devoted as many of my waking hours that were not devoted to work (and the occasional date with Ryan) to Henry. This is a recipe for disaster and disaster is what I am coping with.

Logically, I know that it is important to nurture oneself.  Logically, I know that Henry will not be harmed by my choice to work.  Logically, I know that Henry is happy, healthy and thriving.  Logically, I know that a happy mother makes a much better mother than an unhappy mother (which is current state).  Emotionally though, I have not been able to change course.

But, in 2013 I am setting out to change course, because what I have been doing has clearly NOT been working. I need to spend more time nurturing me.  I need to spend more time nurturing my marriage, my dear Ryan.  I believe (HOPE) this will result in a happier/healthier mom for Henry, happier/healthier wife for Ryan, and happier/healthier person for myself.  If I am more balanced and fulfilled, I believe (HOPE) I will find peace with work and being a working mom.

Oh, but HOW???  Here are a few thing I aspire to do this year to accomplish number (2) - spend more quality time focused on me and us, which I think will facilitate accomplishing number (1) - finding peace with being a working mom:

1. 20 date nights...minimum
2. Take a family vacation
3. Finish making Henry's baby book
4. Paint my nails and/or toenails regularly
5. Read for pleasure more
6. Blog
7. Jog/Exercise regularly
8. Plant veggies/fruit in the summer
9. Canning
10. Learn to play the piano (my lessons start tomorrow!)
11. SLEEP more
12.  Express my gratitude regularly
13.  Allow myself to relax and laugh more often
14. Spend more time with other working moms with young children
15. Spend more time with old (and new) girlfriends

Cheers to 2013!!!  I have HUGE hopes that this will be a WONDERFUL and JOYOUS year to come.

Happy New Year

Henry, Sophie and I spent a long New Year's weekend at the coast, which was glorious work-free family time.  Ryan came down for a night to join us, but had to head back to Portland so he could work.  Henry took great pleasure in "calling" Dada multiple times to check in on him after he left. 

Henry is one very active boy these days.  The weather hasn't been as conducive to outside play as the fall was, so Henry has taken to "mowing" the carpet.  He has started to try to climb everything too.

Henry loves cars!!!

Henry really enjoys doing puzzles now, especially this one that is all about vehicles.  He still loves all things with wheels.  The bigger the better!

Peek-a-boo.  If I cover my eyes, you can't see me!!!

Giving loves to Dada's chair.  He loves to snuggle anything soft and squishy.

Bang, bang, bang.  This thing is awesome and loud!!!  We used to have to hold the drum part up for Henry to use, but now he can do it all by himself. He is quite proud of himself when he plays drummer boy. I think he gets this from Grandpa Jim who grew up playing the drums (even played in the military). 

Henry is talking up a storm these days. New words form everyday.  His latest words include more, wall, bye, blueberry, rhino, banana, bib, pot, and scissors.  He's also starting to learn his letters, including O, Z, M, E and Y.  Amazing how quickly kids pick stuff up. 

Henry's generally still a good eater, however, he has become much more particular on any given day. For example, he'll eat blueberries everyday for a week straight like they are candy and then the next week, he'll have nothing to do with them.  If you serve them to him (when he doesn't want them), he will often first offer them back to you to eat and then if you say "no thanks, why don't you try them???" he'll say, "no...dog, dog" and drop them over the side of his high chair for Sophie to consume.  He has banned all solid forms of meat, other than breaded or smoked fish.  He'll still eat bacon and sausage though (who wouldn't, pork fat is awesome!).  His favorite foods these days include, waffles with syrup, greek yogurt, blackberries, sesame rice crackers, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit leather, cashews (roasted and salted, not the raw ones), and avocados (sprinkled with kosher salt). 

His favorite toys in recent weeks include his power tools, race cars, recycle truck, cash register, floor puzzle and train set.  He also still loves to read (but only the books he gets to pick out, not the ones Mama picks out). 

All in all, Henry continues to thrive as a happy, ever-growing toddler.  I couldn't be happier!