smash cake.

I had been planning Henry's smash cake photo shoot for a loooong time.  I made a perfect banner for the background that matched his adorable month by month ties and made a pretty good looking turquoise funfetti cake.  The night before, I set everything up with a big roll of white paper and a piece of plexi-glass to help minimize mess...  And then it was show time!  

I probably should have waited until Henry was feeling 100% but I was excited and ready to go.   We sat him by the cake and he immediately grabbed the candle and started eating it.  Then one fistful of icing to taste before smearing it all over the backdrop... And then he was done.  I probably should have re-thought the turquoise icing b/c by the time he crawled over to me wanting up, we were both covered from head to toe in icing.  Oh well, it was fun for the 45 seconds that it lasted :)  

henry len- 1 year!

12 Months:

Well, you had a bit of a rough birthday week.  You started with a cough and then ended up in a full head/chest cold by the time your birthday rolled around.  We even went to the doctor b/c you were feeling so bad.  Lots of fluids, humidifiers and rest were the only prescription.  Luckily you were starting to feel better, but b/c of your cold and the cold/snow outside, we had to cancel your party.  We did open some of your gifts and you had a good time tearing up the wrapping paper.  And then you ignored your gifts and carried around an empty milk jug for 3 hours...  :)    

This past month you have really started walking.  You do this best with some toy/object in your hands and your mouth.  Maybe it distracts you from what you are actually doing?  No major spills to date, thank goodness.  Most of the time you prefer to just crawl, but I'm sure you will be running in no time.  

A few new words have been added to your word bank, like baby & bye bye.  You somehow learned to aggressively shake your head back and forth and say "Nay", so I suppose the "no to every single thing we try to give you/do" phase has begun.  I'm already preparing for this next year b/c you are extremely ornery and it will probably only get worse. 

Happy first birthday, Henry!  We love you!  

a day in the life...

I found this idea on Pinterest and wish I would have seen it a long time ago.  I'm not sure if I am just getting super sentimental b/c Henry's birthday is coming up or what, but these pictures really tugged on my heart strings.  They may seem simple or boring to anyone else, but for me, they are my life & my everything.  Every moment that I get to spend with this little boy is worth a million dollars.  Yes, he eats and sleeps a lot (how else would I get anything done around the house!) but when he is up, he is happy, playful and hilarious.  Darin and I laugh all of the time at the things he does and says.  I'm so happy that I can look back and see how he was at this age and like I said, just wish I would have had this idea from the beginning!  

^^WAKE UP!  He greets us with that smile every morning^^

^^diaper change^^

^^daily removal of all DVD's from baskets^^

^^waffles^^

^^and yogurt^^

^^story time^^

^^naptime #1^^

^^He loves Target... and yes, I brought my camera :)^^

^^grilled cheese^^

^^nap #2^^

^^post-nap bottle & Ellen^^

^^making laps upstairs^^

^^pulling out every toy he can find^^

^^chicken nuggets & peas^^

^^dad is home!^^

^^bath time^^

^^turning his aquarium on & off 10 times before finally going to bed^^

  

henry len- 11 months

11 months:

Holy crap, how are you already 11 months old!?!?  Your 1st birthday party plans are in full swing and I honestly just keep finding things to do for it to occupy my mind and not think about the fact that I am weeks away from having a 1 year old.  Yikes.

This past month you have gotten much braver standing on your own.  A few shuffles have even occurred, which makes us think you may be making big steps soon!  Your "vocabulary" has evolved into "nigh-nigh" for all naps and bedtime, "yum" in response to "Henry, would you like a waffle?", "baa-baa" for bottle and "waazzaaat" which we think means, "what's that?" (ok, this may be a stretch :)  You also enjoy crinkling up your nose and snorting in and out, which we refer to as your "bulldog" face (see above).

No new teeth this month, which is just fine with me!  You still have an obsession w/ cell phones, remote controls, water bottles and empty cardboard boxes.  Another favorite past time is to take every single item out of whatever container it is in (all contents of your diaper bag, every single DVD, anything in my purse, etc.)  Now to just teach you to put it all back...

The countdown is on until your birthday.  Seems like just yesterday I was planning for your birth, getting my hospital bag together and finishing your nursery.  Love you little man!