Twinnies Bday Party

This afternoon we had the pleasure to celebrate the Thurik Twins 1st birthdays. It was great to see everyone and have all the dads there too. Usually it's just us girls and babes for play dates and it was wonderful to look around and see all the men holding babies! Thanks Jerame and Katie for inviting us over to celebrate such a big milestone for you and your babies. It was the perfect 1st bday party! Here are some pics from the day.

Henry playing with his Coug Football

Our wonderful little family

Haigh Family

Devine FamilyJessica & Izzy The birthday boy and his daddy

Beautiful birthday girl

Henry O'Handsome

Yes our sweet little Henry O'Handsome is 7 months old today. I cannot believe how much love you have brought to our lives and I am so excited for all the adventures that lie ahead. Your daddy and I love you so much. Happy 7 Months my love! Mommy cannot imagine my life without you and never knew that a smile could bring so much sunshine to the world! As you continue to grow up I hope you always remember to be silly, smile often, laugh until your belly hurts, never be embarressed to kiss your mommy on the cheek, know you have family that loves you more than you will ever know, always strive to be your best self and please on please let's not suck on any other people's toes ok? ;o) Love you monkey.

Skater??

So Henry's Bapa likes to go skateboarding in the mornings on the weekend. Yep, I did say his bapa. Who said old age has to keep you off the board!?!. He is pretty athletic and I am sure will teach Henry all his tricks one day, as you can see he is already getting him interested. :o)

This and That

I have to say I am so thankful to have so many friends on this journey of motherhood with me. The past few weeks have not been easy and just the simple chats, words of advice or just knowing if you need to pick up the phone there are numerous friends that I could call. What a blessing we all have to be able to lean on one another and know you are not alone. Motherhood is the best gift I have ever received and I am loving every day with my family. But I will admit it's not easy, nor did I expect it to be. However I wouldn't trade my life for the world. I get to spend every minute with the most precious little boy and watch the amazing transformation each and every day brings. You can't really prepare for this chapter of your life and you learn as you go; which can be exciting and frightening at the same time. All I can say is you have to be ready to give 110% of yourself to someone else and maybe just maybe find a few minutes for you (and your husband!). Which in the end is all worth it when you get to experience this unconditional love that simply no words can explain. By the time the day is over I am beat and I am a stay at home mom. My hat is really off to all you ladies who get up and work outside of the home and have families to take care of as well. You really all are super women to me!

On another note, I truly think that I have one of the happiest babies on the planet. Which really gives me more energy to get through each day than I could ever get from a cup of coffee (well ok maybe not!) Anyway, he is so funny, has the best laugh, chats all the time and has recently discovered how to blow bubbles with his drool...yep pretty gross but we think it's cute. Grandpa calls it the motorboat as he makes this really funny noise to go along with all the slobber. I really can't express how much love I have for this little man in my life. I find myself giggling all the time when I think of all our adventures. Anyway, here are a few of our favorite pics from the weekend. We were able to celebrate Henry's good friend Ayla's first birthday! After the party mom, dad and baby headed down to the family house on Browns Point to enjoy some of the Puget Sound view. Nothing like sitting out with your wonderful family along the beach on a sunny Seattle day.

Birthday girl waiting for her cake in front of about 20 adults staring at her:

Showing off for the crowd playing peak-a-boo while taking a break from her cake:Ayla's Auntie Christina and Henry meeting for the first time:Henry and Grandpa having a chat:

Brown's Point:

Any Advice?

Just about every night at some point in the night I am finding Henry fast asleep on his belly. Since I have always been told that babies should not sleep on their bellies until after a year old I am picking him up and flipping him over, which wakes him up. Not ideal for a mom that is still struggling to get some sleep. He is in such a deep sleep when he is on his belly that it kind of freaks me out. But, at almost 7 months is he ok to be on his belly? Or am I doing the right thing by flipping him over? It's just so hard for me to go back to sleep peacefully when I leave him on his belly and if I don't it's hard because I wake him up...feels like a lose lose situation. Advice anyone? Opinions? Anything is welcomed.

Also, on a personal note I welcome any advice you might have that will help me sleep more soundly. I literally will get in bed and be absolutely exhausted but lay there awake for almost 2 hours before I drift off to sleep. And, when I wake up in the middle of the night with Henry I do the same thing. This really isn't helping out on the limited hours I get anyway with a baby. I am thinking I could change some of my routine to help me drift off to sleep better. Maybe more exercise? Reading books? Teas? Meditation? I am really open to anything at this point except sleep meds as I feel like I need a clear mind for Henry and these meds usually knock me out.

KY/WV Tip - Part 2

As promised here is the second part of our trip back east to visit family in Kentucky and West Virginia. My mother's family is from West Virgina and starting with my grandma there are 75 of us! My mom is 1 of 9 (5 girls & 4 boys) and almost our entire famiy except us and a couple others all live within 45 minutes of each other. I have a cousin in the NE area, one in Tennessee and one down in Florida. Other than that, I am pretty sure everyone else lives there (hard to keep track of everone with so many relatives!) Anyway, here are a few of my favorite pics from my mom's side of the family.

4 Generations (Great Grandma Mom, Nauna, Mommy & Henry)

Great Grandma Mom w/ 14 of her grandkids & great grandkids (looking at this picture I am the oldest I think...I have always considered myself the youngest grandbaby from the older group...none of those older cousins are in this picture)My Uncle Pete & Henry (Chris and my uncle Pete are really two peas in a pod! We are trying to figure out how to get him out west for a visit. I just love all my uncles and a so happy they got to meet baby Henry)

2nd Cousins (Brooklyn & Henry)2nd Cousins Clint (3 weeks old) & Henry:And, Henry trying to eat Clint's toes....he totally has a foot fetish! Ugh, mom hates feet!

Lastly, we will leave you with some smiles. The best smile in the world if you ask me! ;o)

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

On Friday Henry surprised me by putting his knees underneath him and rocking back and forth. He hasn't done it again on his own but if you help him get on all fours he will stay there for some time. He really seems to be concentrating and then goes to take a lunge forward and falls on his belly. Really funny to watch. But oh so scary....not ready for a mobile child yet!!! Man oh man where has the time gone?

KY Trip - Part 1

We have now been home a week from our Kentucky/West Virginia Trip and I thought I should share some of our favorite pics. I literally have 200+ and family on both my mom and dad side so to kick things off we will start with our travel day and my dad's side (only a few pics I promise!)

First plane ride:First hotel stay:First Time Meeting his Papa (my dad) First Time Meeting his Big Papa or Great Grandpa (I used to sit in that very exact spot when I was little...who am I kidding, I still squeeze in that spot!) First time meeting his Auntie Ashley (my sister) Ashley & I & Our Boys (Nephew Gavin 4, Nephew Ryan 1, Henry 6 months) 3 of the 5 Grandkids & our kids (all boys! Cousin Josh & his son Braxton 5 months)Henry's Great Aunt Tena & Cousin Braydon, 3 yrs old (the best auntie you could ask for!)Henry & his Great Great Aunt Becky
Henry sitting on the steps at Great Papa's house. I have a picture of me around 1 years old sitting in the exact same spot. I will scan it later and put this one back up with it. He is just so stinkin' happy. Makes me so happy that he is really enjoying his life! He truly lights up the room with his smile. How blessed we are.

Jolly Green Giant

Yes, that's right I have a very TALL little boy on my hands! We had his 6 month well child visit today and he is doing amazing across the board.

Height: 29 3/8 inches (off the charts for a 6 month old...or what they call >97% or the average height for an 11 month old!!! Are you kidding me!)

Weight: 20 lbs 3 oz (90%)

Head Circ: 46 cm (95%)

Other news...well it seems I am having to start all over on sleep training since our trip. Last night was our first night back home and Henry was not happy to sleep on his own anymore. I had a feeling this might happen given the past 2 weeks he has been sleeping with me on our vacation. The doc said this is really common and since he has done it before it shouldn't take too long to get back on track. Also, his teething is making him pretty miserable. A lot of fussing going on around here. I am just hoping it passess quickly and I get my happy little camper back and I get some sleep again!

Sneak Peek

Before we left on our trip we had Henry's 6 month photos taken. Chris and I joined in on a few family photos too. I meet with the photographer tomorrow morning to preview them all but here are a few from her blog. I am so excited to see the rest of them as these are pretty darn good!

I know we have our very own "Coffey" who takes wonderful photos but if she is booked up I would recommend Alyssa Rose. Very affordable and takes wonderful shots. She also specializes in taking photos with family pets for all you dog lovers out there! ( http://alyssarosephotography.wordpress.com/ )

The Porter Family

Congratulations to my little sister Ashley and her wonderful husband Billy! I am so glad Henry and I were able to be there with you to celebrate your big day! We love you so much and miss you already! Mr. & Mrs. Porter & their gorgeous boys (my nephews that I love sooo much!)You may kiss the bride!Sissy dancing with our daddy:Nephew Gavin & Me: