Hangin' with Uncle Tim

The above picture was taken on our recent trip up to Ohio.

According to Wikipedia...

The name "Henry" originates from the Norman version of the Germanic name Haimirich, from which many modern names derive. Among them are names like Henry, Henri, Heinrich and their female counterparts, as well as less obvious ones such as Enrique. This name means 'ruler of the Home', from 'haim' (home) and 'rich' (powerful).

Even the name America may well derive from this name, from Haimirich > Heinrich > Henricus > Emericus > Americus > America.

My Baby's Head is So Big...

When he opens his mouth, people think he's going to despense a Pez candy.

I have plenty more my baby's head is so big jokes, but Dad said I can only put one on your blog.

Diagnosis: Bad Attitude

Here's H-Dub looking quite pathetic after one of his marathon crying/fussy sessions;

These sessions seem to be more frequent and lasting longer of late. So much for the "He'll get better at three months." theory.The kid does not like to go to sleep. He is a good sleeper, but getting there is the problem. He was screaming and crying so much on Monday and Tuesday, I was convinced that he had an ear infection, or had somehow swallowed a handful of razorblades. He woke up on Wednesday and was hoarse from all of the carrying on. I took him to the Dr. to hopefully get him (and me) some relief.He of course screamed the entire way to the office (during which I called my mom and begged her to come down and help us this weekend). After declaring him to be perfectly healthy, the Dr. thought his gums could be bothering him and suggested we try giving him something for that. "But Dr.Patil, you don't understand. It seems he is never really content. We are constantly trying to appease and entertain him. It is getting increasingly difficult to manage these spells. Though music often works, he is not easily impressed .I really want him to grow up to be a happy child, blah blah blah..." I was rambling on and had not noticed the Dr. laughing at me. "He looks ok to me!", she said. I looked down and this is the face I saw;

Way to get my back, Henry.

Back To Work Update-Two Days Down

Two week notice to go.

Just kidding, Greg. Kind of. So sorry to have harshed your mellows with the last back to work posting, people. I thought I should send a quick update to let you know you can all stop crying. Friday was better than I expected. Today was a little rough though. I see a trip to the pediatrician in the near future for a suspected ear infection. Overall, we are a-ok.

Thanks for all of the kind words, emails and story sharings. I am leaning towards the Donna route of not sending him to daycare until I can interrogate him about the ongoings of the day.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus.

The 6 Minute, 14 Second Honoring of the Father

Yesterday, Greg got to spend two minutes eating his special Father's Day Pancakes I made him. The secret ingredient: love, of course. And nutmeg. Then he spent 4 minutes and 14 seconds enjoying his book that we got him.


It turned out to not be as hilarious as I had imagined (I had no time for a pre-read before purchase), but he liked it anyway.

Then he got to mow and work in the yard all day while I babysat a bipolar baby.

It was almost as exciting as our anniversary celebration two weeks ago. Wait. I think it was exactly as exciting because we did the same thing, but substitute the pancakes for a bite of frostbitten year old wedding cake that had nothing between it and the surrounding frigid air but a flimsy cardboard box. mmm...

Happy Father's Day!
Happy Anniversary! (you know you love me)

The Best 12 Weeks of My Life

Dear Henry,

I can't believe that it has been 83 days since your arrival. Each of these days has been permanently filed in memory. I have loved every second. Even the seconds when we cried together because we were both so freaking tired. Even the ones when Daddy had to be called home for back up when I thought I was losing my mind. You are so amazing to me. You sometimes look like me. You sometimes look like your Dad, but mostly you look like you. You love, I mean LOVE music. In a freaky can't-get-you-to-sleep-without-it kind of way. Not baby lullabyes either. The single guaranteed way of getting you calmed or stopping your crying is to turn on your ipod. Loud. Your crying ceases. Your eyes get big and your hands open and close. We are going to record this with the video camera because you will not believe it. You very much enjoy diaper changes, baths, your mobile, and laying on your Dad's chest. You never smirk when happy or entertained. Instead, you smile so big with your tounge sticking out. Your eyes squint and you turn away because it seems you can't deal with all of the happiness. I am frantically trying to think of everything I want to log about you from the last 12 weeks because tomorrow I go back to work.

and that breaks my heart.

I have spent yesterday and this morning crying. I am sure you father thinks I am loco. I smile when you look at me so you don't know something's up. I swear I am like the mom in one of those lame Lifetime movies where the drug addicted teenage biological mother has changed her mind about the adoption and wants the baby back. I smell your blankets when you are napping. I tell you how much I will miss our morning conversations. ("Kelsey, we get to keep him.", your Dad keeps reminding me). The best/worst part is that you will still be here in the house for the Summer. Alexa will be taking care of you full time while I work. I will at times be able to hear you laugh and play and cry when I am working. This is going to be interesting. I should feel fortunate that you are not having to go to daycare tomorrow- and I do, but still, tomorrow everything changes. No job could ever be as relevant and fufilling as taking care of you. We shall see how this goes. Thank you for being so fun and funny and giving me such wonderful memories of your first days. I love you so very much.

Mom

Travel With a Sick Baby

Look at my poor baby. In spite of being unwell, Henry loved getting to visit his Ohio family.

We would like to formally apologize to the entire 4th floor of the USBank building in downtown Cincinnati for the piercing infant screams on Tuesday afternoon.

Ditto to the passengers and crew aboard Delta flight 5604, 2 hour and 10 minute service from Cincinnati to Austin. We do not, however, apologize to the passenger in seat 2C. There are other things we would like to say to her.

Cold Chillin'

Jive Talkin'

Aloha Mr. Hand

Sideways Smile

Sniff