Henry's First Word Document

(I suggested he type his name)

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Hernnryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Elliot's Totally Made-up Story

Oddly, there have been no time-outs for hitting recently that I know of. They made these puppets at playgroup, and I didn't think to follow up the next day to see if they had made up stories there.

Interestingly, I would have known this frowny puppet was Elliot's. He is less expressive with his emotions (ie - less prone to falling on the ground crying about sprinkles on his cereal than Henry), but is very interested in bad guys, hi-ya-ing, ghosts, monsters and their ilk. If anyone's going to talk about people going to jail (not video taped), being angry or "Mama, when grow into a man, I'll have a knife. But not a knife to cut people. A knife for cutting play-dough. Or I can use my knife for making(frosting) a cake," it's going to be Elliot.

And he's just as sweet as Henry. Henry loves 'nuggles more and tends to be more clingy, but Elliot is also loving, in a clowny way. Last week I was trying to take a snooze on the swing with Henry. Elliot leaned over and kissed my lips, like in Snow White he said. Hi-Ho is a favorite movie around here, so I'm just glad he'd rather play the role of prince rather than evil witch.

The River!

I've often lamented that there are no places to swim in Oregon. The rivers are dangerous and cold, the beach is cold, dangerous and far away, and the lakes are stagnant and swampy. I grew up with lakes all around, so I'm pretty picky.

However, our new neighbors (who I adore) asked us to check out the Sandy River with them this morning. The Sandy River is the River of Death to me, with at least one drowning of an adult and a child each summer. I knew she wasn't going to sacrifice her girls to the River Gods, so I figured we'd be safe.

We had our doubts though, when saw a huge warning sign about drownings in the area. Not too reassuringly, there were lifeguards and a strong recommendation for life vests for the kids. On the upside, they also pointed out a nice, calm place to play and swim.

The end of the story is this: No one drowned, the river was calm for a nice stretch, I got to dunk and swim (!) for a few minutes and my kids went "swimming" in a natural body of water for the first time.

And we're all tuckered out!

Yay for summer, neighbors and still being alive!

Henry J quote of the Day

I just told Mike that I really want a doughnut. He actively encouraged me to walk to the store and buy some, "You can get a whole box. With some glazed ones... some powdered ones... some other ones..." Henry pipes up, "Some baking soda ones...some baking powdered ones..."

Everyone Loves Baby Cousin!

IMG_2179
Originally uploaded by sixtyeightgearinches

On Sunday the boys and I packed up and rushed up to Seattle to assist my dear sister in the labor and delivery process.

H&E didn't do much assisting, of course, but were able to visit Baby Rowan less than 24 hours after birth. Elliot LOVES babies and was enamored; Henry don't much notice babies and was not very interested in his new cousin (despite appearing more engaged in this photo).

Uncle Seth has video of Elliot holding Rowan, I'm sure it's pretty cute. I can't wait to get back up there and see the newest little perfect person in the world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABIES!!!

Elliot

Henry

Last Friday Elliot and Henry turned three! The day was great. Finally sunny, we ran to a garage sale and picked up a little bike for Elliot. It was $5 really, really well spent! Both Henry and Elliot are nuts about riding their bikes.

We also made birthday crowns, took the bicycles for a walk (as Elliot puts it) with Grandpa Adair, and Papa came home early from work and we went to see Toy Story 3! It was H&E's first theater experience, and it was 3D to boot. About 40 minutes in they were both restless, but we managed to stay for the whole show.

Thanks for all the support over the last three years, friends!

Growing Up

Last week a propos to nothing, Henry said, "Mama, when you grow down you'll be the baby and I'll be a mama." He knew he was being silly and it was cute.

Today I was petting the dogs in the yard. I grabbed Elliot and asked if he were a dog and needed to be pet as well. He said, "No, I just grew up last weekend." He was being truthful, these almost-three-year-olds have grown in the last few weeks!

waffle window = fun!

waffle window = fun!
Originally uploaded by crankyisgood

that's my boy! Elliot in his element.

OMG!

Yesterday I took Henry to pick up pizza, just the two of us. We were chatting in the car and I remembered that I saw his playgroup nanny working with the kids on spelling their names.

I asked him, "Can you spell your name?"
No response.

I revised the question, "What are the letters in your name?"
His answer: "H.e.n.r.y."

Holy cow, I was floored. I asked him two more times and he refused, so I laid off. We got home and Mike and I interrupted each other, both eager to speak.

He said, "Elliot can read." I said, "Henry can spell his name!"

Apparently while H and I were gone, Mike pulled something up on the computer that said "Winnie-the-Pooh" and Elliot recognized it. Per Mike, there were no pictures or other ways to identify the phrase.

I think we have geniuses on our hands!

(no one break my heart and tell me all 2.5 year-olds should be able to spell their names. :) )

Henry Sings Christmas Songs

Merry Christmas!

Henry and Elliot had a wonderful Christmas, with lots and lots of presents to open. Here is a little sample of their different opening styles. Henry tears with the sole goal of uncovering the gift; Elliot tears little pieces of paper off, bit by bit. Henry's is cleaner; Elliot's takes longer and prolongs the enjoyment. Both are such fun to watch!





Auntie Daphne, Uncle Seth, Uncle Alex, Grandma Judi and Grandpa Don all came over for dinner and more gifts. This Boxing Day has been all about sugar, wildness and not-listening-or-sitting-for-dinner. The boys were off to bed at 7:28 and nary a peep has been heard from their room. Phew!

Pre-Christmas "Festivities"

Merry Almost Christmas!

Henry and Elliot Love:

Christmas!
Frosty the Snowman, as of today. The 50 times prior they didn't give a rip.
Jingle Bells, especially Elliot
X-mas lights, of course.
"The Christmas Tree Song," which is my made up rendition of Oh Christmas Tree.
Presents, books specifically. I think the book part has to do with thus far they have each only opened one present. Guess what they were?
Wooden Spoons
mini whisks
"warm chocolate", as opposed to hot chocolate, of course.
Yo Gabba Gabba
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Cement Mixers (Henry)
Diggers and all other construction equipment(Elliot).
The color blue (Henry)
Buzz Lightyear (Henry)
drawing with crayons or markers (Elliot)
Reading books (Henry more so)
wall*e (Elliot)
Mama's Bracelet (Elliot, past 24 hours only)
"Going to work. Going to meetings" (both)
climbing
jumping
making mischief (both, oh lord)

What's really interesting is that Henry is the ringleader for deciding whose is whose. He laid claim to the blue cups, assigning Elliot the green. It took Elliot about 6 weeks to go along with, and insist upon using the green cups. Henry fell in love with a "Mixer Puzzle" and deemed all others inferior (and therefore Elliot's). For the most part Elliot is easy going and flows right along with whatever. However, this past week they are obsessed with wooden spoons. Gone are the days when they would share or trade; we are in full battle mode over these spoons. Some replacements are acceptable occasionally. Occasionally mama removes all spoons from sight!

DIGGER!

Auntie Daphne knitted this awesome digger sweater for Elliot. He has been so excited about it. Here is a video of the first time he put it on!

Retrospect

This photo was taken in July 2007, so Elliot is three or so weeks old. Was it Elliot? Maybe Mike remembers.

I think it was the first time they were separated, although Elliot was being watched by nurses about 2 hours after being born for about [forever] half an hour?

Oddly, lots of details are a touch hazy around this time period.

This was the first time Mike wore a baby, and I am glad I snapped a photo against his wishes. What a little baby that was! Can you imagine what a sight that must have been? If only I could rewind time and relive life in five minute chunks [handpicked by me, of course].

Painting Pumpkins

We went to the pumpkin patch with Uncle Alex, Uncle Seth and Auntie Daphne. Henry and Elliot are not yet to be trusted with knives, but they were very pleased to paint their pumpkins. Later the grown-ups had squash soup and apple pie for dinner. Henry and Elliot stuck with corn on the cob. Fresh corn is the best!

Henry sings ABCs

Camera Phones Photos of August 2007

Oddly, I apparently didn't take any photos in August 2008. The top two pictures are from our trip at 9 weeks to Chicago for Kira's wedding. The others are from 8/12/07, so about 7 weeks. I don't remember them being that aware that early; it must have been a good morning! (Elliot's in the dotted jammies.)

Advanced Sharing

Over the past two weeks, Henry and Elliot have stepped up on the turn taking. Good boys!

It's the same thing over and over, but that's what sharing is. Patience and putting yourself second (so you can be first next time!).

Demanding (& Observent) Monkey

Yesterday I was pulling the boys and the bike trailer (approx. 80 lbs) up a short & steep hill. We'd had after a nice afternoon of playing in a friend's pool. As I was huffing and puffing my way up, I heard Henry say, "Go faster, Mama." I barely got out a shocked, "What did you say?" A nicely dressed bike commuter sailed by me saying, "I think he told you go go faster." Yeah, I got that! What a cheeky monkey.

I had to call and tell Daphne about that, and she reminded me of the time I called her last week. We were in Spokane after driving up. I loaded the picnic goodies into the car, then the boys. As I sat down to drive, Henry pops out with, "Mama's car is too dirty." True, young man, true!