Sledding

It was a beautiful day for sledding today so, we headed out to one of the two hills in town to enjoy. We went early so, we were the only ones there, which is very nice.


Henry had a great time and just requested more and more. He road down with Daniel at first and then he started to go on his own. He just smiled and laughed with all the fun.



He even got his Mimi and Gdada to go down the hill once too! It was quite a treat for everyone.

Crash, Bang, Boom

Searching for a tree

Monday was a little more of an adventure for us than originally planned. We headed out to the tree farm Monday afternoon to get a Christmas tree. After a good bit of looking in the snow, we selected a nice bushy tree to take home with us. It is quit heavy, but very pretty and Henry loves it.

Our tree in the 'wild'

After carefully securing the tree to the roof of the car, we headed home. Daniel was driving very carefully to make sure the tree did not slide off and because the roads were slick. Well, less than three miles from the house we stopped at the stop sign, Daniel quickly reached up to check that the tree was still there and all was well. Then he was preparing to go through the intersection, when there was a loud boom and a jolt to our car. No the tree had not fallen in fact it was quite in tact on top of the car. However, we were rear-ended by a lady that lost control of her car on the ice.

Our car

It was quite an impact, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. Henry was strapped in his sit and both Daniel and I were wearing our seat belts. Her car was badly damaged and most likely totally. Our car fared better and is fixable. We spent four hours in labor and delivery, no not having a baby, but being monitored. All is well with the baby and there does not appear to be any damage to the placenta or any other concerns. Today, we are all quite sore and well be visiting the chiropractor for the next few weeks.

The other car

Now, the fun begins with getting back in good health and dealing with the insurance company on the repairs, rental car, new car seat, and medical expenses. However, it should be pretty easy since we both have State Farm and her insurance should cover it all.

He is famous again...

Well, Henry loves to shovel snow and we landed to about 3 more inches of snow on Sunday after our trip to Alabama. Henry and Daniel headed out to clean off our driveway and walkways Monday morning. As they were finishing shoveling, a lady from the News Gazette spotted them and stopped to take a photo. This is Henry's second photo in our local paper in the last couple of months, this time it is in color.


The last time was black and white one shown below.

Santa Claus

Henry has been quite apprehensive of the Santa Claus at the local mall. We have walked by and looked at Santa the last couple of weeks at the indoor market. At first, he needed to be convinced to get within 20ft of him. The next week, he was willing to stand closer and watch Santa sit in his chair. Each week he has gotten a little closer. Finally, last week his friend Wren offered to walk up with him. With the extra help, he made it to see Santa up close.
He refused at multiple steps, pausing at the ramp until Wren pulled him forward. He really wanted his candy cane.

After getting his candy cane, he pulled back a little bit.

I asked him to stand for a picture and he stood far away, and then with a little time and convincing he moved closer to Wren.


The two of them posed for a nice picture before they left Santa.

Haircut

Henry got his very first haircut today! He was a little hesitate at first. Well, actually he just said , "NO" and acted shy. After a little time he did sit in the little chair and did very well. He wanted me to hold his hand though. The stylist was very sweet and patient and she sat on the floor and cut his hair. It looks a little more like a little boy, but is not a huge change.

Here he is before and after. I think he is just as cute!

Live Springs

This past weekend we had a lovely visit to Live Springs Farm right outside of Carrolton, Illinois. It was so much fun to visit with the farmer Bobbi and Alex and their sweet little boy Rowan. Rowan has grown so much since we last saw him. He is walking very well and very clearly trying to communicate with others. He is such a happy little boy with a sweet laugh and smile. Bobbi and Alex also seem so happy and relaxed in their work and life. It was so wonderful to see.

Henry and Rowan in looking at the cows

Henry pretending to drive.

Henry of course was very excited to go to the farmer to see "Farmer Alex's tractor. " He had a great time. The tractor was probably his highlight. He enjoyed sitting on all the tractors they had and even managed to turn one on. He loved the new big tractor the best. He would climb in with so help and sit proudly in the drivers seat and drive. It only would have been better if he actually got to ride. We will have to go back at planting or plowing time for that.

Henry getting ready to throw a seed pod.

They have about 40 pigs which were lots of fun too. They are very cute little piglets and so fat and happy. They liked eating the "Rattles" as Henry called them. Long seed pods that rattle when you shack them. Henry would gather up a whole bunch and carry them down to their field. The pigs would be so excited to see him coming and run over to the fence, the mama pigs leading the way, with the piglets close behind. Henry loved throwing in the pods and watching them root around for them. The last day we even got to see the boars. They are beautiful huge animals. Henry had fun calling Jake to come down to see him, even though Bobbi ended up going up and getting him out to the woods.

Mama and baby piglet

The cows also came up to say goodbye. They are nice little woolly bunch and will be growing in numbers next week when 14 more are delivered.

Papa Boar Jake

It was such a lovely time to get to interact the animals and walk around in some new woods. Of course, to see the farm family growing so well. It will be fun to go back and see how things continue to grow.

Pumpkin carving and ghosts

I think this is the first year we have carved a pumpkin with Henry. I know it is the first that he has really participated. He is very excited about Halloween and was very excited to help make a Jack-o-Lantern. He can't wait for us to light it.

He was not to sure about the gooey insides, but did like take the pieces of cut pumpkin out.



He asked to be a ghost for Halloween, which of course we did. He talks about putting a sheet over his head and says, "me be scary Ghost". Then tells you to, "Watch out, Henry scary ghost." Then he says , "BOO!". It is quite cute.

He enjoyed his trip to the nursing home and even would go into the residence on his own and say, "Happy Halloween" and "Boo" of course. He loved telling them he was a scary ghost. It is fun that he is enjoying these events so much and amazing how quickly he figures it all out.


We went trick or treating with his friend Lukas. Lukas was Yoda and was really into eating the candy as he got it. Henry was more of the collector and just wanted to put the candy in his basket. He did ask to eat a piece after we got home last night. We only went to a few houses, but the boys had lots of fun ringing doorbells and see all the other costumes. He also really enjoyed handing out candy to the kids that came to the door.

Here is Henry's loot and his first Halloween with the same basket.

It's a....

Healthy Baby! It was very nice to see our little one today. The baby moved around a lot and we got to see some nice images of the little one. The baby seems to have everything its needs and nothing extra which is great! The baby measured 18 weeks and 3 days on every measurements so, it was very consistent. This is in line with a due date of March 12 so, we expect to welcome this little one mid March into our family. Enjoy the pictures!




Baby trying the suck thumb. It was working very hard with its mouth and fingers.
And finally It's a boy! We are going to have two wonderful little boys.

Two Year old Check In

On Monday, I took Henry to visit with his doctor for his two year old check in. She said he was doing great and looked perfect for his age. He was a little shy, but did enjoy talking with her. She was very impressed with his ability to articulate words and make sentences.

He did very well while she examined him, even though he did want to hold my hand the whole time. The funniest thing he told her was when she went to listen to his heart. She showed him the stethoscope and said let's listen to your heart and offered him to touch it and he put my hand on it and told her, "midwife listen to mommy's belly baby first". Dr. Helton thought it was pretty cute. he has been talking about listening and see the baby at the midwives now for a few days so, I think the appointment after next we will have to take him with us.

Here are is I guess doctor official two year old stats. He is 25 pounds and 12 ounces and is 34 inches tall. If you have heard the old wives tales about height then he should be about 5 foot 8 as an adult, which is probably about right, but we will have to wait and see.

Henry's First Day of School (sort of)

Today was the first day of Tiny Tigers for Henry and he was super excited about going to school like Papa. Tiny Tigers is a playgroup type program run by high school students at Urbana High, which is one block from our house. It is on Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour and half for about 8 weeks in the fall and spring. It is nice that it is so close by and just a short time. I think Henry is going really going to enjoy going as he is ready to go back already.

Henry was very excited to pack his new backpack with his things and head out the door to school. He proudly told the neighbor that he was going to school today. He enjoyed the short walk over to the school and talked about going the whole way.
Henry was happy to go right into the room and start playing. He wanted a tractor, but settled for a bus to play with when we got there. I left him shortly after filling out the paper work, because he was happy and he stayed for the rest of the time on his own. He actually told me before we left the house to go, "Mommy stay home, Henry go to school."

He was glad to see me when they brought him down and they said he had a great time. He was happily showing me his paper plate artwork and declared he was ready for a snack. He had a lot of fun I think. Here is conversation we had about his time at school on our walk home:

me: What did you do at school?
Henry: Snack, crackers, graham cracker snack, Henry eat it all up, om
Translation: They had a graham cracker snack that he enjoyed.

me: Did you read any books?
Henry: Sure, mouse and cookie
Translation: We read if you give a mouse a cookie.



Me: What did you make?
Henry: Henry draw Henry's eyes
Translations: They drew pictures of their faces on paper plates.

It was fun to have a conversation with him about what he did. He is growing so big and loving learning everything around him.

Henry's TWO!!!

Henry turned two, and I still can't quite believe it. It has been and amazing two years with such great growth and changes. I know his third will be just as wonderful!

Henry was so excited about his birthday this year which was lots of fun. He enjoyed inviting his friends to his Tractor Birthday and talking about it for days before. He would tell people there was going to be a tractor cake with two fires.

On the morning of his birthday he was so excited to see the Happy Birthday Banner hanging up and had to touch it and show it to anyone in the room. At breakfast we lit the birthday ring from his Mamu and he was very excited to blow out the candles. These were the only candles he would blow out all day. After that he just wanted them lit so he could watch them. He even requested that Daniel light the fireplace, but we told him it was just too hot.


He opened the present from us that morning and was so excited to find his "Farmhouse" finished. He loved pulling off the paper. He put his animals in it and his tractors and even tried to get inside himself.



It was so much fun when his friends arrived that evening for his party. He wanted to show them all his things and actually did very well sharing. They all seemed to enjoy finding animals in the hay and just playing together. I think the best part for Henry though was the tractor cake, even though he did not eat any. He loved sitting with it, with the candles lit and all of us singing to him. He learned the Happy Birthday song and walked around most of the evening singing, which was pretty cute.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and in spirit. Henry had so much fun!

Food Processing

Checkout: Food Processing with Kate and Ben,

for some pictures of our Sunday afternoon with our friends and the picture of 100lbs of peppers only shows about 80. There were a lot of peppers when we start, a lot, but we managed to grill them all. Henry and Asher help moving and eating the raw peppers. The pizzas were great, and the bacon was awesome. I am looking forward to enjoying the cherry tomatoes.

We are growing around here

Henry, our amazing about to be two year old, has grown and changed so much just in the last few weeks it seems. He is truly becoming a big boy. He has stopped nursing and is doing very well with going potty , even though we still have a long way to go there before officially being done. He is talking, telling stories and singing songs which are all so much fun to watch and hear. Well, he has one more big growing up thing he is learning about too, that we thought you all might be interested in knowing. He is learning about being a big brother.

Yes, it true we are hoping to welcome a new addition into our family in March. We are all very excited. We will let you know more about him or her as things progress.

Garden plot

Henry loves collecting things from the garden. His favorite thing to pick is green beans and he will declare as soon as we drive up at the garden, "Henry pick beans." He can pick the low ones with some help. Normally, he puts them in the basket or bag after I (Daniel) give them to him.




In the last few weeks it has been time to dig up our potatoes and that has been loads of fun for Henry. He enjoyed crawling through the dirt last fall as we dug potatoes, but this year he does even more.



He tries to use his shovel just like Daniel. He is always excited to find one in the dirt and put it in the bag.



Our garden is starting to wind down with summer crops and we are trying to get ready for a fall crops. We hope to get a nice fall crop of Kohlrabi, lettuces, greens and hopefully some sugar snaps. It has been a lot of fun to have this little garden plot and we have learned a lot about what works best out there.

Henry 23 months

I can't believe Henry will be two next month, but I thought before it happened I should let you know what he is up too.

He has really been fine tuning most of the skills he has already gained. He can walk up and down stairs without holding on if needed. He can put on his shoes, even though sometimes on the wrong feet. He can help more with dressing and undressing. He can Run too!

His verbal skills are ever increasing. His vocabulary is still growing by leaps and bounds. He asked us to "Get on Board" his carbon-board box airplane yesterday. It is just amazing the phrases and words, he learning from his environment. He can make sentences with 4 to 5 words and almost always communicate, what he is trying to say.

It is also wonderful to see his imagination growing and developing. He is beginning to really get into pretend play. Daniel found him a cardboard box the other day that has been a parking garage for his Bobby car, a boat, and most often an airplane. He also was pretending to go to the store and would some back with different groceries for you (mostly moo, milk, and animal crackers). He pretends to cook in his kitchen still and will cook you up and egg and cheese sandwich or some asparagus if you ask. I did not realize how amazing it would be to watch his play change and grow.

Camping

This past weekend we took Henry on his first camp out. We gathered at Shades state park in Indiana with members of our church's balance group. Despite the heat and the rain we all had fun. Henry thought the tent was a pretty fun house as he called it. He enjoyed unzipping the door and climbing in an out. At night though he did insist that the doors screened portion be zipped up to cover the screen. He slept very well and even through a pretty nasty thunderstorm.
He really enjoyed playing with all the other kiddos. They played ball, pulled each other in the wagon, dug in the dirt and all sort of other fun things. He did very well sharing his toys, with all the kids.

I think his favorite part of the camp out was the canoe trip. He loved going in the big boat. He sat in the middle and in the front and even tried to paddle. He enjoyed swimming in the river when we stopped to enjoy the cool water. It was a nice way to cool off in the heat.

It was fun to enjoy fellowship and get to know these friends a little better.