One Year Ago...

A year ago today we found out that we were - super surprise - pregnant! We had just returned the day before from a week of binge drinking in Mexico, so I was definitely worried about the baby and the effect of about 50 mojitos on its health and development, but my doctor assured me that all would be fine. And so began nine months of worry, anticipation, and impatience. Throughout the entire pregnancy, my girlfriends would tell me that I will miss being pregnant after the baby came. I thought they were nuts, but it turns out they were right - I do miss being pregnant, but not enough to do it again anytime soon!

BEFORE: Me at 14 weeks (with lots of junk and clutter in the background - gross).

AFTER: Our adorable little nugget. I just can't deal with how cute he is!

Perfect Saturday

It was an awesome Saturday around the Beck house! I started the day early (after John took care of Henry and let me sleep in a bit) by meeting a friend for coffee. Then, we went to our fun little music class, Lullabies, at the Old Town School right around the corner. Henry loves music class! Today there was a substitute teacher, and we sang much cooler songs than usual (think "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper rather than "Skinnamarinki Dinky Dink"). After music we went to the park where Henry enjoyed his lunch and John enjoyed playing on the playground equipment. We also took another walk around the hood later in the afternoon and took Henry on his first trip to Timeless Toys, a great little toy shop in Lincoln Square. It was so impressive that he slept right through it!

We just can't believe how big Henry is getting and how alert he is! He just changes so much every week!

Listening so intently to the music at music class that he felt the need to literally turn
on his side toward the teacher. I'm pretending that he wasn't rolling over to get away from my singing.

Super cute in his hoodie on this chilly Saturday

Liquid picnic in the park

Three Month Letter

Dear Henry,

On March 5th, you turned three months old. I realize this was nearly two weeks ago, but being late for things is pretty much the story of my life these days. Gone are the days of you and I lazing around the house all day, taking naps and staying in our jammies. You now go to daycare full time and are loving it. I cried and cried when I dropped you off the first day (and cried some more when my Starbucks barista welcomed me back and asked about you), but you are just loving your time there. Your sweet teachers just love you, and there is nothing better than coming to pick you up at the end of the day and being rewarded with your big toothless smile.

You are so fun to be around these days, and it seems like you learn to do something new every single day! You love to sit in your bouncer and kick your legs and lay on your playmat and stare at the toys dangling from it. And you are so close to rolling over! Every day we get to spend with you and watch you grow and learn is just amazing - we are looking forward to many many more!

Love,
Mommy

Our alternative to tummy time (which you still hate) - sessions in the bumbo
chair watching the fireplace DVD.

Your new "big boy" tub. You just love kicking around in the water with your chubby little legs!

Almost rolling over

Such a big boy!

The Back-to-Work Countdown

T minus 6 days until the end of mat leave for me. I can hardly imagine not spending my days staring at this precious little face.



Actually, I will still be staring at it via several photos strategically placed on my desk so that there is not an angle that does not provide a view of Henry. It's really hard to describe the past 12 weeks. I can't say they've been awesome, because there were some days there in the beginning that I thought that I just wasn't up for this mom business. But there have also been some really amazing days, especially in the past couple of weeks, when I wondered what the heck I did with my life before Henry came along.

When I go back to work on March 7th, Henry will go to daycare at The Little Green Tree House. I have already taken him there for a couple of half days to get him (meaning ME) accustomed to going. I cried the first day but am hoping I got that out of my system. Although I know it will be healthy to get out of the house, see other people, and wear something other than my pajamas and yoga pants, I will still miss my little guy something terrible.

Updated Pics of Henry

I'm pretty sure we should rename this blog allabouthenry.blogspot.com. But seriously, I stay in my house all day with Henry, so what else could I possibly have to blog about? It seems like Henry is growing and changing every day. We went to the doctor last week and he weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz.! Getting big! Below are some pics from the past week or so. I feel like he's already grown and changed since we took these. We just can't get enough of this little guy!

Serious Henry

"Come on, Dad! Stop with the pictures already!"

Finally! A picture of John!

Smiley Baby!

2 Month Letter

Dear Henry,

Yesterday you turned two months old. As I type this, you are taking one of the three twenty-minute cat naps you take during the day. So while your daytime napping record has not improved much over the past month, you are at least much more pleasant to be around during those sleepless daytime hours. I feel like someone traded in the one month old you and exchanged you for the newer, improved model. Gone is the Henry who cries all day long -- he has been replaced with a sweet, smiley, and slobbery little bundle of fun. This is not to say that you no longer have your moments as a total fuss-bucket, but your fussy periods have become shorter and fewer. Among your favorite things to do: stare at the ceiling fan, take baths, laugh and shout at your mobile as it goes around, and smile the sweetest, most heart-melting smiles I've ever seen.

You still don't sleep through the night, but seriously, what two month old does? Two nights ago, we started putting you to sleep in your own room. You're still sleeping in the little rocking reflux thingy -- I'm not tough enough to transition you to your crib -- but you have graduated to not needing to see my face when you wake up screaming in the night. I was a little sad at the idea of moving you, but kiddo, you are a loud sleeper, and it has been nice to not wake up several times between feedings due to your loud stretching and grunting and random panting. I secretly enjoy our time at nighttime feedings, when I get to rock you and cuddle with you until you go back to sleep. Although your dad is assigned the 3am shift (the first of your two times up at night), I still get up with you two just so I can sneak a peek at your sweet chubby face.

And speaking of chubby, you are definitely turning into a little porker. You currently drink 4 ounces every 2 hours or so during the day - I think you may have a hollow leg! But you are getting the cutest, most kissable little chubby cheeks. And I've definitely noticed some new rolls on your legs, which definitely prolong bath time since I have to scrub in each and every one.

After you had gone to bed the other night, I was folding one of the 200 loads of laundry I do each day. Buried in the pile of grown-up clothes was a pair of your pants. Your dad came in and caught me staring at those little pants. When he asked me why I was so fascinated with the pants, I told him that there are days where I feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't just dreaming that you were in our lives, and those miniature pants were just another reminder that you really are real.

I am so glad that you (and your little pants) are here.

Love,
Mommy

Belly laughing at something silly that Dad did.

A little slumped over, but it will do!

You now require us to carry you up on our shoulders so that you can inspect your surroundings. It also gives us the opportunity to snuggle on your sweet little cheeks!

Henry's First Trip to Tulsa!

We just returned from an extended trip to Tulsa. The main point of the trip was to introduce Henry to friends and family that had not met him yet. Of course, getting to Tulsa entailed either a 10 hour car ride or a 2 hour plane ride, so naturally we chose the plane. Henry did so well on both our departing and returning flights! In fact, he slept for the entirety of the flight on both trips! I hope that he continues to be such a great little traveler!

We had lots of activities planned while we were home. We had two Sip and Sees, which is basically a party where friends come and see the baby while they sip adult beverages. We also saw lots of family and friends, and Henry had his first photo session! I will have to post or link to some pics when they are ready. He was so good for all of the festivities and the photo shoot - he's turned into such a little ham! He will just laugh and smile at anyone who talks to him, making this stage of babyhood extra special fun.

Probably the best part of the trip home was the weather -- it was in the upper 60s the entire trip! I didn't wear my coat even once when we were there. Can't beat that kind of weather in January!

Below are some pics of the trip. It just occurred to me that John isn't in any of the pics from the trip - must be because he was the photographer, but I promise he was there!

Mom made these adorable aprons for us!

Henry and Great Uncle Steve!

Alli was so sweet to come and meet Henry

On the plane ride there. Tired Momma!